Hunting Small Game, Furbearers and Other

Species

• Small game season dates and bag limits
• Furbearer season dates and bag limits
• Other species
• Take the N.H. Small Game Survey - Win a hunting rifle!
• Ruffed Grouse Wing and Tail Survey - Win a quality firearm!
• Wildlife Management Unit maps
• 2010-2011 Small Game Harvest Report

2011-2012 Small Game Season Dates and Bag Limits

(Hunting license required for all species)

2011-2012 Small Game Season Outlook:
By Julie Robinson, Small Game Project Leader

Ruffed Grouse -- Ruffed grouse continue to be the most sought-after small game species in New Hampshire. 67% of the hunter-hours for those that participated in the annual Small Game Survey were dedicated to grouse hunting.  The northern portion of the state continues to be the premiere range for ruffed grouse, but they can be found throughout the state.  This spring was favorable for grouse production in the southern portion of the state, while the north experienced cool weather and extended periods of rain, which might have an effect on brood sizes.
Thanks to everyone who participated in the 2010 Grouse Wing and Tail Survey.  Look for the survey results included in the, 2010-11 Small Game Summary Report that will be available later this summer on this website.  And please participate in the 2011 Wing and Tail Survey this fall.  Packets will be available for pick up after September 26, 2011, at participating locations (click here for list and more information on the Grouse Survey). All hunters who particpate have a chance to win a shotgun donated by the Ruffed Grouse Society.

Woodcock: Woodcock are the second most sought-after small game species according to our survey results.  Each year, dedicated biologists and a group of volunteers conduct woodcock singing ground surveys.  Singing ground surveys provide an index to the overall abundance of resident singing males, which is used to make inferences about the breeding population.  The woodcock season has expanded to 45 days, opening on October 1 with the other small game seasons, and ending on November 14. There are substantial numbers of woodcocks in flight that move through the state in early and mid-November, so this season expansion should provide hunters with some additional quality hunting opportunities.

The woodcock season framework changes came about as a result of a new National Woodcock Harvest Strategy that was developed at the Flyway level with all four flyways, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the USGS working together. The historic and current woodcock breeding and harvest data was analyzed and a set of hunting frameworks was developed for the country. Woodcock are managed by region. There is a Central Management Region in the mid-west and an Eastern Management Region along the east coast. Traditionally, the Central Region has been allowed a more liberal woodcock hunting season than the Eastern Region. The analysis completed for the new hunting strategy indicated that there was no reason to have different sets of hunting frameworks for the regions. So now we have one set of framework for the country.

Woodcock populations are generally in good shape, even though there continues to be a small annual long-term decline in breeding numbers. Woodcock hunting pressure has declined substantially in the last decade, so we feel confident that there is room for some additional opportunity. The population will continue to be monitored closely and future hunting seasons will be adjusted as needed.

Snowshoe Hare: Observations of snowshoe hare continued to be high last season.  In the northern sections of the state, snowshoe hare hunting continues to be very popular. You want to concentrate your efforts on 2- to 8-year-old clear-cuts, shrub-scrub swamps and bogs to be successful.    If you are interested in learning more about snowshoe hare hunting, contact our Owl Brook Hunter Education Center at 603-536-1290 to find out about an annual winter workshop.

Gray Squirrel: Squirrel hunting is a great way to introduce a youngster to hunting. The season begins September 1, so the weather is still nice. Southern portions of the state offer the best chance for success.

Cottontail Rabbits: Cottontail rabbit range remains fragmented and highly limited in New Hampshire.  Be sure to note the list below for the closed areas for the taking of cottontails.  These closures are designed to protect our remnant New England cottontail populations.  Have a safe and successful fall hunting season!

The following areas are closed to the taking of cottontail rabbits (click here for map):

(1) The portion of WMUs K, M and L bound by Route 28 from the Massachusetts border in Salem, north to Route 4 in Epsom, Route 4 west to I-93 in Concord, I-93 south to I-89 in Concord, I-89 north to Route 13 in Dunbarton, Route 13 south to the Massachusetts border in Brookline.

(2) The portion of WMU L bound by Route 202/11 west from the Maine border in Rochester, to Route 16, Route 16 south to Route 125, Route 125 south to Route 101, Route 101 east to the Squamscott River, north along the Squamscott River, north along shoreline of Great and Little Bay estuary to the Piscataqua River, and northwest along the Maine border to Route 202/11 at the Maine border.

Take the Small Game Survey -- You could win a Ruger rifle! Click here for info.

For information and season dates for snipe, Canada geese and other waterfowl, CLICK HERE.