Free New Hampshire Blog

Controversy still rages over how best to fund New Hampshire Fish and Game.

Big changes could be afoot at the state Fish and Game Department, including a new name and more fees for hikers, salt-water fishermen and canoe and kayak paddlers.

A legislative audit says the cash-starved department needs to increase efficiency, look for more federal funds and find ways to get revenue from those who never cast a line or shoot a rifle, but who nevertheless benefit from the department’s wildlife and waterway management and search and rescue services.

The department traditionally has been funded by fishing and hunting license sales and federal funds — but little or no state money. It has struggled in recent decades as license sales have flattened or declined. Last year, the department asked for $3 million in state funding.

You can download the full Fish and Game Department Performance Audit Report in PDF format. Or you can get the summary of the report.

I have a deep respect for what Fish and Game does for wildlife and hunters/sportsmen in New Hampshire and I would like to see them funded properly. I have not read the audit report yet so I’m just going by what the Union Leader article says.

I do not like the idea of a name change as it reeks of political correctness and comes across as a way of subtly moving the department away from its heritage of supporting hunting by removing the word “game” and substituting “wildlife.” Am I being paranoid here or something? Or nit picking too much? Well maybe but it’s the small changes that add up sometimes. If it gets changed I can live with it but I view such a change as something to be avoided if possible.

As far as the funding ideas, I’m not sure how much a saltwater fishing license would generate. The meals tax idea seems like it might generate the most though. I have no problem with charging people that end up getting lost or charging hikers a small general fee.

Cutting costs and making the department more efficient should be done before any fee increases or additions though. I don’t think it’s a good idea to impose new fees while inefficiencies exist already, that’s just putting a band aid on a gaping would and that’s not going to work.

Anyway, it will be interesting to see how well this works out. What are your thoughts on it? What’s the best way to fund New Hampshire Fish and Game?

• 

Related posts:

1. Information from NH Fish and Game
2. NHF&G News: Fish and Game Donates 250 Pounds of Meat to N.H. Food Bank
3. Harrigan: Support NH Fish and Game
4. Safe Hiking Information from NH Fish and Game
5. New Hampshire Hunting Report – May 2, 2007