Public Hearing On Increasing the Pheasant License Fee

On Monday, June 15, 2009, at 6:30 p.m. the New Hampshire Fish and Game Commission will hold a public hearing on proposed wildlife rules. The meeting, open to the public, will be held at their headquarters at 11 Hazen Drive, Concord. One proposal would increase the pheasant hunting license fee from $15 to $25. A total of 6,434 pheasant hunting licenses were sold in New Hampshire in 2008. According to Fish and Game, the proposed rules will increase pheasant license revenues by $64,340. To my knowledge, it’s been a number of years since the pheasant license fee has been increased, although the number of pheasants obtained and stocked has increased to 13,500 birds. There are now 74 stocking sites in 51 townships throughout the state. The numbers of pheasant hunters have decreased in past years, for various reasons, and costs of obtaining and stocking the pheasants have increased, as have other costs I’m sure.

Thirteen-year-old Chris Forsey hunting with Rick Orford,
both from Webster, took this nice cock, his second
bird of the season, in Hopkinton. (Photo by Eric Orff)

The other proposed ruling would also allow sporting clubs to apply for a youth pheasant event permit for the purpose of teaching safe hunting practices and promoting New Hampshire’s hunting heritage. The youth pheasant event permit would allow a sporting club to possess and release pheasants solely for conducting these events. They would also specify the criteria and conditions for applying for and conducting a youth pheasant event, as well as for participating in the event. 

Fis 1205.01 Sporting Club Youth Pheasant Event Permit reads as follows:

1.  Sporting clubs may apply for a Sporting Club Youth Pheasant Event permit for the purpose of introducing youth hunters to pheasant hunting. The Sporting Club Youth Pheasant Event permit shall allow a sporting club to possess and release pheasants solely for the purpose of promoting New Hampshire’s special heritage and teaching hunting practices.
2. A Sporting Club Youth Pheasant Event permit shall be issued only to an organized sporting club as defined in RSA 206:2(III).
3. The youth pheasant event shall be held on club property or other land for which written permission has been obtained.
4. No other activities shall be allowed under this permit.
5. A Sporting Club Youth Pheasant Event permit shall be valid only for the premises described in the application and may include a list of up to 5 sites.
6. Sites identified in Fis 1205.01 © shall be at least 25 acres in size.
7. Youth hunters shall be 12 to 15 years of age and shall have a Hunter Education Certificate of completion.
8. Youth hunters shall be accompanied by an adult 18 years of age or older who is licensed to take pheasants, unless the person is a resident landowner engaged in the regulated activity on their own property pursuant to RSA 214:2. 
9. The adult accompanying the youth hunter shall not carry a firearm.
10. Each adult shall not be accompanied by more than 2 youths participating in the Sporting Club Youth Pheasant Event.
11. The permittee shall comply with the requirements for possession as specified in Fis 804.09 and 10, except that a separate permit to possess shall be required.
12. The youth pheasant event for taking pheasants under the Sporting Club Youth Pheasant Event permit shall be on the Saturday prior to September 29th annually.
13. The sporting club shall be responsible for:
    
         1. The administration and registration of participants for the event.
         2. The purchase and release of pheasants for the event.
    
14. Use of state owned wildlife management areas shall be subject to the requirements of Fis 902.01.
15. The Sporting Club Youth Pheasant Event permit shall not be used as a Regulated Shooting Area permit.
16. No fees shall be charged by the permittee to another individual participating in this regulated activity.

Hopefully, you will be able to come to the meeting on Monday, June 15, to voice your comments concerning these two proposals. Or, you may send written comments to: Executive Director, N.H. Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, N.H. 03301. If you prefer to send your comments via e-mail, send them to: comments@wildlife.nh.gov and reference “Comments on Pheasant Rules” in the subject line.

Bob Harris can be reached via e-mail at: outwriter2@aol.com

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