CHAPTER 201
SB 15-FN - FINAL VERSION
4May2023... 1381h
06/29/2023 2227CofC
2023 SESSION
23-0793
04/05
SENATE BILL 15-FN
AN ACT relative to the use of tree stands and observation blinds.
SPONSORS: Sen. Pearl, Dist 17; Sen. Watters, Dist 4; Sen. Gendreau, Dist 1; Sen. Lang, Dist 2
COMMITTEE: Energy and Natural Resources
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AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill amends the permissible uses of tree stands, observation blinds, and pit blinds.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
4May2023... 1381h
06/29/2023 2227CofC 23-0793
04/05
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Three
AN ACT relative to the use of tree stands and observation blinds.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
201:1 Use of Tree Stands, Observation Blinds, and Pit Blinds. Amend RSA 207:36-a to read as follows:
207:36-a Use of Tree Stands, Observation Blinds, and Pit Blinds.
I. No person shall erect, build or use a tree stand or observation blind on land of another person that damages or destroys a tree by inserting into the tree any metallic, ceramic, or other object used as part of a ladder or observation deck, without express written permission from the property owner or designee.
II. No person shall erect, build or use a pit blind on land of another person without express written permission from the property owner or designee.
III. No person shall cut any tree in connection with any of the activities regulated under this section without the express written permission of the property owner or designee.
IV. Except for permissions granted by property owners in paragraphs V and VI of this section, the permittee shall carry such permit on his person while in the field and shall be subject to inspection on demand of any conservation officer.
V. No person shall construct a permanent tree stand or observation blind without permission from the property owner or designee.
VI. A portable or temporary tree stand or observation blind that does not violate paragraph I or II may be erected on the land of another from April 25 to June 1 and from August 1 to December 31 of a calendar year. All portable or temporary tree stands or observation blinds shall be removed from the property by June 1, unless allowed by permission from the property owner or designee.
[V.] VII. All property owner permits shall expire on December 31 of each year unless rescinded by the property owner or designee.
VIII. All tree stands or observation blinds shall be labeled with the name and contact information of the owner of the tree stand or observation blind in a clearly visible manner.
[VI.] IX. Any person who violates any provision of this section shall be guilty of a violation and:
(a) Shall be liable for the amount of damage caused by the act, to be recovered by the property owner sustaining the damage; and
(b) Shall be liable for any fine amount levied by the fish and game department, to be recovered by the department.
[VII.] X. The executive director shall adopt rules, pursuant to RSA 541-A, relative to the form, issuance and filing of property owner permits for the tree stands, observation blinds and pit blinds.
XI. A property owner shall contact a local or state law enforcement officer or conservation officer to remove and seize a permanent, portable, or temporary tree stand or observation blind which was placed, or the owner of which has failed to remove, in violation of this section.
201:2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2024.
Approved: August 04, 2023
Effective Date: January 01, 2024