There are many chances to put your abilities to the test and feel the rush of the hunt, from the majesty of the White Mountain National Forest to the various state holdings and privately held areas. This page will explore the dates, regulations, and key details that will help you make the most of your upcoming hunting trips in the Granite State.
New Hampshire Hunting Seasons
Popular games in the state include bears, deer, and turkeys. Late October through December is deer and turkey season.
Deer
| Season Type | Dates |
| Youth Weekend | October 26 – 27, 2024 |
| Muzzleloader | November 2 – November 12, 2024 |
| Regular/ Firearms | November 13 – December 8, 2024 |
| Archery | September 15 – December 15, 2024 (Closes one week early in WMU A) |
It includes youth, muzzleloader, firearm, and archery. Bucks and antlerless deer is permitted during the archery , which runs from September to December. During October and November, muzzleloader opens, allowing hunters to pursue both bucks and antlerless deer. Except for some days when either-sex deer may be taken, the November and December firearms is solely accessible to bucks. Additionally, designated youth seasons provide young hunters the chance to engage in deer hunting for shorter periods. The official NHFG website should be consulted for more particular dates and information.
Moose
| 19-Oct – 27-Oct | Draw permit required. |
Bear
| Season Type | Wildlife Management Units | Dates |
| General | A, B, C2, D1, H1, H2, I2, K | September 1 – November 12 |
| C1, D2, E, F, G, I1, J1, J2, L, M | September 1 – November 30 | |
| Dog Season | A, B, C1, C2, D1, D2, E, F, G, H1, I1, I2, J1, J2 | September 23 – November 12 |
| H2, K, L, M | Closed | |
| Baiting | A, B, C2, D1, H1, H2, I2, K, L, M | September 1 – September 28 |
| C1, D2, E, F, G, I1, J1, J2 | September 1 – October 5 | |
| Second Tag | C1, D2, E, F | All season dates apply |
Turkey
| Spring | 1-May – 31-May | Statewide |
| NH Youth | 27-Apr – 28-Apr | Youth Only |
| Fall Archery | 15-Sep – 15-Dec | WMUs B-M, Either Sex |
| 15-Sep – 8-Dec | WMU A, Either Sex | |
| Fall Shotgun | 14-Oct – 20-Oct |
Furbearers
Fox
| Gray and Red | 1-Sep - 31-Mar | There is no limit. |
Bobcat
| Closed |
Skunk
| 1-Sep - 31-Mar | There is no limit. |
Raccoon
| 1-Sep - 31-Mar | There is no limit. |
Fisher
| By traps | 1-Dec - 31-Dec | Statewide bag of 2 / season |
| Firearms or bow and arrow | 1-Dec - 31-Jan |
Mink
| WMU A - F | 15-Oct - 10-Apr | No Limit |
| WMU G - M | 1-Nov - 10-Apr |
Weasel
| WMU A - F | 15-Oct - 10-Apr | No Limit |
| WMU G - M | 1-Nov - 10-Apr |
Rabbit
| WMU | Daily Limit | |
| Snowshoe Hare (October 1 – March 31, 2024) | A, B, C1, C2, D1, D2, E, F, G, J1 | 3 |
| H1, H2, I1, I2, J2, K, L, M | 2 | |
| Cottontail Rabbit (October 1 – January 31, 2024) | H2, K, L, M | 2 |
| Cottontail Rabbit Falconry (October 1 – March 15, 2024) | H2, K, L, M | 2 |
Squirrel
| Gray Squirrel | September 1 – January 31, 2024 | All WMU | Daily 5 |
Trapping
| WMUs | Furbearers | Schedule | Bag |
|---|---|---|---|
| A - F | Gray fox | Oct 15 - Dec 31 | No Limit |
| Opossum | Oct 15 - Dec 31 | ||
| Skunk | Oct 15 - Dec 31 | ||
| Raccoon | Oct 15 - Dec 31 | ||
| Beaver | Oct 15 - April 10 | ||
| Muskrat | Oct 15 - April 10 | ||
| Mink | Oct 15 - April 10 | ||
| Weasel | Oct 15 - April 10 | ||
| G - M | Red fox | Nov 1 - Jan 15 | |
| Coyote | Oct 15 - March 31 | ||
| Statewide | Fisher | Dec 1 - Dec 31 | 2 per season |
| Otter | Oct 15 - April 10 | 10 | |
| N/A | Bobcat | CLOSED | N/A |
