{"id":7997,"date":"2026-08-30T07:44:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-30T07:44:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/?p=7997"},"modified":"2026-08-21T19:54:18","modified_gmt":"2026-08-21T19:54:18","slug":"new-hampshire-small-game-hunting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/new-hampshire-small-game-hunting\/","title":{"rendered":"New Hampshire Small Game Season Guide for 2026: Dates, Licenses &amp; Where to Hunt"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Instead of bouncing between the state regulations site, a license portal, and a handful of forums,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\">Hunting Locator<\/a>\u00a0pulls the essentials into one place. Season dates and bag limits referenced here come from the NH Fish and Game Department, published each year in the NH Hunting and Trapping Digest, which comes out every August. This New Hampshire small game guide reflects the confirmed 2026\u20132027 information available as that digest goes live.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here&#8217;s what&#8217;s covered:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Confirmed 2026\u20132027 small game season dates and bag limits, by species<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>License and permit costs for residents and non-residents, plus the youth exemption<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Where to hunt: public WMAs, private-land leases through Hunting Locator, and guided options<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"529\" src=\"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/cd9e017b-57db-4bcc-a17f-84d78f2b0514.jpeg\" alt=\"New Hampshire small game\" class=\"wp-image-8004\" srcset=\"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/cd9e017b-57db-4bcc-a17f-84d78f2b0514.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/cd9e017b-57db-4bcc-a17f-84d78f2b0514-300x155.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/cd9e017b-57db-4bcc-a17f-84d78f2b0514-768x397.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Quick Overview: 2026\u20132027 NH Small Game Seasons at a Glance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Here&#8217;s the fast-reference version of every small game season this year. Full details on each species, plus the regulatory nuances behind them, follow in the next section.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<table id=\"tablepress-653\" class=\"tablepress tablepress-id-653\">\n<thead>\n<tr class=\"row-1\">\n\t<th class=\"column-1\">Species<\/th><th class=\"column-2\">Season Dates<\/th><th class=\"column-3\">Bag Limit<\/th><th class=\"column-4\">Notes<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody class=\"row-striping row-hover\">\n<tr class=\"row-2\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Gray Squirrel<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Sept. 1, 2026 \u2013 Jan. 31, 2027<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Daily limit not specified; long season<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">Good entry species for new hunters<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-3\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Ruffed Grouse<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Oct. 1 \u2013 Dec. 31, 2026<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Standard state guidelines apply<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">\u2014<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-4\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Pheasant<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Oct. 1 \u2013 Dec. 31, 2026<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">2\/day; 10\/season<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">Pheasant permit ($31) required for all adults<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-5\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Woodcock<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Oct. 1 \u2013 Nov. 14, 2026<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">3\/day; possession 9<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">Requires HIP permit<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-6\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Snowshoe Hare<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Oct. 1, 2026 \u2013 Mar. 31, 2027<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Varies by WMU<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">Confirm your WMU&#8217;s limit<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-7\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Cottontail Rabbit<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Oct. 1, 2026 \u2013 Mar. 15, 2027<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">4\/day<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">Some zones closed to protect New England cottontail<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-8\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Quail, Chukar, Partridge<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Oct. 1 \u2013 Dec. 31, 2026<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Standard state guidelines apply<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">\u2014<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<!-- #tablepress-653 from cache -->\n\n\n<p>The complete 2026\u20132027&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wildlife.nh.gov\/hunting-nh\/dates-and-seasons\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">NH Hunting and Trapping Digest<\/a>, published each August, is the final word on dates and bag limits. We keep this page current, but check it against the digest before you hunt. For the bigger picture across every NH season, see&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/new-hampshire-hunting-season-guide\">our full NH season overview<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A few legal basics to sort out before you head out:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Hunter education<\/strong>&nbsp;is required for first-time license buyers age 16+, including a course plus an in-person field day.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Youth under 16<\/strong>&nbsp;don&#8217;t need a small game license if accompanied by a properly licensed adult age 18+.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Pheasant permit<\/strong>&nbsp;($31) is required for all adults hunting pheasant.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>HIP permit<\/strong>&nbsp;is required for woodcock, since it&#8217;s classified as a migratory bird.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>$2.50 Wildlife Habitat Fee<\/strong>&nbsp;applies once annually to most hunting licenses.