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Committee approves moose rule: special-opportunity season, three‑day extension and allocation clarifications

5720531 · July 11, 2025

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Summary

The committee approved Fish & Wildlife changes to moose management rules that add a special-opportunity window for three no‑cost licenses, extend the regular moose season from six to nine days, and clarify permit allocation language to match statute; the department expects no rise in harvest but better predictability.

The Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules on July 10 approved amendments to the Fish & Wildlife moose management rule to clarify permit allocation, create a special‑opportunity season for certain licensees and extend the regular moose season from six to nine days.

Hannah Smith, general counsel for the Department of Fish and Wildlife, said the rule updates bring language into alignment with statute about how moose permits are allocated and create a three‑day extension (from six to nine days) to provide a second weekend that helps working hunters and provides weather contingency. The revision also adds a special‑opportunity season tied to statutory authority for up to three no‑cost licenses for people with life‑threatening illnesses.

Nick Fortin, deer and moose project lead, told the committee the change in season length is not expected to increase the number of moose taken because the Fish & Wildlife Board sets the number of permits issued each year based on population data. "More what this does is ... avoid impacts from bad weather," Fortin said, adding that New Hampshire uses a nine‑day moose season and sees similar success rates.

The department provided a statewide moose population estimate of about 1,900 and said it issued roughly 180 permits in the most recent season with an expected harvest of about 80 moose. The committee approved the rule (listed in the meeting as rule 25 P 13) by voice vote.

The department said the extended season should produce more consistent annual success rates and make harvests easier to predict so the Board can better allocate permits to meet management goals.