New Hampshire: 2026 hunting seasons, license rules and official links
Run by: NH Fish and Game Department. Below are the 2026 deer season dates, selected fall turkey, bear and small game dates, and license rules we could read on official pages. It is not a full list of seasons: waterfowl, other small game, trapping and fishing rules are on the official pages linked below.
2026 deer seasons
| Season | Dates (inclusive) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Youth deer weekend (statewide, any deer) | Oct 24, 2026 to Oct 25, 2026 | |
| Muzzleloader deer | Oct 31, 2026 to Nov 10, 2026 | Statewide window. Whether antlered-only or any-deer depends on the Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) and date; see the official page. |
| Firearms deer (regular) | Nov 11, 2026 to Dec 6, 2026 | Ends Nov 29 in WMU A. Any-deer days at the start vary by WMU (Nov 11 up to Nov 22); the rest of the season is antlered-only. See the official WMU table. |
| Archery deer | Sep 15, 2026 to Dec 15, 2026 | Closes Dec 8 in WMU A. |
Source: NH Fish and Game: Deer Hunting in New Hampshire. Last verified Oct 17, 2026. Dates can vary by zone, unit or land type; check the official page for your location.
Other fall 2026 seasons: turkey, bear and small game
| Season | Dates (inclusive) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fall turkey, archery (WMUs B-M) | Sep 15, 2026 to Dec 15, 2026 | WMU A closes Dec 8. |
| Fall turkey, shotgun (only WMUs D2, H1, H2, I1, J2, K, L, M) | Oct 12, 2026 to Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Oct 1, 2026 to Dec 31, 2026 | A separate pheasant license is required (NH license requirements page). |
Black bear season starts Sept 1 in NH, with dates varying by method and WMU; see the official page. Source: NH Fish and Game: Dates and Seasons. Last verified Oct 17, 2026. Licenses, permits or stamps may be required for each species; check the official page.
Good to know before you buy a license or head out
- Licenses run on the calendar year (Jan 1 to Dec 31). Temporary license types are the exception.
Source: NH Fish and Game online license system. Last verified Oct 17, 2026. - A hunting or archery license cannot be bought on the NH website if you have no prior hunting or archery license (or NH safety certificate) in the system; it must be bought at a license agent, showing proof.
Source: NH Fish and Game online license system. Last verified Oct 17, 2026. - A hunting license must be printed and signed to be valid. For fishing (not hunting), a PDF or fixed image on a phone is accepted if an officer can read it and you show photo ID.
Source: NH Fish and Game online license system. Last verified Oct 17, 2026. - Non-residents can buy temporary 1-, 3- and 7-day freshwater fishing licenses (consecutive days). A saltwater license is required in NH coastal waters, with an exemption for Maine or Massachusetts residents holding that state's recreational saltwater license.
Source: NH Fish and Game: license requirements. Last verified Oct 17, 2026. - The licensing page carried a notice that the 2026 Unit L and Unit M permits were sold out (read Oct 17, 2026).
Source: NH Fish and Game online license system. Last verified Oct 17, 2026.
Official links (New Hampshire)
- Buy or reprint a license (official online system)
- License types and requirements
- License prices
- Hunting dates and seasons
- Deer hunting seasons by Wildlife Management Unit
- State parks and camping (NH State Parks)
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