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">New Hampshire Small Game Hunting Seasons<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>New Hampshire&#8217;s small game seasons stagger from early September into late winter, which gives you room to plan multiple hunts around your schedule instead of squeezing everything into a short window. For a closer look at every species covered here, see&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/new-hampshire-small-game-hunting-season\">our NH small game deep-dive<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"535\" src=\"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/8d184ee2-9f6e-44d9-b123-6ba07fb6d08f.jpeg\" alt=\"New Hampshire small game\" class=\"wp-image-8005\" srcset=\"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/8d184ee2-9f6e-44d9-b123-6ba07fb6d08f.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/8d184ee2-9f6e-44d9-b123-6ba07fb6d08f-300x157.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/8d184ee2-9f6e-44d9-b123-6ba07fb6d08f-768x401.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Early Season: Gray Squirrel<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Gray squirrel season runs&nbsp;<strong>Sept. 1, 2026 \u2013 Jan. 31, 2027<\/strong>, the longest small game season in the state. That long window and forgiving pace make it a good starting point for new hunters or anyone breaking in a young hunting partner before the October rush.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Upland Birds: Ruffed Grouse, Pheasant, Quail, Chukar &amp; Partridge<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Ruffed grouse and pheasant seasons both run&nbsp;<strong>Oct. 1 \u2013 Dec. 31, 2026<\/strong>, and quail, chukar, and partridge share that same window. Grouse hunters chase birds through mixed forest cover, while pheasant hunters work stocked release areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Pheasant hunting comes with specific rules: the daily limit is&nbsp;<strong>2 birds<\/strong>, with a season limit of&nbsp;<strong>10<\/strong>, and every adult needs a&nbsp;<strong>pheasant permit ($31)<\/strong>&nbsp;regardless of residency. NH also introduced a youth pheasant season starting in 2025, giving younger hunters an earlier on-ramp. For more on pursuing grouse, pheasant, and the rest of the upland lineup, see the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/new-hampshire-game-bird-hunting-season\">NH game bird season guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Woodcock (Migratory \u2014 HIP Required)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Woodcock season runs&nbsp;<strong>Oct. 1 \u2013 Nov. 14, 2026<\/strong>, with a daily limit of 3 and a possession limit of 9. Because woodcock are classified as migratory birds, you&#8217;ll need a&nbsp;<strong>HIP permit<\/strong>, required for any hunter 16 or older pursuing migratory species in the state. This is a separate registration step, not automatically bundled into your hunting license. If you&#8217;re planning a broader migratory bird trip, the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/new-hampshire-waterfowl-hunting-season\">NH migratory bird guide<\/a>&nbsp;covers the adjacent waterfowl seasons too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Rabbit &amp; Hare: Cottontail and Snowshoe Hare<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Cottontail rabbit season runs&nbsp;<strong>Oct. 1, 2026 \u2013 Mar. 15, 2027<\/strong>, with a daily limit of 4.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.eregulations.com\/newhampshire\/hunting\/small-game-hunting-seasons\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">New England cottontail closures<\/a>&nbsp;are real and enforced \u2014 the species is endangered in New Hampshire, and specific zones are closed to hunting of all cottontail rabbits regardless of species. Confirm you&#8217;re in a legal area before you start scouting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Snowshoe hare season runs longer,&nbsp;<strong>Oct. 1, 2026 \u2013 Mar. 31, 2027<\/strong>, but bag limits vary by Wildlife Management Unit. Check your WMU before heading out, since the limit in one part of the state may not match another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">New Hampshire Small Game Licenses and Permits<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Here&#8217;s how New Hampshire&#8217;s license and permit structure breaks down for small game hunters, resident and non-resident alike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">New Hampshire Hunting Licenses<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<table id=\"tablepress-654\" class=\"tablepress tablepress-id-654\">\n<thead>\n<tr class=\"row-1\">\n\t<th class=\"column-1\">License Type<\/th><th class=\"column-2\">Resident<\/th><th class=\"column-3\">Non-Resident<\/th><th class=\"column-4\">Habitat Fee<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody class=\"row-striping row-hover\">\n<tr class=\"row-2\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Hunting License<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">$45<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">$63<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">additional $2.50<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-3\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Small-Game License<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">\u2014<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">$53.00<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">additional $2.50<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-4\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">3-Day Small-Game License<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">\u2014<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">$25<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">additional $2.50<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<!-- #tablepress-654 from cache -->\n\n\n<p>A transaction fee applies on top of these prices: $2.00 in person or $2.75 online. Youth under 16 don&#8217;t need a small game license at all, as long as they&#8217;re accompanied by a properly licensed adult. If you&#8217;re solely chasing upland birds and don&#8217;t need big-game privileges, the non-resident small-game license is generally the cleanest, most cost-effective route compared to a full non-resident hunting license.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"532\" src=\"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/ec982527-a276-4e47-9018-9c3c3b458dd6.jpeg\" alt=\"New Hampshire small game\" class=\"wp-image-8006\" srcset=\"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/ec982527-a276-4e47-9018-9c3c3b458dd6.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/ec982527-a276-4e47-9018-9c3c3b458dd6-300x156.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/ec982527-a276-4e47-9018-9c3c3b458dd6-768x399.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">New Hampshire Hunting Permits<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Two permits matter most for small game hunters: the&nbsp;<strong>Pheasant Permit ($31, required for all adults)<\/strong>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<strong>HIP permit<\/strong>&nbsp;for woodcock and other migratory birds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here&#8217;s roughly how the purchase process works for a non-resident getting set up online:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Complete hunter education<\/strong>&nbsp;if you&#8217;re a first-time license buyer age 16 or older \u2014 this is a prerequisite under NH&#8217;s licensing framework.