HB1167 Enabling the use of ferrets for hunting.
Enabling the use of ferrets for hunting.
Impact Score — How Does This Bill Affect You?
Overall Impact Score
Mixed
Scale: 1 (harmful) to 10 (beneficial)
Your Wallet
No direct financial impact to taxpayers or families; ferret ownership and hunting remain otherwise regulated.
Your Community
No stated impact on schools, local services, or general community infrastructure.
Your Freedom
Expands hunting method options for NH residents by removing a specific legal restriction on ferret possession during hunting activities.
Status
Inexpedient to Legislate: Motion Adopted Voice Vote 03/05/2026 House Journal 6 P. 112
Sponsor
Joseph Barton (R)
The Short Version
This bill repeals the current prohibition on possessing ferrets while hunting or traveling to and from hunting, effective January 1, 2027. The change allows NH residents who hunt to legally use ferrets as hunting animals, a practice currently banned under state law.
Who's Behind This Bill?
Who Benefits
- ▲ NH residents who hunt and wish to use ferrets as hunting animals
- ▲ Hunters seeking alternative or traditional hunting methods
Who Pays the Price
- ▼ Potentially small wildlife or game populations if ferret hunting proves more effective, though the bill text does not address ecological impacts
Bill statuses as of October 7, 2026. Check LegiScan or NH General Court for the latest.
This bill was auto-scored using AI analysis of the bill text and legislative data. Scores may be refined as we review more bills.