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HB 589 · 2025 · House · Fish and Game and Marine Resources Committee

Banning wildlife killing contests

AI-generated

defining and prohibiting wanton animal waste and prohibiting certain wildlife hunting contests.

Defines and prohibits wanton waste of wounded or killed wild animals by hunters and prohibits organizing, promoting, or participating in wildlife killing contests offering prizes, with specified exceptions.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · March 6, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill defines and prohibits wanton animal waste and prohibits certain wildlife hunting contests.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as introduced. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“No person shall commit wanton waste of a wild animal that has been wounded or killed by that person while hunting.”
RSA 207:3-f
“No person shall organize, promote, solicit participation in, or participate in any contest that is created specifically for participants to take any wildlife species whose seasons or bag limits are regulated by the fish and game commission.”
RSA 208:1-f
“This section shall not abridge enforcement actions taken pursuant to RSA 212-A, RSA 207:5, or RSA 211:1.”
RSA 207:3-f
“This section shall not apply to wildlife conservation officers, licensed trappers for removal of nuisance animals, persons acting under a pre-damage kill permit, persons acting under a depredation permit, persons acting for scientific purposes under a scientific permit, or persons acting pursuant to RSA 207:22-c, III or RSA 206:26.”
RSA 207:3-f

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Kris SchultzDPrime
  • Rep. David PaigeDRanking Member· Housing
  • Rep. Michael MoffettRChair· State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs
  • Sen. Daniel InnisRChair, Majority Policy Conference
  • Sen. Suzanne PrentissDAssistant Democratic Leader

Also: Sen. David WattersD, Sen. Debra AltschillerD

Public testimony

640 signed in online · 319 wrote testimony

92% support8% oppose0% neutral

ForKilling contests are cruel, unethical, and barbaric

AgainstBill would end valued hunting and fishing traditions

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“The NH Association of Conservation Commissions supports the protection of wildlife and supports this bill that would prohibit wanton waste and killing contests.”
— Barbara Richter, Concord · NH Association of Conservation Commissionssupports
“Killing contests are vile, evil, uncivilized, and should have already been outlawed decades ago. People who want to kill as many animals as they can should be locked up!…”
— BJ Wahl, Sullivansupports
“I recently attended a presentation by Chris Schadler and was horrified to learn that killing contests were taking place in New Hampshire. These need to be outlawed NOW. Thank you.”
— Joan Walker, Peterboroughsupports
“This bill could have negative implications on beagle/hare field trials, upland bird dog field trials and hunt tests, waterfowl hunt tests and field trials Additionally what is the definition of “reasonable effort” to recover an animal?”
— Diane Richardson, Georges millsopposes
“Wildlife killing contests will never be ethical or a conservation strategy.”
— Danielle Sullivan, Kingstonopposes
“There is no environmental or ecological gain to these killing contests. Actually, they can be detrimental to our natural environment and since animals killed have little value, their carcasses are thrown away: denying waste! Tourist spend millions to view our wildlife.…”
— Vicky Morton, Keeneopposes

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Feb 13, 2025HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate12–3
    Overall
    80% yea
  • Mar 6, 2025HouseDivisionLay HB589 on Table (Rep. Schultz)Failed167–205
    Overall
    45% yea
  • Mar 6, 2025HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 12, 2025Public hearingHouse Fish and Game and Marine Resources3:07:36–3:18:1210m 36slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Mar 6, 2025Floor debateHouse floor1:35:42–1:40:515m 9slocated in the stream transcriptInexpedient to Legislate — adopted, voice vote; Lay HB589 on Table (Rep. Schultz) — failed, division 167-205

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 9, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 01/09/2025 and referred to Fish and Game and Marine Resources HJ 3 P. 17
  2. Feb 12, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 02/12/2025 01:15 pm LOB 307
  3. Feb 13, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 02/13/2025 11:50 am LOB 307
  4. Feb 13, 2025HouseMajority : Inexpedient to Legislate 02/13/2025 (Vote 12-3; RC) HC 14 P. 21
  5. Feb 25, 2025HouseMinority : Ought to Pass
  6. Mar 6, 2025HouseLay HB589 on Table (Rep. Schultz): MF DV 167-205 03/06/2025 HJ 7 P. 40
  7. Mar 6, 2025HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 03/06/2025 HJ 7 P. 40

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.