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New Hampshire

Hunting

Hunting

License Information

Who Needs a License?

Hunting licenses are required for persons 16 years of age and older. Some licenses and permits are required for all ages; see Licenses & Fees.

Buying a License

Hunting licenses, valid Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 of each year, may be purchased online via huntnh.com, from license agents, Fish and Game Department Headquarters in Concord, and Fish and Game Region 1, 2, and 4 offices. Applicants must purchase their own licenses. Trapping and fur buyer licenses, valid July 1 to June 30 of the next year, are only available at Fish and Game’s Concord headquarters or through the mail.

To purchase a hunting or archery license on the internet site or at a Walmart, you must have held a hunting or archery license or taken Hunter Education or Bowhunter Education in N.H. in the year 2000 or later. There may be a delay of as much as one week after taking the N.H. Hunter Education course before the information is in our database.

Hunter Education Requirements

See Hunter Education.

Residency Requirements

To obtain a license at resident rates, the person must present to the issuing agent a valid New Hampshire driver's license or non-driver's picture identification card issued by the N.H. Department of Safety, Div. of Motor Vehicles. Whenever the applicant is under 18 years of age, the parent or guardian of the applicant shall be a resident and present their valid N.H. driver's license or non-driver's picture identification.

Youth Hunters

See Youth Hunting.

Resident Senior Licenses

See Licenses & Fees.

Lost Licenses

Lost licenses may be reprinted at the original issuing agent or Fish and Game's Concord headquarters. If purchased at a license agent, and it is at least one week from the date of issue, the license can be reprinted from the online sales site. There is no charge for reprints, however, there is a limit on the number of reprints allowed.

Military Licenses

N.H. residents who are regular active duty in the U.S. Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, or Coast Guard permanently stationed outside the state may be eligible for free temporary hunting and fishing licenses. Available at NH Fish and Game Headquarters in Concord; Region 1 and 4 offices; or by mail or fax (603) 271-5829. Download an Active Duty Military License application from the Fish and Game website and send with duty orders. Call (603) 271-3422 for information. Non-resident military personnel on regular active duty, and permanently stationed in New Hampshire, may purchase regular hunting and fishing licenses at N.H. resident rates (cannot be purchased online or at Walmart).

Archery

An archery license allows you to:

  1. Take deer with a bow and arrow during the archery season.
  2. Take other species with a bow and arrow, provided you have the appropriate license or permit.

It is legal to hunt deer with bow and arrow while using the firearms deer tag during the firearms deer season under a Regular Hunting License and in compliance with Wildlife Management Unit restrictions. During the muzzleloader season, the firearms deer tag may be filled using a muzzleloader, crossbow, or bow and arrow.

Archers may fill their archery deer tag any time during the archery season.

The Special Archery Deer Permit allows the taking of an antlered-only deer with bow and arrow during the archery deer season. This additional permit must be purchased at the same time you purchase your archery license.

See Deer Hunting Seasons and Deer Hunting Regulations for a complete listing of deer season regulations.

Carrying Handguns While Bowhunting

You may carry a handgun while bowhunting, but it is not legal to use a handgun to assist in the taking of an archery-tagged deer.

Crossbows

Crossbow definition see Deer Hunting Regulations. It is legal to use a crossbow to take the species listed below under any of the following circumstances:

  1. Deer
    • During the Archery season with an archery license and you are 68 years of age or older.
    • During the Archery season in WMU L or M with an archery license (or are less than 16 years of age accompanied by a licensed archer).
    • During the Muzzleloader season with a muzzleloader license.
    • During the Firearm season with a firearm license (any deer taken shall be tagged with a valid firearms deer tag).
    • If you are a youth participating in the Youth Deer Weekend.
  2. Turkey

Crossbows are a legal method of take for turkeys.

  1. Bear

Crossbows are a legal method of take for bear season.

  1. Moose and Small Game

Crossbows are a legal method of take for moose and small game season.

Disabled Hunters

Disabled Crossbow Permit (permanent, $10) allows the use of crossbows during any season where use of a bow and arrow is allowed. This permit must be applied for at Concord Headquarters. You will be required to purchase the appropriate hunting license each year. This permit does not include separate tags. Hunters holding a disabled crossbow permit are limited to using only a crossbow. They are not allowed to use a longbow, recurve, or compound bow.

For information on Disabled Veterans License, Paraplegic License, and Hunt from a Motor Vehicle Permit visit huntnh.com.

Prohibited Acts

Any person whose privilege to fish, hunt, trap, guide, take or land lobsters and crabs, or engage in commercial marine fishing activities is currently suspended or revoked in any other state or province is prohibited from purchasing or possessing a license for such activity in New Hampshire (RSA 214:18-b).

It is unlawful to possess more than one of any type of regular hunting license or permit, use another person’s license or permit, allow another person to use your license or permit, or not show your license upon demand.

Exceptions — When a License Is Not Required

  • Resident landowners and their minor children under the age of 16 may hunt and trap on their own land, in season, without a regular hunting or trapping license. This exception does not apply if their right to obtain a license is under suspension. Furthermore, it does not apply to activities requiring a special license or permit (i.e., archery, muzzleloader, pheasant, turkey, etc.) Note, no animal may be pursued off of the owner's property without possessing a regular hunting license. Resident Landowner special licenses must be purchased from Fish and Game headquarters, either in person or by mail.
  • Children under 16 years of age do not need a regular N.H. hunting or archery license. Youth must be accompanied by a properly licensed person 18 years of age or older. Minors must have a permit or license for turkey, Special Unit L or M deer, special archery deer, bear, nonresident muzzleloader, and trapping.

Regular NH Hunting License

Wherever the term “Regular NH Hunting License” is used in this Hunting Digest, it is understood to include the Combination NH Hunting and Fishing License. Hunting license comes with 1 deer tag. Small Game is included.

Persons exempted from purchasing an annual license may use the tag on Special Deer and Bear Tag of this publication or may download one from huntnh.com.