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New Hampshire Hunting Season Dates 2026–27

Season openers, closers, and tag requirements by species. Always confirm against NH Fish & Game Department before you hunt. Dates can change.

License: resident $32 · nonresident $113. Species tags and permits are extra. See each section below.

White-tailed Deer Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Archery: WMU A (closes one week early)Sep 15, 2026Dec 8, 2026Archery or Combination License
Archery: WMUs B through MSep 15, 2026Dec 15, 2026Archery or Combination License
Youth Weekend: statewideOct 24, 2026Oct 25, 2026Youth Deer Weekend
Muzzleloader, antlered only: WMUs A, B, C1, C2, D1Oct 31, 2026Nov 10, 2026Muzzleloader License
Muzzleloader, any deer: WMUs D2E, EOct 31, 2026Oct 31, 2026Muzzleloader License
Muzzleloader, antlered only: WMUs D2E, ENov 1, 2026Nov 10, 2026Muzzleloader License
Muzzleloader, any deer: WMUs F, G2, I2Oct 31, 2026Nov 1, 2026Muzzleloader License
Muzzleloader, antlered only: WMUs F, G2, I2Nov 2, 2026Nov 10, 2026Muzzleloader License
Muzzleloader, any deer: WMU I1Oct 31, 2026Nov 2, 2026Muzzleloader License
Muzzleloader, antlered only: WMU I1Nov 3, 2026Nov 10, 2026Muzzleloader License
Muzzleloader, any deer: WMUs H1, H2, J1, J2, KOct 31, 2026Nov 3, 2026Muzzleloader License
Muzzleloader, antlered only: WMUs H1, H2, J1, J2, KNov 4, 2026Nov 10, 2026Muzzleloader License
Muzzleloader, any deer: WMU D2WOct 31, 2026Nov 4, 2026Muzzleloader License
Muzzleloader, antlered only: WMU D2WNov 5, 2026Nov 10, 2026Muzzleloader License
Muzzleloader, any deer: WMU G1Oct 31, 2026Nov 5, 2026Muzzleloader License
Muzzleloader, antlered only: WMU G1Nov 6, 2026Nov 10, 2026Muzzleloader License
Muzzleloader, any deer: WMUs L, MOct 31, 2026Nov 10, 2026Muzzleloader License
Firearm, any deer: WMU ANov 11, 2026Nov 11, 2026Hunting or Combination License
Firearm, antlered only: WMU A (closes one week early)Nov 12, 2026Nov 29, 2026Hunting or Combination License
Firearm, any deer: WMUs B, C1, C2, D1Nov 11, 2026Nov 11, 2026Hunting or Combination License
Firearm, antlered only: WMUs B, C1, C2, D1Nov 12, 2026Dec 6, 2026Hunting or Combination License
Firearm, any deer: WMUs D2E, E, F, G2, I2Nov 11, 2026Nov 12, 2026Hunting or Combination License
Firearm, antlered only: WMUs D2E, E, F, G2, I2Nov 13, 2026Dec 6, 2026Hunting or Combination License
Firearm, any deer: WMU I1Nov 11, 2026Nov 13, 2026Hunting or Combination License
Firearm, antlered only: WMU I1Nov 14, 2026Dec 6, 2026Hunting or Combination License
Firearm, any deer: WMUs J1, KNov 11, 2026Nov 14, 2026Hunting or Combination License
Firearm, antlered only: WMUs J1, KNov 15, 2026Dec 6, 2026Hunting or Combination License
Firearm, any deer: WMUs H1, H2, J2Nov 11, 2026Nov 15, 2026Hunting or Combination License
Firearm, antlered only: WMUs H1, H2, J2Nov 16, 2026Dec 6, 2026Hunting or Combination License
Firearm, any deer: WMUs D2W, G1Nov 11, 2026Nov 16, 2026Hunting or Combination License
Firearm, antlered only: WMUs D2W, G1Nov 17, 2026Dec 6, 2026Hunting or Combination License
Firearm, any deer: WMUs L, MNov 11, 2026Nov 22, 2026Hunting or Combination License
Firearm, antlered only: WMUs L, MNov 23, 2026Dec 6, 2026Hunting or Combination License
Baiting permitted: WMUs A through LOct 21, 2026Nov 18, 2026Bait Site Registration
Baiting permitted: WMU MSep 15, 2026Dec 15, 2026Bait Site Registration

