Deer Hunting Regulations - New Hampshire - ERegulations

Deer are New Hampshire’s most popular game animal, with a total of over 100,000 deer found throughout the state. New Hampshire has a long archery season starting September 15, a muzzleloader season 11 days prior to the firearms season, and a firearms season during the peak of the rut. (See the chart for “any deer” days, when hunters may take a doe or a buck.) Special Unit L permits allow hunters to take an additional antlerless deer in WMU L. Special Unit M permits allow hunters to take two additional antlerless deer in WMU M. For more information, visit huntnh.com/deer.

Deer Hunting Licensing Requirements

All hunters, with the exception of those eligible to use the special deer tag, must have a valid deer tag that has not been detached from their license/permit. Deer may be hunted using a variety of licenses and tags:

Archery License: allows the taking of one deer of either sex using a bow and arrow during the archery deer season. A crossbow may also be used in WMUs D2W, G1, G2, H1, H2, I1, I2, J1, J2, K, L, and M.

Regular Hunting or Combination License: allows the taking of one deer during the regular firearms deer season (Wildlife Management Unit restrictions apply).

Muzzleloader License: allows the holder of a Regular N.H. Hunting or Combination License to take a deer using a muzzleloader, crossbow, or bow and arrow during the special muzzleloading deer season, using the firearms deer tag. Nonresident youths and resident landowners must purchase this license to participate in the muzzleloader season. This license does not include a separate tag.

Special Archery Deer Permit: allows the taking of an additional antlered deer using bow and arrow during the archery season. A crossbow may also be used in WMUs D2W, G1, G2, H1, H2, I1, I2, J1, J2, K, L, and M. Each hunter is limited to one of these permits. Archery hunters may only buy this permit when purchasing their regular archery license. This permit may be used to tag the first or second deer taken by archery if it is legally antlered. All ages.

Special Unit L Permit: allows the taking of antlerless deer in WMU L, in addition to deer taken using a Regular N.H. Hunting or Archery License. It may be used on any day, including antlered deer only days, during any deer season the hunter holds a license for (archery, muzzleloader or firearm). Method of take limited to what is legal for the particular season being hunted. All ages. Note: A total of 3,500 hunters were allowed to purchase Special Antlerless Deer Permits for WMU L, with one deer tag ($26). Unit L permits are issued through an online lottery with an application period opening in the beginning of July.

Special Unit M Permit: allows the taking of antlerless deer in WMU M, in addition to deer taken using a Regular N.H. Hunting or Archery License. It may be used on any day, including antlered deer only days, during any deer season the hunter holds a license for (archery, muzzleloader or firearm). Method of take limited to what is legal for particular season being hunted. All ages. Note: A total of up to 4,000 hunters will be allowed to purchase Special Antlerless Deer Permits for WMU M; the permit comes with two deer tags ($36). Available near the end of July online and at NHFG Headquarters, first-come, first-served basis.

Long Island and Governor’s Island Deer Permits

These permits allow the taking of deer on Long and Governor’s Islands, in Lake Winnipesaukee, respectively. Written landowner permission required on forms available at the Region 2 office in New Hampton or at Fish and Game headquarters in Concord. Many special restrictions. All ages. For more information, contact the Wildlife Division at 603-271-2461.

Deer Hunting Regulations

Hunting Hours: ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset.

Deer must be registered online or at the closest open registration station within 24 hours. See a listing of stations. Deer must be accompanied and registered by the person who took the deer.