New Hampshire
109,000
Est. Whitetail Population
80,000
No. Licenses Sold Annually
$32 and up
Plus a $2 transaction fee.
Resident hunting license and deer permit
$83 and up (depending on weapon)
Plus a $2 transaction fee.
Non-resident hunting license and deer permit
187 2/8"
Taken by John Klucky in Merrimack County in 2006.
Record B&C Typical Stat
55
Total B&C Typical Entries
222 7/8"
Taken by John Gravelle in Grafton County in 1950.
Record B&C Non-Typical Stat
9
Record B&C Non-Typical Entries
Check out the latest deer-hunting info for New Hampshire. Image by Tony Campbell
Season Dates (2025):
Archery season runs Sept. 15 to Dec. 15, but closes earlier in WMU A. Muzzleloader season is Nov. 1-11. Firearms season runs Nov. 12 to Dec. 7, but closes earlier in WMU A. Youth weekend is Oct. 25 and 26. Specific antlered and antlerless restrictions apply for each season based on the unit. Please check the NEW HAMPSHIRE FISH AND GAME WEBSITE to confirm the season dates.
The Grade: B
New Hampshire’s buck harvest has remained nearly level for the past few seasons at a smidge over 8,000 annually. Of those, usually about 30 percent are 3 1/2 years old or older, according to the National Deer Association’s 2025 Annual Report.
Recently, the wildlife management unit organization was reassessed for specific population objectives that represent more biologically realistic goals. This move has allowed the department to increase antlerless hunting opportunities in many WMUs. An increase in special permits in areas where deer numbers continue to rise is another recent change.
Deer densities are somewhat low, but that’s to be expected near the northernmost limit of the whitetail’s range. Scouting is critical for filling tags, especially if hunting along the White Mountains. The state’s highest deer densities tend to be in the southern third of the state and along the Connecticut River Valley.
Antler Nation Knowledge:
Record-class deer are fairly evenly distributed throughout the state. During the past several years, Rockingham, Grafton and Hillsborough counties have led the deer harvest numbers, but all southern counties are a good bet for numbers and trophy potential. Check out some densely populated urban areas for better bowhunting potential.
New Hampshire offers about 750,000 acres of public hunting. That’s good, given the relatively small size of the state. Several TYPES OF OPPORTUNITIES exist, including federal lands, state lands, paper and timber companies, and private, county, and municipal lands.
New for 2025-26, crossbows are now legal during archery season in some WMUs.
