NOTE: You must have landowner permission before using an ATV on privately owned land. All hunters should be prepared to get their moose out of the woods on foot.

2008 N.H. MOOSE SEASON
by Kris Rines, N.H. Moose Project Leader

The 2008 New Hampshire moose season brought wonderful weather for hunters, with cold crisp mornings and daytime temperatures that ranged from the 50's to 80's. Moose were very actively rutting and many hunters found they could call in bulls, while others were fortunate enough to watch bulls sparring and wooing cows. However, due in part to the large number of antlerless-only permits issued in the White Mountain Region, the statewide success rate was down from the previous year (65.5% vs 71.1%). There were 516  permits issued in 2008, down substantially from the  preceding two-year average of 675.

During the 9-day season, 333  moose were taken in N.H. The take consisted of 180 (54%) adult bulls, 132 (40%) adult cows and 21 (6%) calves. Success rate for all permits combined was 64.5%; 65.2% for either-sex permits and 62.2% for antlerless-only permits. Regional success rates were up from the previous year (North Region - 83.3%, Central Region - 68.3%, Southwest Region - 45%, Southeast Region - 37.5%), with the exception of the Connecticut Lakes and the White Mountain  regions, which were down. The Connecticut Lakes Region was down slightly from 88.1%  to 79.7%; while the White Mountain  Region was down significantly, from 62.3% to 46.7%, due primarily to the first-time issuance of antlerless-only permits in this area. The regional adult harvest sex ratio (bulls per cow) for either-sex permits increased or remained stable in 2008, as compared to 2007: (Connecticut Lakes - 2.6:1, North - 3.5:1, Southwest - 8:1, Southeast - 1.0:1), with the exceptions of the White Mountains Region, which declined from 3.9:1 to 1.9:1, and the Central Region, which declined from 3.9:1 to 2.2:1.

Hunters traveled from 17 states and one foreign country (Scotland) to participate in the 2008 New Hampshire moos hunt season. Non-residents took 79 moose (24%), while residents took the remaining 254 moose (76%). Moose were taken by rifle (325), muzzleloader (5), shotgun (2), and bow (1). The preferred caliber used for rifles was the 30.06.  Permittees accounted for 68% of the moose harvest (227), while subpermittees accounted for 32% (106).  Women took 16 moose. 61% of the 2008 moose harvest was taken in the first three days of the season.

The oldest hunter was Kneiland Wheeler, an 80-year-old man from Pittsurg, NH, who took a 720-lb bull with a 50.25 inch spread. The youngest hunter was 9-year-old Keith Locke of Concord, NH, who took an adult bull with a 37-inch spread during the newly established "Hunt of a Lifetime" program. The largest bull of the season weighed 840 lbs (dressed weight) and was taken in D1 by Robert Whitten of Litchfield, NH. Walter Celley of Vermont called in and took the bull with the largest spread (61 inches) in Unit B. Brian Cole of Antrim took the largest cow (715 lbs dressed weight) in Unit A1.  <Return to Top>

Regional Moose Hunt Information:
Hunters are advised to seek landowner permission before hunting on any properties, including timber company lands. ATV use is prohibited in the state of the New Hampshire without written land owner permission. Please respect landowner’s rights and never tamper with closed or locked gates or block roads.

The Connecticut Lakes Region (WMUs A1 & A2):  This region has large acreages in timber company ownership. As a result there is little human development and good access on logging roads. Forestry practices provide an abundance of clear cuts of many ages. Forty either-sex and 40 antlerless-only permits were issued in 2008.  The five year average success rate is 86%. The success rate in 2008 was 80% for all permits combined, 80% for either-sex permits and 80% for antlerless-only permits. Sixty-eight percent of the either-sex permits were antlered bulls, and successful hunters saw 0.20 moose/hour hunted.

The North Region (WMUs B, C2 & D1): This region is very similar to the Ct. Lakes region. D1 is the most developed of all the units but still has large undeveloped acreage. 66 either-sex permits and 24 antlerless-only permits were issued here in 2008. The five-year average success rate is 85%. The success rate in 2008 was 83% for all permits combined, 86% for either-sex permits and 75% for antlerless-only permits. 74 percent of the either-sex permit take was antlered bulls, and successful hunters saw 0.31 moose/hour hunted.

The White Mountain Region (WMUs C1, D2, E1 – E3 & F):  This region is composed primarily of the White Mountain National Forest and offers hunters the opportunity of a true wilderness hunt. Human development is very limited and access is restricted and often limited to foot traffic only. Hunters must be prepared to get their moose out without the use of motorized vehicles. 95 either-sex permits and 55 antlerless-only permits were issued here in 2008. The five-year average success rate is 62%. The success rate in 2008 was 48% for those with either-sex permits and 44% for antlerless-only. 61 percent of the take was antlered bulls and successful hunters saw 0.14 moose/hour hunted.

The Central Region (WMUs G, H1, I1, I2, J1 & J2):  This region is more heavily settled than those to the north but access is good. Land ownership, as in the two other southern regions, is primarily by individual private landowner. One hundred and sixty one either-sex permits were issued here in 2008.  The average five year success rate is 65%. The 2008 success rate was 68%.  Sixty-eight percent of the take was antlered bulls. Hunters saw an average of 0.10 moose/hour hunted.

The Southwest Region (WMUs H2N, H2S & K): This region is very similar to the Central region in both human density and land ownership patterns and access.Twenty either-sex permits were issued here in 2008. The average five-year success rate is 46%. The 2008 success rate was 45%. Eighty-nine percent of the take was antlered bulls.  Hunters saw an average of 0.11 moose/hour hunted.

 The Southeast Region (WMUs L & M): This region is the most heavily developed and access is limited. Hunters will need to do considerably more scouting and contacting of property owners than in other regions to have a successful hunt. Sixteen permits were issued here in 2008. The five-year average success rate is 33%. The 2008 success rate was 38%.  Fifty percent of the take was antlered bulls. Hunters saw an average of 0.10 moose/hour hunted.<Return to Top>

Moose Season Quick Facts

Moose Hunt Basics
Each permit holder (permittee) may select one person of any age (subpermittee) to join him or her on the moose hunt.

Both either-sex and antlerless-only permits may be issued in some units.

The limit is one moose per permit, which may be shot by either hunter. Those drawing an antlerless-only permit may take one antlerless moose. All other permit holders may take either an antlered or antlerless moose.

Archery, muzzleloader, and regular firearms hunting are allowed, according to the hunting license type the hunter possesses.

Hunting is permitted by unit assignment, made as a result of the preferences listed on the application form and the order in which the applicant ranks in the drawing. Hunters may hunt only in the unit assigned to them.

The percentage of permits issued to nonresidents is the same as the percentage of hunting licenses sold to nonresidents in the previous year (recently about 15 to 17 percent of the total.)

The odds of winning a New Hampshire moose hunt permit in the 2008 lottery were 1 in 22 for New Hampshire residents, and 1 in 67 for nonresidents, some of the best odds in the nation for moose hunting.