Hunting the Second College Grant
There's a special kind of excitement that comes with the thought of hunting truly vast, wild country. But that excitement can quickly turn to apprehension when you start looking at maps of places like the Second College Grant. It's huge, it's remote, and it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer scale of it all, wondering where on earth to even begin. This guide is here to unravel some of the mysteries of hunting this incredible piece of New Hampshire, helping you approach it with confidence and a solid plan.
Understanding the Second College Grant: A Unique Opportunity
The Second College Grant isn't your typical state park or even a regular parcel of national forest. It's a truly special, expansive tract of timberland in northern New Hampshire that offers a unique backcountry hunting experience. Many hunters dream of wild, untamed spaces, and this place delivers, but it also demands a different kind of preparation and mindset.
History and Management
This sprawling 27,000-acre wilderness is owned by Dartmouth College, which might surprise some folks. The college received the land back in the late 1700s, and it's been actively managed for timber production ever since. But here's the kicker for us hunters: while it's a working forest, it's also open to public recreation, including hunting, thanks to a longstanding agreement. This blend of timber harvesting and public access creates a dynamic landscape. You might find yourself hunting through recent clear-cuts that offer thick deer cover one year, and then mature hardwoods the next, all within the same general area. It’s not static; it’s constantly evolving, which means your scouting needs to evolve with it.
The management practices often leave behind a mosaic of habitat types – dense regenerating forests provide browse and cover for deer, while older stands offer mast crops and heavy timber for bedding. This varied habitat is a huge draw, supporting a diverse array of wildlife. For hunters, understanding this ongoing cycle of timber management is key. Those fresh cuts, while initially looking like a mess, can become whitetail magnets in just a few years, offering succulent browse and incredible security cover. It’s not always about finding pristine wilderness; sometimes, it’s about finding the wildness within a managed landscape.
Scale and Scope
When you look at a map, the sheer size of the Second College Grant is impressive. Twenty-seven thousand acres is a lot of ground to cover, especially when much of it is rugged, unroaded backcountry. It sits nestled in the "North Country" of New Hampshire, bordering Maine and stretching into the heart of some of the Granite State's wildest terrain. This isn't a place where you're likely to bump into a dozen other hunters every day, which is precisely why many of us seek it out. The opportunity for solitude and a genuine wilderness hunt is immense.
Compared to, say, a typical New Hampshire Wildlife Management Area (WMA) or even parts of the White Mountain National Forest, the Second College Grant often feels wilder and less manicured. While it has a network of logging roads, many are gated or become impassable depending on the season and timber operations. This creates deeper pockets of wilderness that require more effort to access, but often yield higher rewards for those willing to put in the work. The elevation changes aren't as dramatic as the Presidential Range, but don't underestimate the steady climbs and thick timber that define much of the landscape. If you're looking for a challenging hunt that tests your endurance and woodsman skills, this place offers it in spades. It’s a true big woods experience, demanding respect and thorough preparation.
Navigating the Terrain and Access Points
Getting into and around the Second College Grant requires a good plan and often a bit of grit. This isn't a place for casual strolls off a paved road; it's an immersive experience that starts the moment you leave the main highway. Understanding how to access this vast area and what to expect from its internal road network is crucial for a successful hunt.
Main Entry Points and Road Systems
The primary access into the Second College Grant is typically via Diamond Pond Road, which leads off Route 16 in the small town of Wentworth's Location. This road, along with others like Success Pond Road (which typically runs east from Berlin and parallels the southern edge of the Grant), forms the backbone of the accessible network. However, "accessible" is a relative term. Many of these are active logging roads, meaning conditions can vary wildly. You might encounter heavy truck traffic, fresh grading, or deeply rutted, muddy sections, especially after heavy rains. Always check for current conditions and understand that some roads might be gated or seasonally closed.
