New Hampshire
White Mountain big woods tracking, lottery bull moose tags, and hardwood ridge ruffed grouse covers.
Weapons & Regulations in New Hampshire
Official Regulatory Authority
New Hampshire Fish and Game Department (NHFGD)
Centerfire Rifle
Centerfire rifles of any caliber firing expanding soft-point or hollow-point ammunition are legal for deer and bear during the regular firearms season. Recommended .243 Win to .30-06. Suppressors are legal with federal compliance. Fully automatic firearms and FMJ ammunition strictly prohibited.
Muzzleloader
Minimum .40 caliber single-barrel muzzleloaders. Modern in-line muzzleloaders with 209 ignitions, sabots, and magnifying scopes are fully legal during the famous 11-day early November Muzzleloader season. Black powder or commercial synthetic powders only.
Archery (Vertical Bow)
Compound, recurve, and longbows with minimum 40 lb draw weight. Broadheads must have minimum 7/8-inch cutting width. Fixed and mechanical broadheads legal. The archery deer season runs from September 15 through December 15 (closes December 8 in WMU A).
Crossbows
Fully legal for ALL hunters during regular firearms seasons and under a dedicated Crossbow Permit during the archery season (or with permanent physical disability permit). Minimum 125 lb draw weight with working safety and broadheads meeting big game standards.
Handguns
Centerfire handguns .24 caliber or larger with a minimum barrel length of 4 inches firing expanding bullets are legal for big game. .357 Magnum, .44 Magnum, and 10mm Auto popular for mountain deer and bear hunting.
Shotgun
10, 12, 16, and 20 gauge shotguns firing slugs or buckshot (#00 or larger) legal for deer in firearm-restricted southern towns. 3-shell capacity limit. Non-toxic shot required for waterfowl across Great Bay coastal estuary.