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Choose your license type<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2014 full non-resident small-game license or the 3-day option, depending on your trip length.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Add the Wildlife Habitat Fee<\/strong>&nbsp;($2.50), which applies once annually.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Add the Pheasant Permit or HIP registration<\/strong>&nbsp;if those species are on your list.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Pay the transaction fee<\/strong>&nbsp;($2.00 in person, $2.75 online) to finalize your purchase.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where to Hunt Small Game in New Hampshire<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You&#8217;ve got dates and a license \u2014 the next question is where to go. New Hampshire offers a real range of options, from free public access to dedicated private ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Best Public Lands (WMAs)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>New Hampshire&#8217;s Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) offer free public access to hunt upland birds and small game across the state. Forest edges, regenerating cutover, and mixed cover types tend to hold birds and rabbits well, making WMAs a solid starting point if you&#8217;re new to the area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Free access<\/strong>&nbsp;with no leasing costs or landowner permission needed<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Widespread availability<\/strong>&nbsp;across multiple regions of the state<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Mixed habitat<\/strong>&nbsp;that supports grouse, woodcock, rabbit, and hare<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Shared use<\/strong>, which means you&#8217;re hunting alongside other outdoor recreationists<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Public land can get crowded near opening weekend, especially for grouse and pheasant. That&#8217;s part of why more hunters look toward private access for a quieter, more consistent season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"530\" src=\"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/b30b17d6-c962-411c-96e0-0b3e3b6c6c56.jpeg\" alt=\"New Hampshire small game\" class=\"wp-image-8007\" srcset=\"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/b30b17d6-c962-411c-96e0-0b3e3b6c6c56.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/b30b17d6-c962-411c-96e0-0b3e3b6c6c56-300x155.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/b30b17d6-c962-411c-96e0-0b3e3b6c6c56-768x398.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Private Land Hunting with Hunting Locator<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Leasing private land addresses the crowding problem directly: dedicated access, less competition for cover, and the freedom to scout an area and return to it season after season. Some hunters go a step further and buy hunting land outright, securing long-term access on their own terms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That&#8217;s where Hunting Locator comes in. We connect you directly with landowners across New Hampshire who are ready to lease or sell their land to hunters \u2014 no cold calls, no guesswork about who owns what. Browse listings by location and acreage, reach out directly, and move toward securing access on your own timeline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Explore&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/leases\/state\/new-hampshire\/\">New Hampshire hunting leases<\/a>&nbsp;to see what&#8217;s currently available for the 2026 season, whether you&#8217;re a resident hoping to escape crowded WMUs near home or a non-resident without local connections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Guided Hunts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Guided hunts can make sense for non-resident hunters unfamiliar with New Hampshire&#8217;s terrain, cover types, and where birds and rabbits actually concentrate this time of year. A good guide brings local knowledge that would otherwise take seasons to build on your own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That said, if you&#8217;re weighing the cost of a guided hunt against other options, leasing private land is worth considering. A lease gives you repeated access across the season rather than a single guided day, often at a more predictable cost, and it puts you in control of when and how you hunt. Browsing&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/leases\/state\/new-hampshire\/\">New Hampshire hunting leases<\/a>&nbsp;is a reasonable next step whether you decide to hire a guide for your first trip or go it alone on leased ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Small Game Hunting Tips &amp; Gear<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A few field-tested habits separate a full game bag from a long walk in the woods. None of this requires fancy equipment, just attention to detail and the right gear for the job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Match your shotgun and load to the bird.<\/strong>&nbsp;A light, fast-handling shotgun shines for grouse and woodcock in tight cover, where quick shots at close range are the norm. Heavier loads suit pheasant in more open terrain.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Hunt the edges.<\/strong>&nbsp;Forest edges, old orchards, and cover transitions concentrate birds and rabbits far more reliably than open woods or thick, unbroken cover.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Layer for the long season.<\/strong>&nbsp;Squirrel and hare seasons run deep into winter, so plan your clothing for changing conditions rather than just opening-day weather.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Blaze orange and safety first.<\/strong>&nbsp;Stay visible, especially in areas shared with other outdoor users during the busy fall months.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Know your WMU before you go.<\/strong>&nbsp;Bag limits, especially for snowshoe hare, and cottontail closure zones depend entirely on where you&#8217;re standing, so confirm before you hunt.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you know what you need, gear up at the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.huntinglocator.com\/store\">Hunting Locator store<\/a>&nbsp;for everything from shotguns and loads to cold-weather layers built for a long small game season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">More Resources from Hunting Locator<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Planning more than small game this season? These guides round out your full New Hampshire hunting calendar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\">Hunting Locator homepage<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;\u2014 the hub for finding and securing hunting access nationwide.