NH Early Migratory Game Bird Seasons Set

   

Posted by Wayne G. Barber
CONCORD, N.H. -- The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department has finalized the 2015 hunting season dates and bag limits for early season migratory game birds, with no changes in bag limits from last year. The 2015 seasons for these game birds are as follows:

Resident Canada geese: The daily bag limit is five birds per day, statewide, during the September season, which extends September 1 through September 25, 2015.

Youth Waterfowl Weekend: This year, the youth weekend falls on Saturday and Sunday, September 26 and 27, 2015. All regular season waterfowl regulations, including bag limits, shooting hours, use of non-toxic shot, etc., apply during the youth weekend. For more on youth hunting in N.H., visit http://www.huntnh.com/hunting/youth.html

Woodcock: October 1 – November 14, 2015. Daily bag limit is 3 birds per day.

Snipe: September 15 – November 14, 2015. Daily bag limit is 8 birds per day.

Sea ducks: October 1, 2015 – January 15, 2015. Daily bag limit is 7 birds per day, with no more than 4 scoters, 4 eiders or 4 long-tailed ducks.

Crows: August 15 - November 30, 2015. Next spring's two-week crow season will be March 16-31, 2016.

To hunt for migratory birds, a resident must have a current Regular NH Hunting, Combination or Archery License. A nonresident must have a Regular NH Hunting, Combination, Archery or a Small Game License. No license is required for youth hunters (under age 16); youth must be accompanied by a properly licensed adult age 18 or older. In addition, duck and goose hunters 16 and older must have a:

• NH State Migratory Waterfowl License;
  
• National Migratory Bird Harvest Information or "HIP" certification number to hunt ducks, geese, woodcock and snipe; and a
  
• Federal Duck Stamp with the hunter's named signed across the face.

The Federal Duck Stamp can be purchased at many U.S. Post Offices or at Fish and Game headquarters in Concord (or Region 2 Office in New Hampton
HIP permit numbers can be obtained by calling 1-800-207-6183, or go to the "Buy Your License Online" section of the Fish and Game website huntnh.com to receive a permit number (there is no charge). This number should be written on the hunting license. Harvest information from HIP allows Fish and Game and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to make more reliable estimates of the number of all migratory birds harvested. Each year, a random selection of hunters is asked to complete a voluntary harvest survey.

Hunters are asked to report all banded birds by calling toll-free to 1-800-327-BAND. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service will send a certificate with information about the bird.

For more information on waterfowl or other New Hampshire hunting seasons, or to buy licenses and permits online, visit http://www.huntnh.com/hunting/waterfowl.html


CONTACT:
Jessica Carloni: (603) 868-1095
Jane Vachon: (603) 271-3211
Source: The Outdoor Wire Media Press Release