N.H. Moose Hunt Lottery
The adventure of a lifetime is in store for 35 people who have been offered permits in the world-class New Hampshire moose hunt, October 21–29, 2023. They are the lucky winners in the N.H. Fish and Game Department’s annual Moose Hunt Permit Lottery.
Moose hunting permits are offered to successful lottery applicants following a random computer-generated drawing in June. Your odds of winning improve every consecutive year you apply, thanks to a bonus point system. Entering the lottery costs just $15 for residents and $25 for nonresidents. Permit holders may select one person of any age to join them on the moose hunt. The N.H. moose hunt success rate averages 74 percent statewide, and much higher in northern areas.
New Hampshire has had an annual moose hunt since 1988. The availability of moose hunting permits is made possible by careful management of moose populations. While moose populations and hence permits, are down from past years, permits are issued at a rate that should allow the moose population to grow toward regional population goals. An ongoing research project being conducted by Fish and Game, in cooperation with the University of New Hampshire, will provide additional information to aid in moose management efforts.
Applications for the 2024 N.H. Moose Hunt Lottery will be available in late January 2024; watch huntnh.com for your chance to apply online or by mail.
For license/permit fees, success rates by region and WMU, a photo gallery of past hunts, and Q&As on the moose hunt and the lottery, visit huntnh.com.
New Hampshire Moose Hunt Permit Auction
The Wildlife Heritage Foundation of New Hampshire auctions one moose hunting permit as part of a program to support the conservation of wildlife and natural places in N.H. The permit allows the holder to harvest one moose of either sex. All auction proceeds benefit the Wildlife Heritage Foundation of New Hampshire.
Bidder’s packets become available in the spring, and bids are opened in early August. Visit nhwildlifeheritage.org or contact the Wildlife Heritage Foundation of N.H., 54 Portsmouth Street, Concord, NH 03301.
The Wildlife Heritage Foundation of New Hampshire is the official non-profit partner of the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. The Foundation raises money to support projects such as Operation Land Share, signs at Wildlife Management Areas, and the Conservation K-9 program. Funding for the Foundation’s grant program comes from individual and corporate donors, as well as the annual moose hunt permit auction.
N.H. Moose Hunt by the Numbers
- The largest bull moose ever taken in New Hampshire weighed in at 1,040 pounds, dressed weight, in 1993. Live weight of this moose would have been approximately 1,400 pounds. The largest cow ever taken dressed at 815 pounds.
- Greatest antler spread measurement for moose taken in New Hampshire is 68.5 inches. This bull was 9.5 years of age, had 25 points and weighed 775 pounds dressed. The antler beam diameter was 60 mm. This animal was taken in A2 in 2010.
- Moose have been taken with the use of conventional firearms and archery, handguns, muzzleloaders (including flintlocks) and the longbow.
- Typically, more than 60% of the harvest occurs in the first 3 days of the season.
- Successful hunters average 24 hours hunting and 42 hours scouting.
