Four years after New Hampshire was last featured on the Animal Planet TV show “North Woods Law,’’ the state’s Fish and Game Department is looking to revive the partnership and invite the cameras back for more action.
But things will look a little different this time, according to Stephanie Simek, executive director of New Hampshire Fish and Game.
“North Woods Law’’ tracked the department’s conservation officers in a dramatic portrayal of some of the outdoor law-enforcement issues in the state, including poaching, dangerous wildlife, and high-stakes rescues in the White Mountains.
But, Simek said, while those treacherous sides of the job are what sells, she’s hoping to highlight other aspects of the department’s work in upcoming episodes.
“We have biologists doing amazing research, we have biologists doing amazing restoration work. And so we’d like to showcase all of that,’’ she said.
The format will also be updated this time. Rather than creating 40-plus minute episodes of reality TV, Simek said the producers are planning to create shorter YouTube videos that they can share easily online.
The partnership with Engel Entertainment, Inc. was approved by New Hampshire’s Executive Council on May 21.
Before it came to New Hampshire, the show was filmed in Maine, where it faced criticism, including from then-Governor Paul LePage, who said it cast the state in a poor light. State officials in New Hampshire don’t seem to share those reservations – instead, they’re hoping the segments will give the state a boost.
“I think it promotes the state,’’ said Colonel Kevin Jordan, law enforcement chief at Fish and Game. “Selfishly, I think it promotes the great work the people that I work with do. In this day and age, any opportunity we get to promote that is a good thing.’’
And state officials will have a say in what makes it to air, according to Jordan. He said the department will have full editing rights and will be able to control what’s shown to viewers.
Amanda Gokee can be reached at amanda.gokee@globe.com. Follow her @amanda_gokee.
