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Waterfowl Season Dates and Bag Limits

License Requirements for Waterfowlers


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 (available at some U.S. Post Offices; Fish and Game headquarters in Concord; and at Fish and Game's Region 2 office in New Hampton). You also are required to have a free Harvest Information Program (H.I.P.) Survey permit number.

 

License Requirements for Woodcock, Snipe, and Crow

 

In order to hunt woodcock, snipe, and crow (listed on this page because they are migratory), you are required to hold a current NH Hunting, Combination or Small Game License. For woodcock and snipe, you also are required to have a free Harvest Information Program (H.I.P.) Survey permit number.

 

 

2018-2019 Migratory Bird Hunting Seasons
Species Northern Zone Inland & Ct. River Zone Coastal Zone Bag Limit Possession Limit
DucksA Oct. 2 - Nov. 30 Oct. 2 - Nov. 4 Oct. 3 - Oct. 14 6 18
Nov. 21 - Dec. 16 Nov. 21 - Jan. 7
MergansersB Dates same as ducks 5 15
Coots Dates same as ducks 15 45
Canada Geese (Sept) Statewide     Sep. 1 - Sep. 25 5 15
Canada Geese (Regular) Dates same as ducks 2 6
Snow Geese Oct 2. - Nov. 30 Oct. 2 - Dec. 16 Oct. 3 - Jan. 7 25 NONE
Brant Dates same as ducks 2 6
Sea Ducks*C In all coastal waters Nov. 15 - Jan. 13 5 15
Falconry Dec. 1 - Jan. 14 Nov. 5 - Nov. 20 Jan. 25 - Mar. 10 3 9
Dec. 17 - Jan. 14
Woodcock Statewide:     Oct. 1 - Nov. 14 3 9
Common Snipe Statewide:    Sep. 15 - Nov. 14 8 24
Crow

Statewide:   

Aug. 15 - Nov. 30

Mar. 16 - Mar. 31

 NONE NONE
Youth Waterfowl Hunting Weekend September 29 & 30, 2018    

 

A Includes all species of ducks, with the following restrictions:  No more than 4 mallards (2 of which may be hens), 2 black ducks, 3 wood ducks, 2 pintail, 2 canvasbacks, 2 redheads, 2 scaup, and no more than 4 scoters, 4 eiders, or 4 long-tailed ducks. The harlequin duck season is closed. Possession limits are three times the daily bag limit (e.g. The mallard possession limit is 12, of which 6 may be hens).

 

B The daily bag limit of 5 mergansers is in addition to the daily bag limit of 6 ducks and may include no more than 2 hooded mergansers. Possession limits are three times the daily bag limit.

 

*In all coastal waters, rivers & streams seaward from the 1st upstream bridge. In all other areas of the state, sea ducks may be taken only during the regular season for ducks.


C The daily bag limit for sea ducks, while hunting in all coastal waters* (described above) shall include no more than 4 scoters, 4 eiders, or 4 long-tailed ducks and possession limit shall be 15 birds with no more than 12 scoters, 12 eiders, or 12 long-tailed ducks.  In all other areas of the state, sea ducks shall be included in the regular season daily bag and possession limit.

 

Requirements for Migratory Bird Hunting in New Hampshire
Species NH Hunting License NH Waterfowl License Federal Duck Stamp HIP Permit Non-Toxic Shot Firearm Plug
Ducks, mergansers, brant, geese checkmark checkmark checkmark checkmark checkmark checkmark
Woodcock and snipe checkmark     checkmark   checkmark
Crow checkmark