Governor Lynch and the Great Moose Hunt

By Jim on March 2nd, 2007

Although I’m a hunter, this proposal weirded me out. I don’t like the idea that rich people will get a guaranteed shot at a moose while people of lesser means have to hope they win the chance in the moose lottery. It just seems very elitist to me and counter to New Hampshire Values.

It’s not like NH would make a lot of money off of it. It just seemed like Lynch was flailing around, trying to grasp at straws to rake in a few extra bucks for the state. Why not just cut some additional spending governor? Hmmm…wait, you’re a Democrat…okay, nevermind.

Gov. John Lynch yesterday backed away from his idea of auctioning moose hunting permits to help balance the Fish and Game Department budget.
The plan to auction 50 permits a year would have raised a tiny percentage of the state budget, perhaps as much as $500,000, but became one of the most controversial items in the $10.2 billion spending package.

“I continue to believe the idea of a moose auction is worth considering, but I also realize there are concerns,” Lynch said. “I am comfortable sending the issue to study if that’s what legislators choose to do.”