Interest in turkey hunting continues to grow in New Hampshire. The charts below show the upward trend of annual turkey harvest totals and turkey license sales in New Hampshire since 1980, as well as the continuing growth of the wild turkey population in the state. We've come a long way since 1980, the first year turkey hunting season was offered in New Hampshire in modern times, when just over 700 permit holders harvested 31 turkeys.

The return of wild turkeys to New Hampshire is a true wildlife restoration success story, funded through the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration program. Turkeys had completely disappeared from the state for more than a century until N.H. Fish and Game released 25 birds in 1975.  The Department has managed the population through science-based research since that time, guided in recent years by 10-year Big Game Management Plans.