Beyond these main arteries, a spiderweb of secondary logging roads and skid trails branches off into the deeper woods. These are often where the best hunting opportunities lie, but they also demand more careful navigation. Some are maintained enough for a high-clearance 4×4, while others quickly devolve into foot-travel-only routes. Don't rely solely on what a map tells you from a desktop; ground-truthing is essential. Also, be aware of Corridor 11, a major snowmobile trail that dissects parts of the Grant. While not directly for vehicle access during hunting season, it can serve as a useful foot-travel corridor and a landmark for navigation. Remember that timber operations are ongoing, so expect changes year to year. A road that was open last season might be gated this year, or a new spur might have been cut.
Vehicle and Foot Travel Considerations
Once you're off the main highways and onto the Grant's internal roads, vehicular travel demands careful attention. Many gates exist to control access, protect active logging sites, or prevent road damage during wet seasons. Always respect these closures. Parking can also be a challenge; never block a gate or an active logging road. If you park on the shoulder, ensure your vehicle is completely off the travel lane, as those logging trucks don't have much room to spare. Be prepared to walk, and walk a lot. Even if you can drive a few miles in, the most productive hunting often lies a mile or more from the nearest vehicle access.
For foot travel, think rugged and remote. The terrain can be steep and uneven, with dense undergrowth, blowdowns, and wet areas, particularly around beaver flows and lowlands. A reliable GPS unit or a mapping app like onX Hunt or GoHunt is absolutely non-negotiable here. Cell service is notoriously spotty or non-existent in much of the Grant, so download offline maps before you go. Don't just rely on your phone; a dedicated GPS or a satellite communicator could literally be a lifesaver. GPS and Mapping Apps for New Hampshire Public Land can provide more details on this. Carry a physical map and compass as a backup, and know how to use them. Bushwhacking through thick spruce and cedar swamps can quickly disorient even experienced woodsmen, so always be mindful of your bearings.
Mapping Tools and Technology
In a vast area like the Second College Grant, traditional paper maps are a good start, but modern technology can be a game-changer. Digital mapping applications are invaluable for understanding the landscape and navigating safely. For instance, onX Hunt offers detailed topographic maps, satellite imagery, and public/private land boundaries that are indispensable for pinpointing access points, understanding terrain features like ridge lines and drainages, and even marking promising sign or stand locations. You can preload maps for offline use, which is critical given the lack of cell service.
Similarly, other platforms like GoHunt provide robust mapping capabilities that can help you visualize the timber cuts, locate water sources, and identify potential funnels or pinch points that might concentrate game movement. These apps often allow you to toggle different layers, revealing features that might not be immediately obvious on a standard topo map. Learning to effectively use these tools to interpret aerial photos for North Country deer movement or to identify key habitat transitions will dramatically increase your effectiveness and safety. Don't just use them to see where you are; use them to predict where the game will be and to plan your approach.
Key Game Species and Habitat
The Second College Grant, with its diverse and ever-changing landscape, supports a healthy population of several sought-after game species. Understanding what lives where, and how their habits are influenced by the timber management and natural features of the Grant, is paramount for a successful hunt. This isn't a place for one-size-fits-all tactics; it requires adaptability and a keen eye for habitat.
Whitetail Deer Opportunities
Deer hunting in the Second College Grant can be incredibly rewarding, but it’s a different game than hunting agricultural fields further south. Here, you're primarily pursuing "big woods" deer, which tend to be more elusive, live at lower densities, and are often smaller-bodied than their counterparts in more suburban or farm-belt regions. However, what they lack in average size, they often make up for in wildness and the satisfaction of a truly earned trophy. The habitat mosaic created by logging operations is key for deer. Regenerating clear-cuts, especially those 5-15 years old, provide dense cover and abundant browse, drawing deer into these areas. Older, mature hardwoods offer acorns in good mast years, while conifer thickets provide crucial winter cover and thermal protection.
Focus your scouting on the edges of these different habitat types – where a young clear-cut meets a mature forest, or where a spruce swamp borders a hardwood ridge. Deer often use these transition zones for travel and feeding. Look for fresh sign: rubs, scrapes (especially during the rut, which often peaks in Hunting the Rut in Early-to-Mid November), and heavily used trails. Don't be afraid to get deep; the further you get from main roads, the less pressure deer experience. White-Tailed Deer Across New Hampshire details their overall distribution, but the Grant offers a specific challenge of deep timber hunting.
