Game Management Plan

Ten Year New Hampshire Conservation Objectives

Game Management Plan 

The majority of New Hampshire’s game species are managed under the guidance of a 10-year management plan where population goals and objectives for a species are formulated on biological factors and public preference.  This approach was first adopted by the Department in 1997 for moose, bear, and deer and has expanded to other species tom turkey during subsequent planning efforts.  Wildlife populations are slow to change over time, regardless if increasing or decreasing a population.  The changes in hunting rules and regulations that occur during the biennial rulemaking process represent the “strategies” to meet population goals and objectives.  Working towards long-term population goals and objectives allows for measured, steady progress and prevents periodic changes in management direction and “false starts”.

 

Current NH Game Management Plan (2016-2025)

 

Current Game Assessments

NH 2024 Bear Assessment 
NH 2024 Moose Assessment 
NH 2015 Snowshoe Hare Assessment 
NH 2025 Deer Assessment 
NH 2015 Ruffed Grouse Assessment 
NH 2015 Wild Turkey Assessment 
 

Big Game Management Planning (2026-2035)

The process of updating the 10-year Big Game Management Plan (BGMP) for New Hampshire is underway.  In December 2025 the existing plan, in place since January of 2016, expires. The new plan will set population goals and objectives for moose, deer, bear, and turkey for 2026 through 2025

See The Big Game Management Plan Schedule  

Your Input Is Needed

New Hampshire’s wildlife resources are held in trust by the state for the benefit of its citizenry. Wildlife management plans should reflect broad public desires, since NHFG manages wildlife for everyone. There will be several opportunities for the public to contribute to the development of the new 10-year plan

  • Fill out a Big Game Population Preference Survey if selected.  In early December, the University of New Hampshire Survey Center, on behalf of NHFG, will be emailing surveys to over 30,000 New Hampshire residents, including hunters, outdoor enthusiasts and wildlife watchers, to quantify opinions, concerns and desires regarding big game species.  Please note that this survey is different from the NH State Wildlife Action Plan Survey distributed in October 2024.  
  • Initial draft BGMP plan for moose, deer, bear, and turkey will be formulated by our species biologists and posted on this page in February 2025. 
  • A series of three to five public meetings will be held around the state in April 2025 to receive public input on the initial draft BGMP. Dates and locations of meetings to be announced.
  • The final BGMP will be presented to the Executive Director and Commission in June 2025 for their approval and adoption. 
  • Visit this page for updates on the process.  Drafts of the plan and survey results will be periodically updated to keep the public informed.
     

For more information: 

If you have any questions about the planning effort, please contact Dan Bergeron at (603) 271-2461.