New Hampshire Hunting Guide 2026-2027 – Seasons, Tags & Public Lands
If you’re planning any kind of hunt in NH for 2026–2027, this guide pulls the important stuff into one place: opening and closing dates, species-by-species breakdowns, permit rules, youth opportunities, Wildlife Management Units, and where to look before you head out. We reviewed the current state-posted material from NH Fish and Game, including the 2026 deer, turkey, moose, license, and migratory bird updates, plus the standing small-game and furbearer rules available.
This is worth doing whether you live in-state or you’re traveling in. A lot of NH rules are straightforward, but several species shift by WMU, zone, weapon type, or special permit. A quick review now can save you from showing up with the wrong tag, the wrong method, or the wrong map.
📅 Quick Reference Points
Here’s the fast version before we get into the full calendar.
| Species / Group | Main 2026–2027 Dates | Legal Methods / Notes | Youth Opportunity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery: Sept. 15–Dec. 15; Muzzleloader: Oct. 31–Nov. 10, 2026; Firearms: Nov. 11–Dec. 6, 2026 | Archery, muzzleloader, firearms; WMU-specific “any deer” windows | Youth deer weekend: Oct. 24–25, 2026 |
| Bear | Starts Sept. 1; method and WMU dates vary | General/stalking, dog, baiting; separate bear permit required | Youth may participate with proper youth rules and bear permit |
| Turkey | Spring: May 1–31, 2026; Fall archery: Sept. 15–Dec. 8 in WMU A and Sept. 15–Dec. 15 in WMUs B–M; Fall shotgun: Oct. 12–18, 2026 in select WMUs | Shotgun or bow depending on period; no rifles or air rifles | Youth turkey weekend: Apr. 25–26, 2026 |
| Waterfowl | Sept. 2026 through Jan. 2027 depending on zone and species | Zone-based dates, federal duck stamp, HIP, NH waterfowl license | Youth waterfowl: Sept. 26–27, 2026 |
| Moose | Oct. 17–25, 2026 | Permit-only; hunt only in assigned WMU | No youth-only weekend |
| Small game | Sept. 1, 2026 through Mar. 31, 2027 depending on species | Mostly statewide or WMU-based | Youth pheasant: Sept. 26–27, 2026 |
| Coyote / furbearers | Coyote has no closed period; other furbearer dates vary | Regular hunting/archery/combination license needed, not small-game only | No separate youth weekend |
A practical reminder: some late-fall and winter rules, especially around furbearers and trapping details, are usually easiest to confirm in the annual digest released in August. So if you’re reading this before the fall push, treat it as your planning guide and do one final rule check before opening day.
🦌 Big Game Overview
NH’s big-game picture is centered on deer, bear, and permit-only moose. The current state calendar does not list an elk hunt.
| Species | Archery Window | Rifle / Modern Gun Window | Muzzleloader Window | Permit / Tag Notes | Zone Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Sept. 15–Dec. 15 statewide; closes Dec. 8 in WMU A | Nov. 11–Dec. 6, 2026; closes Nov. 29 in WMU A | Oct. 31–Nov. 10, 2026 statewide | Deer tag comes with hunting license; Unit L and M antlerless-only permits available | “Any deer” days vary by WMU during muzzleloader and firearm periods |
| Bear | Bear may be taken with legal archery equipment during open bear periods if licensed properly | General/stalking and dog periods are primary gun-based opportunities | No separate muzzleloader-only bear period listed | Separate bear license required; additional bear tag valid in C1, D2, E, F | Bear dates shift by WMU and method |
| Moose | Allowed if permit holder has archery privilege | Allowed if permit holder has firearm privilege | Allowed if permit holder has muzzleloader privilege | Permit-only; one moose per permit | Hunt only in assigned WMU |
Deer dates by method
Deer is the one most people plan around first, and for good reason. NH splits opportunity not just by weapon, but by WMU and whether the days are antlered-only or any-deer periods.
Deer: archery
- Sept. 15–Dec. 15 in WMUs B–M
- Sept. 15–Dec. 8 in WMU A
Deer: muzzleloader
- Oct. 31–Nov. 10, 2026 statewide
- Several WMUs open with short any-deer windows before shifting to antlered-only days
- Units L and M allow any deer for the entire muzzleloader window
Deer: regular firearms
- Nov. 11–Dec. 6, 2026 statewide
- WMU A closes early on Nov. 29
- Several WMUs start with one or more any-deer days, then switch to antlered-only days
- Units L and M keep a longer any-deer stretch than most units
Deer permit details that matter
- Youth deer weekend: Oct. 24–25, 2026
- Unit L special permits: 3,500 antlerless-only permits
- Unit M special permits: 4,000 antlerless-only permits
- Deer registration must be done in person during the first 2 days of muzzleloader and first 3 days of firearm season because online registration is unavailable at those starts
- Deer baiting runs Oct. 21–Nov. 18 in WMUs A–L, and Sept. 15–Dec. 15 in WMU M, with extra restrictions
Bear dates by method
Bear opportunity is broader than a lot of first-timers expect, but it is also more unit-specific.
