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Originally Posted by Jonas Pilot
It's New Hampshire Fish and Game.
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Ok, so I corrected the error. Now since you knew the correct name of the agency how do you feel they should correct the deficit?
I've worked alongside state fish and wildlife while as a supervisor of several state parks in my home state. I was surprised to find out that retirees of NH Fish and Game come out of their revenue and not the State of NH. Those items should fall under the state retirement system. They deserve the best as state employees. There are costs that will always be going up employee benefits, retirement, energy and fuel costs to name a few. For an agency that is self dependent this will really hurt the budget. In the news article it is stated 42% of the $23 million funded comes directly from fishing and hunting fees and 56% come from dedicated Federal funds. Most likely these are the Pittman-Robertson Act, Dingell-Johnson Act and the Wallop Breaux amendment (this amendment is why we pay a bit extra on firearms, ammo, archery, fishing tackle) to name a few. It was also stated in the article that there has been a nationwide shift downward in hunting and fishing licenses. My concern is if fees were raised again to overcome a shortfall (which Director Perry would be against) would no doubt lose more potential license holders because of the costs. One alternative they are suggesting is maybe setting up a type of foundation to help supplement the fish and game budget. But that proposal always have ups and downs too. It's based on the whims of people who can at one time or another donate to it. But what happens if donations drop and you are already relying on that income?
Whether you hunt, fish or just utilize boat launches, open space & conservation lands for outdoor recreational pursuits everyone should be supporting their Parks or Fish and Game departments. These departments are usually the lowest on the totem pole for monies to run their programs but usually the first to be cut or abandoned in times of need meanwhile in our hectic world these agencies oftentimes are the most needed to bring us into a peacful meaningful quality of life in our outdoor pursuits as an escape to a crazy world.
In MA on the income tax (which we all know is a dreaded word in NH) but we do have the option of checking the box to help donate to the Endangered wildlife conservation project. Also when you buy a fishing or hunting license in MA you pay $5.00 for a wildlands conservation stamp whereas NH only requires $2.50 wildlife habitat fee. I know that several of my friends who don't hunt or fish do support our fish and wildlife by purchasing a license just to show support for buying conservation land through the fish and wildlife program.