More On The Proposed Pheasant License Fee Increase

If readers may recall, last week’s column was about the upcoming public hearing regarding proposals to increase the pheasant hunting license fee, from $15 to $25, and to allow sporting clubs to apply for a Sporting Club Youth Pheasant Event permit. The hearing regarding these two proposals is this Monday, June 15 at Fish and Game Headquarters, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, N.H. at 6:30 p.m.

It is an important hearing to attend. However, readers who are unable to attend may send written comments on the proposed changes by either snail-mail or e-mail and your comments must be submitted no later than June 25. To e-mail your comments, send them to: comments@wildlife.nh.gov and reference “Comment on Pheasant Rules” in the subject line. Or, you may send your mail direct to the Executive Director, N.H. Fish and Game Dept., 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, N.H. 03301.

I have been informed that a number of anti-hunters will be attending this hearing, so it is very crucial for numerous sportsmen and women to be on hand as well or at least e-mail or snail-mail your comments before or by June 25th.

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)

I’ve just recently received further information from Fish and Game’s Mark Ellingwood concerning the need for the raise in pheasant license fees. Mark stated the following: “We purchase 13,500 pheasant per year, a number that is consistent with our efforts to provide a reasonable opportunity for pheasant hunters. Pheasant license fees are exclusively used for the purchase of stocked birds. Said fees do not cover manpower or transportation costs associated with pheasant stocking. Pheasants are currently costing us $9.22 per bird this year. A hunter who takes his or her season bag limit (10 birds) will consume $92 worth of birds.”

“The current license revenue is expected to fall approximately $25,000 short of our actual expenditure for birds. In three years, we anticipate depleting the pheasant reserve fund entirely, at which point we will be forced to reduce stocking rates by 3,000 birds, or more, if prices continue to rise.”

“We discussed this issue with sportsmen and women during the 2008 season hearings, as well as with the Commission since then, and concluded that the preferred option was to increase the permit fee from $5 to $10. Those are the facts as they currently stand. We are very sensitive to concerns regarding hunter recruitment and we understand the negative consequences that fee increases can have on hunting participation. That, coupled with regional initiatives undertaken by animal rights interests, who are opposed to youth pheasant hunting and pheasant hunting in general, promises to make our hearing on Monday, June 15th, a challenging one.”

There you have it folks. Hope to see you at the meeting. And, if you can’t make it, please do write or send your comments via e-mail by June 25.

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

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DISCLAIMER:  The opinions expressed by Mr. Harris are not necessarily those of the Goffstown Residents Association or its members

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