New Hampshire Deer Harvest Up, Bear Season Average
OutdoorHub 11.19.13
New Hampshire’s regular firearms deer hunting is going well, as hunters look forward to time afield during the Thanksgiving holiday week. Through November 17, 2013, hunters had taken an estimated 9,122 deer in New Hampshire. The 2013 statewide total through that date represents a 10% increase from the 8,313 registered at this point in the 2012 season.
“Every county has shown at least slight increases from 2012, with Cheshire, Coos, and Carroll counties showing the largest increases,” said Dan Bergeron, Deer Project Leader for Fish and Game. “The next couple of weeks, including the Thanksgiving holidays, should provide hunters with excellent opportunity, as the rut should remain strong during this period.”
The statewide total continues to be the second highest in the past nine years, according to Bergeron. For a comparison of harvest results by county at this same point in the season in recent years, visit http://www.HuntNH.com/Hunting/deer_hunt_take_November.htm.
The regular firearms deer season runs through December 8 in most of the state, with the exception of Wildlife Management Unit A in northern New Hampshire, where it closes December 1. Deer hunters should note Wildlife Management Unit and season-specific either-sex day regulations in the New Hampshire Hunting Digest, available at http://www.wildnh.com/pubs/hunting.html or from Fish and Game license agents.
New Hampshire’s bear hunting season has ended in most of the state, with the exception of the White Mountains region (Units C1, D2, E and F), where it closes November 26. Preliminary results show that as of November 4, a total of 524 bears (322 males, 202 females) had been taken in the hunt, according to Fish and Game bear biologist Andrew Timmins. Through that date, bait hunters had harvested 306 bears, still hunters/stalkers took 133 bears, and hound hunters registered 85 bears. The current overall harvest sex ratio is 1.6 males per female. The bear harvest over the next 14 days in the White Mountains region (the only area still open to bear hunting) is expected to be low.
Hunting licenses can be purchased online anytime at http://www.HuntNH.com, from license agents statewide or at Fish and Game headquarters in Concord. The basic N.H. hunting license is $22 for residents and $103 for nonresidents. Hunters under age 16 do not need a license, but must be accompanied by a licensed adult at least 18 years of age.
For more information on hunting in New Hampshire, visit http://www.HuntNH.com/Hunting/hunting.htm.
