Youth Turkey Hunting Is This Weekend
Gary Moore
April 23, 2026
It’s almost time for spring turkey hunting in Vermont with youth and novice weekend on April 25 and 26 and the regular season from May 1 to May 31.
The Granite State’s annual youth turkey hunt takes place the same dates, April 25 and April 26. The regular spring turkey season opens on May 1 and runs through May 31.
“The youth and novice turkey hunting weekend provides an excellent opportunity for experienced hunters to teach young or new hunters how to safely and successfully hunt wild turkeys,” said Toni Mikula, Vermont’s wild turkey biologist.
To hunt turkeys this weekend, a youth must be 15 or younger and must have completed a hunter education course and possess a hunting license, a turkey hunting license and a free youth turkey hunting tag.
The youth or novice must be accompanied by an unarmed licensed adult over 18 years of age. Shooting hours for the weekend are one half hour before sunrise to 5 p.m. Landowner permission is required to hunt on private land during youth-novice turkey hunting weekend.
To participate in New Hampshire’s youth weekend, hunters must be aged 15 or younger and be accompanied by a properly licensed adult aged 18 or older. The mentoring adult may not carry a firearm or bow. Youth hunters do not need a hunting license, but they must have a valid turkey permit, which is $16 for residents and $31 for nonresidents. Accompanying adults must hold either a current New Hampshire hunting or archery license and a turkey permit.
Head To Orleans And If You Are Lucky The Trout Will Be Leaping
The steelhead rainbow trout have started their upstream migration to leap up the waterfalls in Orleans, a spectacular display of determination on their way to their spawning grounds.
Steelhead can be spotted moving up the falls during warmer days in mid-to-late April and sometimes into early May.
“Many people may not realize we have opportunities to watch fish in Vermont just like there are for birds and mammals,” said Jud Kratzer, fisheries biologist for the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department.
“Witnessing these trout migrate is a powerful reminder of the importance of maintaining healthy and connected waters to allow fish to thrive. We’re working to conserve Vermont’s waterways and the surrounding habitats so that future generations can continue to witness this incredible migration each spring. While the annual migration occurs over several weeks, the best opportunities for seeing jumping fish only last for a few days when flows and water temperatures are just right.”
Seeing them is something you never forget, but you can visit many times only to find no fish jumping. I know how frustrating it can be as I have made countless trips to the falls and only seen the fish jumping a few times.
Willoughby River steelhead also provide an excellent fishing opportunity that attracts anglers from all over the Northeast. The section of the river in Orleans from the downstream edge of the Tarbox Hill Road Bridge to the top of the natural falls just upstream is closed to all fishing until June 1.
For many years the stretch of the Willoughby by the falls was the first to open for fishing. It attracted a large number of anglers from all over the region anxious to wet a line.
Mid morning there was a well attended celebrity breakfast at the Valley House which the Commissioner was expected to attend.
Bits and Pieces
Fishing in many of New Hampshire’s managed trout ponds starts on the fourth Saturday in April, the 25th this year. These waters include “designated trout ponds,” which are open through Labor Day, and “fly-fishing-only ponds,” which are open through October 15.
“Fishing for that first-of-the season trout is one of the traditional rites of spring, and they are beautiful,” Inland Fisheries Division Chief Dianne Timmins said. “Whether your passion is the blue-haloed brook trout, a leaping, pink-striped rainbow, or the determined fight of a brown, there’s a trout pond within a reasonable driving distance to entice your competitive side.”
For a list of trout ponds and fly-fishing-only ponds in New Hampshire, as well as a description of special rules that apply to certain ponds, consult the New Hampshire Freshwater Fishing Digest, available online at www.eregulations.com/newhampshire/fishing/freshwater, from any Fish and Game agent where you buy your license, or by visiting https://www.wildlife.nh.gov/fishing-new-hampshire/trout-fishing-new-hampshire.
***
The Battenkilll Fly Fishing & Arts Festival is April 30-May 2 in Arlington and Manchester.