| Bear Method | 2026 Dates | WMUs |
|---|---|---|
| General season | Sept. 1–Nov. 10 | A, B, C2, D1, H1, I2 |
| General season | Sept. 1–Nov. 30 | C1, D2, E, F, G, H2, I1, J1, J2, K, L, M |
| Baiting season | Sept. 1–Sept. 28 | A, B, C2, D1, H1, H2, I2, K, L, M |
| Baiting season | Sept. 1–Oct. 5 | C1, D2, E, F, G, I1, J1, J2 |
| Dog season | Sept. 21–Nov. 10 | A, B, C1, C2, D1, D2, E, F, G, H1, I1, I2, J1, J2 |
| Dog season | Closed | H2, K, L, M |
| Additional bear tag | Same open dates as above | C1, D2, E, F only |
Useful note: the extra bear tag is not statewide. It only works in the White Mountains region units listed above.
Moose
Moose isn’t an open general hunt in NH. It’s a permit drawing hunt only.
| Species | Dates | Access Rules | Key Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moose | Oct. 17–25, 2026 | Assigned WMU only | One moose per permit; registration within 24 hours |
🦃 Turkey Dates
Turkey rules in NH are simple once you separate spring from fall and remember that the fall shotgun option is not statewide.
| Period | Dates | WMUs | Bag / Limit | Legal Method Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Youth turkey weekend | Apr. 25–26, 2026 | One turkey statewide; possible second bird only in H1, H2, J2, K, L, M | One or two male/bearded birds under spring framework | Youth rules apply; adult accompanies but may not carry during special youth weekend |
| Spring gobbler | May 1–31, 2026 | One statewide; second bird allowed only in H1, H2, J2, K, L, M | Combined limit of one or two male/bearded birds | Rifle, air rifle, dogs, electronic calls, live decoys, fanning/reaping, and taking birds from a tree are unlawful |
| Fall archery | Sept. 15–Dec. 8 in A; Sept. 15–Dec. 15 in B–M | WMU-based | Combined limit 1 bird, either sex | Bow must be at least 30-pound draw |
| Fall shotgun | Oct. 12–18, 2026 | D2, H1, H2, I1, J2, K, L, M | Combined limit 1 bird, either sex | Shotgun only in listed units |
Two easy mistakes to avoid: first, the turkey license is required for all ages; second, if you take two birds in spring, you lose your fall turkey opportunity. Fall shotgun turkey regulations are currently under review, so check the official Fish and Game website for updates before making plans. Granite State hunters can stay compliant with New Hampshire turkey season dates and firearm options.
🦝 Furbearer Opportunities
This is the section where people should slow down a bit. As of July 2026, NH Fish and Game clearly posts coyote rules and the list of open furbearer species, but not every full 2026–2027 date line was equally accessible on the current webpage view. So use the table below as the planning version, then confirm the winter digest before you go after species besides coyote.
| Species | Current Posted Status | Dates / Timing | Special Rules |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coyote | Open | No closed period | Night pursuit allowed Jan. 1–Mar. 31; lights allowed except from motor vehicle, snowmobile, or OHRV; written landowner permission required for night use or bait placement |
| Fisher | Open species listed | Winter dates should be confirmed in the annual digest | Fisher taken by hunt must be registered; sealing and lower jaw submission required |
| Red fox / gray fox | Open species listed | Confirm final 2026–27 dates in digest | Furbearer harvest registration applies |
| Raccoon | Open species listed | Confirm final 2026–27 dates in digest | Furbearer harvest registration applies |
| Opossum / skunk / mink / muskrat / weasel | Open species listed | Confirm final 2026–27 dates in digest | Furbearer harvest registration applies |
| Beaver / otter | Typically tied more closely to trapping rules | Zone-specific; confirm digest | Special trapping rules apply |
| Bobcat / lynx / pine marten | Closed | No open period posted | Do not pursue |
Important license note: a small-game license alone does not allow furbearer pursuit. You need a regular hunting, combination, or archery license, depending on method.