Moose and Bear Presence
The North Country is prime moose and bear country, and the Second College Grant is no exception. While moose permits are issued through a highly competitive lottery New Hampshire Moose Permit Lottery, if you're lucky enough to draw a tag for this region, the Grant offers excellent opportunities. Moose prefer wetland areas, beaver flows, and areas with young, regenerating hardwoods that provide abundant browse. Look for heavily browsed saplings and large, distinctive tracks along muddy edges or stream crossings. Calling a bull moose in late October can be an exhilarating experience, and the dense cover of the Grant provides excellent concealment for both hunter and game.
Black bears are also common in the Grant, thriving in the mixed forests that provide berries, nuts, and denning sites. Bear hunting here can be done by baiting or with hounds, but checking New Hampshire Bear Season Dates by WMU is crucial, as regulations vary. Finding fresh bear sign – tracks, scat, torn-up logs, or claw marks on beech trees – is a good indicator of their presence. Bears in this remote setting are often larger and less accustomed to human presence, offering a challenging but deeply rewarding hunt. If you're considering a bear hunt, Bear Hunting New Hampshire's Bait and Hound Season provides a broader overview of tactics.
Small Game and Furbearers
Beyond big game, the Second College Grant is also a haven for small game and furbearers. Ruffed grouse thrive in the diverse timber stands, particularly areas with aspen, birch, and dense conifer edges. Snowshoe hares are abundant in thick, young conifer growth and regenerating clear-cuts. Carrying a small game license and a shotgun can turn a slow deer hunt into a mixed-bag success, offering an exciting change of pace. Look for grouse flushing from thickets or hare tracks in the snow in suitable habitat.
Coyotes are ubiquitous throughout New Hampshire's North Country, and the Grant is no exception. Their presence can make for an exciting predator calling opportunity, especially during the winter months. Other furbearers like bobcats, fishers, and foxes also inhabit the area, though they are more elusive. Trapping is also possible with the proper licenses and permits, offering another way to connect with the wild resources of the Grant. Knowing your Small Game and Predator Hunting in New Hampshire options expands the possibilities for a rewarding outing.
Hunting Strategies for Big Woods Success
Hunting in the Second College Grant requires a different approach than hunting small woodlots or agricultural fringes. It's about covering ground, reading subtle signs, and adapting to a landscape where game can literally be anywhere. Patience, persistence, and physical fitness are your greatest allies here.
Still-Hunting and Scouting Techniques
Still-hunting is perhaps the most effective method for deer in the vast timber of the Second College Grant. This involves moving slowly and deliberately through the woods, taking a few steps, then pausing for several minutes to scan, listen, and observe. The goal isn't to walk quickly, but to move like a predator, using the wind to your advantage and constantly searching for the flick of an ear, a patch of deer hair, or a subtle change in the landscape. Focus on terrain features that naturally funnel deer, such as the tops of benches, saddles between ridges, and the edges of thick cover. Still-Hunting White Mountain National Forest Timber tactics apply well here.
Thorough scouting, both pre-season and during the hunt, is non-negotiable. Look for fresh tracks at logging road crossings, identify recent browse lines on saplings, and locate bedding areas in dense cover. Pay close attention to food sources, whether it's acorns in a good mast year, or regenerating clear-cuts that provide abundant forage. Use your mapping apps to mark these findings and develop a strategy based on where the deer are actively feeding, bedding, and traveling. Remember, fresh timber cuts can change deer patterns dramatically, so don't rely solely on old intel.
Stand Hunting Considerations
While mobile hunting is often key, strategically placed stands can also be effective, particularly if you've identified a consistent travel corridor or a prime feeding area. However, given the vastness and ever-changing nature of the habitat, permanent stand placements are less common here than on private lands. Mobile treestands or ground blinds that can be quickly set up and moved are often more practical. If you do set up a stand, focus on pinch points – areas where the terrain naturally constricts animal movement, like a narrow strip of timber between a swamp and a steep ridge.
