New Hampshire 2026-27 Hunting Season Dates
Quick answer
New Hampshire's 2026-27 firearm deer season opens November 11, 2026 in every zone and closes between November 11, 2026 and November 22, 2026 depending on zone.
Archery deer season opens September 15, 2026 in every zone and closes between December 8, 2026 and December 15, 2026 depending on zone.
Duck season opens between October 2, 2026 and October 13, 2026 depending on zone; the last zone closes January 17, 2027.
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to New Hampshire Fish & Game.
- firearm deer
- Nov 11, 2026; later in some zones
- archery deer
- Sep 15-Dec 8, 2026; later in some zones
- duck
- opens Oct 2-13, 2026 by zone
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Key seasons by species
How to read New Hampshire's seasons
Wildlife Management Units set the deer calendar
New Hampshire manages deer by Wildlife Management Unit, and unit rules govern muzzleloader and firearm dates as well as any-deer (antlerless) opportunity. Read the rows below alongside your unit.
Confirm unit boundaries, antlerless permits, and weapon-season dates with the official New Hampshire Fish and Game source.
We summarize official agency information and link to the source for verification. Regulations can change, and zone details matter. Always confirm final dates, bag limits, permits, and legal requirements with New Hampshire Fish & Game before hunting.
Deer
33 listed rowsWhite-tailed Deer
Archery - Any Deer
Zone: WMU B-M
White-tailed Deer
Archery - Any Deer
Zone: WMU A
White-tailed Deer
Muzzleloader - Antlered Only
Zone: WMU A, B, C1, C2, D1
White-tailed Deer
Muzzleloader - Any Deer
Zone: WMU L, M
White-tailed Deer
Muzzleloader - Any Deer
Zone: WMU G1
White-tailed Deer
Muzzleloader - Antlered Only
Zone: WMU D2E, E
White-tailed Deer
Muzzleloader - Antlered Only
Zone: WMU F, G2, I2
White-tailed Deer
Muzzleloader - Antlered Only
Zone: WMU I1
White-tailed Deer
Muzzleloader - Antlered Only
Zone: WMU H1, H2, J1, J2, K
White-tailed Deer
Muzzleloader - Antlered Only
Zone: WMU D2W
White-tailed Deer
Muzzleloader - Antlered Only
Zone: WMU G1
White-tailed Deer
Firearm - Any Deer
Zone: WMU B, C1, C2, D1
| Season | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| White-tailed DeerYouth Weekend - Any Deer · Statewide | Closed | |
| White-tailed DeerMuzzleloader - Any Deer · WMU I1 | Closed | |
| White-tailed DeerMuzzleloader - Any Deer · WMU D2E, E | Closed | |
| White-tailed DeerMuzzleloader - Any Deer · WMU H1, H2, J1, J2, K | Closed | |
| White-tailed DeerMuzzleloader - Any Deer · WMU D2W | Closed | |
| White-tailed DeerMuzzleloader - Any Deer · WMU F, G2, I2 | Closed | |
| White-tailed DeerFirearm - Any Deer · WMU I1 | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerFirearm - Any Deer · WMU H1, H2, J2 | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerFirearm - Any Deer · WMU D2E, E, F, G2, I2 | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerFirearm - Any Deer · WMU J1, K | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerFirearm - Any Deer · WMU A | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerFirearm - Any Deer · WMU D2W, G1 | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerFirearm - Any Deer · WMU L, M | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerFirearm - Antlered Only · WMU A | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerFirearm - Antlered Only · WMU B, C1, C2, D1 | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerFirearm - Antlered Only · WMU D2E, E, F, G2, I2 | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerFirearm - Antlered Only · WMU I1 | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerFirearm - Antlered Only · WMU J1, K | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerFirearm - Antlered Only · WMU H1, H2, J2 | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerFirearm - Antlered Only · WMU D2W, G1 | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerFirearm - Antlered Only · WMU L, M | Upcoming |
Turkey
Wild Turkey
Fall Archery
Annually
Zone: WMU A
Wild Turkey
Fall Archery
Annually
Zone: WMU B-M
Wild Turkey
Youth
Youth Turkey-Hunting Weekend
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Spring Gobbler
Annually
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Fall Shotgun
Only the following WMUs: D2, H1, H2, I1, J2, K, L, M
Zone: WMU D2, H1, H2, I1, J2, K, L, M
Bear
Black Bear
General
Dates vary for method and WMU
Zone: Statewide
Moose
Moose
General
By permit for a wildlife management unit (WMU). Archery, muzzleloader, and regular firearms hunting are allowed, according to the hunting license type the hunter possesses.
