CONCORD – New Hampshire’s fall hunting seasons will begin on Sept. 1 with the opening of black bear and gray squirrel seasons.

Archery seasons for turkey and white-tailed deer will get underway on Sept. 15 and the statewide resident Canada goose hunt runs from Sept. 1-25.

Highlights of the state’s hunting seasons can be found in the New Hampshire Hunting and Trapping Digest, which includes hunting season dates, bag limits and check station locations. Hunters and trappers can pick up a free copy at the Fish and Game Department or at their local license agent. The Digest is also available online at https://www.eregulations.com/newhampshire/hunting. Other helpful resources include the Wildlife Harvest Summary Report and the Small Game Summary Report.

Hunters look forward to the opening day of deer season all year and the much-anticipated regular firearms deer hunting season starts on Nov. 13. Both the archery and regular firearms seasons for deer will again end one week early in Wildlife Management Unit A. Check the Digest for WMU-specific either-sex deer hunting regulations and additional bear hunting opportunities, including the availability of an additional bear tag for WMUs C1, D2, E and F. This fall’s shotgun turkey season will run from Oct. 14-20.

The following is a general overview of New Hampshire’s fall hunting seasons. Be sure to consult the Digest or visit www.huntnh.com for additional information.

White-Tailed Deer: Archery: Sept. 15-Dec. 15 (ends Dec. 8 in WMU A), Youth Deer Weekend: Oct. 26-27, Muzzleloader: Nov. 2-12 and Firearms: Nov. 13-Dec. 8 (ends Dec. 1 in WMU A)

Black Bear: Starts Sept. 1 (end date varies by WMU)

Gray Squirrel: Sept. 1, 2024-Jan. 31, 2025

Snowshoe Hare: Oct. 1, 2024-March 31, 2025 (bag limit varies by WMU)

Ruffed Grouse: Oct. 1-Dec. 31

Moose: Oct. 19-27 (by permit only)

Fall Turkey: Shotgun: Oct. 14-20 (certain WMUs) and Archery: Sept. 15-Dec. 15 (ends Dec. 8 in WMU A)

Apprentice hunting licenses are an option for residents ages 16 and older who want to try hunting but have not taken Hunter Education or who have not been able to schedule a field day. The apprentice hunting license allows unlicensed people to hunt under the guidance of a licensed hunter who is 18 or older. Apprentice licenses are available only at Fish and Game Headquarters, 11 Hazen Dr. in Concord. Learn more at www.wildlife.nh.gov/hunting-nh/hunter-education/apprentice-hunting-licenses.

As the fall hunting seasons begin, the Fish and Game Department asks hunters not to use natural urine-based deer lures. These products can potentially spread chronic wasting disease, a neurological disorder that is always fatal to white-tailed deer and moose. Synthetic lures are suggested. Do your part and help keep our deer herd free of CWD. Learn more at www.wildlife.nh.gov/wildlife-and-habitat/wildlife-related-diseases/deer-diseases.

Hunters should remember to take proper care when handling wild game to minimize possible exposure to wildlife diseases. First and foremost, hunters should avoid shooting or handling any animal that appears sick. For more tips on safe handling of wild game, please visit www.wildlife.nh.gov/hunting-nh/after-harvest/safe-handling-wild-game.

New Hampshire hunting licenses and permits can be purchased online anytime at www.nhfishandgame.com.

Get out and enjoy New Hampshire’s woods safely by wearing hunter/blaze orange. With more than a million acres of public land open to hunting and outdoor recreation, blaze orange is the safe choice for all outdoor enthusiasts this fall.