New Hampshire Moose Hunting -
Regulations 2026
Moose (Alces alces) are the largest member of the deer family in North America, with bulls regularly exceeding 1,000 lbs. New Hampshire conducts an annual moose lottery. Successful applicants can hunt specific Wildlife Management Units in northern NH.
New Hampshire Moose Hunting - 2026 Regulation Quick Reference
Verified August 2026
Source: New Hampshire Fish and Game Department (www.wildlife.nh.gov) · Last verified: August 2026
What You Need
License & Tag Requirements to Hunt Moose in New Hampshire
| License / Tag | Resident | Non-Resident | Required For |
|---|
Season Overview
New Hampshire Moose Season Calendar 2026
| Season | 2026 Dates | Legal Methods | Extra License Needed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moose | New Hampshire moose season runs Oct 1–Oct 15 on permit only, issued through an annual draw lottery with very limited allocations; typically 50–75 permits are issued across all zones annually. Hunters must possess a valid New Hampshire hunting license and moose permit. Legal methods include centerfire rifles, shotguns with slugs, and muzzleloaders. Nonresidents may apply for the draw but allocations are primarily to residents. The bag limit is one moose per permit. New Hampshire's moose population is found primarily in the northern counties of Coos, Grafton, and Carroll — the Connecticut River watershed and White Mountain forest hold the most consistent moose densities. |
By Management Zone
Season Dates & Rules by Zone
Harvest Rules
New Hampshire Moose Bag Limits & Harvest Regulations
| Animal Type | Season Bag Limit | How to Get the Tag | Key Rules |
|---|
Legal Hunting Methods
New Hampshire Moose Hunting - Seasons by Method
After the Harvest
Moose Registration - New Hampshire's Check-In Requirements
New Hampshire-Specific Rules
New Hampshire Moose Hunting Rules You Must Know
Where to Hunt
Best Moose Hunting Areas in New Hampshire
Know Your Quarry
New Hampshire Moose - Biology & Population Facts
Hunting Tactics
New Hampshire Moose Hunting Tactics - By Season
Questions & Answers