Zone: Statewide
Waterfowl
41 listed rowsBrant
Regular
Zone: Inland & CT River Zone
Canada Geese
Regular
Zone: Northern Zone
Canada Geese
Regular
Zone: Inland & CT River Zone
Coots
Regular
Zone: Northern Zone
Coots
Regular
Zone: Inland & CT River Zone
Ducks
Regular
Harlequin duck season is closed.
Zone: Northern Zone
Ducks
Regular
Harlequin duck season is closed.
Zone: Inland & CT River Zone
Mergansers
Regular
In addition to the daily bag limit of 6 ducks.
Zone: Northern Zone
Mergansers
Regular
In addition to the daily bag limit of 6 ducks.
Zone: Inland & CT River Zone
Sea Ducks
Regular
Sea ducks are part of the general duck bag in all zones.
Zone: Northern Zone
Sea Ducks
Regular
Sea ducks are part of the general duck bag in all zones.
Zone: Inland & CT River Zone
Snow Geese
Regular
Zone: Northern Zone
| Season | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| BrantRegular · Northern Zone | Closed | |
| BrantRegular · Coastal Zone | Closed | |
| BrantRegular · Coastal Zone | Upcoming | |
| Canada GeeseSeptember (SEP) · Statewide | Closed | |
| Canada GeeseRegular · Coastal Zone | Closed | |
| Canada GeeseRegular · Inland & CT River Zone | Upcoming | |
| Canada GeeseRegular · Coastal Zone | Upcoming | |
| CootsRegular · Coastal Zone | Closed | |
| CootsRegular · Inland & CT River Zone | Upcoming | |
| CootsRegular · Coastal Zone | Upcoming | |
| DucksRegular · Coastal ZoneHarlequin duck season is closed. | Closed | |
| DucksRegular · Inland & CT River ZoneHarlequin duck season is closed. | Upcoming | |
| DucksRegular · Coastal ZoneHarlequin duck season is closed. | Upcoming | |
| MergansersRegular · Coastal ZoneIn addition to the daily bag limit of 6 ducks. | Closed | |
| MergansersRegular · Inland & CT River ZoneIn addition to the daily bag limit of 6 ducks. | Upcoming | |
| MergansersRegular · Coastal ZoneIn addition to the daily bag limit of 6 ducks. | Upcoming | |
| Sea DucksRegular · Coastal ZoneSea ducks are part of the general duck bag in all zones. | Closed | |
| Sea DucksRegular · Inland & CT River ZoneSea ducks are part of the general duck bag in all zones. | Upcoming | |
| Sea DucksRegular · Coastal ZoneSea ducks are part of the general duck bag in all zones. | Upcoming | |
| Snow GeeseRegular · Coastal Zone | Closed | |
| Snow GeeseRegular · Inland & CT River Zone | Open | |
| Snow GeeseRegular · Inland & CT River Zone | Upcoming | |
| Snow GeeseRegular · Coastal Zone | Upcoming | |
| WaterfowlYouth · Statewide | Closed | |
| WaterfowlFalconry · Inland & CT River Zone | Upcoming | |
| WaterfowlFalconry · Northern Zone | Upcoming | |
| WaterfowlFalconry · Inland & CT River Zone | Upcoming | |
| WaterfowlVeteran & Active Military Weekend · StatewideVeterans and members of the Armed Forces on active duty may participate. All hunters must possess a Federal Duck Stamp. Proof of eligibility is required. CT River Zone hunters must launch from NH. | Upcoming | |
| WaterfowlFalconry · Coastal Zone | Upcoming |
Pheasant
Pheasant
General
Zone: Statewide
Small Game
Small Game and Furbearers
General
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
Dates vary by species and region
Zone: Statewide
Migratory Birds
Common Snipe
Regular
Zone: Statewide
Crow
Regular
Zone: Statewide
Woodcock
Regular
Zone: Statewide
Crow
Regular
Zone: Statewide
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New Hampshire Hunting Season FAQ
When does deer season start in New Hampshire?
Archery deer season opens September 15, 2026 in every zone and closes between December 8, 2026 and December 15, 2026 depending on zone. Firearm deer season opens November 11, 2026 in every zone and closes between November 11, 2026 and November 22, 2026 depending on zone. Dates can differ by zone and permit; confirm with New Hampshire Fish & Game.
When is New Hampshire's firearm deer season?
Firearm deer season opens November 11, 2026 in every zone and closes between November 11, 2026 and November 22, 2026 depending on zone. Check zone and permit details with New Hampshire Fish & Game before hunting.
Do I need a license to hunt in New Hampshire?
Yes. Hunters generally need the appropriate New Hampshire hunting license, and some seasons may require tags, permits, stamps, or zone-specific authorizations. Confirm final requirements with New Hampshire Fish & Game.