Why It Matters: On February 6, 2024, the New Hampshire House Fish and Game and Marine Resources convened for a day of hearings on sportsmen and women related bills. Of note were House Bill 1417 (HB 1417) relative to wild trout management, House Bill 1148 (HB 1148) relative to the Fish and Game Commission, and House Bill 1100 (HB 1100) an act relative to coyote hunting. Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation’s (CSF) Assistant Manager of the Northeastern States, Fred Bird was in attendance and testified on behalf of CSF and the sportsmen and women of the Granite State.
Highlights:
- HB 1417 relative to trout management (if passed) would prescribe for wild trout management via statute by the legislature for a management program already in existence and is facilitated by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. In addition, the proposed bill would limit access for anglers during the ice fishing season on bodies with known brook trout populations and essentially eliminate the stocking of rainbow trout in the state.
- HB 1148 relative to the Fish and Game Commission (as previously reported on) would create a host of problems but of greatest concern would be the seating of commissioners with preservationist goalsetting and bringing about obstructionism to the New Hampshire Fish and Game Commission, the managing body for rules and season setting in New Hampshire.
- HB 1100 an act relative to coyote hunting proposed to restrict the taking of coyotes from April 1 to July 31 during the pup rearing season. Of primary concern is the removal of rule and season setting authority from the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department and Commission and ceding it instead to the Legislature.
On February 6, 2024, the New Hampshire House Fish and Game and Marine Resources convened for a day of hearings on sportsmen and women related bills. Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation’s Assistant Manager of the Northeastern States, Fred Bird was in attendance and testified on behalf of CSF and the sportsmen and women of the Granite State. Speaking first in opposition to HB 1417, Bird highlighted the concerns of CSF illustrating that the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department already has a wild trout management program in existence. The bill sought to restrict angling access during the ice fishing season where native wild brook trout have been found, which is not science based, and further restricted access by all but eliminating the trout stocking program where native wild brook trout have been found. HB 1417 was voted Inexpedient To Legislate (ITL) during the Committee’s executive session, and the bill is now dead.
With significant changes to the composition of New Hampshire’ s Fish and Game Commission at stake, CSF, having previously submitted written testimony in opposition to HB 1148 before the February 6, 2024, hearing noted that, having Board members that are neutral on the matter or even directly oppose hunting, trapping, and fishing leads to obstructionism which, in turn, will potentially restrict access and opportunity for sportsmen and women. The pressure for non-consumptive representation on game commissions directly threatens the future of conservation. Due to CSF’s early engagement the bill sponsor (while presenting their proposal) pulled their bill and committed HB 1148 to Interim Study. For now, HB 1148 is on the shelf. Sportsmen and women will want to monitor HB 1148 for a late summer reappearance.
Finally, HB 1100, an act relative to coyote hunting, was introduced by the bill sponsor during the afternoon session. Of concern is the removal of rule and season setting authority from the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department and Commission and ceding it instead to the Legislature. CSF had previously submitted written testimony opposing the bill and Bird provided oral testimony focusing on state fish and wildlife management authority concerns. Bird reminded the body that in recent years, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department Wildlife Division Chief and their staff had worked well with the Commission to adjust several species-specific seasons and rules based on the changing, on-the-ground science of specific managed game. HB 1100 was voted ITL during the executive committee meeting, and the bill is now dead.
The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation thanks the House Fish and Game and Marine Resources Committee, Chairman Rep. James Spillane, Vice Chair, NASC EC President and New Hampshire Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Jeff Goley, and the Honorable Members of the Committee for the opportunity to speak on behalf of the sportsmen and women of the Granite State. The February 6, 2024 hearing can be viewed in its entirety via the Committee YouTube account here: House Fish and Game and Marine Resources (02/06/2024) (youtube.com).
