New Hampshire Hunting Guide
Despite being geographically small, New Hampshire offers a variety of species for hunters to enjoy. The state’s hunting selection has much in common with the surrounding New England region. Nearly all of New Hampshire’s land -- public, private, state, federal, and municipal -- is open to hunting.
What to Hunt
Like its neighboring New England states, New Hampshire offers a relatively diverse range of game species for hunters to enjoy.
Deer
Because of New Hampshire’s northern location, whitetail densities are generally low. The highest concentration of deer is found in New Hampshire’s southernmost regions. The state has a lot of huntable land, however, and tags are easy to obtain. In 2020, the statewide deer harvest was 13,044. Many deer hunters have success on private land in New Hampshire, and it is required to obtain the landowner’s permission first.
Turkey
Turkey populations are rising in New Hampshire, and hunters enjoy large amounts of huntable land. It is not permitted to take a turkey using a rifle, air rifle, dogs, live decoys, or electronic calling devices, and it is not permitted to take a turkey that is perched in a tree. Hunters may use bows with a draw weight of at least 30 pounds, or a shotgun. There is a bag limit of two turkeys per year in the fall and spring seasons combined.
Duck
Although New Hampshire has only a short coastline, waterfowl and duck populations are high. Hunters can enjoy abundant eiders and scoters along the coast. Further inland, mallard and wood ducks can be found near creeks. Waterfowl seasons generally run from September through January, depending on the species. Bag limits range from two all the way to 25, and there is no bag limit for crows.
Bear
New Hampshire offers three separate bear seasons: general, dog season, and baiting season. Bears can be found throughout the state, with notable densities in the White Mountains and in central New Hampshire. Bear season generally starts in September and runs through November, depending on the type of season. In 2020, hunters harvested 1,183 bears from New Hampshire, which was a new historical record. The highest number of bears (363) were harvested from the Central and White Mountains Regions.
Pheasant
New Hampshire is annually stocked with over 10,000 pheasant for hunters to enjoy. The vast majority of pheasant hunting in New Hampshire takes place on private property. Make sure to obtain the landowner’s permission before hunting on private property. Pheasant season generally runs from October-December. Note that there are occasional closures to pheasant season on the dates when parks officials are restocking pheasants.
Other New Hampshire game species include: Mergansers, and Coots,Canada Geese,Snow Geese, Brant, Woodcock, Common Snipe, Crow, Snowshoe Hare, Cottontail Rabbit, Ruffed grouse, Northern Bobwhite Quail, Chukar, Hungarian Partridge, Gray Squirrel, Moose, etc. found in the "Hunting Seasons" section at bottom of the page.
Where to Hunt
In New Hampshire, all state, federal, municipal, county, and private land is open to hunting unless it is specifically posted against hunting. It is still recommended that hunters receive permission before hunting on private land.
Federal Lands
The White Mountain National Forest is the largest single landholding in New Hampshire. It comprises over 751,000 total acres. With only a few exceptions, the White Mountain National Forest is open to hunting.
State Lands
New Hampshire offers 117 state forests, 41 state parks, 63 other tracts, and 100 Wildlife Management Areas. These areas are open to hunting, with only a few exceptions where posted.
Private Land Owned by Timber or Paper Companies
Many major paper and timber companies keep their lands open to hunting in New Hampshire. These areas are some of the state’s largest tracts of hunt-able land.
Private, County, and Municipal Lands
80% of the forestland in New Hampshire is privately owned. These lands are open to hunters unless otherwise posted. It is recommended that each hunter contact the respective landowners to seek permission to hunt.
Licensing Fees
License | Resident | Nonresident |
---|---|---|
Hunting/Freshwater Fishing Combination | $56.00 | $151.00 |
Hunting | $32.00 | $113.00 |
Muzzleloader | $16.00 | $41.00 |
Pheasant | $31.00 | $31.00 |
Bear | $16.00 | $48.00 |
Wild Turkey Permit (includes spring and fall) | $16.00 | $31.00 |
Small-game 3-day | N/A | $25.00 |
Trapper, Resident Adult | $36.00 | N/A |
Hunter Education
First-time hunters in New Hampshire are required to complete a hunter education course prior to obtaining a hunting license. Hunters under the age of 16 are exempt from this requirement if they are hunting under the supervision of a licensed adult.
Youths must be 12 years of age to enroll in a hunter’s education course. The course may be taken online or in person.
Youth Hunting
There is no minimum age for youth hunters in New Hampshire. However, all hunters under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a licensed adult (18 years of age or older). A hunter education course and a hunting license are not required for youths under 16 who are hunting while supervised.
New Hampshire also offers youth-only hunts for deer, waterfowl, and turkey. These are open to youths 16 years of age or younger. Youth hunters must be accompanied by a licensed adult (18 years of age or older). Each adult can accompany a maximum of two youth hunters.
Trapping
New Hampshire also offers youth-only hunts for deer, waterfowl, and turkey. These are open to youths 16 years of age or younger. Youth hunters must be accompanied by a licensed adult (18 years of age or older). Each adult can accompany a maximum of two youth hunters.
First-time trappers must be certified through a trapping education class before they can obtain a license.
Hunting Seasons
Game | Season Begins | Season Ends |
---|---|---|
Turkey* | Apr 27 2024 | May 31 2024 |
Sep 15 2023 | Dec 15 2023 | |
Bear* | Sep 1 2023 | Nov 30 2023 |
Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots* | Oct 2 2023 | Jan 13 2024 |
Canada Geese* | Oct 2 2023 | Jan 13 2024 |
Snow Geese* | Oct 2 2023 | Jan 13 2024 |
Brant* | Oct 2 2023 | Dec 14 2023 |
Sea Ducks* | Oct 2 2023 | Jan 13 2024 |
Woodcock | Oct 1 2023 | Nov 14 2023 |
Common Snipe | Sep 15 2023 | Nov 14 2023 |
Crow | Aug 15 2023 | Nov 30 2023 |
Mar 16 2024 | Mar 31 2024 | |
Deer* | Sep 15 2023 | Dec 15 2023 |
Snowshoe Hare* | Oct 1 2023 | Mar 31 2024 |
Cottontail Rabbit* | Oct 1 2023 | Jan 31 2024 |
Ring-necked pheasant | Oct 1 2023 | Dec 31 2023 |
Ruffed grouse, Northern bobwhite quail, Chukar, Hungarian partridge | Oct 1 2023 | Dec 31 2023 |
Gray squirrel | Sep 1 2023 | Jan 31 2024 |
Pheasant | Oct 1 2023 | Dec 31 2023 |
Moose | Oct 21 2023 | Oct 29 2023 |
*Hunting dates for this species may vary by zone, method of take, or subspecies of animal. Visit the state’s website here to find out more.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is not to be construed as legal advice or acted upon as if it is legal advice: it is provided for informational purposes only. While we strive to provide accurate, up-to-date content, we cannot guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or currency of the information.