Public hearing to discuss chocolate bear bait ban, moose hunt lottery reduction

CONCORD, NH – Two proposed wildlife rule changes will be discussed at a public hearing on Wednesday, April 8, 2015, at 6:30 p.m. at the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, N.H.

One proposed rule would ban the use of chocolate and cocoa derivatives in bear bait. This proposal stems from an incident last fall where four bears died due to chocolate toxicosis.

Another rule to be considered at the same hearing would reduce the total number of permits available in the annual moose hunt lottery from 124 to 105; the allocation of moose permits for each Wildlife Management Unit would be adjusted. A three-year study is currently underway to assess the impact of winter tick and other threats on the health and productivity of the state’s moose population.

The complete rule-making notice, with original and proposed rule language for these proposals, can be viewed here (click on “Banning Chocolate for Bear Bait” or “2015 Moose Lottery Permits.”)

Written comments must be received by April 16, 2015.

Send to: comments@wildlife.nh.gov (use subject line “Comments on “Banning Chocolate for Bear Bait” or “2015 Moose Lottery Permits.”); or write to Executive Director, N.H. Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301; or fax to 603-271-1438.

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