New Hampshire Hunting Seasons Information and Regulations
*All information listed below is disclosed based on research we have conducted. We do our best to ensure that all information is up to date and accurate. However, rules and regulations are changing every day. Please make sure to verify your state-specific regulations prior to your hunt.
New Hampshire offers a variety of opportunities for hunting enthusiasts, with many different species that can be hunted in season. Every year, New Hampshire hunters can pursue antlered deer, bear, moose, wild turkey and waterfowl such as ducks and geese. The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department sets up hunting seasons to ensure the sustainability of New Hampshire. New Hampshire is home to New England’s only open moose hunt, which takes place in the fall. The black bear season runs from mid-September through mid-November and allows for both archery and firearm hunting. New Hampshire also offers spring turkey hunts, limited either sex deer hunts, and a variety of different small game seasons throughout the year.
New Hampshire Deer Seasons
| Deer (Archery) | September 15 – December 15, 2023 |
| Deer (Muzzleloader) | October 28 – November 07, 2023 |
| Deer (Firearms) | November 08 – December 03, 2023 |
| Deer (Youth Deer Weekend) | October 21 – October 22, 2023 |
*New Hampshire deer hunting seasons may close early in some areas of the state. For more information about hunting in New Hampshire’s wildlife management units (WMUs) or dates precise to your part of the state, visit the New Hampshire Fish and Game website.
New Hampshire Black Bear Seasons
| General (A, B, C2, D1, H1, H2, I2, K) | Sep 1 – Nov 7 |
| General (C1, D2, E, F, G, I1, J1, J2, L, M) | Sep 1 – Nov 30 |
| Baiting (A, B, C2, D1, H1, H2, I2, K, L, M) | Sep 1 – Sep 28 |
| Baiting (C1, D2, E, F, G, I1, J1, J2) | Sep 1 – Oct 5 |
| Dog Season (A, B, C1, C2, D1, D2, E, F, G, H1, I1, I2, J1, J2) | Sep 18 – Nov 7 |
*Bear management objectives vary by region, and hunting opportunity has been expanded in some regions in an effort to stabilize bear population growth. New Hampshire prohibits the use of chocolate as bear bait, as chocolate could be potential toxic to bears if eaten in large quantities.
In addition to baiting for bear on private land, hunters may bait for bear on lands owned or managed by the Department, as well as the federal government, including the White Mountain National Forest. Make sure to visit the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department website.
New Hampshire Moose Season
| General Season | Oct. 21 – Oct. 29 |
*Moose harvest is regulated by lottery-style permits, and while state moose populations have grown, being selected for a hunt is rare. For more information about how to apply for a moose hunt license, visit the New Hampshire Fish and Game website.
Your chance of being drawn and offered a permit in the lottery will be improved if you rank all wildlife management units on your application. You will have the option to decline a permit if drawn for a unit you prefer not to hunt.
New Hampshire Turkey Seasons
| Spring Hunt (Statewide) | May 1 – May 31 |
| NH Youth Turkey Hunt (Youth Only) | Apr 29 – Apr 30 |
| Fall Archery Season (WMUs B-M, Either Sex) | Sep 15 – Dec 15 |
| Fall Archery Season (WMU A, Either Sex) | Sep 15 – Dec 8 |
*Season dates vary by zone. The turkey license required to hunt turkey in New Hampshire covers both the spring and fall turkey seasons. In addition to the turkey license, residents also must have a current NH hunting, archery or combination license, and nonresidents must have a big game hunting or archery license, depending on their hunting plans. Visit the New Hampshire Fish and Game website for more information.
New Hampshire Small Game Seasons
| Snowshoe Hare and Rabbit | Oct. 1 – Mar. 31 |
| Gray Squirrel | Sept. 1 – Jan. 31 |
| Ruffed Grouse, Quail, Chukar, Hungarian Partridge | Oct. 1 – Dec. 31 |
| Ring-necked Pheasant | Oct. 1 – Dec. 31 |
| Crow | Aug. 15 – Nov. 30 Mar. 16 – Mar. 31 |
| Woodcock | Oct. 1-Nov. 14 |
*Hunting small game can add variety to your hunting experience. Bag limits, special seasons and hunting regulations for New Hampshire hunting seasons do vary based on animal and seasons. Visit the New Hampshire Fish and Game website for more information.
New Hampshire Crossbow Regulations
Crossbow Specific Regulations: During archery season in New Hampshire, you must have a disability license before you can use a crossbow; You won’t be allowed to hunt with a long, compound, or recurve bow in that case, and you can only use a crossbow.
New Hampshire Hunting License
A general firearm deer season hunting, fishing or archery license is not required for minors under 16 years of age. Minors are, however, required to purchase the following special licenses: Special Archery Deer, Turkey Permit, Bear License and Unit M and Unit L special Deer tags. There are a variety of other designated licenses for every games and weapons used. Make sure to visit and check the official website of the New Hampshire Fish and Game website for more information about licensing.
If you want to check out the next state on our list, click here to see New Jersey.
Or, you can check out the last state on our list, Nevada.
