Belknap County Fish and Game

Belknap County is the only one of the ten counties in the state that is not represented on the New Hampshire Fish and Game Commission. That troubles Executive Councilor Ray Burton.

"The seat has been vacant a long time," Burton said yesterday, explaining that Stephen Hodges of Meredith resigned before completing his term early this year. Burton expressed concern that the county was unrepresented, particularly when public access to the lakes has become a pressing issue in the state and region.

Commissioners are nominated by the governor and, after determined to be qualified, confirmed by the Executive Council. Commissioners serve staggered terms of five years, with two being appointed each year.

Burton said that he suggested that John McGonagle of Gilford, an experienced and accomplished outdoorsman, to fill the seat in the spring, but has not had a response from the governor's office. McGonagle said yesterday, before leaving to guide elk hunters in Colorado, that he was interested and willing to serve, but had yet to submit a resume.

Kevin Smith, a spokesman for Governor Craig Benson, declined to comment on specific candidates, but conceded that "the process is taking longer than it normally would." He said that "the governor has been interviewing folks," but that it was difficult to find qualified candidates. Burton agreed, stressing that since commissioners must meet an exacting set of criteria, the positions were not easy to fill.

The commission consists of one commissioner from each of the ten counties as well as a resident of one of 17 "tidewater towns." Moreover, not more than six of the eleven commissioners can belong to the same political party.

In addition, candidates must be "well-informed on fish and wildlife conservation and restoration;" "dedicated" to conserving and protecting fish and wildlife resources as well as the natural environment; and "committed" to a fish and game program that balances scientific research, habitat management and law enforcement.

All candidates must be active outdoorsmen who have held a resident fishing, hunting or trapping license for five the last ten years, without any violations in either New Hampshire or another jurisdiction. Experience in forestry, agriculture, management of wild land, soil conservation, water conservation, fish and game management, conservation engineering, conservation law or wildlife education is also required. Finally, all candidates must be active members of a conservation or sportsmen's organization in the state.

"Seating the Pope in Rome may be easier than filling a seat on the New Hampshire Fish and game Commission," Burton quipped.