By PAULA TRACY, InDepthNH.org
CONCORD – The creators of the reality hit show “North Woods Law” have a new contract to film Fish and Game Conservation officers in New Hampshire before the state Executive Council on Wednesday.
But rather than show how they wrangle with wildlife, sneak up on poachers and rescue injured hikers on the cable channel Animal Planet, Engel Entertainment wants to offer a similar product online.
The contract indicates it will be seen on a streaming platform beginning with YouTube and the contract has a four-year option.
Production of the series, which began here in 2017 ended in 2024 during a media merger.
Steven M. Engel, owner of Engel Entertainment, which had the contract to produce the show for 16 seasons, said he is eager to have his crew jump back in the truck for more episodes like “racoon rodeo” and “snow patrol” but in shorter segments offered free, online rather than paid cable programming.
Engel first started the season in 2012 in Maine but moved to New Hampshire after former Maine Gov. Paul LePage pulled the plug, saying it was not a good look for the state.
But both Republican Executive Councilors Janet Stevens of Rye and Joe Kenney of Wakefield are big fans of the show and are expecting a discussion about the terms of the contract when it comes up on Wednesday at the Executive Council meeting.
The state will not see any direct revenue from the filming but will be able to halt the roll of cameras and edit out anything they don’t want.
Kenney said a lot of credit should go to Fish and Game Colonel Kevin Jordan, who had his officers work with the crew and reviewed episodes before production.
“We do benefit,” Jordan said Monday, noting that while it had been a lot of work to edit the show, it did a lot to promote New Hampshire all over the world from its seacoast to its mountain tops in all four seasons and all 10 counties.
“There are so few opportunities to put police in a good light,” he said. “It would be selfish to not do this,” he said.
He said it has helped recruit the new executive director Stephanie Simek who watched in the Pacific Northwest where she previously worked.
In the past, episodes showed real life drama including “Officer Down” which captured a harrowing OHRV accident involving Conservation Officer Matt Holmes.
The show over the seasons has drawn millions of viewers and led to a spinoff for Engel, Lone Star Law featuring Texas wardens.
Kenney said when he sees kids interacting with uniformed conservation officers at fairs and events, children are thrilled to see these officers.
“They are like rock stars to these kids,” he said, noting that Jordan should get a lot of credit for what he has done to help Engel promote the state.
Jordan said that in the past when Engel sold seasons to the networks they would send about $2,000 to the New Hampshire Wildlife Federation, a nonprofit that supports the department with equipment and training and in some years gave even more though not obligated.
In this case, Jordan said, Engel will not initially make money because he is not selling to networks but only makes money when they get advertisers. Jordan said he believes similar terms could be renegotiated in a similar way for non-direct compensation.
In her letter to Gov. Kelly Ayotte recommending the contract be signed, Simek noted that a sole source contract with this vendor is correct as the track record has been positive and safe.
“The show has increased recognition, appreciation and awareness of the important work they perform to conserve natural resources and serve the public,” Simek wrote.
Steven Engel wrote that using an online platform to distribute the shows will allow it to reach a broader, more diverse and intergenerational audience.
“We are enthusiastic about having this opportunity to work with the department once again,” he wrote, noting it looks forward to a successful, educational and enjoyable working relationship” with the state in the future.