N.H. Admin. Code § Fis 301.03

Current through Register No. 50, December 12, 2024

Section Fis 301.03 - Deer Season

(a) For purposes of this section the state shall be divided into wildlife management units as described in Fis 301.02.

(b) Wild deer shall be taken only from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset during the open seasons for taking deer.

(c) No deer shall be taken at any time in the following locations:

(1) Governor's Island, Town of Gilford, except as specified in Fis 301.031(c);

(2) Long Island, Town of Moulton borough, except as specified in Fis 301.032; and

(3) Any waters in lakes or ponds.

(d) A person holding an archery license as described in RSA 208:5, II, may take deer with bow and arrow in all of the wildlife management units and Bear Brook Refuge, subject to the following:

(1) The open season for taking of any deer with bow and arrow in wildlife management units B through M shall be from September 15 to December 15;

(2) The open season for taking any deer with bow and arrow in wildlife management unit A shall be September 15 to December 8;

(3) No deer shall be taken with a crossbow under this license, provided that:

a. A licensee of any age with a permanent physical disability who holds a permit issued pursuant to RSA 207:10-c and Fis 1101.08, shall be allowed to take deer with a crossbow during the archery season, muzzleloader season, or the regular firearms season, and shall use the archery deer tag or regular firearm deer tag as appropriate;

b. A licensee who is 68 years of age or older shall be allowed to take deer with a crossbow during the archery season, muzzleloader season, and regular firearms season, and shall use the archery deer tag or regular firearm deer tag as appropriate; or

c. A licensee of any age shall be allowed to take deer with a crossbow during the muzzleloader or regular firearms season, and shall use the regular firearm deer tag;

d. An archery licensee of any age shall be allowed to take deer with a crossbow during the archery season in WMU L or WMU M;

e. A person under 16 years of age who is participating in the deer youth weekend in accordance with Fis 1204.02 shall be allowed to take deer with a crossbow; or

f. An archery licensee of any age holding a Long Island deer permit shall be allowed to take deer with a crossbow on Long Island, Town of Moultonborough, under the provisions of Fis 301.032.

(e) A person holding a muzzleloader license may take deer with a muzzleloading firearm, bow and arrow, or crossbow during the 11 days immediately prior to the regular firearms season as follows:

(1) No other firearm shall be used for the taking of deer during this license period;

(2) A muzzleloading firearm shall be a single barrel, single shot firearm of no less than .40 caliber;

(3) Wildlife management units A, B, C1, C2, D1, D2E shall be open only to the taking of antlered deer;

(4) Wildlife management units E, F, G2, and I2 shall be open to the taking of any deer during the first day of the season and to the taking of antlered deer only during the remaining 10 days;

(5) Wildlife management unit I1 shall be open to the taking of any deer during the first 2 days of the season and to the taking of antlered deer only during the remaining 9 days;

(6) Wildlife management units H1, J1, and K shall be open to the taking of any deer during the first 3 days of the season and to the taking of antlered deer only during the remaining 8 days;

(7) Wildlife management units D2W, H2, and J2 shall be open to the taking of any deer during the first 4 days of the season and to the taking of antlered deer only during the remaining 7 days;

(8) Wildlife management unit G1 shall be open to the taking of any deer during the first 5 days of the season and to the taking of antlered deer only during the remaining 6 days; and

(9) Wildlife management units L and M shall be open to the taking of any deer during all 11 days of the season.

(f) The season for taking deer by all legal methods shall begin on the second Wednesday in November, and be open for a period of 26 consecutive days in wildlife management units B through M, and 19 consecutive days in wildlife management unit A, upon the following conditions:

(1) Wildlife management units A, B, C1, and C2 shall be open only to the taking of antlered deer;

(2) Wildlife management units D1, D2E, E, and F shall be open to the taking of any deer during the first day of the season and to the taking of antlered deer only during the remaining 25 days;

(3) Wildlife management units G2, I1, and I2 shall be open to the taking of any deer during the first 2 days of the season and to the taking of antlered deer only during the remaining 24 days;

(4) Wildlife management unit J1 shall be open to the taking of any deer during the first 3 days of the season and to the taking of antlered deer only during the remaining 23 days;

(5) Wildlife management units H1, H2, J2, and K shall be open to the taking of any deer during the first 4 days of the season and to the taking of antlered deer only during the remaining 22 days;

(6) Wildlife management units D2W and G1 shall be open to the taking of any deer during the first 5 days of the season and to the taking of antlered deer only during the remaining 21 days; and

(7) Wildlife management units L and M shall be open to the taking of any deer during the first 10 days of the season and to the taking of antlered deer only during the remaining 16 days.

(g) No person shall take more than one deer in a calendar year, except as provided in RSA 208:5, RSA 208:5-b, Fis 301.03(d), Fis 301.031, Fis 301.032, and Fis 301.034.

(h) No shell shot, other than those using shot sizes of 00 buckshot or larger, shall be used for the taking of deer.

(i) The hunter taking the deer shall register and report the kill as follows:

(1) Immediately upon killing a deer, the hunter shall complete and attach the appropriate "Deer Tag" to the deer, containing the following information:

a. The hunter's name and address;

b. The date and time of kill;

c. The wildlife management unit in which the kill occurred; and

d. The licensee's signature;

(2) Any deer taken during any deer season shall be registered within 24 hours of taking, in accordance with one of the following methods:

a. Completion of a deer registration report at a department approved registration station, in accordance with Fis 301.04; or

b. Completion of all required fields in an online registration report using the link available at www.wildlife.state.nh.com, provided that deer taken during the first 2 days of muzzleloader season, as specified in paragraph (e) above, or the first 3 days of regular firearms season, as specified in paragraph (f) above, must be registered in-person at a department approved registration station;

(3) Each hunter shall maintain proof of completion of the registration process, whether hard copy or electronic confirmation, for a minimum of 180 days; and

(4) The hunter shall retain the head and hide for 48 hours from the time of registration.

(j) If requested by the department, any person taking a deer shall take fish and game personnel back to the kill site, the site of carcass evisceration, or both, for purposes such as, but not limited to, verification of kill site or to obtain ovaries or other biological samples left behind.

(k) If requested by the department, any person taking a deer shall allow fish and game personnel or their designated agents at biological check stations to collect biological information on their deer including but not limited to sex, antler beam diameter, number of antler points, weight, estimated age, and lactation status.

(l) Nothing in this section shall prohibit a licensed hunter who has used his or her archery or firearm deer tag from accompanying a licensed apprentice hunter or an unlicensed minor under the age of 16, while the apprentice hunter or minor is taking deer.

(m) No person shall take a deer with the aid and use of bait, except in accordance with RSA 207:3-d, Fis 307.01, and Fis 307.03.

N.H. Admin. Code § Fis 301.03

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Amended byVolume XXXIV Number 24, Filed June 12, 2014, Proposed by #10619, Effective 6/2/2014, Expires6/2/2024.

Amended by Volume XXXVI Number 23, Filed June 9, 2016, Proposed by #11114, Effective 6/3/2016, Expires 6/3/2026.

Amended by Volume XXXVIII Number 32, Filed August 9, 2018, Proposed by #12591, Effective 7/25/2018, Expires 7/25/2028.

Amended by Volume XLI Number 23, Filed June 10, 2021, Proposed by #13211, Effective 5/26/2021, Expires 5/26/2031

Amended by Number 23, Filed June 8, 2023, Proposed by #13644, Effective 6/1/2023, Expires 6/1/2033.