CONTACT:
Mark Ellingwood: (603) 271-2461
Jane Vachon: (603) 271-3211
Kent Gustafson: (603) 271-2461
November 16, 2005
2005 N.H. Deer Season Update
CONCORD, N.H. -- As of Sunday, November 13, New Hampshire's hunters had registered 7,366 deer statewide, or about 4% above the 2004 total of 7,101 at this point in the season. Five days into the firearms season, several counties, including Cheshire, Coos, Grafton, Merrimack and Sullivan, have the highest registration estimates since 2000. A little snow in some northern areas and in some higher elevation areas may have contributed to hunter enthusiasm and success.
"The rut will likely be in full swing in the next week or so, and with the Thanksgiving holidays approaching, lots of good firearm and archery hunting opportunities remain," said Kent Gustafson, Deer Project Leader for the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department.
The estimated deer kill statewide and by county through November 13, with comparisons to the previous six years, is listed below (note that these numbers are estimates based on the number of deer registered and are not final):
NH Estimated Deer Kill by
County:
First Week After Firearms Opening, 1999 - 2005
| COUNTY | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 |
| Belknap | 512 | 543 | 384 | 471 | 406 | 433 | 460 |
| Carroll | 626 | 596 | 396 | 438 | 322 | 394 | 329 |
| Cheshire | 874 | 855 | 643 | 748 | 639 | 763 | 837 |
| Coos | 1119 | 962 | 548 | 584 | 600 | 611 | 752 |
| Grafton | 1420 | 1283 | 729 | 897 | 828 | 851 | 951 |
| Hillsborough | 1392 | 1492 | 1222 | 1305 | 1076 | 1186 | 1223 |
| Merrimack | 1033 | 896 | 567 | 710 | 569 | 694 | 724 |
| Rockingham | 1338 | 1401 | 1244 | 1212 | 1133 | 1261 | 1153 |
| Strafford | 538 | 496 | 442 | 530 | 497 | 504 | 517 |
| Sullivan | 514 | 454 | 307 | 407 | 378 | 404 | 420 |
| Total | 9366 | 8978 | 6482 | 7302 | 6448 | 7101 | 7366 |
The firearms season continues through December 4, 2005, statewide, with most parts of the state now limited to legally antlered bucks for firearm hunters. Check the 2005-06 New Hampshire Hunting Digest for additional dates and details (to download the current Digest, click here and on the orange publication cover.)
New Hampshire hunting licenses can be purchased online,
if you've purchased a license since 2000. (Click
here for online license purchases.) Licenses also may be purchased
at Fish and Game headquarters or from license agents across the state.
Don't let another season get away!
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is the guardian of the state's
fish, wildlife and marine resources and their habitats. For
more information on deer hunting in New Hampshire, click here.
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