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/leases\/state\/new-hampshire\/\">New Hampshire hunting leases<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;\u2014 current NH lease listings for small game and beyond.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.huntinglocator.com\/store\">Hunting Locator store<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;\u2014 gear to get you ready for the season.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/new-hampshire-hunting-season-guide\">NH hunting season guide<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;\u2014 the master overview of every New Hampshire season.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/new-hampshire-small-game-hunting-season\">NH small game season<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;\u2014 our companion small game deep-dive.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/new-hampshire-game-bird-hunting-season\">NH game bird season<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;\u2014 detailed upland bird planning.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/new-hampshire-waterfowl-hunting-season\">NH waterfowl season<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;\u2014 migratory bird planning and dates.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/new-hampshire-turkey-hunting-season\">NH turkey season<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;\u2014 spring and fall turkey coverage.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/new-hampshire-deer-hunting-season\">NH deer season<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;\u2014 whitetail dates and details.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/new-hampshire-black-bear-hunting-season\">NH black bear season<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;\u2014 everything for planning a bear hunt.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/new-hampshire-moose-hunting-season\">NH moose season<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;\u2014 permit-only moose hunting information.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/new-hampshire-coyote-hunting-season\">NH coyote season<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;\u2014 a natural add-on for small game hunters already in the field.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Do youth need a small game license in New Hampshire?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>No. Youth hunters under 16 don&#8217;t need a small game license, as long as they&#8217;re accompanied by a properly licensed adult age 18 or older, per&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/nhfishgame.com\/2026\/05\/08\/new-hampshires-2026-2027-migratory-waterfowl-hunting-seasons-are-now-set\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">NH&#8217;s youth hunting rules<\/a>. Older beginners age 16+ will need to complete hunter education before buying their first license.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How much is a non-resident small game license in NH?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A non-resident small-game license costs $53.00 for the full season, or $25.00 for the 3-day option, both plus a $2.50 Wildlife Habitat Fee and a transaction fee. The 3-day license fits a short, focused trip rather than a multi-week stay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are the 2026 NH ruffed grouse season dates?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Ruffed grouse season runs Oct. 1 \u2013 Dec. 31, 2026. Pheasant, quail, chukar, and partridge all share that same window. Confirm final dates against the NH Hunting and Trapping Digest, published each August, before you head out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Do I need a permit to hunt woodcock in New Hampshire?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes. Woodcock are classified as migratory birds, so you&#8217;ll need a HIP permit if you&#8217;re 16 or older. The season runs Oct. 1 \u2013 Nov. 14, 2026, with a daily limit of 3 and a possession limit of 9.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is a pheasant permit required in NH?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes, a $31 pheasant permit is required for all adults hunting pheasant, regardless of residency. The daily limit is 2 birds with a season limit of 10. NH also introduced a youth pheasant season starting in 2025, giving younger hunters an earlier opportunity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where can I find private land to hunt small game in NH?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Hunting Locator connects you directly with landowners across New Hampshire who lease or sell hunting access. Browse&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/leases\/state\/new-hampshire\/\">New Hampshire hunting leases<\/a>&nbsp;to find dedicated ground for your 2026 season, away from crowded public land.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Final Shot<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You&#8217;ve got confirmed dates for every small game species, a clear breakdown of license and permit costs, and a plan for where to hunt. Gray squirrel opens September 1, and the October 1 wave of grouse, woodcock, pheasant, rabbit, and hare follows close behind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Before you head out, take one more pass through the NH Hunting and Trapping Digest to confirm final dates and limits. From there, sort your license and any pheasant or HIP permits you need, and turn your attention to where you&#8217;ll actually hunt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That&#8217;s where Hunting Locator can help, pulling the planning pieces together so you spend less time researching and more time in the field. If access is the last piece of your 2026 small game season,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/leases\/state\/new-hampshire\/\">secure your spot before the season opens<\/a>&nbsp;and get ready for opening day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This New Hampshire small game guide lays out the confirmed dates, costs, and access options you need before opening day.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":8003,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[68,10,189,16,190],"class_list":["post-7997","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-hunting-seasons","tag-hunting","tag-hunting-seasons","tag-rabbit","tag-season-dates","tag-squirrel"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7997","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7997"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7997\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8008,"href":"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7997\/revisions\/8008"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8003"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7997"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7997"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7997"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}