With around 100,000 deer spread out over the state, deer hunting is a well-known fall recreational activity in New Hampshire. Hunting possibilities for whitetails in the Granite State are abundant during the New Hampshire deer seasons of 2023–2024. For a successful NH deer hunt, this guide offers important information on seasons, licenses, restrictions, and more.
New Hampshire Deer Hunting Season Dates
General Deer Season
| WMU | Method | Season Start Date | Season End Date | Deer Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Archery | 15-Sep | 8-Dec | Any deer |
| B-M | Archery | 15-Sep | 15-Dec | Any deer |
| A, B, C1, C2, D1, D2E | Muzzleloader | 28-Oct | 7-Nov | Antlered deer only |
| E, F, G2, I2 | Muzzleloader | 28-Oct | 29-Oct | Any deer |
| Oct 30–Nov 7 | Muzzleloader | Antlered deer only | ||
| I1 | Muzzleloader | 28-Oct | 30-Oct | Any deer |
| H1, J1, K | Muzzleloader | 31-Oct | 7-Nov | Antlered deer only |
| D2W, H2, J2 | Muzzleloader | 28-Oct | 31-Oct | Any deer |
| Nov 1–Nov 7 | Muzzleloader | Antlered deer only | ||
| G1 | Muzzleloader | 28-Oct | 1-Nov | Any deer |
| Nov 2–Nov 7 | Muzzleloader | Antlered deer only | ||
| L, M | Muzzleloader | 28-Oct | 7-Nov | Any deer |
| WMU A—Note: Firearm deer season ends one week early | Firearm | 8-Nov | 26-Nov | Antlered deer only |
| B, C1, C2 | Firearm | 8-Nov | 3-Dec | Any deer |
| D1, D2E, E, F | Firearm | 8-Nov | 9-Nov | Antlered deer only |
| Nov 10–Dec 3 | Firearm | Any deer | ||
| G2, I1, I2 | Firearm | 10-Nov | 3-Dec | Antlered deer only |
| J1 | Firearm | 8-Nov | 10-Nov | Any deer |
| H1, H2, J2, K | Firearm | 11-Nov | 3-Dec | Antlered deer only |
| D2W, G1 | Firearm | 8-Nov | 12-Nov | Any deer |
| Nov 13–Dec 3 | Firearm | Antlered deer only | ||
| L, M | Firearm | 8-Nov | 17-Nov | Any deer |
| Nov 18–Dec 3 | Firearm | Antlered deer only | ||
| L | Special Permits | Antlerless deer only | ||
| M | Special Permits | Antlerless deer only | ||
| Statewide | Youth Hunt | 21-Oct | 22-Oct | Any Deer |
| WMU A-L | Deer Baiting | 18-Oct | 15-Nov | |
| WMU M | Deer Baiting | 15-Sep | 15-Dec |
Youth Deer Season
| NH Youth Deer Season | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Youth Deer Weekend | 21-Oct-23 | 22-Oct-23 |
NH Moose Hunt
| NH Moose Hunt | Date |
|---|---|
| Lottery Open | January 27 to May 26, 2023 |
| Lottery Winners Announced | 16-Jun-23 |
| Moose Hunt Season | October 21 to October 29, 2023 |
| Permit Offered | 35 people |
| Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) | Specific for each hunt |
Keep in mind that in Wildlife Management Unit A, the archery and weapons seasons end one week earlier. To check the season dates in the region you want to hunt, use the NHFG’s deer hunting maps.
New Hampshire Deer Hunting Licenses and Permits
| Type of License | Fee | Age | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Hunting License | $32.00 | 16–67 | Need a current hunting license or a Hunter Education card. |
| Senior Combination Hunting and Fishing License | $7.00 | 68+ | for anyone born in 1948 or after. Annual purchase is required. |
| Special Archery Deer Permit | $26.00 | All ages | It cannot be bought alone; it must be acquired together with a yearly archery license. solely antlered. |
| Special Unit L Deer Permit | $26.00 | All ages | Unless you are under 16, a current NH Regular Hunting or Archery license is necessary. |
| Special Unit M Deer Permit | $36.00 | All ages | Unless you are under 16, a current NH Regular Hunting or Archery license is necessary. 2 tags are attached to each permit. |
Legal Equipment for Deer Hunting
- Archery: Bows must have a draw weight of at least 40 pounds. You need broadheads for arrows. With a disability permit, crossbows are permitted.
- Muzzleloader: Single barrel muzzleloader.open-sighted muzzleloader of at least 45 caliber. only during the regular firearms season.
- Firearms: Centerfire rifles are a kind of weapon.22 caliber or bigger, pistols, and slug shotguns. No bullets with entire metal jackets.
Additional Deer Hunting Regulations in New Hampshire
- Written landowner permission is needed.
- Mandatory deer harvest registration within 24 hours
- Special Unit L permits allow for an extra antlerless deer in WMU L. Unit L and M Permits. Two additional antlerless deer are permitted in WMU M with special Unit M licenses.
- Governor’s Island and Long Island Deer permits are necessary to shoot deer on Lake Winnipesaukee’s Long and Governor’s Islands.
- Hunting Times: 30 minutes before to dawn to 30 minutes after dusk.
- Deer Registration: Within 24 hours, registration must be completed online or at the closest available registration location.
- Some deer hunting activities are illegal in New Hampshire. Hunting with.22 or smaller rimfire guns or restricted shot loads is illegal. During Antlered Only season, killing deer with antlers under 3 inches is forbidden. 100% salt bait for deer shooting is also banned. These rules promote ethical hunting and deer conservation in the state. Hunters should follow these principles for safe and sustainable hunting.
- During the archery season, crossbows are permitted in WMU L and M. There are detailed specifications for crossbow size, safety, and broadhead size.
- Muzzleloader Season: To hunt deer during the muzzleloader season, you must possess a muzzleloader license. With the muzzleloader tag, only one deer may be taken.
- Duplicate Licenses and Permits: Lost licenses may be reissued at no cost at the Concord Fish and Game offices or at the original issuing agency.
- When acquiring a hunting license, New Hampshire residents must provide proof of their address.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the antlerless deer bag limit in New Hampshire?
In New Hampshire, each Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) has a different bag limit for antlerless deer. In WMU M, hunters who have the right licenses may take down up to two antlerless deer. With the appropriate authorization, hunters in WMU L are permitted to take one antlerless deer.
How many points must a buck have to be considered legal in NH?
An antlered deer is one that has at least one antler that is three inches or longer in New Hampshire. In New Hampshire, there is no limit on the number of points on buck deer antlers; during the relevant seasons, any visible antler qualifies as an antlered deer.
James Ellis, the passionate creator of DeerSeason.Org, is dedicated to fostering a deep appreciation for wildlife. With over a decade of experience in exploring the world of deer, his writing reflects an extensive understanding of these magnificent creatures
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