| Lynx | CLOSED | ||
| Pine Marten | CLOSED |
Upland Birds
Pheasant
| Ring-necked pheasant (Statewide) | 1-Oct – 31-Dec | Limit of 2 /day and 10/season | (additional $31 pheasant license required) |
Quail
| Northern bobwhite quail | 1-Oct – 31-Dec | Limit of four bags per day. |
Grouse
| 1-Oct – 31-Dec | Limit of four bags per day. |
Chukar & Partridge
| 1-Oct – 31-Dec | 4 per day |
Migratory Birds
Crow
| Northern Zone | 15-Aug – 30-Nov | No Limit |
| 16-Mar – 31-Mar | ||
| Inland & Ct River | 15-Aug – 30-Nov | |
| 16-Mar – 31-Mar | ||
| Coastal Zone | 15-Aug – 30-Nov | |
| 16-Mar – 31-Mar |
Snipe
| Zones | Bag Limit | Possession Limit | |
| Northern | Sep 15- Nov 14 | 8 | 24 |
| Inland & Ct River | |||
| Coastal |
Woodcock
| Bag Limit | Possession Limit | ||
| Northern Zone (Statewide) | Oct 1- Nov 14 | 3 | 9 |
| Inland & Ct. River Zone (Statewide) | |||
| Coastal Zone (Statewide) |
Waterfowl
Ducks
| Northern Zone | Oct 2 – Nov 30 |
| Inland & CT River Zone | Oct 9 – Nov 11 Nov 27 – Dec 22 |
| Coastal Zone | Oct 3 – Oct 9 Nov 27 – Jan 18 |
| Daily | 6 |
| Possession | 18 |
Mergansers
| Northern Zone | Oct 2 – Nov 30 |
| Inland & CT River Zone | Oct 9 – Nov 11 Nov 27 – Dec 22 |
| Coastal Zone | Oct 3 – Oct 9 Nov 27 – Jan 18 |
| Daily | 5 |
| Possession | 15 |
Coots
| Northern Zone | Oct 2 – Nov 30 |
| Inland & CT River Zone | Oct 9 – Nov 11 Nov 27 – Dec 22 |
| Coastal Zone | Oct 3 – Oct 9 Nov 27 – Jan 18 |
| Daily | 15 |
| Possession | 45 |
Brant
| Northern Zone | Oct 2 – Oct 31 |
| Inland & CT River Zone | Oct 9 – Nov 7 |
| Coastal Zone | Oct 3 – Oct 9 Nov 27 – Dec 19 |
| Daily | 1 |
| Possession | 3 |
Goose
Zones | Dates | Bags | Possession | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular | Northern | 2-Oct – 30-Nov | 6 | 18 |
| Inland & Ct River | 9-Oct – 11-Nov | |||
| 27-Nov – 22-Dec | ||||
| Coastal | 3-Oct – 9-Oct | |||
| 27-Nov – 18-Jan | ||||
| Canada Geese (Sept) | Statewide | 1-Sep – 25-Sep | 5 | 15 |
| Snow Geese | Northern | Oct 2 -Nov 30 | 25 | None |
| Inland & Ct River | Oct 9 -Nov 11 Nov 27 -Dec 22 | |||
| Coastal | Oct 3- Oct 9 Nov 27- Jan 18 |
Youth Waterfowl Weekend
Northern (Statewide) | 28-Sep | 29-Sep |
| Inland & Ct River(Statewide) | ||
| Coastal |
Falconry
| Northern Zone | Dec 1 – Jan 12 | Bag of 3 and possession of 9 |
| Inland & Ct River Zone | Nov 12 – Nov 26 | |
| Dec 23 – Jan 19 | ||
| Coastal Zone | Jan 27 – Mar 10 |
Hunting Location
All public, municipal, county, and private land is open to hunting. On private land, it is required to acquire permission.
| NH Hunting Locations | Type | Hunting Permission |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Public Lands: | ||
| White Mountain National Forest | National Forest | Allowed |
| State Property: | ||
| Wildlife Management Areas | State Property | Allowed |
| Additional Tracts | State Property | Allowed |
| State Forests | State Property | Allowed |
| Few Prohibited Zones during hunting season | State Property | Prohibited |
| Forestry and Paper Firms: | ||
| Paper and Timber Company lands | Private Lands | Allowed |
| Privately, County, or Municipality Owned Lands: | ||
| Privately owned lands | Private Lands | Seek permission |
| County owned lands | County Lands | Seek permission |
| Municipality owned lands | Municipality Lands | Seek permission |
Regulations
General
- All New Hampshire deer must have a license or permit-issued deer tag. There’s no limit on passenger luggage. Tags restrict the quantity of deer you can kill.
