New Hampshire

New Hampshire Hunting License: Cost, Requirements & How to Apply (2026)

Complete guide to New Hampshire hunting license costs, requirements, seasons, and regulations for the Calendar year (Jan 1 – Dec 31) season.

Last updated: March 2026

Resident License $32 General hunting

Non-Resident License $113 General hunting

Hunter Education Required Born after 1960-01-01

Online Purchase Yes Calendar year (Jan 1 – Dec 31)

LICENSE FEES

New Hampshire Hunting License Fees 2026

Current hunting license costs for residents and non-residents. License year: Calendar year (Jan 1 – Dec 31).

Resident Licenses

Resident Hunting $32 —

Resident Combo Hunt + Fish $47 —

Resident Youth Hunting (Under 16) Free —

Resident Senior (68+) Free —

Non-Resident Licenses

Non-Resident Hunting — $113

Non-Resident Small Game 3-Day — $43

Tags & Permits

Special Archery Deer Permit $26 $26

Muzzleloader Permit $16 $41

Unit L Antlerless Deer Permit $26 $26

Turkey Permit $16 $31

Bear License $16 $48

Additional Bear License $16 $48

Moose Permit $150 $500

Endorsements & Stamps

Wildlife Habitat Fee $2.50 Charged once per year on first license purchased

NH Migratory Waterfowl License $6 Required for waterfowl hunting in NH

Federal Duck Stamp $25 Required for waterfowl 16+; valid Jul 1 – Jun 30

HIP Certification Free Free; required for migratory bird hunters

Pheasant Stamp $20 Supports NH pheasant stocking program on WMAs

PURCHASE

How to Buy a New Hampshire Hunting License

Multiple convenient options to get your license quickly.

Buy Online (Recommended)

Visit wildlife.nh.gov (returning buyers only). Sign in to your account. Select hunting ($32) or combo ($47) license. Add archery ($26), muzzleloader ($16), turkey ($16), bear ($16) permits. Pay with credit/debit card ($2.75 online fee). $2.50 Wildlife Habitat Fee auto-added once per year. Print license and permits

Buy In Person

NHFG Headquarters in Concord (required for first-time buyers), Authorized license agents statewide, Town clerks

Buy By Phone

Call 603-271-3421. $2 transaction fee

Shop for hunting gear at our partners:

Bass Pro Shops → Cabela's → Amazon → Academy Sports →

Pro Tip

The easiest way to buy your New Hampshire hunting license is online through the NH Fish and Game Department. You'll get your license instantly and can start hunting right away.

EDUCATION

Hunter Education Requirements in New Hampshire

Who needs it: All hunters born on or after January 1, 1960

Online course: Available — Cost: Free

Field day required: Yes, in-person field day required

Minimum age: 12 years old

Apprentice/deferral program: Available — hunt under supervision while completing education

Military exemption: Yes, active duty military may be exempt

Start Your Hunter Education Course

EXEMPTIONS

Who Can Hunt for Free (or at a Discount) in New Hampshire?

Youth (Under 16) Free license No license needed but must purchase species permits (deer $26, turkey $16, bear $16); hunt with adult

Senior (68+) Free permanent Free permanent hunting license — never needs renewal; NH residents only

Disabled Veteran (100%) Free 100% disabled veterans get free licenses + permits

Active Military Resident rates Active duty stationed in NH pay resident rates

Landowner (Private Land) Hunt own land NH landowners may hunt on own property; still need license and tags

SEASONS

New Hampshire Hunting Seasons 2026-2027

Key hunting season dates and weapon restrictions.