Consider the prevailing wind patterns and thermals, especially in the undulating terrain. Air currents tend to rise in the morning and fall in the evening, so understanding how these move through a specific valley or over a ridge is crucial for scent control. Set your stand up for an optimal wind, knowing that a shift can render your spot useless. Using a Ground Blind on Public Land can be a great tactic in thick cover where treestand placement is difficult, or where you want to remain more mobile. Always remember that on public lands, anything you leave behind can be removed or damaged, so take precautions with your gear.
Reading the Landscape
The Second College Grant speaks volumes if you know how to listen and observe. Learning to "read the landscape" means understanding how topography, water, and vegetation influence animal movement. Ridge lines and saddles are natural travel corridors, especially for rutting bucks. Drainages and creek bottoms often serve as hidden pathways for deer moving between bedding and feeding areas. Pay attention to how timber cuts interact with these features; a fresh clear-cut on a south-facing slope might draw deer in for sun and browse, while a dense spruce stand on the north side offers escape cover.
Beaver flows are game magnets. The edges of these wetlands provide lush forage, and the dam itself often creates a natural crossing point. Scan these areas for tracks, fresh cuttings, and signs of moose or deer. Old logging roads, even those heavily grown in, can also serve as travel routes or provide relatively open paths for still-hunting. Don't overlook the subtle changes – a change in tree species, a slight rise in elevation, or a small clearing can all be indicators of where game might be. Hunting a Ridge-Top Saddle for Rutting Bucks or Hunting a Beaver Flowage Edge are specific tactics that apply particularly well here.
Essential Gear and Preparation
Hunting the Second College Grant is an exercise in self-reliance. Its remote nature means you need to be prepared for anything, from sudden weather changes to game recovery challenges. Your gear needs to be reliable, functional, and appropriate for rugged backcountry conditions. Cutting corners on preparation here isn't just uncomfortable; it can be dangerous.
Navigation and Communication
As mentioned earlier, reliable navigation is critical. A high-quality GPS unit or a fully charged smartphone with offline maps from apps like onX Hunt or GoHunt is your primary tool. Don't just bring one; bring redundant systems. A traditional map and compass, and the knowledge to use them, are essential backups for when electronics fail. Mark your vehicle's location, critical terrain features, and any game sign you find. For communication, assume no cell service. A satellite messenger device (like a Garmin inReach or Zoleo) is a wise investment, allowing you to send messages and, more importantly, trigger an SOS in an emergency. Best Satellite Communicator for North Country Land is a good investment.
Beyond the tools, your navigation skills need to be sharp. Practice using your compass and map before you go. Know how to take a bearing, estimate distances, and orient yourself without technology. The dense canopy in much of the Grant can make satellite acquisition slow or intermittent, so knowing how to navigate by terrain features is vital. Always tell someone your exact hunting plan, including your intended entry/exit points and when you expect to return. This simple step can be a lifesaver if you get into trouble.
Weather and Survival Gear
New Hampshire weather, especially in the North Country, is famously unpredictable. A warm, sunny morning can quickly turn into a cold, driving rain, or even early snow. Layering your clothing is absolutely essential. Start with a moisture-wicking base layer, add insulating mid-layers, and top it off with waterproof and windproof outer shells. Layering for New Hampshire's Cold Hunting Season is a must-read. Pack extra warm layers, even if the forecast looks mild. Hypothermia is a serious risk in these conditions.
Beyond clothing, a small but comprehensive survival kit should always be in your pack. This includes: a fire starter (waterproof matches, lighter, fire steel), a headlamp with extra batteries, a small first-aid kit, emergency shelter (a tarp or emergency blanket), enough water for the day (and purification tablets or a filter for longer trips), and high-energy snacks. A whistle can also be useful for signaling. Remember, help is a long way off here, so being self-sufficient is paramount.
