New Hampshire Hunting Report – September 22, 2015

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Hunting seasons are underway in New Hampshire. This report includes an update on the bear season from biologist Andrew Timmins, the Department’s Bear Project Leader. The archery season for turkey and white-tailed deer opened on September 15. Squirrel hunters have been enjoying a warm September, and small game and upland bird hunters are eager to get into the field October 1. Be sure to wear an article of blaze orange clothing.

 

New Hampshire hunting licenses and permits: www.nhfishandgame.com or visit one of our friendly NH license agents.

 

Bear Hunt Update: As of September 17, 2015, a total of 157 bears (99 males, 58 females) have been reported to the bear project. Bait hunters have harvested 112 bears (70 males, 42 females) and still hunters/stalkers have taken 45 bears (29 males, 16 females). The current harvest sex ratio is 1.7 males per female.

 

Regionally:

• 26 bears (15 males, 11 females) have been taken in the North (WMUs A, B, C2 & D1),
• 52 (36 males, 16 females) in the White Mountains (WMUs C1, D2 E & F),
• 56 (32 males, 24 females) in the Central Region (WMUs G, I1, J1 & J2),
• 13 (10 males, 3 females) in Southwest-1 (WMUs H1 & I2) and
• 10 (6 males, 4 females) in Southwest-2 (WMUs H2 & K) region.
• No bears have been reported from the Southeast region (WMUs L & M) at this point in the season.
  Currently, this year’s harvest is half of the 5-year in-season average of 307 bears. Additionally, the current harvest is 59% below the 2014 tally (which was an above average harvest year) of 385 bears at this point in the season. It is important to recognize that these early harvest numbers can change quickly, as there is a lag between the number of registration slips that have arrived in Concord and the actual number of bears taken.
   
  While the 2015 bear season is off to a comparably slow start, there is a lot of season left. Mast conditions are very different this year compared to last, with apples, acorns and beech nuts quite abundant, which likely will result in a more “average” annual bear harvest.
   
  The bait hunting portion of the season will end in the Central, Southwest-1, Southwest-2 and Southeast regions on September 21. Baiting in the North and White Mountains regions ends on September 28. Additionally, the entire bear hunting season will end in the Southwest-2 and Southeast regions on September 28. The statewide (excluding the Southwest-2 and Southeast regions) hound hunting season opens September 21.
   
  Small Game Hunters: Ruffed grouse, quail, woodcock, snowshoe hare and cottontail rabbit seasons get underway October 1. These species are exciting to hunt and make excellent table fare. Small game hunters are encouraged to take part in Fish and Game’s two surveys (small game and grouse wing and tail); each offers the chance to win a quality firearm, and the information we get from hunters helps us manage the resource. Learn more at www.huntnh.com/newsroom/news.html?news=176
   
  Youth Waterfowl Hunting Weekend will be held statewide on Saturday and Sunday, September 26-27, 2015. Youth must be age 15 or younger and must be accompanied by a properly licensed adult age 18 or older. The adult may not hunt. The youth does not need a hunting license or duck stamp. Learn more at www.huntnh.com/newsroom/news.html?news=191
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  Get Set for Pheasants: New Hampshire's hunting season for pheasant gets underway on October 1 and continues through December 31. A total of 12,200 birds will be released at 70 stocking sites in 46 towns, an average of 140 birds per site. See www.huntnh.com/newsroom/news.html?news=193

   

  Opening Day for New Hampshire’s regular firearms deer season is November 11, 2015. Season dates summary and map at www.huntnh.com/hunting/deer.html

   

  Outdoor adventure talks: Don’t miss the Department’s series of free talks on deer hunting and more on October 7, 14 and 21. www.huntnh.com/newsroom/news.html?news=182

   

  Limited-edition 2015 moose hunt shirts: www.shopwildnh.com.

   

  Hunt for the Hungry: www.huntnh.com/hunting/hunt-for-hungry.html.

   

  Report a Poacher: If you are aware of a poaching situation, call Operation Game Thief toll-free at 1-800-344-4262 or report wildlife crime online at wildnh.com/ogt.

   

  Go-to Publications for NH Hunters:

  • 2015-2016 NH Hunting and Trapping Digest: www.huntnh.com/hunting/publications.html
  • 2014 New Hampshire Harvest Summary: www.huntnh.com/hunting/documents/2014-harvest-summary.pdf
  • 2014/15 N.H. Small Game Harvest Report: www.huntnh.com/hunting/documents/small-game-summary.pdf
  • Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration: A User-Pay, User-Benefit Program
    Researching and managing wildlife and teaching people to become safe, responsible hunters are activities funded by your license dollars and by the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Program, supported by an excise tax on your purchases of firearms, ammunition and archery equipment. Learn more at http://www.huntnh.com/funding/wsfr.html.