News from the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department
March 21, 2005
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:
Sandra Falicon: (603) 271-1139
Steve Weber: (603) 271-2461
March 21, 2005

      WILDLIFE RULE PROPOSALS TO BE ADDRESSED IN PUBLIC HEARINGS

CONCORD, N.H. -- Hunters and other interested people are encouraged to 
offer their input at two public hearings the New Hampshire Fish and 
Game Department will hold in April on proposed state rule changes 
affecting wildlife and wildlife management. The first hearing will be April 13 
at 6:30 p.m. at Fish and Game headquarters on Hazen Drive in Concord, 
and the second will be April 14 at 6:30 p.m. at Fish and Game's Region 1 
Office at 629B Main Street in Lancaster. Public input is considered 
during the formulation of final department proposals.

Among other topics, the hearings will address Fish and Game Department 
proposals to:

   ***Amend the rule on night hunting for coyote by extending the 
season through August 31. Currently the season ends on March 31. Changes 
also include referencing or updating references to other rules.

   ***Make changes to various wildlife rules, including: changing the 
minimum caliber for taking moose with a muzzle-loading firearm from .50 
to .45; extending the deadline for the moose lottery online 
applications from its current 4:00 p.m. deadline to midnight, on the last Friday 
in May; clarifying the season limits for fisher; removing the 
requirement to report deer taken on Long Island to the Fish and Game dispatch 
office; modifying the turkey season in wildlife management units B, C1 and 
C2; and establishing a season for taking opossum.

   ***Amend rules relative to wildlife control operators to clarify 
which wildlife may be trapped by wildlife control operators, allow Level I 
operators to also trap coyote and opossum, adopt a new section for the 
restrictions pertaining to trapping by wildlife control operators, 
modify the education and training requirements for Level II wildlife 
control operators and modify the application form. (This topic slated only 
for the April 13 hearing.)

The complete rulemaking notices, with original and proposed rule 
language, may be found at the Fish and Game website at: 
http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Legislative/NOTICES/Coyote_hunt_NOTICE_0305.doc 
(for the coyote hunt proposal); 
http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Legislative/NOTICES/Wildlife_rules_NOTICE_0305.doc. 
(regarding the wildlife rules proposal); and
http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Legislative/NOTICES/WCO_NOTICE_0305.doc 
(for the wildlife control operator proposal). 

Written comments must be received by April 25, 2005. Send to: 
comments@wildlife.state.nh.us (subject line should say "Wildlife 
Rules"); or Executive Director, N.H. Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen 
Drive, Concord, NH 03301; or fax (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. 

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Copyright 2004 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.