Fisher (Sealing by Conservation Officer required within 10 days
of close of season)
Dec. 1 - Jan. 31, 2010
10 per season; no more than 5 from combined areas of WMUs C1, D2, E, F, G, H, I J, K, L & M
OTHER SPECIES
Species
Season dates
Daily Bag Limit
WMUs
Coyote, Woodchuck
Open all year
No limit
Statewide
Coyote night hunting (Written
landowner permission required)
Jan.1 - Mar. 31, 2010
No limit
Statewide
Bobcat
CLOSED
N/A
N/A
Win a Ruger rifle
-- Send in the Small Game Survey!
Calling all N.H. small game hunters -- you have a chance to win
a Ruger rifle if you fill out and submit your Small Game Survey
form, postmarked by April 15, 2010. All those
who return a completed survey on time will have their names put
into a raffle for a Sturm Ruger 10/LR rifle. The Sturm,
Ruger & Co., Inc., has generously donated this premiere gun
to encourage participation the survey.
"Thanks to all the hunters who took time to fill in and submit the 2008-2009 survey, and to Sturm Ruger for providing such great incentives to help us build participation in the Small
Game Survey," said Wildlife Biologist
Julie Robinson. "This effort is giving us much better data on small game abundance
and distribution in New Hampshire, which helps us manage the species. The more responses we get, the better our data is!“
If you are a small game hunter and would
like to volunteer for our annual survey, please call (603) 271-2461
or email wildlife@wildlife.nh.gov. NOTE: Please provide
your full name and mailing address so we can mail the survey to you!
2009-2010
Small Game Season Outlook: By
Julie Robinson, Small Game Project Leader
Ruffed Grouse Spring arrived early this year allowing those early nesting birds to get a great start. Ruffed grouse in the southern portion of the state had plenty of dry weather during their nesting period and a portion of the brood rearing period before the rains set in. The wing and tail survey from last year’s ruffed grouse season showed that recruitment was up over the previous 2-year period. Grouse in the northern portion of NH nest a bit later than those in the south, so the rainy weather most likely impacted chick survival, but the trend over the last three years has showed that our ruffed grouse population statewide is gaining ground! I am predicting an average to above-average season this year.
Small Game Surveys – We need your help!
New Hampshire Fish and Game conduct two hunter surveys each year and we would love your participation!
Small Game Survey: Small game species are a valuable resource to the citizens of our state and those that visit here. This hunter survey provides us with distribution, abundance and trend data on our small game populations. With greater understanding of these populations, we hope to achieve improved management and to provide enhanced opportunities for public enjoyment of these species. If you are a small game hunter please click here for more information on this survey.
Wing and Tail Survey: For the last few years we have been conducting a survey on harvested ruffed grouse in the Northern portion of the state. Wing and tails are submitted with a survey card. This survey provides us with age, sex composition and distribution data on this most popular small game species. The Merrimack Chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society has generously donated a gun to be raffled off to one of the participants. Won’t you please help? For more information on how to participate in the survey, click here.
Woodcock: Woodcock hunting accounted for 16% of the hunter effort in out small game survey last year. They are the second most sought after small game species after ruffed grouse. Woodcock had an excellent nesting period this year with the early and dry spring. The chicks should have been large enough to handle the rain that came and has persisted throughout the summer. Get ready for a great woodcock season this fall!
Snowshoe Hare: Snowshoe hare hunters have a strong hunting tradition, and in some areas of the state it is growing in popularity. If you are interested in learning more about snowshoe hare hunting, contact our Owl Brook Facility for scheduled classes.
Gray Squirrel: Do you know someone who is interested in learning how to hunt? How about introducing them to squirrel hunting! The season begins September 1st and is a perfect way to introduce a youngster to the hunting tradition!
Cottontail Rabbits: Cottontail rabbit range remains very fragmented and highly limited in New Hampshire. A rule change established closure areas for taking cottontails in certain areas to protect the remnant New England cottontail populations. Click here to skip to a map and details.
* The following
areas are closed to the taking of cottontail rabbits:
(1) The portion of WMUs K, M and L bound by Route 28 from the Massachusetts
border in Salem, north to Route 4 in Epsom, Route 4 west to I-93
in Concord, I-93 south to I-89 in Concord, I-89 north to Route 13
in Dunbarton, Route 13 south to the Massachusetts border in Brookline.
(2) The portion of WMU L bound by Route 202/11
west from the Maine border in Rochester, to Route 16, Route 16 south
to Route 125, Route 125 south to Route 101, Route 101 east to the
Squamscott River, north along the Squamscott River, north along
shoreline of Great and Little Bay estuary to the Piscataqua River,
and northwest along the Maine border to Route 202/11 at the Maine
border.
**No person shall
take hare or rabbits by the use of a snare.
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