In January of 2012, despite a lack of scientific evidence of the impact of lead sinkers on loon populations, New Hampshire legislators introduced SB 224 which would have prohibited lead sinkers weighing less than an ounce and any lead jig measuring less than 2.5” along its longest axis. However, with the strong opposition from members of the New Hampshire Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, SB 224 was eventually sent to Interim Study in early May. On October 31, the New Hampshire House Fish and Game and Marine Resources Committee returned its Interim Study Report with a determination of: Not Recommended for Legislation in 2013 by a vote of 10-0.
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?
