NH Fish and Game Law Enforcement Division and Operation Game Thief

06/11/2026

06/11/2026

Missing Elderly UTV Rider, Mason

On Wednesday June 10th, 2026, at 555PM Conservation Officers were notified of a missing man in the Town of Mason. Family members of Alan Spear, 77, of Mason, were reporting that he had left the residence at 215PM, on a Utility Terrain Vehicle, and had not returned. Conservation Officers responded with ATVs and began conducting a search of the nearby trails and Class 6 Roads (Unmaintained Town Road). Conservation Officers were assisted in the search effort by the Mason Police Department, Mason Fire – EMS Department, Brookline Ambulance Service, Greenville Highway Department, and family members.

At 1005PM Spear was located, on a Class 6 Road, by a Conservation Officer approximately 1.75miles from his residence. The Conservation Officer brought him back to his residence where he was assessed by members of the Brookline Ambulance Service and Mason Fire – EMS Department and ultimately refused transport to the hospital.

New Hampshire Fish & Game extends its gratitude to all agencies who responded to assist.

06/09/2026

Injured climber rescued on the Cannon Cliff in Franconia

Franconia: On Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at approximately 10:00 am New Hampshire Fish and Game was notified of an injured climber on the Cannon Cliff in Franconia. The information provided indicated that a climber was injured when a rock he was climbing was dislodged from the cliff causing him to fall. The climber who was identified as Eric Johansson, 65, of Maine, was well prepared and experienced.

Rescuers from the Pemi Valley Search and Rescue team along with Conservation Officers responded to the Cannon Cliff. Rescuers hiked up to the base of the cliff and located the climber at 12:00 pm. He was then placed into a litter and carried down to the parking lot arriving at 2:05 pm. Thankfully, Eric Johansson’s climbing equipment worked well, which likely prevented more serious injuries.

He was evaluated by the Littleton Ambulance and then transported to Littleton Regional Hospital for medical treatment.

06/08/2026

Badges & Barrels 2026

The 7th annual Badges & Barrels event was held recently and was a success despite the cold and rain. This is an event where Conservation Officers compete against the young men and women of AIM 4 NH New Hampshire Youth Trapshooting Organization. This event promotes and raises awareness of youth shooting sports in NH, firearm safety, and hopefully a bit of future recruitment for NH F&G. All proceeds from the event will be split between Operation Game Thief (OTG) and NH AIM Youth Trap Team (AIM4NH). This year the kids reclaimed their title winning by 3 shots. Congratulation to Will Rychlik (top youth) and CO Letourneau (top officer).

NH F&G and AIM 4NH would like to express their gratitude to Horseshoe Fish & Game Club for hosting this event.

06/07/2026

Man and Juvenile Injured in ATV Crash in Berlin
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Berlin – On Friday, June 5, at approximately 7:42 PM, New Hampshire Fish and Game was notified of an ATV crash with injuries in Berlin.

The operator of the ATV was identified as Tanner Vancour, 18, of Berlin, NH. Vancour was operating on the Presidential Rail Trail in Berlin when the crash occurred.

While riding north on the Rail Trail, Vancour encountered a rock in the trail, much larger than first perceived. Vancour collided with the rock, subsequently ejecting him and the juvenile passenger off of the ATV. Vancour and the passenger both sustained multiple injuries as a result of the crash. Additionally, the ATV Vancour was operating on also had significant damage.

A group of nearby Good Samaritans heard the crash and quickly provided medical assistance while placing a call to 911. A response from Berlin Fire Department, Berlin EMS, Berlin Police Department and a Conservation Officer began. Vancour and the passenger were transferred from the scene of the crash and transported by ambulance to Androscoggin Valley Hospital in Berlin for further evaluation of their injuries.
This crash remains under investigation, yet Conservation Officers believe inattention to the trail and unreasonable speed are the leading factors.

Conservation Officers would like to use this incident to remind OHRV enthusiasts to always operate in a controlled manner and with attention to trail conditions.

06/05/2026

Massachusetts Man Assisted off Falling Waters Trail

Franconia: On Thursday June 4, 2026 just before 4 PM Conservation Officers were made aware of a hiker suffering a medical emergency on the Falling Waters Trail about 2.5 miles from the trailhead. A good Samaritan had come across the ailing hiker and was trying to assist him down the trail. It was agreed that the good Samaritan would continue slowly down the trail while two Conservation Officers hiked up to assist. By 5:30 PM the first Conservation Officer arrived with the pair at Cloudland Falls. Fluids were provided and the group continued slowly to the trailhead where they arrived just before 7 PM. The hiker was assessed by LinWood Ambulance but chose to rest and continue home to Massachusetts.

The hiker was identified as 52 year old Tom Delaney of Brewster Massachusetts. Delaney had departed earlier in the day attempting to summit Little Haystack Mountain. Before arriving at the summit, he made a wise choice to turn around and come down as a sudden illness was making it difficult to continue. Delaney was well prepared with more than the ten essentials in his pack.

Hikers are encouraged to be prepared for their trek to include packing the ten essential items; map, compass, warm clothing, extra food and water, headlamp, fire starter, first aid kit, whistle, rain/wind jackets & pants, and a knife. For additional information, please visit www.hikeSafe.com.

06/04/2026

Gone fishin'... for free. 🎣

Celebrate New Hampshire Free Fishing Day on June 6 and enjoy a day on the water with no fishing license required. 🐟☀️

Cast a line, tell a few fish stories, and see what bites. 🐟

06/04/2026

Trail Bike Crash in Temple

Temple: Just after 6:00 PM on June 3rd, 2026, New Hampshire Fish and Game Conservation Officers were contacted by New Hampshire State Police Dispatch regarding a trail bike crash on private property in the town of Temple. Members with Temple Fire and Rescue, New Ipswich Fire Department, Peterborough Fire and Rescue, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Temple-Greenville Police Department, and a Conservation Officer with the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department responded.

Upon investigation, it was determined that a 14-year-old male from Temple was operating a trail bike on property belonging to his family when he lost control of his bike on a straight but uneven section of the trail. As a result, the operator unintentionally activated the throttle, which caused acceleration and collision with a tree on the right side of the trail. The operator fell off bike after the collision and was discovered by members of his family on the ground next to it after yelling for help. That family member then called 911. The operator was transported by an ambulance from Peterborough Fire and Rescue to Elliot Hospital in Manchester for treatment of serious, but non-life-threatening injuries. The operator was wearing a helmet and other appropriate riding gear at the time of the incident. It appears that operator inexperience with a new trail bike was the primary cause of the crash.

New Hampshire Fish and Game would like to remind OHRV operators to operate with care while enjoying New Hampshire’s riding opportunities.