Gray fox, Red fox, Opossum, Skunk, Weasel, Raccoon
Sept. 1 - Mar. 31
no limit
Statewide
Fisher (Sealing by Conservation Officer required within 10 days
of close of season)
Dec. 1 - Jan. 31, 2011
10 per season; no more than 5 from combined areas of WMUs C1, D2, E, F, G, H, I J, K, L & M
OTHER SPECIES
Species
Season dates
Daily Bag Limit
WMUs
Coyote, Woodchuck
Open all year
No limit
Statewide
Coyote night hunting (Written
landowner permission required)
Jan.1 - Mar. 31, 2011
No limit
Statewide
Bobcat
CLOSED
N/A
N/A
*No person shall
take hare or rabbits by the use of a snare.
Send in the Small Game Survey -- You could win a Ruger rifle!
Calling all N.H. small game hunters -- you could win
a Ruger rifle if you fill out and submit your Small Game Survey
form, postmarked by April 15, 2011. All those
who return a completed survey on time will have their names put
into a raffle for a rifle generously donated by Sturm,
Ruger & Co., Inc.,
to encourage participation the survey.
The Small Game Survey is important because it provides Fish and Game with distribution, abundance and trend data on the state's small game populations. With greater understanding of these populations, we hope to achieve improved management and to provide enhanced opportunities for public enjoyment of these species.
"Thanks to all the hunters who took time to fill in and submit last year's survey, and to Sturm Ruger for providing such great incentives to help us build participation," said Wildlife Biologist
Julie Robinson. "This effort is giving us much better data on small game abundance
and distribution in New Hampshire. The more responses we get, the better our data is!“
If you are a small game hunter and would
like to volunteer for our annual survey, CLICK HERE to download and print the 2010-2011 Small Game Survey Formand Guidelines or request a paper survey by calling (603) 271-2461
or emailing wildlife@wildlife.nh.gov. NOTE: Please provide
your full name and mailing address so we can mail the survey to you!
2010-2011
Small Game Season Outlook: By
Julie Robinson, Small Game Project Leader
Ruffed Grouse -- Spring arrived extremely early this year, allowing early nesting birds like grouse to get a great start. Ruffed grouse had dry weather during the nesting and brood-rearing period this spring. Because of the early onset of spring, broods were seen earlier than usual. Grouse in the northern portion of the state nest a bit later than those in the south, but they, too, enjoyed an earlier spring than usual this year. The recruitment outlook this year is looking great so far! With all these positive factors, New Hampshire's grouse season has the potential to be above-average this year.
Grouse Wing and Tail Survey: For the last 5 years Fish and Game has been conducting a survey on harvested ruffed grouse in the Northern portion of the state. NEW FOR 2010 we will be expanding our wing and tail survey throughout the ENTIRE state. Wing and tails are submitted with a survey card. This survey provides us with age, sex composition and distribution data on this most popular small game species. The Ruffed Grouse Society has generously donated a gun to be raffled off to one of the participants. Won’t you please help? For more on how to participate in the Wing and Tail Survey, click here.
Woodcock: Woodcock are the second most sought after small game species after ruffed grouse. Woodcock had an excellent nesting period this year with the early and dry spring. Broods were seen quite early. There are many projects ongoing throughout the state to create more early successional habitat, which is needed for both woodcock and grouse, not to mention many other species of wildlife! Get ready for a great woodcock season this fall.
Snowshoe Hare: Snowshoe hare hunters have a strong hunting tradition, and in some areas of the state it is growing in popularity. If you are interested in learning more about snowshoe hare hunting, contact our Owl Brook Facility for scheduled classes.
Gray Squirrel: Do you know someone who is interested in learning how to hunt? How about introducing them to squirrel hunting! The season begins September 1st and is a perfect way to introduce a youngster to the hunting tradition!
Cottontail Rabbits: Cottontail rabbit range remains very fragmented and highly limited in New Hampshire. A rule change established closure areas for taking cottontails in certain areas to protect the remnant New England cottontail populations. The following
areas are closed to the taking of cottontail rabbits (click here for map):
(1) The portion of WMUs K, M and L bound by Route 28 from the Massachusetts
border in Salem, north to Route 4 in Epsom, Route 4 west to I-93
in Concord, I-93 south to I-89 in Concord, I-89 north to Route 13
in Dunbarton, Route 13 south to the Massachusetts border in Brookline.
(2) The portion of WMU L bound by Route 202/11
west from the Maine border in Rochester, to Route 16, Route 16 south
to Route 125, Route 125 south to Route 101, Route 101 east to the
Squamscott River, north along the Squamscott River, north along
shoreline of Great and Little Bay estuary to the Piscataqua River,
and northwest along the Maine border to Route 202/11 at the Maine
border.
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