Recently named a Vermont Signature Event it is three days of celebrating fly fishing, art, music, craft, and community along one of the most storied rivers in the Northeast. From signature events and expert presentations to live music, vendors, casting competitions, and local food and drink, the festival brings together anglers, artists, and outdoor enthusiasts for a spring weekend on the Battenkill.
Check it out at https://www.vtflyfest.com/.
***
Watching wildlife is enjoyable, especially when young animals appear in the spring. But it is best to keep your distance. Picking up young wildlife can do more harm than good, according to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, and it is also against the law.
When people see young animals alone, they often mistakenly assume these animals are helpless or lost, in trouble or needing to be rescued. Bringing young wildlife into a human environment often results in permanent separation from their mothers and a sad ending for the animal.
Handling wildlife could also pose a threat to the people involved. Wild animals can transmit disease and angry wildlife mothers can pose significant dangers.
Fish and Wildlife scientists encourage wildlife watchers to respect the behavior of animals in the spring and early summer, and to resist the urge to assist wildlife in ways that may be harmful.
For information about what to do when you encounter an animal in the wild, and to discuss questions and concerns about rabies, call the Vermont Rabies Hotline, 1-800-4RABIES, 800-472-2437.
***
The U.S. Forest Service recently announced that it plans to close its research and development office in Burlington and the Bartlett Experimental Forest in New Hampshire as part of a national reorganization, a big loss to the region.
***
As spring has begun and warm weather is in sight, ice-out has been declared on Lake Winnipesaukee. Emerson Aviation made the declaration at 6:59 a.m. Sunday, April 12.
Ice-out is declared on the lake when all five ports that the MS Mount Washington visits are open.
***
Mark Breen reports in the Fairbanks Museum's Skywatch Almanac that on
April 23, 1996: “One to two inches of rain fell on this day, part of the wettest April ever on a state-wide basis. A cold, wet backwards spring kept rivers near flood much of the time, delaying spring activities. “
April 26, 1866: “Flooding in the Passumpsic Valley: 4 bridges lost between Lyndonville and St. Johnsbury. But records from nearby Lancaster, NH and Lunenburg, VT indicate no excessive rains, suggesting it was the result of snowmelt, or ice jams.”
Parting Shots
Thursday I stopped by the St. Johnsbury Atheneum, one of my favorite places, to check out the rearranged paintings in the gallery. The collection is remarkable and I never cease to enjoy spending time studying the work of the artists.
What I had not expected but found most interesting was in the second floor gallery, Ice Shantes: Fishing, People & Culture. The photographs are the work of Federico Pardo that show ice shanties on Brattleboro’s retreat Meadows as well as ice fishing gear and fish.
Each photo is accompanied by audio reflections from the shanty owners that derived from interviews conducted by Vermont Folklife.
Unfortunately, I did not know about the exhibit last month as it will soon come down.
It is well worth making the effort to get to St. Johnsbury and the Atheneum soon, whether you are an ice fisherman or just want to know why others are.
***
The April issue of Yankee Magazine features the 25 Best Small Towns.
I always find such lists interesting as they are very subjective and based on the author’s personal biases.
In the case of Yankee, I agree that Essex, Connecticut is a great choice for #1, although there are others I would rate as high.
In this area, St. Johnsbury #25, Bethlehem #7 and Randolph #18 were chosen.
Middlebury #2 and Manchester #9 were the other Vermont towns ranked and Peterborough #4, Meredith #14 and Henniker #23 were the New Hampshire towns.
The big surprise to me was Middlebury being #2. It is a great town, I just am not sure I would have ranked it that high.
What the list does is provide ideas of towns to visit that one has not before. New England has so much to offer and there is no need to fly and deal with all the issues now so prevalent. Get on the road this summer and explore some of the towns listed and others you pass through.
