Deer Hunting in New Hampshire
Opening Day for New Hampshire's 2012 regular firearm deer season is November 14.
- Archery: Sept. 15 - Dec. 15, 2012 (closes December 8 in WMU A)
- Muzzleloader: November 3 - Nov. 13, 2012 Statewide
- Firearms: Opens November 14 (closes one week early in WMU A)
- Youth Deer Weekend: Oct. 27 - 28, 2012
- 2011 deer season dates
- Deer harvest - 10-year comparison by county
- 2011 deer hunt outlook - by Deer Project Leader Kent Gustafson
- Wildlife Management Unit maps
- Click to download a printable DEER TAG!
- Special Unit M Antlerless Deer Permits
- Special Deer Permit for Archery
- Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge - Shotgun-only Deer Hunt
Resources for Deer Hunters:
- Deer check stations
- NH Wildlife Harvest Summary
- Field Care of Big Game
- Leashed dog deer trackers - Licensed in NH
- Hunting guides, butchers, taxidermists - see links on main hunting page
Special rules for WMU A: The archery and rifle deer seasons are shortened in WMU A -- please note specific dates below.
2011 N.H. DEER SEASON DATES
2012 is a season-setting year in New Hampshire, which means that the final detailed season dates will not be established until the conclusion of the rule-making process. Click here to learn more. When finalized, season dates will be posted on this page.
REGULAR FIREARMS - 2011 |
|
| Wildlife Management Units | Method/Sex/Inclusive Dates |
| WMU A | Antlered Only: Nov. 9 – Nov. 27 Firearm deer season ends 1 week early. |
| WMU B, C1, C2, D1, E, F, G, I1, I2, J1 | Antlered only: Nov. 9 – Dec. 4 |
| WMU D2, J2 | Either-sex: Nov. 9 ONLY Antlered only: Nov. 10 – Dec. 4 |
| WMU H1, H2 | Either-sex: Nov. 9 – Nov. 11 Antlered only: Nov. 12 – Dec. 4 |
| WMU K | Either-sex: Nov. 9 – Nov. 10 Antlered only: Nov. 11 – Dec. 4 |
| WMU L | Either-sex: Nov. 9 – Nov. 15 Antlered only: Nov. 16 – Dec. 4 |
| WMU M | Either-sex: Nov. 9 – Nov. 18 Antlered only: Nov. 19 – Dec. 4 |
YOUTH WEEKEND - 2012 |
|
| STATEWIDE | Either-sex: Oct. 27 –Oct. 28, 2012; Non-resident youth hunters may participate, provided that N.H. youth can take part in youth deer hunts in their home state. |
SPECIAL PERMIT - ANTLERLESS DEER ONLY |
|
| Unit M | 4,000 permittees. Permittees can purchase up to two permits at the time of original permit purchase. |
ARCHERY -- 2011 |
|
| STATEWIDE | Antlered Only: Sept. 15 – Sept. 30 |
| WMU A | Either Sex: Oct. 1 - Dec 8 Archery season ends 1 week early |
| WMUs B-M | Either Sex: Oct. 1 - Dec 15 |
| SPECIAL 2ND ARCHERY PERMIT (Antlered Only) | WMUs B – M: Sept 15-Dec 15 WMU A: Sept 15 – Dec 8 |
MUZZLELOADER -- 2011 |
|
| WMUs A, B, C1, C2, D1, E, F, G, I1, I2, J1 | Antlered Only: Oct. 29 – Nov. 8 |
| WMUs D2, J2 | Either-sex: Oct. 29 Only Antlered only: Oct. 30 – Nov. 8 |
| WMUs H1, H2 | Either-sex: Oct. 29 – Oct. 31 Antlered only: Nov. 1 – Nov. 8 |
| WMU K | Either-sex: Oct. 29 – Oct. 30 Antlered only: Oct. 31 – Nov. 8 |
| WMU L | Either-sex: Oct. 29 – Nov. 4 Antlered only: Nov. 5 – Nov. 8 |
| WMU M | Either-sex: Oct. 29 – Nov. 8 |
Managing the Deer Population - Click
on a topic: 
Did You Know?
- OPEN LAND: NH has more than 200,000 acres of state land; 750,000 acres of White Mountain National Forest; and thousands of acres of private land open to hunting.
- SUNDAY HUNTING: We have it, some states don't... we won't name any names!
Help Keep CWD Out of New Hampshire
Chronic wasting disease, or CWD, is a brain disease that is fatal to deer and elk that continues to be a concern to deer hunters and managers in New Hampshire and New England. Annual monitoring efforts since 2002 have not detected CWD in any New England state. Prevention of CWD in New Hampshire remains a top priority.
Hunters travelling outside of NH should be aware that regulations prohibit the importation into New Hampshire of hunter-killed deer and elk carcasses or parts of carcasses from the 19 U.S. states and Canadian provinces where CWD has been found, except for de-boned meat, antlers, antlers attached to skull caps with all soft tissue removed, upper canine teeth with all soft tissue removed, hides or capes with no part of the head attached and finished taxidermy mounts. New York remains the state closest to New Hampshire where CWD has been found, but other eastern states where CWD has been detected include Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland.
- CWD Q&A - Click here to learn more about a serious potential threat to our deer herd.
- Chronic Wasting Disease Response Plan for the Northeast region, approved by the Northeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, November 2006
Where to Stay in NH
For lodging and camping information, visit the New Hampshire Office of Travel & Tourism Development at www.visitnh.gov.