- You may hunt 30 minutes before sunrise or after dark. Outside these hours, it’s prohibited to have a loaded or unloaded weapon in a hunting area.
- Anybody using a rifle or bow must wear hunter orange, visible from 200 feet.
- Within 300 feet of a school, medical institution, company, or outdoor public gathering place, it is illegal to fire a gun, bow, or crossbow without authorization.
- Firearms, bows, and crossbows cannot be fired from or across a roadway.
- Tree stands, ladders, and observation blinds need the landowner’s written permission to use.
- It’s prohibited to use a remote-controlled aircraft to pursue deer.
- Vehicle-based pursuing is forbidden. All mechanical propulsion must be deactivated for canoe or boat hunting.
- Always prioritize your personal safety. Carefully aim your bow and arrow to hit your target. Explore your destination’s surroundings. Before shooting, make sure the animal has antlers.
- Watch what’s beyond the deer you wish to kill and what you could hit. Large-caliber bullets may kill a deer. Think beyond your goal. Without a permission, you may shoot two deer at once.
- Most think firearms cause most injuries. Falling from tree stands injures more people than stray gunfire from other hunters. Always wear the tree stand’s safety strap. Know how to utilize your gear.
Fines & Penalties
There is a potential for a fine of $250,000 and imprisonment of up to 5 years. If you are found guilty of taking over one deer in a year, you would be charged with a Class A Misdemeanor.
A two-year revocation of the hunter’s license, a $750 fine, and a 12-month suspended sentence in exchange for the same three years of good behavior are all possible outcomes.
You should familiarize yourself with New Hampshire’s deer laws and restrictions before setting out on your adventure.
Hunting License
- License is mandatory to hunt and you may get it through a licensed agency, Fish and Game in Concord, or huntnh.com.
- Non-residents need a license. A non-state license is invalid. Hunting/fishing combination permits are available. License fees are reduced for seniors. NHFG’s main office sells lifetime licenses.
- First-timers must be 16 and complete hunter ed. In-person and online versions of this course include an over-15 field day. Current curriculum includes weapons and bows.
- Students may choose a guns or archery course before 2014. Certain seasons may need confirmation of hunter and bow hunter schooling. Out-of-state hunting or archery licenses or course completion certificates work.
- A one-year apprentice license is available.
- Deer permits may be needed. Tag every in-season deer. Basic hunting license contains one deer tag for firearms schedule.
- You’ll need extra tags if you want to pursue outside of season. Archery tags allow one of each sexe. Muzzleloader licenses lack deer tags. Muzzleloader or crossbow is legal with a basic hunting license’s weapons deer tag during muzzleloading period.
- Special approval is needed for additional deer tags. With a Special Archery Deer Permit, you may take one more antlered deer. One per hunter.
- Unit L Special Permit authorizes one antlerless deer. The licensee may hunt with it (archery, muzzleloader, or firearm). 2022 July applications might yield 2,000 licenses.
- Unit M Special Permit enables taking two antlerless deer. Valid permits may be used anytime throughout game period (archery, muzzleloader, or firearm). 2022 NHFG first-come, first-served.
What are the dates for the New Hampshire Hunting Season in 2024-2025?
September through December are designated the archery, muzzleloader, and firearm deer. A permit received during the April application period is necessary for shooting moose. Pheasant hunting occurs from October to December, while waterfowl is offered in various zones from October to December. Woodcock game occurs between October and November, while crow lasts from September to March.
When are New Hampshire's deer shooting seasons?
It has distinct bow-and-arrow, muzzleloader, and gun seasons. There’s also a deer baiting time and a Youth weekend. Archery begins September 15 and ends December 15. (14th for WMU-A).
What happens you take a deer?
Deer tags should be removed from licenses and permits after the animal has been harvested. Then complete the tag and affix it to the deer. The label must remain until the procedure is complete. Within 24 hours after harvest, deer must be registered.
Archery-killed deer must be presented to a conservation officer within 48 hours with a healthy head and skin. After registering your deer, you may take it to a processor or taxidermist of your choice.
Do you need a license to hunt on your New Hampshire property?
Property owners who hunt just on their own land do not require a basic firearm license, even though they are prohibited from hunting elsewhere in the state without one. However, they are on their own when it comes to acquiring licenses for archery, muzzleloading, turkey, etc.
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