New Hampshire’s hunter harvest of 10,916 deer in 2008 typified an excellent year for the state’s deer hunters and reflected of a healthy deer population. Last year’s total was about 19% below the final deer kill for the 2007 season, which was the second highest in New Hampshire’s history, only exceeded in 1967 when 14,204 deer were taken. Recent press releases:
New Hampshire’s deer herd came through last winter in good shape, which bodes well for the 2009 season. The state’s popular muzzleloader deer season started on Saturday, October 31 (except in WMU A, where it began on November 2), and runs through November 10. Opening day for New Hampshire’s regular firearms deer season takes place on November 11, 2009. Recent news:
Special rules for WMU A: An antler point restriction remains in place in WMU A (click for background); also, the deer seasons have been shortened in that unit -- please note specific dates below.
Youth Deer Weekend: Non-resident youth hunters may participate in the N.H. Youth Hunt Weekend for Deer only if New Hampshire youth may hunt during special youth deer hunts in their state.
Chronic
Wasting Disease Response Plan for
the Northeast region, approved by the Northeast Association of
Fish and Wildlife Agencies, November 2006 (219 KB, PDF format*)
2009 Deer Hunt Outlook By Kent Gustafson, Deer Project Leader
New Hampshire's 2008 deer season saw a 19% decrease in total deer kill from 2007 (10,916 -- down from 13,559), with harvest declines in all seasons (archery, youth weekend, muzzleloader and "regular" firearms). This reduction was largely the result of deer mortality following the winter of 2007-08, which turned out to be one of the most severe since 2002-03. Another factor was reductions in antlerless hunting opportunities in many WMUs to help offset the hard winter and decreased fawn production. For more information and analysis of last season’s deer hunt, click here to download the 2008 NH Wildlife Harvest Summary (PDF file, 3.6 MB); deer harvest info starts on page 5.
The winter of 2008-09 started out looking like it might be another severe one for deer in New Hampshire. Snow came early and often, and was accompanied by cold temperatures into February. Conditions improved dramatically in late winter, with little new snow and warmer weather in March and April. In the end, winter severity was average to below average and deer survival and productivity in the spring of 2009 were good.
As a result of the less severe winter in 2008-09, deer numbers in the state have begun to recover; either-sex hunting opportunities in 2009 will remain the same as in 2008 to allow this recovery to continue. The 2009 season should see increased deer numbers and harvest, especially in more southern and western areas, where winter impacts on the deer herd have generally been less severe. Be sure to check out the 2009-2010 New Hampshire Hunting Digest for season details, including WMU-specific regulations.
“Hard mast” production, especially acorns, in much of New Hampshire was good during 2008, and deer were feeding on them extensively during the fall. Overall, red oak productivity was considerably better than white oak. In much of the state, abundant acorns from the fall of 2008 were still available in the spring of 2009. Red oak acorn production in 2009 will be reduced from 2008 but it appears that some red oak and white oak will still produce good nut crops this fall.
A 2-point minimum antler point restriction and somewhat shortened seasons remain in effect in WMU-A to help address concerns over the buck age structure. Again this year, 6,000 antlerless-only permits are available for WMU-M.
Don’t forget -- the youth deer hunt weekend, Oct. 24-25, 2009, is a special chance for young hunters (15 and younger) to hunt under the guidance of a licensed hunter over age 18, before the start of the regular muzzleloader and firearms seasons. Click here for more on youth hunting opportunities in New Hampshire.
Chronic wasting disease (CWD), a brain disease that is fatal to deer and elk, continues to be a concern to deer hunters and managers in New Hampshire and New England. Annual monitoring efforts from 2002 through 2007 have not detected CWD in any New England state. Michigan is the most recent state to find CWD-positive deer, bringing the total number of US states and Canadian provinces where CWD has been found to 17. Prevention of CWD in New Hampshire remains a top priority. Hunters are reminded that regulations prohibit the importation into New Hampshire of hunter-killed deer and elk carcasses or parts of carcasses from the 17 states and 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 and West Virginia remain the two closest states to New Hampshire where CWD has been found and that are affected by this regulation. Be sure to check out the 2008-2009 New Hampshire Hunting Digest for season and regulation details.
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!
For lodging and camping information,
visit the New Hampshire Office of Travel & Tourism Development
at www.visitnh.gov.
*To view this or any PDF document, you must have the free
Adobe Acrobat Reader software on your computer. To download the latest
version of Acrobat Reader, click
here to go to the Adobe web site.
