New Hampshire · Small game, upland & waterfowl
New Hampshire Small Game, Upland Bird & Waterfowl Regulations
Rabbits, squirrels, upland birds, waterfowl and predators: season lengths, daily and possession limits, shot restrictions, and the federal stamps waterfowl hunters need on top of state licensing.
Official source
Everything below is a planning checklist. The binding rules live with the agency.
New Hampshire Fish and Game Department — current regulationsPre-trip compliance checklist
- State small-game license plus any upland or waterfowl endorsement.
- Federal Duck Stamp and state HIP registration for migratory bird hunting.
- Nontoxic shot requirements — mandatory for waterfowl nationwide and for some upland areas.
- Daily bag and possession limits, which differ by species and often by zone.
- Shooting hours, usually a half hour before sunrise to sunset for migratory birds.
- Season zones — waterfowl states are typically split into two to four zones with different dates.
- Predator and furbearer rules, including trapping seasons and night-hunting restrictions.
Deadline rhythm
Small-game licenses are usually sold over the counter without a draw. Waterfowl frameworks are set federally in late summer, so states publish final dates in August and September. Limited-draw hunts on managed wetlands typically open applications in late summer.
Typical costs
Resident small-game licenses are typically $15 to $40; non-resident licenses commonly run $80 to $200. The federal Duck Stamp is required annually for migratory waterfowl hunters aged 16 and older.