News from the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department
March 13, 2006
Phone: (603) 271-3211
Email: info@wildlife.state.nh.us
For information and online licenses, visit 
http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us

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CONTACT:
Mark Ellingwood: (603) 271-2461 
Sandra Falicon: (603) 271-1139 
Jane Vachon: (603) 271-3211
March 13, 2006 


PUBLIC HEARINGS SET FOR PROPOSED WILDLIFE RULE, HUNTING SEASON CHANGES 

CONCORD, N.H. -- Proposed rule changes affecting wildlife and wildlife 
management in New Hampshire for 2006 and 2007 will be the topic of a 
series of public hearings being held by the New Hampshire Fish and Game 
Department on the following dates and locations: 

     * MONDAY, APRIL 3, 6:30 p.m. -- North Country Resource Center, 629 
B Main Street, Lancaster, N.H.

     * TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 6:30 p.m. -- Keene High School (please note -- 
this is a change from the usual middle school location), 43 Arch 
Street, Keene, N.H.

     * WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 6:30 p.m. -- N.H. Fish and Game Department 
Headquarters
11 Hazen Drive, Concord, N.H.

"The proposed changes support Fish and Game's long-range Big Game 
Management goals," said Mark Ellingwood, a wildlife biologist with the Fish 
and Game Department. Completed last year after ten months of effort by 
a diverse public working group, the Department's Big Game Management 
Plan was developed to guide deer, moose, bear and turkey management 
through the next decade (2006-2015). The New Hampshire Fish and Game 
Department reviews the state's hunting seasons every two years to ensure that 
they are in line with wildlife management objectives as specified in 
the Big Game Plan. This year, 2006, is a season-setting year and begins 
implementation of this plan.

Among other topics, the rule proposals would:

* Change season dates for taking deer during the regular, muzzleloader 
and archery seasons (changes include reducing the length of the regular 
deer and archery seasons in WMU A).

* Increase the number of Special Unit M antlerless-only deer permits 
(to 5,500; up from 3,250). This change reflects a long-term objective to 
reduce deer numbers in this urbanized area of the state.

* Increase the number of moose permits issued statewide, from 525 in 
2005 to 705 in 2006-2007, and adjust the allocation of those permits in 
the Wildlife Management Units. A significant portion of the increase 
results from the Big Game Management Plan's objective to decrease the 
moose population in the Connecticut Lakes region, initially by 13% over two 
to three years.

* Modify the dates and length of bear hunting seasons in different bear 
management regions.

* Establish a new permit, fee and requirements for taking turkey in a 
new 5-day fall shotgun season in WMUs D1, D2, H1, H2, I1, I2, K (the 
current fall turkey season is archery-only); eliminate the maximum width 
for broadheads used to take turkeys; establish a short turkey season in 
WMU A; and extend the time allowed to register a turkey from 12 to 24 
hours. 

* Change the furbearer rules to designate areas by WMUs instead of by 
county; consolidate some rules for species that have similar seasons; 
readopt the rule regarding fisher seasons in order to take comments on 
fisher bag limits; and establish a season for coyote trapping.

* Require trappers and wildlife control operators to have held a 
trapping or wildlife control operator license for 3 years since 2000 before 
taking the snaring course.

* Combine and standardize rules associated with wildlife baiting.

Hunters, trappers and other interested constituents are encouraged to 
attend the hearings and offer their input on these and other changes in 
the proposed rules. Public input is considered during the formulation 
of final department proposals.

The complete rulemaking notice form, with original and proposed rule 
language, can be viewed on the Fish and Game website at 
http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Legislative/Notices_summary.htm (click 
on "Wildlife Rules").

Written comments must be received by April 25, 2006. Send to: 
comments@wildlife.state.nh.us (subject line should be "Comments on 
Wildlife Rules"); or Executive Director, N.H. Fish and Game Department, 11 
Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301; or fax to (603) 271-1438.

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is the guardian of the 
state's fish, wildlife and marine resources and their habitats. Visit 
http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us. 

 
Copyright 2005 New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, 
Concord, NH 03301.  Comments or questions concerning this list should 
be directed to lpoinier@wildlife.state.nh.us.