The law RSA 207:26 states that in New Hampshire, you may wound or kill any animal found “in the act of doing active an substantial damage”, which means that a bear can be shot for chasing a chicken, destroying a birdfeeder, or getting into dumpsters.

There are no statistics on how many animals are killed under this law every year because you’re not required to report animals that you shoot (unless it’s a game/protected species). In fact, under this law, you’re not even required to take any preventative measures to stop whatever conflict you’re having with a wild animal. 

Each year, multiple bear cubs are orphaned because their mothers are shot in entirely preventable conflicts with people. These cubs then become the financial burden of rehabilitators who receive little funding from the state. You can legally shoot a mother bear after she’s run up a tree if you claim she was in the act of doing damage. These deaths are unnecessary and a waste of New Hampshire’s wildlife.

Wildlife is held in public trust which means we are all responsible for protecting and nurturing it. Please encourage Governor Sununu and state lawmakers to change RSA 207:26 to better protect NH’s wildlife.