Syndicated columnist Gary W. Moore may be reached by e-mail at gwmoore1946@icloud.com or at Box 454, Bradford, VT 05033.
copyright 2026 Gary W. Moore
The Granite State’s annual youth turkey hunt takes place the same dates, April 25 and April 26. The regular spring turkey season opens on May 1 and runs through May 31.
“The youth and novice turkey hunting weekend provides an excellent opportunity for experienced hunters to teach young or new hunters how to safely and successfully hunt wild turkeys,” said Toni Mikula, Vermont’s wild turkey biologist.
To hunt turkeys this weekend, a youth must be 15 or younger and must have completed a hunter education course and possess a hunting license, a turkey hunting license and a free youth turkey hunting tag.
The youth or novice must be accompanied by an unarmed licensed adult over 18 years of age. Shooting hours for the weekend are one half hour before sunrise to 5 p.m. Landowner permission is required to hunt on private land during youth-novice turkey hunting weekend.
To participate in New Hampshire’s youth weekend, hunters must be aged 15 or younger and be accompanied by a properly licensed adult aged 18 or older. The mentoring adult may not carry a firearm or bow. Youth hunters do not need a hunting license, but they must have a valid turkey permit, which is $16 for residents and $31 for nonresidents. Accompanying adults must hold either a current New Hampshire hunting or archery license and a turkey permit.
Head To Orleans And If You Are Lucky The Trout Will Be Leaping
The steelhead rainbow trout have started their upstream migration to leap up the waterfalls in Orleans, a spectacular display of determination on their way to their spawning grounds.
Steelhead can be spotted moving up the falls during warmer days in mid-to-late April and sometimes into early May.
“Many people may not realize we have opportunities to watch fish in Vermont just like there are for birds and mammals,” said Jud Kratzer, fisheries biologist for the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department.
“Witnessing these trout migrate is a powerful reminder of the importance of maintaining healthy and connected waters to allow fish to thrive. We’re working to conserve Vermont’s waterways and the surrounding habitats so that future generations can continue to witness this incredible migration each spring. While the annual migration occurs over several weeks, the best opportunities for seeing jumping fish only last for a few days when flows and water temperatures are just right.”
Seeing them is something you never forget, but you can visit many times only to find no fish jumping. I know how frustrating it can be as I have made countless trips to the falls and only seen the fish jumping a few times.
Willoughby River steelhead also provide an excellent fishing opportunity that attracts anglers from all over the Northeast. The section of the river in Orleans from the downstream edge of the Tarbox Hill Road Bridge to the top of the natural falls just upstream is closed to all fishing until June 1.
For many years the stretch of the Willoughby by the falls was the first to open for fishing. It attracted a large number of anglers from all over the region anxious to wet a line.
Mid morning there was a well attended celebrity breakfast at the Valley House which the Commissioner was expected to attend.
Bits and Pieces
Fishing in many of New Hampshire’s managed trout ponds starts on the fourth Saturday in April, the 25th this year. These waters include “designated trout ponds,” which are open through Labor Day, and “fly-fishing-only ponds,” which are open through October 15.
“Fishing for that first-of-the season trout is one of the traditional rites of spring, and they are beautiful,” Inland Fisheries Division Chief Dianne Timmins said. “Whether your passion is the blue-haloed brook trout, a leaping, pink-striped rainbow, or the determined fight of a brown, there’s a trout pond within a reasonable driving distance to entice your competitive side.”
For a list of trout ponds and fly-fishing-only ponds in New Hampshire, as well as a description of special rules that apply to certain ponds, consult the New Hampshire Freshwater Fishing Digest, available online at www.eregulations.com/newhampshire/fishing/freshwater, from any Fish and Game agent where you buy your license, or by visiting https://www.wildlife.nh.gov/fishing-new-hampshire/trout-fishing-new-hampshire.
***
The Battenkilll Fly Fishing & Arts Festival is April 30-May 2 in Arlington and Manchester.
Recently named a Vermont Signature Event it is three days of celebrating fly fishing, art, music, craft, and community along one of the most storied rivers in the Northeast. From signature events and expert presentations to live music, vendors, casting competitions, and local food and drink, the festival brings together anglers, artists, and outdoor enthusiasts for a spring weekend on the Battenkill.
