On June 11, Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus member Governor Maggie Hassan signed into law HB 1290 (Chapter No. 2014-96). HB 1290 was sponsored by New Hampshire Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus member Representative Benjamin Lefebvre and was co-sponsored by several additional Caucus members, including Co-Chairs, Representative Jeff Goley and Senator Jeff Woodburn.
Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation’s Northeastern States Director Brent Miller testified in support of the bill as a potential hunting and angling recruitment and retention tool when it was heard in the House Fish and Game and Marine Resources Committee on February 4. Following the effective date of August 10, 2014, nonresident students enrolled in a full-time academic institution will be able to purchase a hunting or angling license at the resident rate, which will eliminate a potential barrier to participation in an often cost-sensitive demographic. New Hampshire now joins 16 other states throughout the nation that offer some form of a discounted license for students.
For more information on the New Hampshire Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, please contact Brent Miller at brent@sportsmenslink.org.
Studies conducted at both the state and federal level have found that the number of hunters and trappers have been on a generally declining trend over the past several decades. To increase recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) of hunters and trappers, which initiative do you think would have the greatest impact?
