New Hampshire Hunting Guide 2026
Complete New Hampshire hunting guide for 2026: seasons, license costs, draw odds, GMU boundaries, bag limits, and regulations. Compare every game species at a glance.
Wildlife Agency
New Hampshire Fish and Game Department
Hunter safety course required for first-time buyers
New Hampshire Hunting Seasons
Whitetail Deer
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Archery | Sep 15 | Dec 15 |
| Rifle | Nov 8 | Dec 3 |
| Muzzleloader | Oct 28 | Nov 7 |
Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 1 antlered + antlerless in select WMUs
Antlerless permits by lottery in select Wildlife Management Units. Growing deer herd in the southern part of the state.
Turkey
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Shotgun | May 1 | May 31 |
| Archery | Sep 15 | Dec 15 |
Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 2 (1 spring, 1 fall)
Spring bearded turkey. Fall archery concurrent with deer. Growing turkey populations throughout the state.
Moose
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Rifle | Oct 14 | Oct 22 |
Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 1
Lottery draw only. Very limited permits. Northern New Hampshire (Coos County) has the best populations.
Bear
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Rifle | Sep 1 | Nov 7 |
| Archery | Sep 15 | Dec 15 |
Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 1
Bait hunting allowed mid-September through October. Hound hunting in September. Good populations in the White Mountains.
Duck/Waterfowl
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Shotgun | Oct 1 | Nov 25 |
Bag limits: daily: 6, season: No season limit
Federal duck stamp and NH waterfowl stamp required. Coastal and inland zones. Atlantic Flyway.
Planning Tools
- Tag-to-Trail Planner — interactive map: public land, harvest records, water, burns
- Hunt Cost Calculator — budget your full hunt cost
- Application Timeline — never miss an application deadline
- Preference Point Tracker — track points across all your states