Check it out at https://www.vtflyfest.com/.
***
Watching wildlife is enjoyable, especially when young animals appear in the spring. But it is best to keep your distance. Picking up young wildlife can do more harm than good, according to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, and it is also against the law.
When people see young animals alone, they often mistakenly assume these animals are helpless or lost, in trouble or needing to be rescued. Bringing young wildlife into a human environment often results in permanent separation from their mothers and a sad ending for the animal.
Handling wildlife could also pose a threat to the people involved. Wild animals can transmit disease and angry wildlife mothers can pose significant dangers.
Fish and Wildlife scientists encourage wildlife watchers to respect the behavior of animals in the spring and early summer, and to resist the urge to assist wildlife in ways that may be harmful.
For information about what to do when you encounter an animal in the wild, and to discuss questions and concerns about rabies, call the Vermont Rabies Hotline, 1-800-4RABIES, 800-472-2437.
***
The U.S. Forest Service recently announced that it plans to close its research and development office in Burlington and the Bartlett Experimental Forest in New Hampshire as part of a national reorganization, a big loss to the region.
***
As spring has begun and warm weather is in sight, ice-out has been declared on Lake Winnipesaukee. Emerson Aviation made the declaration at 6:59 a.m. Sunday, April 12.
Ice-out is declared on the lake when all five ports that the MS Mount Washington visits are open.
***
Mark Breen reports in the Fairbanks Museum's Skywatch Almanac that on
April 23, 1996: “One to two inches of rain fell on this day, part of the wettest April ever on a state-wide basis. A cold, wet backwards spring kept rivers near flood much of the time, delaying spring activities. “
April 26, 1866: “Flooding in the Passumpsic Valley: 4 bridges lost between Lyndonville and St. Johnsbury. But records from nearby Lancaster, NH and Lunenburg, VT indicate no excessive rains, suggesting it was the result of snowmelt, or ice jams.”
Parting Shots
Thursday I stopped by the St. Johnsbury Atheneum, one of my favorite places, to check out the rearranged paintings in the gallery. The collection is remarkable and I never cease to enjoy spending time studying the work of the artists.
What I had not expected but found most interesting was in the second floor gallery, Ice Shantes: Fishing, People & Culture. The photographs are the work of Federico Pardo that show ice shanties on Brattleboro’s retreat Meadows as well as ice fishing gear and fish.
Each photo is accompanied by audio reflections from the shanty owners that derived from interviews conducted by Vermont Folklife.
Unfortunately, I did not know about the exhibit last month as it will soon come down.
It is well worth making the effort to get to St. Johnsbury and the Atheneum soon, whether you are an ice fisherman or just want to know why others are.
***
The April issue of Yankee Magazine features the 25 Best Small Towns.
I always find such lists interesting as they are very subjective and based on the author’s personal biases.
In the case of Yankee, I agree that Essex, Connecticut is a great choice for #1, although there are others I would rate as high.
In this area, St. Johnsbury #25, Bethlehem #7 and Randolph #18 were chosen.
Middlebury #2 and Manchester #9 were the other Vermont towns ranked and Peterborough #4, Meredith #14 and Henniker #23 were the New Hampshire towns.
The big surprise to me was Middlebury being #2. It is a great town, I just am not sure I would have ranked it that high.
What the list does is provide ideas of towns to visit that one has not before. New England has so much to offer and there is no need to fly and deal with all the issues now so prevalent. Get on the road this summer and explore some of the towns listed and others you pass through.
Syndicated columnist Gary W. Moore may be reached by e-mail at gwmoore1946@icloud.com or at Box 454, Bradford, VT 05033.
copyright 2026 Gary W. Moore
A steelhead rainbow trout leaps upstream in Willoughby Falls outside Orleans village on its annual migration to spawning grounds. VTF&W photo by Tom Rogers
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