Waterfowl Hunting in NH
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Shooting hours are from 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset.
Waterfowl hunters must obtain a federal duck stamp and a New Hampshire Migratory Waterfowl License, in addition to a New Hampshire hunting license. Click here for more information.
Migratory bird hunters are required by federal law to register for the Harvest Information Program; click here for more information. There is no charge.
Click for more info on:
- License requirements
- Youth waterfowl hunting weekend
- Sea duck dates
- Falconry
- Reporting banded birds (1-800-327-BAND)
- Duck art prints
- Waterfowl Hunting Zones:
New Hampshire’s Youth Waterfowl Hunting Weekend will be held statewide on Saturday, September 24; and Sunday, September 25, 2011. Click here for more info.
2011-2012 Waterfowl Season Dates and Bag Limits
Duck |
Merganser |
Coot |
Snow geese |
Brant |
Woodcock |
Common snipe |
|
| Daily bag limit | 6 |
5 |
15 |
25 |
2 |
3 |
8 |
| Possession limit | 12 |
10 |
30 |
No limit |
4 |
6 |
16 |
SPECIES-SPECIFIC LIMITS:
Species |
Daily Bag Limit |
Possession Limit |
Season dates: Inland Zone |
Season dates: Coastal Zone |
| Black duck | 1 | 2 | Oct. 4 - Nov. 6; and Nov. 23 - Dec. 18, 2011 | Oct. 5 - Oct. 16; and Nov. 23 - Jan. 9, 2012 |
| Mallard | 4 (2 hens) | 8 (4 hens) | ||
| Scaup | 2 | 4 | ||
| Wood duck | 3 | 6 | ||
| Redhead | 2 | 4 | ||
| Hooded merganser | 2 | 4 | ||
| Coot | 15 | 30 | ||
| Canada geese (regular season) | 2 | 4 | ||
| Pintail | 2 | 4 | ||
| Canvasback | 1 | 2 | ||
| Harlequin duck | N/A | N/A | Season closed | |
| Brant | 2 | 4 | Oct. 4 - Nov. 22, 2011 | Oct. 5 - Nov. 23, 2011 |
| Snow geese | 25 | No limit | Oct. 4 - Dec. 18, 2011 | Oct. 5 - Jan. 9, 2012 |
2011-2012 EARLY MIGRATORY GAME BIRD SEASON DATES/BAG LIMITS: |
||||
| Eider | 4 | 8 | Sea ducks may be taken only during the regular season for ducks; include in the daily bag and possession limit | Oct. 1, 2011 - Jan. 15, 2012 (please see note regarding possession of Sea Ducks below -- click here) |
| Long-tailed duck (oldsquaw) | ||||
| Scoter | ||||
| Canada geese (September season) |
5 | 10 | Sept. 6 - Sept. 25, 2011 Statewide season |
|
| Woodcock | 3 | 6 | Oct. 1 - Nov. 14, 2011 | |
| Common snipe | 8 | 16 | Sept. 15 - Nov. 14, 2011 | |
| Crow (no H.I.P. required) |
No limit | August 15 - Nov. 30, 2011; and March 16-31, 2012 |
||
License Requirements for Waterfowlers
To hunt waterfowl in New Hampshire, you
are required to have a Migratory Waterfowl License and a current N.H. Hunting, Combination or Small Game License (available at any Fish and Game license agent), as well as a
Federal Waterfowl Stamp (available at some U.S. Post Offices; Fish and Game headquarters in Concord; and at Fish and Game's Region 2 office in New Hampton). You also are
required to have a free Harvest Information Program (H.I.P.) Survey permit number -- click
here for more information on registering for H.I.P.
Sea Ducks (scoter, eider and long-tailed ducks): Season is from October 1, 2011, through January 15, 2012, in all coastal waters, rivers and streams seaward from the first upstream bridge. The daily bag limit is 7 birds, with no more than 4 scoters, 4 eiders or 4 long-tailed ducks (previously "oldsquaw"). The possession limit is 14 birds, with no more than 8 scoters, 8 eiders or 8 long-tailed ducks. In all other areas of the state, sea ducks may be taken only during the regular season for ducks and shall be included in the regular season daily bag and possession limit.
Falconry (Extended season)
Inland Zone: Nov. 7 - Nov. 22 and Dec. 19, 2011 - Jan. 16, 2012
Coastal Zone: January 26 - March 10, 2012
Youth Waterfowl Hunting Weekend: Held statewide in New Hampshire on Saturday, September 24; and Sunday, September 25, 2011. Youths must be 15 years of age or younger and accompanied by a licensed adult 18 years or older. The adult must possess a current hunting license but may not hunt. The daily bag limits are the same as those allowed in the open season. All regular season waterfowl regulations, including shooting hours, use of non-toxic shot, etc., apply during the youth weekend. Click here for more about youth hunting in N.H.
Coastal Zone: Beginning at the Maine-New Hampshire line in Rollinsford, that portion of the state east of a boundary formed by Route 4 west to the city of Dover, south to the intersection of Route 108 through Madbury, Durham and Newmarket to the junction of Route 85 in Newfields, south to Route 101 in Exeter, east to Interstate 95 in Hampton, and south to the Massachusetts line.
Vermont Connecticut River Zone Boundary: Interstate 91 at the Massachusetts border north to Route 2, north to Route 102, and north to Route 253.
Inland Zone: That portion of the state west of the above boundary, including the Connecticut River Zone portion of Vermont.
1-800-327-BAND
Report all banded birds using the toll-free number 1-800-327-BAND.
NOTE: The New Hampshire and Vermont state legislatures have enacted reciprocal migratory waterfowl hunting rights for licensed waterfowl hunters in the Connecticut River Zone.
Click
here for the New Hampshire statute
Click
here for the Vermont statute
Click here
to download the Waterfowl Hunting Zone Map
