Don’t feed deer
If you believe deer baiting is not consistent with the principles of fair chase, and that it is unnecessary because New Hampshire has an abundant deer population that hunters can readily find without bait, now is the time to speak up.
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is renewing Fis 307.03, the rule that allows hunters to bait deer. This current statewide rule was adopted in 2007. This is a policy choice, not a necessity, and it can be changed.
Fish and Game advises the public not to feed deer because concentrating them increases the risk of disease transmission, vehicle collisions and other conflicts. Yet the Department continues to allow hunters to intentionally concentrate deer at bait sites.
With Chronic Wasting Disease spreading across North America, many wildlife agencies have restricted or prohibited deer baiting because it increases deer to deer contact. At bait sites, deer exchange saliva on shared food and leave behind urine and feces. If the disease is introduced, infectious prions shed in these materials can spread from one deer to another and contaminate the environment, increasing the risk of transmission. Once the disease becomes established, it is extremely difficult, and likely impossible, to eliminate.
The public comment period ends on July 21. Please email your comments before then to comments@wildlife.nh.gov and urge the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department to end deer baiting. The public hearing is on July 14 at Fish and Game in Concord.