Game Recovery and Processing
If you're lucky enough to harvest big game in the Second College Grant, the real work begins. Getting a deer, let alone a moose or bear, out of this remote, rugged terrain is a monumental task. You absolutely need a plan for game recovery. For deer, a good game cart might work on some of the wider, less-rutted logging roads, but in many areas, you'll be quartering the animal and packing it out. Investing in a sturdy pack frame and game bags is highly recommended. Packing Meat Out of a North Country Bog is a challenging scenario that highlights the need for specialized gear.
For moose, the challenge is even greater. Most moose hunters in the Grant come prepared with chainsaws for clearing trails, block and tackle systems for lifting, and multiple people with strong backs and pack frames. Field dressing should be done immediately to begin the cooling process, and game bags are crucial for keeping meat clean and free from insects while you work. Always factor in the time it will take to recover an animal when you make your hunting plan; a late afternoon harvest deep in the woods might mean an all-night effort to get the meat out safely.
Rules, Regulations, and Respect
Hunting in the Second College Grant comes with a unique set of responsibilities. While it's largely open public land, its management by Dartmouth College introduces specific considerations that hunters need to be aware of. Beyond that, adhering to New Hampshire's statewide hunting laws and the broader principles of ethical outdoor conduct ensures everyone can continue to enjoy this incredible resource.
Second College Grant Specific Regulations
Because the Grant is actively managed for timber, there are some specific rules to keep in mind. Vehicle access often changes, with gates being opened or closed depending on current logging operations. Always pay attention to signage. Camping regulations might differ slightly from general state land; for instance, some areas may have restrictions on dispersed camping or campfires, especially during dry periods. You should always check the most current rules directly from Dartmouth College's website or New Hampshire Fish and Game before your trip. Being aware of active logging areas is also crucial for your safety; never enter an area where active timber harvesting is underway.
Respect for the land and its resources extends to your impact. Pack out everything you pack in, including spent shell casings, food wrappers, and anything else. Treat the roads with care; avoid creating ruts or driving through areas that are clearly too wet. The agreement that allows public access is a privilege, and responsible behavior by hunters helps ensure that this privilege continues for future generations.
New Hampshire State Hunting Laws
Beyond the Grant's specific nuances, all New Hampshire hunting laws apply. This includes requirements for licenses and permits New Hampshire Hunting Licenses and What They Cost, bag limits, season dates, and legal hunting hours. Blaze orange requirements are particularly important during the firearms season; typically, you need to wear at least 200 square inches of blaze orange (or blaze pink) above the waist, visible from all sides, when still-hunting or hunting with a firearm. New Hampshire Blaze Orange Requirements explains this in detail. Make sure your deer and other game are properly tagged immediately after harvest and registered according to state law, whether online or at a physical check station.
Understanding weapon restrictions is also key. For example, specific regulations govern what types of firearms are legal for deer hunting. Crossbows have specific WMU restrictions, so always confirm that the Second College Grant (which falls under WMU A) allows your chosen method. Familiarize yourself with the regulations on baiting for bear or the use of electronic calls for predators. The New Hampshire Fish and Game Digest is your go-to resource for all these details, and it should be consulted annually, as rules can change.
Leave No Trace Principles
Hunting in a wild place like the Second College Grant presents a perfect opportunity to practice Leave No Trace principles. This ethos is about minimizing your impact on the environment, ensuring that the next person to come through (or the next generation) finds the area as pristine as you did, or better. Beyond just packing out trash, this means being mindful of your camp setup if you're backpacking in, minimizing fire impact, and respecting wildlife.
Avoid cutting live trees for firewood or shelter construction. Stay on designated trails or logging roads when possible to prevent erosion. Bury human waste properly away from water sources and campsites. Most importantly, leave what you find – don't disturb historical artifacts, natural features, or other people's property. The wildness of the Second College Grant is part of its appeal, and preserving that wildness is a collective responsibility for all who venture there. When you leave, the only thing that should remain are your footsteps, and perhaps some good memories.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Laws, prices and regulations vary by location and change over time. Consult a qualified professional for guidance on your specific situation.
