Those who hunt wild turkeys in New Hampshire should note that the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department will hold a public hearing on proposed changes in the regulations affecting 2008 turkey hunting on Thursday, November 8, 2007, at 3:30 p.m. at Fish and Game headquarters on Hazen Drive in Concord.

N.H. Fish and Game is proposing to eliminate the separate permit for fall shotgun turkey hunting and consolidate this into the turkey license. Currently, for residents and nonresidents alike, in addition to a valid New Hampshire hunting license, turkey hunters purchase a $5 turkey license and a separate $10 fall shotgun turkey permit (a $1 agent fee is added to each).

Earlier this year (2007), the Legislature changed state law (Chapter 263:64) to increase the turkey license fee to $15 for residents and $30 for nonresidents (plus a $1 agent fee in each case). This change will affect licenses purchased for 2008. It was the N.H. Fish and Game Department’s intent to repeal the requirement for a separate additional fall shotgun turkey permit along with this change. Under this rulemaking proposal, a single New Hampshire turkey license will allow a hunter to participate in any established New Hampshire turkey season: the spring gobbler season, the fall archery season, and the fall shotgun season in those wildlife management units where it is allowed. (A valid N.H. firearms or archery hunting license is also needed for the respective seasons.)

The public hearing will not address the price of the turkey license, as that change was made by law and cannot be changed through a rulemaking process. It will only address the proposal to delete the separate fall shotgun turkey permit.

Written comments on the proposed change may be submitted by November 19, 2007. E-mail to comments@wildlife.nh.gov (please specify “Comments on Turkey Rules” in subject line); fax to (603) 271-1438; or mail to Executive Director, N.H. Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301.

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is the guardian of the state’s fish, wildlife and marine resources and their habitats