Title XVIII, Fish and Game

Once each biennium, in the odd-numbered year, the executive director shall hold public hearings to hear suggestions from the public on changes in the fishing rules or on any other subject with respect to their duties. Such hearing shall be held in Concord and in Lancaster. Public…

The rules and regulations of the executive director promulgated under the provisions of this chapter shall be deemed to be severable and if any provision or the application thereof shall be held invalid, the remainder shall not be affected thereby.

At the discretion of the executive director of the fish and game department, the chief of game management and research shall be empowered to perform all the duties and exercise all the powers conferred upon said executive director as an ex officio member of the pesticide control …

Notwithstanding the other provisions of this chapter, the executive director shall have the power and authority to close to hunting or fishing, or both, any area in which there is in his opinion foreseeable harm to property or it is in his opinion dangerous to human life to hunt …

Notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter, the executive director, with the consent of the commission, shall have the power and authority to extend any season on fish, game, and game birds, including migratory birds and fur-bearing animals, when a season has been closed by a…

Notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter or fishing regulations established under this chapter the executive director may open to smelt fishing by any person with a disability and an assistant, for a period not to exceed 60 days, any smelt brook where he has determined the …

For the purposes of RSA 206:15-c, "person with a disability" means a person who by reason of a physical defect or infirmity permanently requires the use of special aids to enable him to propel himself.

The executive director shall have the power and authority to close any body of water to the taking of crayfish, for any length of time he may deem necessary, and when in his opinion such action may be necessary for the protection of the crayfish population in such body of water.

Whenever the executive director shall by rule or regulation, pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, alter existing provisions of law, the penalties applicable in cases of violation of such provisions of law as shall be changed by such action of the executive director, shall …

I. The executive director of fish and game may, at any time he or she deems advisable, release any information related to the stocking of fish to include but not be limited to: the species, number, size of fish, or the name of the stream, pond, or lake stocked, but in no instance…

The provisions of RSA 206:18 shall not apply to the stocking of any species of fish, for which species there is no open season authorized at the time of stocking, and which species shall remain continuously protected for at least one year thereafter.

Whoever violates any rule, regulation or order of the executive director issued pursuant to the authority contained in the preceding sections of this subdivision, for which violation no specific penalty is provided, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

Unless otherwise herein provided, any person convicted of a violation of any provision of Title XVIII, or of any rule or regulation made under authority thereof, shall be guilty of a violation for the first offense. For any subsequent offense committed during the same calendar ye…

I. (a) Any person who purposely beats, cruelly whips, tortures or mutilates any wild animal, fish or wild bird as defined in RSA 207:1, or purposely causes any wild animal, fish, or wild bird to be beaten, cruelly whipped, tortured or mutilated shall be guilty of a class B felony…

I. The commission shall consist of 11 members, each qualified pursuant to RSA 206:2-a, appointed by the governor and council. Whenever an appointment is to be made to the commission, the governor shall cause to be published the name of the nominee in a newspaper of statewide dail…

I. Each member of the commission shall be a resident of a different county in the state except that one commission member shall be a resident of one of the tidewater towns of Portsmouth, Seabrook, Rye, Hampton, Hampton Falls, North Hampton, Newington, Greenland, Stratham, Exeter,…

Laws relating to the opening and closing of seasons for taking fish, the size, number and weight limits of fish, and other conditions governing the method and manner of taking fish, shall be continued in full force and effect until altered by rule or regulation of the executive d…

The executive director shall have authority to have printed the biennial report and such bulletins, literature, posters, and other printing as may be necessary to the work of the department, he to purchase all supplies and equipment subject to the provisions of RSA 8:14-32.

I. There is established a revolving fund to be known as the publications, specialty items and fund raising revolving fund in the fish and game department. The revolving fund shall be used for the purpose of producing, purchasing or marketing publications and specialty items which…

The executive director may purchase such merchandise for resale and such operating supplies and materials as may be necessary for the operation of the department. Items for resale may be purchased in accordance with RSA 21-I:18, I(k). All operating supplies and materials shall be…

The executive director shall enter into cooperation with the departments of the federal government and of this and all other states, for the protection, propagation and preservation of all wildlife in this state, and shall execute all matters pertaining thereto, including a biolo…

The executive director, with the consent of the commission, shall have the power and authority to enter into agreements with individuals, partnerships and corporations whether resident or nonresident for the purpose of implementing fishways or fish ladders and any other matters r…