🐦 Small Game Section
| Species | Dates | Area | Daily Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gray squirrel | Sept. 1, 2026–Jan. 31, 2027 | All WMUs | 5 | Straightforward statewide option |
| Pheasant | Oct. 1–Dec. 31, 2026 | All WMUs | 2 | Separate pheasant license required; statewide closure until 2 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays |
| Youth pheasant | Sept. 26–27, 2026 | All WMUs | 2 | Same weekend as youth waterfowl |
| Ruffed grouse | Oct. 1–Dec. 31, 2026 | All WMUs | 4 | Common upland choice in northern cover |
| Quail / chukar / partridge | Oct. 1–Dec. 31, 2026 | All WMUs | 4 | Grouped together in state table |
| Cottontail rabbit | Oct. 1, 2026–Mar. 15, 2027 | H2, K, L, M | 4 | Some areas closed; check rabbit map before planning |
| Snowshoe hare | Oct. 1, 2026–Mar. 31, 2027 | A, B, C1, C2, D1, D2, E, F, G, J1 = 3; H1, H2, I1, I2, J2, K, L, M = 2 | 2 or 3 depending on WMU | Good late-fall and winter option |
| Woodcock | Oct. 1–Nov. 14, 2026 | Statewide | 3 | HIP required |
| Common snipe | Sept. 15–Nov. 14, 2026 | Statewide | 8 | Posted in migratory bird table |
| Mourning dove | No statewide date line was listed on the current NH pages reviewed | Verify August digest | Don’t assume an open dove framework without checking the final digest |
If you’re mainly after upland birds and don’t want big game privileges, NH’s nonresident small-game license is the cleanest route. If you need help sorting permit choices, this New Hampshire hunting license guide is a useful internal starting point before you buy.
🦆 Complete Waterfowl Seasons
The waterfowl layout is zone-heavy, so don’t rely on memory. Coastal, Northern, and Inland/Connecticut River dates are not the same.
| Species / Group | Zone | Dates | Daily Bag | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ducks | Northern | Oct. 2–Nov. 30, 2026 | 6 | Species sublimits apply |
| Ducks | Inland & Connecticut River | Oct. 13–Nov. 11 and Nov. 25–Dec. 24, 2026 | 6 | CT River hunters must launch from NH where required |
| Ducks | Coastal | Oct. 6–Oct. 12 and Nov. 26, 2026–Jan. 17, 2027 | 6 | Best for late saltwater setups |
| Mergansers | Same as ducks | Same as zone duck dates | 5 | In addition to duck bag |
| Coots | Same as ducks | Same as zone duck dates | 15 | Possession limit 45 |
| Sea ducks | Same as ducks | Same as zone duck dates | 4 | Counts inside general duck bag |
| Canada geese, early | Statewide | Sept. 1–25, 2026 | 5 | Plug rule not required for September Canada geese |
| Canada geese, regular | Same as ducks | Same as zone duck dates | 2 | Standard waterfowl paperwork applies |
| Snow geese | Same as ducks | Same as zone duck dates | 25 | No possession limit listed |
| Brant | Northern | Oct. 2–Oct. 31, 2026 | 1 | Coastal/inland dates differ |
| Brant | Inland & Connecticut River | Oct. 13–Nov. 11, 2026 | 1 | |
| Brant | Coastal | Oct. 6–Oct. 12 and Nov. 26–Dec. 18, 2026 | 1 | |
| Woodcock | Statewide | Oct. 1–Nov. 14, 2026 | 3 | HIP needed |
| Crow | Statewide | Aug. 15–Nov. 30, 2026 and Mar. 16–31, 2027 | No daily or possession limit listed in table | Separate from waterfowl permit framework |
| Youth waterfowl weekend | Statewide | Sept. 26–27, 2026 | Same as regular framework | Good starter weekend |
| Veteran & active military weekend | Statewide | Jan. 23–24, 2027 | Same as regular framework | Proof of eligibility required |
For ducks, geese, brant, and mergansers, plan on the full paperwork stack: a qualifying NH base license, NH migratory waterfowl license, federal duck stamp, HIP number, non-toxic shot, and a plugged shotgun.
🐗 Other Available Game
| Species | Dates | Main Rule to Know |
|---|---|---|
| Moose | Oct. 17–25, 2026 | Permit-only, unit-specific |
| Crow | Aug. 15–Nov. 30, 2026; Mar. 16–31, 2027 | Separate migratory bird entry, no bag listed in posted table |
| Snipe | Sept. 15–Nov. 14, 2026 | Good marsh option; HIP planning recommended |
| Sea ducks | Same as duck zones | They’re part of the duck framework, not a separate broad open window |
| Sandhill crane | No posted NH hunt listed in the reviewed 2026–27 materials | Don’t assume availability |
| Bobcat | Closed | No open period posted |
🗺️ Hunting Zones and Wildlife Areas
NH uses Wildlife Management Units for deer, bear, moose, and many other rules. If you hunt more than one area in the state, you really do need the right map in your truck or on your phone. Use the official WMU map before you finalize a plan.
