NH Governor Nominates New Fish and Game Commissioner
While New Hampshire has some of the most beautiful and intact protected wild native brook trout habitat in the Northeast, the fish that inhabit these waters are not being adequately protected.
After the New Hampshire Fish and Game Commission declined to renew former Executive Director Glenn Normandeau’s contract, Governor Sununu has nominated Scott Mason, a dairy farmer, to head up the agency.
Having said they wanted to “move in a different direction,” the hope was that the commission was looking to modernize the department, make it less reliant on stocking and more willing to protect wild native fish, make it more representative of, and responsive to, the various user groups, and otherwise move fish and wildlife management in New Hampshire in a positive direction.
Mason, a resident of Stratford in the northern part of the state, has bachelor’s degree in animal science and resource economics from University of New Hampshire.
Mason was however actively supportive of the controversial Northern Pass transmission project, which was rejected by New Hampshire voters, and is said to have opposed the establishment of a conservation commission in his town.
Per Sununu, his reason for nominating Scott was that he was a “lifelong outdoorsman with deep experience for the task at-hand.”
“I have hunted and fished all my life in New Hampshire, and, as a farmer and landowner, I understand the principles behind conserving our natural resources for future generations. -Scott Mason”
“I have hunted deer, bear, grouse, woodcock, pheasant, rabbit, grey squirrel, woodchuck, and coyotes. I have enjoyed fishing for salmon, trout, cusk, flounder, bass, hornpout, and pickerel. I’ve gathered oysters, dug clams, ice fished, and done a little surf casting. I enjoy target shooting with both rifles and pistols and sporting clays. I’ve even dabbled a bit with fly tying. -Scott Mason”
Like most states, New Hampshire is facing declining participation in fishing and hunting, a loss of license revenue, and increasing operating costs. The state is under pressure from non-sportsmen and those who represent them, as well as non-consumptive sportsmen and advocacy groups, to manage for sustainability, and reduce its reliance on stocking.
Not surprisingly, there is opposition to Mason’s nomination. There is far more to fish and game than hunting and fishing, and farming could be viewed as a conflict of interest as it is not always good for the resource. I also suspect that there are some who would like someone from mid-state to ensure that their interests are represented.