In 2007, New Hampshire will issue its first licenses for leashed dog tracking for recovering wounded big game

The New Hampshire Story

New Hampshire will issue its first licenses for leashed dog tracking for recovering wounded big game in 2007. Unlike some other states, the effort to legalize leashed tracking could be looked at as relatively painless and uneventful. Anyone taking on this effort realizes the goal is to ultimately make a significant difference to our sport of hunting and the conservation of recovering game.

Preparation is a key factor. There are “lessons learned” that can be gained from individuals in other states that spearheaded similar efforts. Gaining insight into their experience contributed greatly to the seemingly effortless success in New Hampshire. I was able to identify potential problem areas in advance and arm myself with a solid strategy for dealing with issues thus avoiding roadblocks. Important to success is to identify key individuals in the fish and game department, branches of government, and consumer advocates, various sports groups, and outdoor writers. Education of the subject matter of leashed tracking and the use of dogs is critical as one will find that they will be speaking with many individuals making them aware of the aspects of leashed dog tracking. Critical to the New Hampshire success is a passion for the subject matter of leashed tracking and the persistence to see the matter through to completion. Expect a great lesson in civics on how the Fish & Game department and State government work. Also, its great to have a partner assisting your efforts. I had the good fortune of having my wife speak at hearings and solicit support from individuals. Ed Wills

Our timeline that we followed in New Hampshire is as follows:

Pre-July ‘05	Solicit support from a local sportswriter willing to put forward information on leashed dog tracking, Develop article on leashed tracking for a local sporting newsletter willing to publish information on leashed dog tracking
July 17, 2005	Sportswriter publishes article in Concord Monitor, local Sunday newspaper.
August 1, 2005	Hawkeye publishes article on Leashed Dog Tracking in New Hampshire. Hawkeye is a free hunting and fishing publication that individuals can obtain at sporting goods outlets.
August 17, 2005	Presentation to the NH Fish & Game Commission with supporting material as a handout.
September 2005	Obtain key legislative sponsorship from a member of the NH House of representatives and supplying material for the drafting of the bill.
January 4, 2006	House Introduction of House Bill 1646 and assignment to the House Fish and Game Committee.
January 2006	Circulate petition seeking individual to support of HB 1646. Solicit support from NH Wildlife Federation, a statewide organization of 10,000+ members and affiliated organizations throughout the state.
January 31, 2006	House Fish and Game Committee public hearing on House Bill 1646.
February 17, 2006	House Fish and Game Committee votes 9-0 ought to pass.
February 22, 2006	HB1646 is placed on Consent Calendar with approximately 50 other bills that have no opposition. House votes to pass entire Consent Calendar and pass along to the NH Senate.
February 23, 2006	Bill is introduced into the NH Senate and referred to the Environment and Wildlife Committee.
March 21, 2006	Senate Environment and Wildlife Committee public hearing on HB 1646. Committee immediately votes 5-0 for passage.
April 6, 2006	NH Senate votes passage of HB1646 and bill moves on to the Governor’s desk.
April 24, 2006	House Bill 1646 becomes law!
August 2006	NH Department of Fish and Game starts administrative rule setting with internal review of draft rules.
September or October ‘06	A public hearing will be held on the administrative rules.
2007	IMPLEMENTATION, the first leashed dog tracking licenses will be issued in New Hampshire!