Wild Turkey Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Fall Archery: WMU A (closes one week early)Sep 15, 2026Dec 8, 2026Turkey License
Fall Archery: WMUs B through MSep 15, 2026Dec 15, 2026Turkey License
Fall Shotgun: WMUs D2, H1, H2, I1, J2, K, L, MOct 12, 2026Oct 18, 2026Turkey License
SpringMay 1, 2027May 31, 2027Turkey License

Black Bear Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
General (without aid of bait or dogs): WMUs A, B, C2, D1, H1, I2Sep 1, 2026Nov 10, 2026Bear License
General (without aid of bait or dogs): WMUs C1, D2, E, F, G, H2, I1, J1, J2, K, L, MSep 1, 2026Nov 30, 2026Bear License
With aid of bait: WMUs A, B, C2, D1, H1, H2, I2, K, L, MSep 1, 2026Sep 28, 2026Bear License + Bait Site Permit
With aid of bait: WMUs C1, D2, E, F, G, I1, J1, J2Sep 1, 2026Oct 5, 2026Bear License + Bait Site Permit
With aid of dogs: WMUs A, B, C1, C2, D1, D2, E, F, G, H1, I1, I2, J1, J2Sep 21, 2026Nov 10, 2026Bear License + Permit to Use Dogs

Coyote Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Hunting: no closed season (recorded across the 2026 calendar year)Jan 1, 2026Dec 31, 2026Hunting, Combination or Archery License
Night huntingJan 1, 2027Mar 31, 2027Hunting License + written landowner permit filed with the local conservation officer
Trapping: WMUs A, B, C, D, E, FOct 15, 2026Mar 31, 2027Trapping License
Trapping: WMUs G, H, I, J, K, L, MNov 1, 2026Mar 31, 2027Trapping License

American Crow Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Fall segment: statewideAug 15, 2026Nov 30, 2026Hunting License
Spring segment: statewideMar 16, 2027Mar 31, 2027Hunting License

Fisher Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Hunting (firearms or bow): statewideDec 1, 2026Jan 31, 2027Hunting, Combination or Archery License
Trapping: statewideDec 1, 2026Dec 31, 2026Trapping License

Fox (Red and Gray), Raccoon, Opossum and Skunk Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Hunting (firearms or bow): statewideSep 1, 2026Mar 31, 2027Hunting, Combination or Archery License
Trapping: WMUs A, B, C, D, E, FOct 15, 2026Dec 31, 2026Trapping License
Trapping: WMUs G, H, I, J, K, L, MNov 1, 2026Jan 15, 2027Trapping License

Ruffed Grouse (with Chukar and Hungarian Partridge) Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Regular: statewideOct 1, 2026Dec 31, 2026Hunting or Small Game License

Muskrat, Mink and Weasel Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Hunting (firearms or bow): WMUs A, B, C, D, E, FOct 15, 2026Apr 10, 2027Hunting, Combination or Archery License
Hunting (firearms or bow): WMUs G, H, I, J, K, L, MNov 1, 2026Apr 10, 2027Hunting, Combination or Archery License
Trapping: WMUs A, B, C, D, E, FOct 15, 2026Apr 10, 2027Trapping License
Trapping: WMUs G, H, I, J, K, L, MNov 1, 2026Apr 10, 2027Trapping License

Moose Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Either-sex, by permit only: WMUs A1, A2, B, C1, C2, D1, L, MOct 17, 2026Oct 25, 2026Moose Permit (lottery)

River Otter and Beaver Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Trapping: WMUs A, B, C, D, E, FOct 15, 2026Apr 10, 2027Trapping License
Trapping: WMUs G, H, I, J, K, L, MNov 1, 2026Apr 10, 2027Trapping License

Ring-necked Pheasant Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Regular: statewideOct 1, 2026Dec 31, 2026Hunting License + Pheasant License

Northern Bobwhite Quail Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Regular: statewideOct 1, 2026Dec 31, 2026Hunting or Small Game License

Rabbit & Hare Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Snowshoe Hare: Regular: WMUs A, B, C1, C2, D1, D2, E, F, G, J1 (bag 3)Oct 1, 2026Mar 31, 2027Hunting or Small Game License
Snowshoe Hare: Regular: WMUs H1, H2, I1, I2, J2, K, L, M (bag 2)Oct 1, 2026Mar 31, 2027Hunting or Small Game License
Regular: WMUs H2, K, L, M onlyOct 1, 2026Mar 15, 2027Hunting or Small Game License
Falconry: WMUs H2, K, L, M onlyOct 1, 2026Mar 15, 2027Falconry Permit

Common Snipe Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Regular: statewideSep 15, 2026Nov 14, 2026Hunting License + HIP

