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NORTHCOUNTRY NEWS
~ Nature Tracks ~
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The Northcountry News - Helping The Birder In You!
Enter A Bird Name In The Above Search Area And You Will Be Brought To A Page Describing The Bird.
See Pictures - Hear It's Call - See It's Range - And So Much More!
If You Don't Know What The Bird Is - Simply Click On The Wizard Link In The Above Box And It Will Help You To Identify It!
It's Simple - It's Easy - And It's Fun! Try It Out!
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Hello and welcome to this week’s Nature Tracks. The NH Fish & Game Department recently recognized several Conservation Officers for outstanding performance. This week we’ll take a look at who they are.
N.H. Fish and Game Honors Conservation Officers of the Year
Three New Hampshire Fish and Game Conservation Officers were recently honored for outstanding performance -- Samuel P. Sprague of Whitefield; Christopher J. Egan of Pittsburg; and Michael G. Eastman of Gilford. "It is my distinct pleasure to congratulate our officers for earning these prestigious awards, which recognize their strong work ethic and initiative during the past year and efforts that have saved lives," said Major Tim Acerno, Fish and Game's Acting Law Enforcement Chief.
Conservation Officer Samuel P. Sprague of Whitefield was honored as the 2007 Northeast Conservation Law Enforcement Chiefs Association Conservation Officer of the Year. A 13-year veteran of Fish and Game Law Enforcement, Sprague has taken on additional duties as the Assistant Team Leader for Fish and Game's Specialized Search and Rescue Team and Assistant Chief Firearms Instructor for the Law Enforcement Division. He has been extensively involved in training other division members and developing specialized training curriculum. He is a Field Training Officer, a Preliminary Breath Test Instructor, Firearms Instructor, Rifle Instructor, Fish and Game Sig-Arms Armorer, Defensive Tactics Instructor and Handcuffing Instructor. He also works with the staff of various state agencies as a member of the Moose Highway Safety Board.
Sprague's fair and professional approach has earned him the respect of the public and the volunteer organizations that routinely assist Fish and Game with search and rescue operations during numerous dangerous rescue missions saving countless lives. He played a leadership role in developing the Pemigewasset Valley Search and Rescue Team, based in Franconia, which has volunteered expert services on many missions in hazardous conditions.
The Northeast Conservation Law Enforcement Chiefs Association represents Chiefs and Command Staff of 22 different law enforcement organizations throughout the northeastern U.S. and Canada. Its purpose is to encourage enhanced law enforcement cooperation among the member states and provinces, to study and exchange fish and wildlife law enforcement techniques and perspectives, and to promote cooperation and understanding among allied agencies in wildlife conservation and management.
Conservation Officer Christopher J. Egan of Pittsburg was named the Shikar-Safari Club International 2007 Wildlife Officer of the Year. A 7-year veteran of Fish and Game Law Enforcement, Egan has served the residents and visitors to Pittsburg with great professionalism and courtesy. He is an officer who is always willing to be on call and ready to respond to a variety of situations, not limited to Fish and Game-related events.
"All I need to do is to call, and I know that Chris will be there," said Major Tim Acerno in presenting the award. "In the North Country, backup is very limited and all agencies are very dependent on each other. Chris has earned the respect of Law Enforcement throughout Coos County because of his consistent friendly, fair and professional treatment and his readiness to provide backup for any situation."
Eagan has shown leadership and courage on several occasions. In one instance, he witnessed an explosion at a Pittsburg residence and watched as the house became engulfed in flames. Eagan and another officer ran into the burning building and helped rescue two elderly residents who were asleep at the time of the blaze. If not for the officers' heroic actions, the couple would have not survived the fire.
Pittsburg is a difficult patrol area because it is a year-round destination spot for snowmobiling, fishing, hunting and wildlife watching. Each year Egan is called upon to respond to a variety of snowmobile crashes in harsh conditions, when the survival of the victim depends on his quick and decisive first aid; as well as dangerous rescues of riders who venture out onto thin ice or open water.
The Shikar-Safari Club International is a worldwide organization dedicated to the protection, enhancement and preservation of wildlife, with emphasis on endangered and threatened species. The club promotes the enforcement of conservation laws and regulations around the world.
Conservation Officer Michael G. Eastman of Gilford received the Director's Award from the New Hampshire Police Standards and Training Academy for his heroic efforts that saved the life of a distraught woman. Each year, the Academy recognizes officers who go beyond the normal patrol routine in an effort to stop illegal activity. This award, however, honors officers for activity beyond the call of duty; only two other officers in New Hampshire have earned this distinction.
On November 7, 2007, Eastman was on patrol with a Conservation Officer trainee. The two officers drove into a public Fish and Game boat access facility on Saltmarsh Pond to check fishing and boating activity. As they entered the area, Eastman noticed a sport-utility vehicle parked at the access site with a woman inside wearing a wedding dress. Eastman spoke to the woman, suspicious that something was not right. The woman appeared distraught and Eastman feared she might attempt to take her own life. The woman referred to "seeing the pond for the last time." When she reached behind the driver's seat, Eastman noticed what appeared to be illegal drugs inside the vehicle.
In an attempt to control the situation, Eastman opened the driver's side door and asked her to exit the vehicle. She refused, saying that she "wanted to die." When the despondent woman suddenly shifted the vehicle into gear and attempted to drive away, Eastman's arm was trapped inside the vehicle door. He managed to free his arm from the accelerating vehicle and returned to his cruiser. The woman spun her car around and drove straight toward Eastman's vehicle. Relying on his experience and training, Eastman maneuvered his vehicle out of the path of the speeding SUV, which then plunged into the pond and began to sink.
