Tagged: Fish and Game

There were three snowmobile crashes in the North Country Saturday, including two in which riders were injured, according to New Hampshire Fish and Game.

The first involved 32-year-old Kevin Brigham of Brookline, New Hampshire who lost control of his snowmobile and struck an oncoming snowmobile, Conservation Officer Geoffrey Younglove wrote in a news release. Brigham suffered internal injuries in the crash on Trail 18 and was taken by helicopter to a hospital in Maine.

Supporters and opponents packed a committee room for the first hearing on a bill that would charge a fee to anyone needing a backcountry rescue.The proposed law would be the first of its kind in the nation.

New Hampshire Fish and Game performs more than 150 rescues each year at a cost of $300,000. Right now, that’s funded by hunting and fishing licenses, and snowmobile registrations. But a new bill would make those needing assistance pay a portion of the cost.

Two Canadian men who were lost in the White Mountains overnight were rescued Monday afternoon after an extensive search by Fish and Game and a National Guard Black Hawk helicopter.

NHPR’s Chris Jensen reports.

The two Canadian men had planned to climb Mt. Lafayette, a 4,000-footer in the Franconia Notch.

But they lost their way late Sunday afternoon due to fog, high winds and blowing snow, says Dany Daigle of Quebec, one of the hikers.

Hikers could be charged for their  rescues even if they didn’t do anything wrong under a bill being filed by the NH House’s top republican.

Currently much of the money for rescue operations carried out by New Hampshire Fish and Game comes from fees such as licenses for hunting, fishing and snowmobiles.

Only those guilty of the most reckless behavior risk having to pay for their rescues.

But rescues cost about $300,000 a year, says Major Kevin Jordan, of Fish and Game.

A Nashua man who was trail running in the White Mountains was rescued Saturday after he fell and was injured.

Kevin McDonald, 48, slipped and injured his knee on the East Pond Trail, according to Lt. James Kneeland of New Hampshire Fish and Game.

Kneeland said two hikers came across McDonald and one went for help while the other remained with him.

McDonald was helped off the trail by Fish and Game officers and members of the Pemi Valley Search and Rescue.

An Army National Guard Black Hawk helicopter was used Saturday morning to lift an injured, 285-pound hiker off Mount Adams, according to a news release from New Hampshire Fish and Game.

The man, Jason Baker, 43, of Chicago, dislocated his knee  on Mount Adams and about 7:30 Friday evening his two companions called 911 for help.

The trio was in a remote area and Fish and Game Lt. Douglas Gralenski said since they were properly equipped to spend the night on the mountain they were told to wait for a rescue in the morning.

It took almost two dozen volunteers to carry an injured woman out of the White Mountains late Thursday, according to a news release from New Hampshire Fish and Game.

Mary Jean Mork, 61, injured her leg on the last day of a five-day trip from Franconia Ridge to the Zealand Road in Bethlehem.

Her husband, Michael Donahue, went to the Appalachian Mountain Club hut for help because there is no cellular coverage in the area. The AMC huts have high-powered radios.

A New Jersey family was rescued from the White Mountains early Wednesday morning, according to a news release from New Hampshire Fish and Game.

The couple and their 31-year-old son called 911 for help about 9 p.m. after they found their small light wasn’t enough to safely follow the Old Bridle Path Trail, said Lt. James Kneeland.

Conservation officers reached the family about 11:15 and had them off the mountain just after midnight.

Kneeland said the family didn’t allow enough time to follow the trail and failed to have proper equipment to cope with the unexpected.