Gray Squirrel Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Regular: statewideSep 1, 2026Jan 31, 2027Hunting or Small Game License

Waterfowl (ducks, mergansers, coots, sea ducks, geese, brant) Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Ducks, mergansers, coots and sea ducks: Northern Zone: Northern Waterfowl ZoneOct 2, 2026Nov 30, 2026Hunting License + NH Waterfowl License + Federal Duck Stamp
Ducks, mergansers, coots and sea ducks (first segment): Inland & Ct. River Zone: Inland & Connecticut River ZoneOct 13, 2026Nov 11, 2026Hunting License + NH Waterfowl License + Federal Duck Stamp
Ducks, mergansers, coots and sea ducks (second segment): Inland & Ct. River Zone: Inland & Connecticut River ZoneNov 25, 2026Dec 24, 2026Hunting License + NH Waterfowl License + Federal Duck Stamp
Ducks, mergansers, coots and sea ducks (first segment): Coastal Zone: Coastal Waterfowl ZoneOct 6, 2026Oct 12, 2026Hunting License + NH Waterfowl License + Federal Duck Stamp
Ducks, mergansers, coots and sea ducks (second segment): Coastal Zone: Coastal Waterfowl ZoneNov 26, 2026Jan 17, 2027Hunting License + NH Waterfowl License + Federal Duck Stamp
Canada Geese: Early Season, statewideSep 1, 2026Sep 25, 2026Hunting License + NH Waterfowl License + Federal Duck Stamp
Canada Geese Regular and Snow Geese: Northern Zone (same dates as ducks): Northern Waterfowl ZoneOct 2, 2026Nov 30, 2026Hunting License + NH Waterfowl License + Federal Duck Stamp
Canada Geese Regular and Snow Geese (first segment): Inland & Ct. River Zone: Inland & Connecticut River ZoneOct 13, 2026Nov 11, 2026Hunting License + NH Waterfowl License + Federal Duck Stamp
Canada Geese Regular and Snow Geese (second segment): Inland & Ct. River Zone: Inland & Connecticut River ZoneNov 25, 2026Dec 24, 2026Hunting License + NH Waterfowl License + Federal Duck Stamp
Canada Geese Regular and Snow Geese (first segment): Coastal Zone: Coastal Waterfowl ZoneOct 6, 2026Oct 12, 2026Hunting License + NH Waterfowl License + Federal Duck Stamp
Canada Geese Regular and Snow Geese (second segment): Coastal Zone: Coastal Waterfowl ZoneNov 26, 2026Jan 17, 2027Hunting License + NH Waterfowl License + Federal Duck Stamp
Brant: Northern Zone: Northern Waterfowl ZoneOct 2, 2026Oct 31, 2026Hunting License + NH Waterfowl License + Federal Duck Stamp
Brant: Inland & Ct. River Zone: Inland & Connecticut River ZoneOct 13, 2026Nov 11, 2026Hunting License + NH Waterfowl License + Federal Duck Stamp
Brant (first segment): Coastal Zone: Coastal Waterfowl ZoneOct 6, 2026Oct 12, 2026Hunting License + NH Waterfowl License + Federal Duck Stamp
Brant (second segment): Coastal Zone: Coastal Waterfowl ZoneNov 26, 2026Dec 18, 2026Hunting License + NH Waterfowl License + Federal Duck Stamp
Youth Waterfowl Hunting Weekend: statewideSep 26, 2026Sep 27, 2026Youth Waterfowl Weekend
Veteran and Active Military Weekend: statewideJan 23, 2027Jan 24, 2027Federal Duck Stamp + proof of eligibility
Falconry (ducks, mergansers, coots): Northern Zone: Northern Waterfowl ZoneDec 1, 2026Jan 12, 2027Falconry Permit
Falconry (ducks, mergansers, coots) first segment: Inland & Ct. River Zone: Inland & Connecticut River ZoneNov 12, 2026Nov 24, 2026Falconry Permit
Falconry (ducks, mergansers, coots) second segment: Inland & Ct. River Zone: Inland & Connecticut River ZoneDec 25, 2026Jan 23, 2027Falconry Permit
Falconry (ducks, mergansers, coots): Coastal Zone: Coastal Waterfowl ZoneJan 27, 2027Mar 10, 2027Falconry Permit

American Woodcock Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Regular: statewideOct 1, 2026Nov 14, 2026Hunting License + HIP
Verify before you hunt. These dates are compiled for planning and can change between when they're published and when the season opens, and many states vary dates by unit, zone, or WMU. Always confirm with NH Fish & Game Department before heading out. Nothing here is legal advice.
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