About the NHFG Commission

What is the New Hampshire Fish and Game Commission?

The NHFG Commission is composed of eleven Commissioners: one from each county in the state, and a sole Commissioner representing the tidewater towns. No more than six Commissioners can be of the same political party. Commissioners must be well informed on the subject of fish and wildlife (inclusive of game and nongame) conservation and restoration. RSA 206:4-a defines the duties of Commissioners to represent citizens, to be stewards of fish, wildlife and marine resources, and shall set general policy in six areas:  

1. Conservation, protection, and management of wildlife and habitat, 
2. Long-range strategic planning, including funding, of the fish and game department, 
3. Acquisition, development and maintenance of public access to lands and waters for recreational use, 
4. Public education and building support for NHFG projects, 
5. Establish positions on proposed legislation affecting fish, wildlife, marine resources, and the overall management of the department, and 
6. Hear and adjudicate appeals requested under RSA 207:14,I.

The Commission administratively operates under a committee structure common to similar governmental bodies, such as a Board of Selectmen. RSA 206:7 requires the members of the Commission to elect a Commission Chair and a Secretary. 

RSA 206:8 authorizes the NHFG Commission to conduct a search and submit a nominee to the Governor for the position of Executive Director for a term of four years. Subject to relevant RSA, the Commission’s consent must be gained for release of funds from specified accounts, as well as, promulgation of rules under the FIS rules designation.
 

What do the day-to-day activities of the New Hampshire Fish and Game Commission look like?

The day-to-day activities of individual Commissioners vary and are often determined by a Commissioner's specific committee assignment and location within the state. For instance, Commissioners might speak at functions, participate in supporting NHFG Department programs, testify at legislative hearings, respond to citizen inquiries, or attend sponsored activities, including educational and fundraising events, related to the Commission's statutorily defined duties. 

It is important to note that NHFG Commissioners do not enforce statutes and underlying rules; this responsibility rests solely with Conservation Officers assigned to NHFG Division of Law Enforcement. Additionally, Commissioners are prohibited by RSA 206:4-b to be involved in personnel matters of the Department.

According to RSA 206:5, NHFG Commissioners are volunteers and do not receive compensation for their service. However, they are reimbursed for actual and necessary travel and other expenses.

How do I engage with the New Hampshire Fish and Game Commission?

There are several ways constituents can engage with the entire Fish and Game Commission and the respective counties represented. You can contact your county New Hampshire Fish and Game Commissioner using the information provided on this website. Commissioners are typically reachable by either email or telephone.

Furthermore, the entire New Hampshire Fish and Game Commission meets the third Tuesday of each month unless specified otherwise. The public is welcome to speak at the end of the meeting, at the discretion of the Chair. While subcommittee meetings are listed on the website, they do not occur on a regular basis, so it is advisable to check back frequently for more information about these upcoming meetings. 

RSA 206:7 requires only quarterly meetings; the current Commission maintains monthly meetings unless otherwise posted per RSA 91-A. 

What are the subcommittees of the New Hampshire Fish and Game Commission?

The standing committees are as follows: Legislative, Governance, Sustainability and Strategic Planning, Resources and Infrastructure, and Public Engagement and Education. All the committees draw on the knowledge base and experience of assigned Commissioners required under RSA 206:2-a. The Commission Chair assigns committee chairs and committee members annually. Each committee chair is responsible for coordinating and conducting committee meetings, and reporting to the Commission, as a whole, during monthly meetings. 

• Legislative Committee: public policy development and recommendations, as well as Commission advocacy before legislature. 
  • Commissioner Price, Chair; Commissioners: Caveney, DeBow, Hodgson and Green. 
• Governance Committee: Commission professional development, education and policy recommendations related to Commission conduct and activities.
  • Commissioner Caveney, Chair; Commissioners: Temple, Hodgson and Titone. 
• Sustainability and Strategic Planning Committee: Agency funding, development and oversight of strategic plan. 
  • Commissioner Hodgdon, Chair; Commissioners: Caveney, DeRosa, Hodgson and Titone.
• Resources and Infrastructure Committee: Policy recommendations related to agency infrastructure; including facilities, public access, habitat and wildlife. 
  • Commissioner Green, Chair; Commissioners: Caveney, DeRosa and Temple. 
• Public Engagement and Education: Engagement, partnership, awards, public recognition & education strategies for the public and interest groups. 
  • Commissioner DeRosa, Chair; Commissioners: DeBow, Hodgdon and Price

The Chair also appoints Commissioners to represent the NHFG Commission on two state-level advisory committees: the Lakes Management Advisory Committee and the Rivers Management Advisory Committee.

• Lakes Management Advisory Committee: Commissioner Price
• Rivers Management Advisory Committee: Commissioner Hodgdon

What are the requirements to be a New Hampshire Fish and Game Commissioner?

RSA 206:2-a outlines the legal requirements for becoming a Commissioner. These include being actively licensed in outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing, or trapping, as well as having experience in one or more of the nine fields: conservation, agriculture, management of wild lands, soil conservation, water resource conservation, fish and game management or propagation, conservation engineering, conservation law, or wildlife education.

How does someone become a New Hampshire Fish and Game Commissioner? 

Any adult resident of the State of New Hampshire can submit his or her name and relevant qualifications to the Governor seeking nomination to represent their county of residence or the tidewater towns. A sporting club, as defined in RSA 206:2,III, through its board, may nominate one to three persons to the Governor but this is not required for nomination. In the case of the Seacoast Commissioner, one to three nominees may be nominated by the Advisory Committee on Marine Fisheries; however, this is not a requirement for nomination. Upon receipt of interest by a person seeking an appointment, the Governor’s office determines if the potential nominee meets the requirements of RSA 206:2-a. Upon completion of the vetting process, the Governor may, or may not, nominate the applicant to the Executive Council. This process continues until the Governor selects a nominee to be submitted to the Executive Council for confirmation by majority vote. This vetting and nomination process is the same for all commissions in the state of New Hampshire.