Fisher (Sealing by Conservation Officer required within 10 days
of close of season)
Dec. 1 - Jan. 31
10 per season; no more than 5 from combined areas of WMUs C1, D2, E, F, G, H, I J, K, L & M
Skunk, Weasel
Open all year
No limit
Statewide
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
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, 2009. 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 Sturm Ruger,
we have been able to greatly increase participation in the Small
Game Survey, giving us much better data on small game abundance
and distribution in New Hampshire," said Wildlife Biologist
Julie Robinson. "The more responses we get, the better data our survey will provide.“
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!
2008-2009
Small Game Season Outlook: By
Julie Robinson, Small Game Project Leader
Ruffed Grouse: This spring has been much more favorable for nesting and brood raising ruffed grouse. Reports are already coming in from those in the field who are seeing grouse broods! That is encouraging news! Small game hunters indicated through last year’s Small Game Survey that grouse are still their preferred small game species, followed by woodcock. So get your target practice in, so you are ready for a great ruffed grouse season this fall.
Ruffed Grouse Wing and Tail Survey in the North Country: New Hampshire Fish and Game and the Ruffed Grouse Society are working together to increase our knowledge of ruffed grouse age and sex composition in our premiere range. The study includes all towns located north of Route 112 (Kancamagus Highway). Those who participate will be entered into a raffle for a Charles Daly, Superior Grade, 20-gauge semi-automatic shotgun! For more information on how to participate in the survey, click here.
Woodcock: Small Game Hunter Survey participants spent 21% of their hunting effort hunting woodcock. Management and protection of woodcock habitat is essential to their future in New Hampshire.
Snowshoe Hare: Snowshoe hare hunting is growing in popularity, especially in the northern sections of the state. For success, concentrate your efforts on 2- to 8-year-old clear-cuts, shrub-scrub swamps and bogs.
Gray Squirrel: Squirrel hunting is a great way to introduce a youngster to hunting. The season begins September 1, while the weather is still mild. Help get children interested in the great tradition of hunting by taking them out squirrel hunting. Southern portions of the state offer the best chance for success.
Cottontail rabbit: Cottontail rabbit range remains fragmented and highly limited in New Hampshire. Three years ago, a rule change established two closed areas for the taking of cottontails along with WMUs A-G, J1 and J2. These closures are designed to protect our remnant New England cottontail populations. Click here to skip to a map and details.
Help us improve your hunting experience: Please participate in our Small Game Hunter Survey and the Wing and Tail Survey this fall. The information provides us with sex, age and distribution data, which helps us to better manage our small game species. Have a wonderful hunting season.
* 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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