Hunting: Waterfowl

Click here to download the Waterfowl Hunting Zone Map* (473 KB) -- showing the Inland and Coastal zones, plus the Connecticut River Zone!

Shooting hours are from 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset.

Click here to skip to 2007 season dates, bag limits and possession limits.

Migratory bird hunters: Click here for important information about the Harvest Information Program.

Changes for 2007: The N.H. woodcock season opening date has been changed to Oct. 6 (5 days later than in the past), to allow hunting opportunities in early November, when migrant woodcock are still in the state.

For the 2007-08 season, most species restrictions are similar to last year's, except that the daily bag limits for scaup and canvasbacks both increase from one per day to two per day.

Click for more info on:

• Youth Waterfowl Days
• Sea duck dates
• Falconry
• Coastal Zone
• Vermont Connecticut River Zone Boundary
• Inland Zone
• 1-800-327-BAND
• Duck Stamps and HIP Numbers
   

New Hampshire’s 2007 Youth Waterfowl Hunting Weekend will be held statewide on Saturday, September 29; and Sunday, September 30, 2007.

2007-08 Waterfowl Season Dates and Bag Limits
 

OVERALL LIMITS:

SPECIES-SPECIFIC LIMITS:

Sea Ducks (scoter, eider and long-tailed ducks): Season is from October 1, 2007, through January 15, 2008, in all coastal waters, rivers and streams seaward from the first upstream bridge. The daily bag limit is 7 birds, with no more than 4 scoters, 4 eiders or 4 long-tailed ducks (previously "oldsquaw"). The possession limit is 14 birds, with no more than 8 scoters, 8 eiders or 8 long-tailed ducks. In all other areas of the state, sea ducks may be taken only during the regular season for ducks and shall be included in the regular season daily bag and possession limit.

Falconry (Extended season)
Inland Zone: Nov. 5 - 20 and Dec. 18, 2007 - Jan. 15, 2008
Coastal Zone: January 25 - March 10, 2008

Youth Waterfowl Days: New Hampshire’s 2007 Youth Waterfowl Hunting Weekend will be held statewide on Saturday, September 29; and Sunday, September 30, 2007. Youths must be 15 years of age or younger and accompanied by a licensed adult 18 years or older. The adult must possess a current hunting license but may not hunt. The daily bag limits are the same as those allowed in the open season.

Coastal Zone: Beginning at the Maine-New Hampshire line in Rollinsford, that portion of the state east of a boundary formed by Route 4 west to the city of Dover, south to the intersection of Route 108 through Madbury, Durham and Newmarket to the junction of Route 85 in Newfields, south to Route 101 in Exeter, east to Interstate 95 in Hampton, and south to the Massachusetts line.

Vermont Connecticut River Zone Boundary: Interstate 91 at the Massachusetts border north to Route 2, north to Route 102, and north to Route 253.

Inland Zone: That portion of the state west of the above boundary, including the Connecticut River Zone portion of Vermont.

1-800-327-BAND
Report all banded birds using the toll-free number 1-800-327-BAND. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will send a certificate with information about the bird.

Duck Stamps and HIP Numbers To hunt waterfowl in New Hampshire, you are required to have a current N.H. Hunting License as well as a state of N.H. Duck Stamp and a Federal Duck Stamp. The license and state stamp can be purchased at any license agent. To order a N.H. Duck Stamp or collector stamps or sheets of stamps, click here for a print-and-mail order form* (PDF, 57 KB). The federal stamp can be purchased at a U.S. Post Office. You also are required to have a Harvest Information Program (H.I.P.) Validation Number issued -- click here for more information on H.I.P.

The 2007 N.H. migratory waterfowl stamp and limited-edition print is the last-of state. "The Next Generation" by Kate Kotulak depicts a female black duck with a brood of chicks. Click for a print-and-mail order form.

	*To view this or any PDF document, you must have the free Adobe Acrobat Reader software on your computer. To download the latest version of Acrobat Reader, click here to go to the Adobe web site.