CHAPTER 27

HB 1388-FN - FINAL VERSION

6Apr2016... 1316EBA

2016 SESSION

16-2018

04/10

HOUSE BILL 1388-FN

AN ACT expanding crossbow use into muzzleloader season.

SPONSORS: Rep. Spillane, Rock. 2; Rep. Lachance, Hills. 8; Rep. Duarte, Rock. 2; Rep. R. Christie, Hills. 6; Rep. Itse, Rock. 10; Rep. D. Long, Merr. 4; Rep. Burt, Hills. 39; Rep. Aldrich, Belk. 2; Rep. Rideout, Coos 7; Rep. Whitehouse, Straf. 2; Sen. Reagan, Dist 17

COMMITTEE: Fish and Game and Marine Resources

-----------------------------------------------------------------

ANALYSIS

This bill allows a person who has purchased a muzzleloader license to hunt deer with a crossbow.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

6Apr2016... 1316EBA

16-2018

04/10

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Sixteen

AN ACT expanding crossbow use into muzzleloader season.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

27:1  Game Animals; Taking Game by Crossbow.  Amend RSA 208:7-a, I to read as follows:

I.  The executive director of fish and game, with the consent of the commission, may adopt rules under RSA 541-A to allow for the taking of deer by crossbow during the regular firearms season and the regular muzzleloader season, for persons holding a valid firearms or muzzleloader deer tag, or as specified in RSA 206:23-c.

27:2  Game Animals; Muzzleloaders.  Amend RSA 208:5-a to read as follows:

208:5-a  Muzzleloaders.  A person who has complied with the licensing requirements relative to hunting deer pursuant to RSA 214, shall be issued a license, upon payment of a fee set by the executive director pursuant to RSA 206:10, I, for the following categories: residents 16 years of age or older and nonresidents 16 years of age or older.  A muzzleloading license shall not be required for residents less than 16 years of age, but such person while hunting with a muzzleloading firearm shall be accompanied by a properly licensed person who is 18 years of age or over and [must] shall also comply with all provisions of this chapter.  The license shall entitle the holder to hunt deer with a single shot muzzleloading firearm or with a crossbow.

27:3  Effective Date.  This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

Approved: April 25, 2016

Effective Date: June 24, 2016