The executive director of the department of fish and game shall annually provide copies of current fish and game statutes, if available as a single publication from a commercial publisher, without charge only upon request of the members of the house wildlife and marine resources …

I. The executive director, with the approval of the commission, may conduct wildlife population reductions and initiate management actions necessary to protect against disease, genetic, ecological, environmental, health, safety, or welfare risks to persons or wildlife. The execut…

Subject to regulations of the state personnel commission, the executive director shall determine the number of conservation officers and superintendents of hatcheries, shall appoint and remove all conservation officers and superintendents of hatcheries, and shall hire such expert…

Each conservation officer shall keep a record of his official acts, receipts, and expenditures and, when requested by the executive director, shall make such report and in such form as the executive director may prescribe.

The executive director, if certified as a police officer in accordance with RSA 106-L:5, V, and each conservation officer, shall have the power: I. To enforce all laws, rules and regulations relating to all wildlife, and to go upon any property outside of buildings, posted or oth…

It is unlawful to resist or attempt to resist arrest by a conservation officer, or to obstruct or attempt to obstruct, or to intimidate or interfere with a conservation officer in the performance of his duty. Any person who violates any provision of this section shall be guilty o…

I. The executive director and each conservation officer shall: (a) Be ex officio constables throughout the state; (b) Have general power to enforce all criminal laws of the state and to serve criminal processes and make arrests, under proper warrants, in all counties; and (c) Hav…

I. Any person determined by the department to have acted negligently in requiring a search and rescue response by the department shall be liable to the department for the reasonable cost of the department's expenses for such search and rescue response, unless the person shows pro…

Any injury, which is due to a hostile or overt act or an act caused by another during the performance of duties which are considered dangerous in nature, received by the executive director, any conservation officer, or any deputy conservation officer while on assignment, patrol, …

I. Any game protector, fish and game warden, conservation officer, or other person, who is authorized to make arrests for violations of the conservation or fish laws of the state of Maine or of the commonwealth of Massachusetts shall have power and authority to make arrest of any…

The executive director is authorized to recruit, train and organize a deputy conservation officer force for the purpose of assisting conservation officers in the enforcement of fish and game laws and augmenting the conservation officer force in such manner as the executive direct…

Members of the deputy conservation officer force shall be appointed by the executive director. Each member of the force shall be: I. A citizen of the United States; II. A resident of the state of N.H.; III. Free from conviction of a felony in this state or any other state; IV. At…

All members of the deputy conservation officer force shall have all powers set forth in 206:26, 206:26-a and 206:26-b; but such powers shall extend only during the period when such member is on official active duty under the direction of the executive director or his agent.

All deputy conservation officers who are engaged in official duties shall be considered state employees for the purpose of the workers' compensation for state employees under RSA 8:60 and 61. The coverage shall include those deputy conservation officers engaged in official duties…

Any member of the deputy conservation officer force may be suspended or discharged at the discretion of the executive director.

No deputy conservation officer appointed under the authority of provisions of RSA 206:27-a shall be deemed to be eligible for group II retirement benefits unless said officer has had previous coverage under group II retirement.

The executive director may provide for deputy conservation officer uniforms and equipment necessary in the performance of their duties, but all such property shall remain the property of the state. The executive director shall maintain an inventory of said property and shall char…

All deputy conservation officers shall be compensated for their services while actively engaged in the performance of their official duties at rates as fixed by the executive director. This section shall not prohibit a deputy conservation officer from volunteering his or her serv…

Any person recognized by the executive director, department of fish and game, as a fish and game volunteer who is under the supervision of a department employee and is actually performing assigned volunteer duties or search and rescue activities shall be considered a state employ…

The forest service of the United States department of agriculture may make reasonable rules and regulations for the protection of game and other animals, birds, and fish on such area or areas in the White Mountain forest reserve as shall be designated from time to time by said fo…

At no time shall the areas designated as in RSA 206:28 exceed 100,000 acres, in total.

The members shall hold office for a term of 5 years, and each shall continue in office until his successor is appointed and qualified. Each year at least 2 members shall be appointed. Vacancies in the commission shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as the ori…

A copy of any rule or regulation made under the provisions of RSA 206:28, attested by an official or employee of said forest service, shall be posted on the designated area to which said rules and regulations are made applicable and a like copy, with affidavit of posting thereon,…

Whoever shall violate any rule or regulation made pursuant to the provisions of RSA 206:28 and posted and filed as provided for herein shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.