What do you think?
Rate this book
What's Wild: A Half Century of Wisdom from the Woods and Rivers of New England
"...as a Wildlife Biologist working with NH native species… Eric’s expertise was unmatched." - Colonel Kevin Jordan, Chief of Law Enforcement, NH Fish and Game Department
As the state’s first bear biologist in the 1970s, Eric Orff began a half century career as a “forest ranger who works with animals,” his stated dream job as a 7-year-old. A respected wildlife biologist, with more than thirty-one years at the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department and another fifteen years with the National Wildlife Federation, he still publishes a video blog called “What’s Wild in New Hampshire” that regularly receives hundreds of thousands of views each week.
Known for his educational programs and political action—If Only Moose Could Vote—Eric has been a literal voice in the wilderness, declaring the threat of climate change to be real, based on what he has seen in the woods. Sharing his knowledge of the changing climate even when his audience didn’t want to believe it.
His trademark humor and kind heart, coupled with a solid scientific foundation make him someone people like to listen to when they want to know what’s happening in the woods, rivers, and fields of New England. Wildlife is now more abundant across the region than since colonial times, thanks to Eric and people like him.
From stories of rehabbing bats in the laundry room, to riding a whitetail buck who didn’t quite cooperate with a tagging effort, Eric’s stories will make you laugh, and help you connect with the wild nature that lives within us all.
As the state’s first bear biologist in the 1970s, Eric Orff began a half century career as a “forest ranger who works with animals,” his stated dream job as a 7-year-old. A respected wildlife biologist, with more than thirty-one years at the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department and another fifteen years with the National Wildlife Federation, he still publishes a video blog called “What’s Wild in New Hampshire” that regularly receives hundreds of thousands of views each week.
Known for his educational programs and political action—If Only Moose Could Vote—Eric has been a literal voice in the wilderness, declaring the threat of climate change to be real, based on what he has seen in the woods. Sharing his knowledge of the changing climate even when his audience didn’t want to believe it.
His trademark humor and kind heart, coupled with a solid scientific foundation make him someone people like to listen to when they want to know what’s happening in the woods, rivers, and fields of New England. Wildlife is now more abundant across the region than since colonial times, thanks to Eric and people like him.
From stories of rehabbing bats in the laundry room, to riding a whitetail buck who didn’t quite cooperate with a tagging effort, Eric’s stories will make you laugh, and help you connect with the wild nature that lives within us all.
176 pages, Paperback
Published October 25, 2024
2 people are currently reading
8 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
March 10, 2025
I picked up this book from the author yesterday at an outdoor expo and read it last night and this morning with my morning coffee. The book is a collection of his short stories from his time as a wildlife forest ranger. It’s one of those jobs that you would have wanted your whole childhood if you had only known about it. From incidents with bears and deer to the smaller creatures, the stories make you laugh and it reads like you’re having a conversation with someone and listening to them tell their stories aloud.
For those who are lovers of nature, animals, and New Hampshire- I would highly recommend!
For those who are lovers of nature, animals, and New Hampshire- I would highly recommend!
September 17, 2025
Insider knowledge into a wildlife biologist’s day in the life and status updates on New Hampshire’s wildlife over the years. Learned lots about how hunting licenses help control population size and why a warming climate is hurting the moose & other species. A bit repetitive, but the passion the author has for conservancy is evident and makes me feel hopeful :)
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews