The Hancock Historical Society has created an exhibit to honor the age-old traditions of hunting, trapping, and fishing in the Monadnock region.
Inspired by the recent celebration of the NH Fish and Game’s 150th anniversary, the exhibit features a pictorial history of the Fish and Game department, as well as taxidermy animals, fishing poles, hunting rifles, pelts, snowshoes, and other items to showcase the history of hunting, trapping, and fishing in Hancock and the rest of New Hampshire.
“It’s not just about the things, it’s about the people,” said Hancock Historical Society President Tim Lord. “I think this is a tradition worth preserving. It gets people out in the woods and away from their computers.”
Lord said he had so many submissions for the exhibit that he had to turn people down. Items were picked to showcase a wide variety of hunting, fishing, and trapping stories throughout local history.
“We didn’t want to have too many duplicates,” said Lord, of the selection process.
Some of the items in the exhibit include: the antlers from the largest recorded deer taken in New Hampshire history, a mounted deer head with porcupine quills in his nose, and a table full of early to modern animal calls (all which can be tried out).
Lord said a potential program is in the works, one that would bring some of the people who loaned items in to talk about their experiences in the woods and/or on the water.
The exhibit is open every Saturday until Oct. 8, from 2 to 4 p.m. Groups can also make appointments to view the exhibit on other days and times by calling 525-6649.
The Hancock Historical Society is located at 7 Main St.
Nicholas Handy can be reached at 924-7172 ext. 235 or nhandy@ledgertranscript.com.