Waterfowl and Migratory Bird Hunting in New Hampshire
NH Waterfowl and Migratory Bird Season Dates, Bag Limits, and Resources
Waterfowl hunting is a long-standing tradition in New Hampshire, with opportunities from coastal waters to the North Country.
To hunt waterfowl in New Hampshire, you are required to have a Migratory Waterfowl License and a current NH Hunting, Combination or Small Game License (available at any Fish and Game license agent), as well as a Federal Waterfowl Stamp. You also are required to have a free Harvest Information Program (H.I.P.) Survey permit number.
Note on Federal Waterfowl Stamps: The Federal Waterfowl Stamp is regulated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, not the State of New Hampshire. We have been made aware that many U.S. Post Offices do not carry the Federal Waterfowl Stamp or are out of them. You can order the federal stamps at: www.duckstamp.com.
Banded Birds
Report all banded birds at www.reportband.gov or by sending your information to: Bird Banding Lab, 12100 Beach Forest Road, Laurel, MD 20708. The call center supporting the 1-800-327-BAND toll-free phone number was discontinued on June 30, 2017. People calling this toll-free number will be directed to report their bird bands using the reportband.gov website or by mail. We rely heavily on your cooperation in reporting banded birds to help in their management, and we would like to thank you for your continued support in this effort.
| Species | Northern Zone | Inland & CT River Zone | Coastal Zone | Bag Limit | Possession Limit | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ducks | Oct 2 -Nov 30 |
Oct 5 -Nov 3 Nov 22 -Dec 21 |
Oct 4- Oct 10 Nov 22- Jan 13 |
6 | 18 | ||
| Mergansers | Oct 2 -Nov 30 |
Oct 5 -Nov 3 Nov 22 -Dec 21 |
Oct 4- Oct 10 Nov 22- Jan 13 |
5 | 15 | ||
| Coots | Oct 2 -Nov 30 |
Oct 5 -Nov 3 Nov 22 -Dec 21 |
Oct 4- Oct 10 Nov 22- Jan 13 |
15 | 45 | ||
| Sea Ducks | Oct 2 -Nov 30 |
Oct 5 -Nov 3 Nov 22 -Dec 21 |
Oct 4- Oct 10 Nov 22- Jan 13 |
4 | 12 | ||
| Canada Geese (SEP) | Sep 1- Sep 25 | Sep 1- Sep 25 | Sep 1- Sep 25 | 5 | 15 | ||
| Canada Geese | Oct 2 -Nov 30 |
Oct 5 -Nov 3 Nov 22 -Dec 21 |
Oct 4- Oct 10 Nov 22- Jan 13 |
2 | 6 | ||
| Snow Geese | Oct 2 -Nov 30 | Oct 5- Dec 21 | Oct 4- Jan 13 | 25 | NONE | ||
| Brant | Oct 2- Oct 31 | Oct 5- Nov 3 |
Oct 4- Oct 10 Nov 22- Dec 14 |
1 | 3 | ||
| Falconry | Dec 1- Jan 14 |
Nov 4- Nov 21 Dec 22- Jan 17 |
Jan 26- Mar 10 | 3 | 9 | ||
| Woodcock | Oct 1- Nov 14 |
|
|
3 | 9 | ||
| Common Snipe | Sep 15- Nov 14 | Sep 15- Nov 14 | Sep 15- Nov 14 | 8 | 24 | ||
| Crow |
Aug 15- Nov 30 Mar 16- Mar 31 |
Aug 15- Nov 30 Mar 16- Mar 31 |
Aug 15- Nov 30 Mar 16- Mar 31 |
NONE | NONE | ||
| Youth Waterfowl | Sep 23-24, 2023 | Sep 23-24, 2023 | Sep 23-24, 2023 |
- Shooting hours are from 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset.
- Waterfowl hunters must obtain a federal duck stamp and a New Hampshire Migratory Waterfowl License, in addition to a New Hampshire hunting license.
- Avian Influenza - AI is a potential risk in waterfowl, and bird hunters in general should exercise some common practices to prevent exposure.