Eastman quickly directed the trainee and two bystanders to a nearby boat and rowed out to the sinking vehicle. When they reached the vehicle, the officer successfully pulled the still distraught and struggling woman to safety.
Throughout this dangerous situation, Eastman maintained a calm yet commanding presence and made split-second decisions that enabled him to effectively counter the assault and thwart the despondent woman's attempt to take her own life.
New Hampshire Fish and Game's Law Enforcement Division is responsible for the enforcement of all laws, rules and regulations pertaining to fish and wildlife. Conservation Officers prosecute all of their own cases involving offenders of wildlife law. They also handle search and rescue operations and enforce off-highway recreational vehicle regulations.
"If you talk to the animals, they will talk with you and you will know each other.
If you do not talk to them you will not know them,
and what you do not know, you will fear.
What one fears, one destroys..."
..............Chief Dan George
"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress
can be judged by the way its animals are treated..."
...............Mohandas Ghandi
Thank you for joining us this week. Until the next time, as always, please take time to enjoy the natural world around you. Questions, comments and suggestions can be sent to PO Box 10, Warren, NH 03279 or emailed to: northcountrynews@wildblue.net.
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The Following Story About Ticks Has Been Left On
Our Website As Informational Purposes
For Our Readers.
DHHS Announces Significant Increase In Lyme Disease In New Hampshire,
Urges People Going Outdoors To Take Precaution Against Ticks
 
American Dog Tick Deer Tick
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) today announced that human cases of Lyme Disease increased dramatically in 2006 to 617 statewide, up from 271 in 2005. The Division of Public Health Services attributes the increase to an what is believed to be an greater number of infected ticks in New Hampshire, particularly the Southeast portion of the state, as well as increased awareness by doctors and other medical providers after a vigorous outreach by DHHS and other public health agencies for health care providers to look for the signs of Lyme Disease.
“This significant increase in Lyme Disease should be a warning to everyone about the importance of prevention,” said DHHS Commissioner John Stephen. “Lyme Disease is spread by ticks and can be avoided by taking precaution when you are in areas where ticks might be. While Lyme Disease is easily treatable when it is caught early, it can have very severe complications if left unchecked. We urge everyone to follow basic protective measures, for all, but especially for those individuals in Strafford, Rockingham and Eastern Hillsborough Counties.”
Lyme Disease is caused by a bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi, that is transmitted to humans by the bite of infected ticks and cause more than 20,000 infections in the United States each year. If a tick feeds on an animal infected with Lyme Disease and then on a person, it can transmit the bacteria to the person. There is no evidence that Lyme Disease is transmitted from person to person. The illness is most prevalent in the northeastern part of the United States, which includes New Hampshire. The disease can be treated with antibiotics. There is no vaccine for Lyme Disease that is commercially available.
Lyme Disease starts as a large reddish circular rash around or near the site of the tick bite. During the rash stage, or occasionally prior to the rash, other symptoms included chills, fever, headache, fatigue, stiff neck, swollen glands, and muscle and/or joint pain. These may last for several weeks. If the disease is left untreated for a few weeks or months after the rash onset, complications such as meningitis, facial palsy, arthritis, and heart abnormalities may occur.
“If an individual has signs or symptoms of Lyme disease, regardless of a recognized tick bite, they should promptly seek medical attention,” said Dr. Jason Stull, State Public Health Veterinarian. “Early diagnosis improves the outcome of treatment so it is important to promptly contact a healthcare provider if you are feeling sick or develop a rash. People may be exposed to Lyme disease wherever deer ticks are present, including their own yards, or other wooded or grassy areas. Whenever in areas with ticks, follow precautions to reduce tick bites and promptly remove attached ticks. Through these prevention methods we can remain active and continue to enjoy New Hampshire's outdoors.”
To avoid Lyme Disease, in tick-infested areas, DHHS recommends that the public take the following steps:
• Wear light-colored clothing to make ticks easy to see
• Tuck pants into socks and shirts into pants
• Use insect repellent. Products containing DEET have been shown to be effective in repelling ticks. Clothes may be treated with Permethrin
• Check after every two or three hours of outdoor activity for ticks on clothing and skin
• Do a thorough check of your body for attached ticks at the end of the day
• Reduce the number of ticks around your home by keeping grass short, removing leaf litter, and creating a wood chips or gravel barrier where your lawn meets the woods.
• If a tick is attached to your skin for less than 24 hours, your chance of getting Lyme disease is extremely small. But just to be safe, monitor your health closely after a tick bite and be alert for any signs and symptoms of illness.
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MOOSE "ON THE LOOSE" DRIVERS BEWARE!
To avoid a moose collision:
* Drive below the speed limit -- especially at dusk and dawn and especially in moose-heavy areas;
* Use high beams when possible;
* Be able to stop within the zone of your headlights;
*Scan the sides of the roads as you drive.
More than 200 moose are struck by vehicles each year in New Hampshire, according to biologists and law enforcement authorities. New Hampshire has an estimated population of 5,000 to 6,000 moose.
To spread the word about sharing the roads with moose, Fish and Game created "Brake for Moose," an award-winning campaign that includes the popular yellow bumper sticker and highway signs.
   
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© The Northcountry News
PO Box 10, Warren, NH 03279
603-764-5807
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