White-tailed Deer Archery Sep 15 – Dec 15 Bow and crossbow; 3-month season

White-tailed Deer Muzzleloader Oct 25 – Nov 4 Muzzleloader; permit required

White-tailed Deer Firearms (Regular) Nov 12 – Dec 1 Rifle, shotgun

White-tailed Deer Youth Deer Day Late Sep – 1 day Any legal weapon; ages 12-15 with adult

Moose Lottery Oct 18 – Oct 26 Rifle, bow, muzzleloader; 9-day season

Black Bear Early (Sep) Sep 1 – Oct Bait and dogs allowed; unique to NH

Black Bear Regular (Nov) Nov – Nov Still/stalking during firearms deer season

Turkey Youth Spring Late Apr – 1 day Shotgun, bow; supervised youth

Turkey Spring May 1 – May 31 Shotgun, bow

Turkey Fall Oct 4 – Nov 15 Shotgun, bow

Pheasant (Stocked) Regular Oct – Dec Shotgun; stocked on WMAs

Ruffed Grouse Regular Oct 1 – Dec 31 Shotgun; classic NH upland

Woodcock Regular Oct 1 – Nov 15 Shotgun; HIP required

Snowshoe Hare Regular Oct 1 – Mar 31 Shotgun; beagle tradition

Squirrel Regular Sep 1 – Dec 31 Shotgun, .22 rifle

Duck/Waterfowl Regular Oct-Jan – Zone-specific Shotgun (non-toxic shot)

Coyote Year-Round Jan 1 – Dec 31 No limit; night hunting with light

BAG LIMITS

New Hampshire Bag Limits

Daily and seasonal harvest limits for major game species.

White-tailed Deer 1 1 antlered + antlerless by permit Unit L antlerless lottery; rifles allowed; 3 deer seasons

Moose 1 1 50-86 permits annually; sub-permit holder can also accompany

Black Bear 1 2 Additional bear license available; bait and dogs allowed

Turkey (Spring) 1 2 Bearded turkeys; 1 permit covers both seasons

Turkey (Fall) 1 1 Either sex

Ruffed Grouse 5 No season limit Classic New England upland hunting

Woodcock 3 No season limit Federal migratory; HIP required

Snowshoe Hare 5 No season limit Long season Oct-Mar; beagle running tradition

COMPARE

How New Hampshire Compares to Neighboring States

See how hunting license costs stack up in the region.

New Hampshire $32 $113

Maine $26 $115 Vermont $28 $102 Massachusetts $40 $112

Compare All 50 States

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions About New Hampshire Hunting Licenses

How much is a hunting license in New Hampshire?

Resident: $32 + $2.50 Wildlife Habitat Fee = $34.50 total. Combo (hunt+fish): $47. NR: $113. NR 3-day small game: $43. Free for NH residents 68+ (permanent license). Youth under 16 hunt free.

Can I hunt moose in New Hampshire?

Yes — NH has a 9-day October moose season. Permits: $150 res / $500 NR via lottery ($15/$25 app fee). Only 50-86 permits issued annually. Draw odds are very competitive — some hunters apply 20+ years.

Can I hunt bear in New Hampshire?

Yes — bear license $16 res / $48 NR. You can buy TWO bear tags! Early season (Sep-Oct) allows bait and dogs — unique to NH. Regular season overlaps firearms deer. Growing bear population in White Mountains.

How long is the archery deer season?

Sep 15 – Dec 15 — 3 months and one of the longest in New England. Special Archery Deer Permit: $26 (same res/NR). Crossbows legal. Overlaps muzzleloader and firearms seasons.

Do seniors hunt free?

Yes — NH residents 68+ get a FREE permanent hunting license that never needs renewal. One of the best senior benefits in the US. $2.50 Wildlife Habitat Fee still applies.

What are Unit L antlerless permits?

Lottery permits ($26) allowing antlerless deer harvest in specific WMUs needing population control. Availability varies by unit. Good bonus opportunity beyond the standard 1-antlered limit.

Can I buy a NH license online?

Yes, returning buyers at wildlife.nh.gov ($2.75 online fee). First-time buyers must go in person to NHFG HQ in Concord, authorized agents, or town clerks. Subsequent years are all online.

Do youth need a license?

No license for under 16, but they must buy individual permits: deer $26, turkey $16, bear $16. Must hunt with a licensed adult. Youth Deer Day and Youth Turkey Day offer special early access.