Transcript Celebrating 150 years of protecting endangered species and

New Hampshire
Fish and Game Department
NHFG 150th Anniversary
Celebrating 150 years
of conserving New Hampshire’s
fish, wildlife and habitats:
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Connecting you to life outdoors.
Strengthening
New Hampshire’s economy.
Conserving our wildlife legacy
for future generations.
Former Fish and Game Executive Director,
Dr. Donald Normandeau and his grandson, Hunter.
NHFG 150th Anniversary
• Established as the
Fisheries Commission
on June 30, 1865, by the
N.H. State Legislature.
• Fisheries were in
serious decline.
• Primary goals:
– Restore migratory
sea fish;
– Introduce new varieties
of freshwater fish.
August 10, 1877- First hatching house
established at Livermore Falls in Holderness.
Jointly operated by N.H. and Mass.
NHFG 150th Anniversary
• Reorganized to be
the Commission on
Fisheries and Game on
March 9, 1880.
• Game species were at an
all time low.
1878 – White-tailed deer were considered rare.
Penalty for shooting a deer, moose or caribou
was a $25 fine and up to six months in jail.
NHFG 150th Anniversary
• In the late 1800s, 9 out of 10 N.H.
counties were closed to hunting,
shooting or trapping of deer, moose
or caribou.
• In 1890, B.P. Chadwick became
the first Fish and Game Detective.
NHFG 150th Anniversary
In 1935, the
“modern-day”
Fish and Game
Department was
established.
Wardens were first called “Conservation Officers” in 1935.
NHFG 150th Anniversary
National changes,
such as passage of the
Federal Aid in Wildlife
Restoration Act in 1937,
provided funds for
science-based wildlife
management.
NHFG 150th Anniversary
Today, the N.H. Fish and Game Department is a multifaceted conservation agency that incorporates:
• Fish and wildlife management
for over 500 species.
• Conservation
planning and
assistance
to local
communities.
• Enforcement
of fish and wildlife
regulations.
NHFG 150th Anniversary
• Registration, education
and law enforcement for
OHRVs and snowmobiles.
• Search and rescue.
NHFG 150th Anniversary
• Management of WMAs
and boat launches,
providing public access
for hunting, fishing and
outdoor recreation.
• Multi-media public
relations and outreach.
NHFG 150th Anniversary
• Hunter education
certification courses.
• Educational programs that
engage youth and adults.
NHFG 150th Anniversary
Funding challenges:
• N.H. Fish and Game is funded
mostly by hunters, anglers,
boaters and OHRV users.
• Revenues are not keeping
up with the cost of doing
business.
• A Legislative Commission was
established in 2013-2014 to
find new ways to raise
revenue, but solution is still
not clear.
NHFG 150th Anniversary
You can help determine what
the future holds for N.H.’s fish and wildlife
in the next 150 years!
• Purchase a hunting or fishing license, buy a Hike Safe
card or donate to the Nongame Program.
• Buy a Moose Plate.
• Let your elected officials know you want them to fund
Fish and Game.
• Your continued support is needed!
Help keep the state's fish and wildlife agency working
for you and New Hampshire’s wild resources.
We’ve come a long way from being a Fisheries Commission…
Celebrating 150 years of Connecting You to Life Outdoors!
NHFG 150th Anniversary
Visit us online and learn more at:
wildnh.com/150