Overview
Known For
New Hampshire is known for good whitetail hunting, as tags are pretty easy to get and there are lots of public lands on which to hunt. It’s also one of the few eastern states where you can hunt moose.
Terrain
New Hampshire’s terrain is quite mountainous. As part of the Appalachian Highlands, mountains run the length of the state from north to south. There are ample hardwoods (especially red oaks) and other forage that support diverse wildlife.
New Hampshire Hunting Seasons
| Season | Start Date | End Date | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Bear – General 1
WMUs A, B, C2, D1, H1, H2, I2, K |
Sep 1, 2023 | Nov 7, 2023 |
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Bear – General 2
WMUs C1, D2, E, F, G, I1, J1, J2, L, M |
Sep 1, 2023 | Nov 30, 2023 |
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Bear – Baiting Season 1
WMUs A, B, C2, D1, H1, H2, I2, K, L, M
|
Sep 1, 2023 | Sep 28, 2023 |
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|
Bear – Baiting Season 2
WMUs C1, D2, E, F, G, I1, J1, J2
|
Sep 1, 2023 | Oct 5, 2023 |
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Bear – Dog Season 1
WMUs A, B, C1, C2, D1, D2, E, F, G, H1, I1, I2, J1, J2
|
Sep 18, 2023 | Nov 7, 2023 |
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Coyote – Night Hunting
No limit.
|
Jan 1, 2023 | Mar 31, 2023 |
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Coyote
No closed season. No limit.
|
Jan 1, 2023 | Dec 31, 2023 |
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Deer – Archery
WMU B-M
|
Sep 15, 2023 | Dec 15, 2023 |
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Deer – Archery
WMU A—Note: Archery deer season ends one week early.
|
Sep 15, 2023 | Dec 8, 2023 |
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Deer – Muzzleloader
Statewide. See regulations for hunt units and dates.
|
Oct 28, 2023 | Nov 7, 2023 |
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Deer – Firearms
Closes in WMU A on November 26. |
Nov 8, 2023 | Dec 3, 2023 |
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Duck – Youth Waterfowl
|
Sep 23, 2023 | Sep 24, 2023 |
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Duck – Northern Zone
See regulations for species limits.
|
Oct 2, 2023 | Nov 30, 2023 |
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Duck – Coastal Zone 1
See regulations for species limits.
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Oct 4, 2023 | Oct 10, 2023 |
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Duck – Inland & River Zone 1
See regulations for species limits.
|
Oct 5, 2023 | Nov 3, 2023 |
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Duck – Inland & River Zone 2
See regulations for species limits.
|
Nov 22, 2023 | Dec 21, 2023 |
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Duck – Coastal Zone 2
See regulations for species limits.
|
Nov 22, 2023 | Jan 14, 2024 |
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Fox – Gray & Red
No limit.
|
Sep 1, 2022 | Mar 31, 2023 |
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Goose – Early Canada Goose
Statewide. Daily bag limit of 5.
|
Sep 1, 2023 | Sep 25, 2023 |
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Goose – Youth Waterfowl
|
Sep 23, 2023 | Sep 24, 2023 |
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Goose – Northern Zone
Canada goose daily bag limit of 2. Brant daily bag limit of 2.
|
Oct 2, 2023 | Nov 30, 2023 |
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Goose – Northern Snow Goose
Daily bag limit of 25.
|
Oct 2, 2023 | Nov 30, 2023 |
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Goose – Coastal Zone 1
Canada goose daily bag limit of 2. Brant daily bag limit of 2.
|
Oct 4, 2023 | Oct 10, 2023 |
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Goose – Coastal Snow Goose
Daily bag limit of 25.
|
Oct 4, 2023 | Jan 13, 2024 |
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Goose – Inland & River Zone 1
Canada goose daily bag limit of 2. Brant daily bag limit of 2.
|
Oct 5, 2023 | Nov 3, 2023 |
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Goose – Inland & River Snow Goose
Daily bag limit of 25.
|
Oct 5, 2023 | Dec 21, 2023 |
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Goose – Inland & River Zone 2
Canada goose daily bag limit of 2. Brant daily bag limit of 2.
|
Nov 22, 2023 | Dec 21, 2023 |
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Goose – Coastal Zone 2
Canada goose daily bag limit of 2. Brant daily bag limit of 2. Brant closes on 12/24.
|
Nov 22, 2023 | Jan 13, 2024 |
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Ruffed Grouse
Daily bag limit of 4.
|
Oct 1, 2023 | Dec 31, 2023 |
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Moose – General
Draw permit required.
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Oct 15, 2023 | Oct 23, 2023 |
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Pheasant
Daily bag limit of 2.
|
Oct 1, 2023 | Dec 31, 2023 |
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Bobwhite Quail
Daily bag limit of 4.
|
Oct 1, 2023 | Dec 31, 2023 |
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Rabbit – Snowshoe Hare
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Oct 1, 2023 | Mar 31, 2024 |
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Rabbit – Cottontail
Units H2, K, L, M. Daily bag limit of 2.
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Oct 1, 2023 | Jan 31, 2024 |
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Turkey – Youth
One turkey statewide. Other turkey WMUs H1, H2, J2, K, L or M.
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Apr 29, 2023 | Apr 30, 2023 |
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Turkey – Spring
One turkey statewide. Other turkey WMUs H1, H2, J2, K, L or M.
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May 1, 2023 | May 31, 2023 |
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Turkey – Fall Archery 2
WMU B-M
|
Sep 15, 2023 | Dec 15, 2023 |
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Turkey – Fall Archery 1
WMU A
|
Sep 15, 2023 | Dec 8, 2023 |
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Turkey – Fall Shotgun
WMUs D2, G, H1, H2, I1, I2, J1, J2, K, L, M
|
Oct 16, 2023 | Oct 22, 2023 |
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|
Chukar
Daily bag limit of 4.
|
Oct 1, 2023 | Dec 31, 2032 |
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Hungarian Partridge
Daily bag limit of 4.
|
Oct 1, 2023 | Dec 31, 2023 |
New Hampshire Licenses, Permits, and Regulations
New Hampshire hunting licenses, permits, and regulations for resident and non-resident hunters can be purchased on the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department website. Click below to view the website.
Hunting GPS Maps
Every New Hampshire hunter should have hunting GPS maps on hand. New Hampshire hunting maps are available from onX Hunt. With a paid membership you can access Satellite, Topo, or Hybrid Basemaps, over which you can view maps of wildlife management units, along with State, Forest Service, and other public and private property boundaries. You can view trails and roads, and even download maps to the Hunt App for use offline. Click below to get onX Hunt for New Hampshire.
Wildlife Management Units
New Hampshire’s Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) are lettered “A” through “M,” and each has its own set of regulations. In addition to public land, there are lots of places to hunt in the state. All state, federal, municipal, county, and private land is open to hunting unless it is posted against hunting. However, hunting is a privilege granted by the landowner. It is not a right granted to the hunter. Click below to view New Hampshire’s wildlife management units in more detail through an interactive map.
Hunting Layers
NH Private Lands
Over 560,000 parcels mapped by the onX team, this layer helps you know who the property owners are in New Hampshire. Tap any parcel to learn more info about the owner and acreage.
NH Gov Lands
onX has the most accurate public lands maps with over 1,200,000 acres in New Hampshire to help you plan your next adventure. Tap any public land parcel to learn more.
NH Wildlife Mgmt Units
New Hampshire Wildlife Management Units. Please hunt responsibly, obey all signage and have a safe legal hunt.
NH Possible Access
Possible access lands in New Hampshire, includes timber companies and land conservation groups. Research rules on these private lands before recreating.
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