Fish & Game Commission preserved

On Tuesday, February 17, at the hearing for HB559, the House F&G and Marine Resources Committee listened to 34 people provide testimony and 30 opposed and 4 were in favor.

The NH sportspeople came out in support with over 175 in opposition to the bill filling Rep's Hall in the State House with Hunter Orange and Camo.

In addition a petition in opposition to the bill was submitted which had more than 2,500 signatures.

At the committee's executive session following the public hearing, a motion was made to ITL (Inexpedient To Legislate, in other words, kill) the bill for this session and it was voted on 15-0 in favor of killing the bill.

Even Chairman Dennis Abbott voted to ITL.

For those unaware of House Bill 559, it would have modified the structure and function of the NH Fish and Game Commission, not in favor of sportsmen. State Representative Carla Skinder-D, Cornish who was a sponsor of this proposed legislation and a supporter of a bill to ban trapping in the last session, maintains that she’s not anti-hunting/fishing. But, an animal rights group in the state has said that Skinder has agreed to support legislation to ban pheasant stocking in 2010. So while this anti-outdoor bill is off the table now, be assured that others will replace it in the next session!

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