Baiting Rule Changes for the 2016-2017 Hunting Seasons

New application deadlines and procedures in effect

CONCORD, N.H. -- New Hampshire hunters should note that several changes were made to baiting regulations during the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department's biennial rulemaking review, particularly regarding the application process for bait permits and submission deadlines. Baiting permits issued prior to June 1, 2016, when the new rules took effect, will be valid for the 2016 season. Highlights of the 2016-2017 Baiting Rule Changes include:

Baiting on State-owned and State-Managed Lands

One copy of the permit application is to be submitted to the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, Law Enforcement Division, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301, and shall include a topographic map, or copy thereof, showing the specific location of the bait site.
The application period will run from June 1 through the first Monday in August for deer and bear. There are no time limits on other species.
Applications must be hand delivered or postmarked by the deadline, as specified above.
Permits should no longer be given directly to Conservation Officers or Regional Offices.
It has been clarified that only the permittee can place bait (as was already the case for baiting on private lands).
A lottery will be established in 2017 to equitably distribute bait sites in the Connecticut Lakes Headwaters Forest. The lottery will be run out of Fish and Game's Region 1 office in Lancaster, NH. More information will be posted at www.huntnh.com when available.

Baiting on Private Lands
Two copies of the bait permit application are to be submitted to the NH Fish and Game Department, Wildlife Division, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301, and shall include a topographic map, or copy thereof, showing the specific location of the bait site.
The application deadline is the first Monday in August for bear, and first Monday in October for all other species.
Applications must be hand delivered or postmarked by the deadline.
Permits should no longer be given directly to Conservation Officers or Regional Offices.
Coyote baiting permits can be issued in December for use beginning January 1 of the following year.
It is the hunter's responsibility to leave a copy of the permit with the landowner.

Changes to General Baiting Regulations

Guides will be allowed six commercial bait sites and one or two personal bait sites, given the following stipulations:
Any bear taken off a commercial site must be tagged with a bear guide tag.
A guide can only use his/her guide tags on bears taken off baits which are assigned to him/her via permit.
No bear taken off a personal site can be tagged with a bear guide tag.
Guides must indicate on the baiting permit application whether sites are for commercial or for personal use and cannot reallocate anytime thereafter.

Hunters are also reminded that permit applications must be filled out legibly and completely in order to be considered.

Specific baiting rules are summarized at the following link: www.eregulations.com/newhampshire/hunting/general-hunting-regulations.

It is important for hunters to keep up to date on all the most current rules. For a complete and current list of all Fish and Game related rules visit http://gencourt.state.nh.us/rules/state_agencies/fis.html