A few land-access facts are worth remembering:
- The White Mountain National Forest alone covers more than 751,000 acres, and most of it is open to lawful pursuit except tourist-heavy spots and campgrounds.
- State-owned and state-managed lands include forests, parks, and Wildlife Management Areas.
- NH Fish and Game says its WMAs number more than 120 statewide and cover roughly 60,000 acres.
- A large share of NH forestland is private, and much of it remains open unless posted. Still, asking permission is the smart move.
Public land does not mean rule-free land. Check parcel-specific restrictions, parking access, and posted notices before opening morning.
🎟️ Permits, Tags & Licenses
Here’s the practical fee and eligibility breakdown for 2026.
| License / Permit | Resident | Nonresident | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hunting | $32 | $113 | Deer tag included |
| Combination hunting/fishing | $56 | $151 | Does not include saltwater privileges |
| Archery | $32 | $83 | Needed for archery deer privilege |
| Special deer archery | $26 | $26 | Second antlered deer during archery; must be bought with archery license |
| Muzzleloader | $16 | $41 | Add-on to firearm/combination framework |
| Bear | $16 | $48 | Separate bear tag issued |
| Additional bear | $16 | $48 | Only valid in C1, D2, E, F |
| Wild turkey permit | $16 | $31 | Covers spring and fall |
| Migratory waterfowl | $11 | $11 | Federal duck stamp still separate |
| Pheasant | $31 | $31 | Separate add-on |
| Small-game | — | $53 | Nonresident only |
| 3-day small-game | — | $25 | Consecutive dates; short-term option |
| Senior combination | $7 | — | Residents only |
| Senior archery | $3 | — | Residents only |
| Senior muzzleloader | $3 | — | Residents only |
| Wildlife habitat fee | $2.50 | $2.50 | Paid once annually on qualifying licenses |
| Transaction fee | $2 per license | $2 per license | $2.75 online |
License notes that trip people up
- Youth under 16 do not need a general hunting or archery license, but they do need certain special licenses for bear, turkey, special archery deer, and Unit L/M deer permits. Nonresident youth also need a muzzleloader license.
- Military: NH posts an active-duty military form for fishing or combination hunting/fishing where NH is the home of record.
- Disability access: permanent paraplegic licenses and disabled veteran licenses are available under state eligibility rules; the paraplegic license carries a one-time $10 administrative fee, and special crossbow or motor-vehicle permits may also apply.
- Apprentice license: available once in a lifetime for ages 16 and older; valid through Dec. 31; must hunt with a properly licensed adult 18 or older; not valid for moose.
- Hunter education: first-time buyers generally need proof of prior license or approved education. NH also notes an in-person field day requirement for course validity.
❓ New Hampshire Hunting Quick FAQ
1) Do I need hunter education to buy my first NH license?
Usually yes. NH requires proof of a prior license of the same type or a completed approved hunter, bowhunter, or trapper education course.
2) Can a nonresident buy just a small-game license?
Yes. NH offers a nonresident small-game license and a 3-day small-game option. That is the state’s main short-term hunt choice.
3) Can kids hunt without a regular license?
Yes, under 16s do not need the general base license, but they still need certain species-specific youth-related permits and must be accompanied by a licensed adult.
4) Do I need separate permits for turkey, bear, and waterfowl?
Yes. Those are add-ons, not automatic privileges under a standard hunting license.
5) Is bear statewide on the same dates?
No. Bear dates change by WMU and by method, so check your exact unit before making bait, dog, or general plans.
6) Is public land enough, or do I still need to check access?
You still need to check access. Public areas can have local closures, parking limits, or activity-specific restrictions, and private ground may be open or posted depending on the owner.
7) When should I double-check for final updates?
Late summer is the smart time. NH Fish and Game says the full hunting and trapping digest is published each August, so that’s the best final check before fall opens.
Conclusion
The short version is this: deer, turkey, bear, waterfowl, and small game all offer solid opportunity in NH for 2026–2027, but the details matter. Deer and bear are heavily WMU-based, turkey has a split fall structure, waterfowl is zone-driven, and some furbearer specifics still deserve a last look in the annual digest before winter rolls in.
Grab the right permits early, confirm your unit and method, and don’t assume the same rule applies statewide. Plan carefully, hunt responsibly, and keep this page bookmarked so you can come back when the next annual update drops.
For a final pre-trip check, use the official NH Fish and Game dates and seasons page.