New Hampshire offers excellent turkey hunting opportunities across two separate seasons each year. But when exactly are the turkey seasons in New Hampshire? In this complete guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about turkey hunting season dates, rules, limits, and more for NH.
Overview of NH Turkey Hunting Seasons
There are two main turkey hunting seasons in New Hampshire each year:
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Spring Turkey Season – Occurs in the month of May statewide. This is the more popular season with the most participation from hunters.
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Fall Turkey Season – Runs from mid-September through December, divided into archery and shotgun sub-seasons. Less hunters pursue fall turkeys compared to the spring.
In addition, there is a special two-day youth turkey hunt each April. So in total, New Hampshire offers hunters four distinct turkey seasons annually.
NH Spring Turkey Hunting Season
The spring turkey season is highly anticipated by hunters ready to be back in the woods after the winter. Here are the key details:
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Timing: Runs for the entire month of May each year.
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Bag Limit: Hunters can harvest one bearded turkey statewide. An extra bird can be taken in certain wildlife management units. The total combined spring limit per hunter is two bearded turkeys.
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Legal Methods: Shotguns, bows, and crossbows. No rifles allowed.
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Licenses Required: Must have a valid turkey license plus a hunting license. Archery license suffices if using a bow.
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Where to Hunt: Available statewide on public and private lands. No permit or lottery required.
The spring season provides great opportunity given the longer season length and two bird limit. The challenge is that by May, turkey flocks have already been hunted for a month in neighboring states, making them extra wary.
Fall Turkey Hunting in New Hampshire
While less popular than spring, New Hampshire still offers a long fall turkey season from September to December:
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Sub-Seasons: Divided into archery (Sept 15 – Dec 15) and shotgun (7 days in October).
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Bag Limit: Either one or two birds depending on units. Combined spring and fall limit is two bearded turkeys.
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Legal Methods: Bows during archery season. Shotguns allowed during shotgun week.
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Licenses Required: Same as spring – turkey license plus applicable hunting/archery license.
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Where to Hunt: Limited wildlife management units open. See regulations guide.
The benefit of fall turkey hunting is less hunting pressure. The challenge is locating flocks of turkey that have dispersed from spring and summer ranges. Using decoys and calling helps draw in more reclusive fall birds.
NH Youth Turkey Hunt Weekend
New Hampshire also offers a special turkey hunt aimed at younger hunters:
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Timing: Two days in late April each year.
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Who Can Participate: Youth ages 15 and under who possess a valid turkey license.
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Mentors: One licensed adult can accompany but not carry a firearm.
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Bag Limit: One bearded turkey statewide, with a second allowed in certain units.
This weekend gives youth priority for hunting turkeys before the influx of other hunters in May. With guidance from an experienced mentor, it’s a great time for a young hunter to tag their first spring gobbler.
Where to Find Wild Turkeys in New Hampshire
New Hampshire has excellent wild turkey habitat, especially in the southwest and central regions. The best public lands include:
- Pillsbury State Park
- Winslow State Park
- Bear Brook State Park
- Northeast regions like Pittsburg and Clarksville
- Connecticut Lakes region
- White Mountain National Forest
Focus on areas with meadows, agricultural fields, pine stands, oak forests, and edge habitat along riparian corridors. Use topographic maps to identify pockets of habitat distant from roads and development.
Tips for Hunting Wild Turkeys in NH
Here are some tips to maximize your success while turkey hunting in New Hampshire:
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Scout – Locate flocks and roosting sites ahead of the season.
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Use Decoys – Carry lightweight, realistic hens to draw in toms during the breeding season.
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Call Sparingly – Use owl hoots, soft clucks, and yelps rather than aggressive calling.
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Camouflage – Conceal movement and hide your silhouette when birds are near.
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Sit Tight – Once set up in a promising spot, stay still and let birds come to you.
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Safety First – Be sure of your target and what’s in front of and beyond it.
Summary of Turkey Season Dates in NH
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Spring Turkey Season – May 1 – 31 annually
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Fall Archery Season – September 15 – December 15 annually
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Fall Shotgun Season – 7 days in October (varies annually)
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Youth Turkey Hunt – 2 days in late April each year
So in New Hampshire, you can hunt turkeys in both spring and fall. Just be sure to get your turkey license and required hunting license before hitting the woods. With smart preparation and hunting skills, you can experience fantastic turkey hunting success across New Hampshire. Good luck this turkey season!
Turkey Hunting Licensing Requirements
Adult hunters (16 or older) must have a Regular N.H. Hunting, Combination, or Archery License and a Turkey License to hunt turkeys. A Small Game License does not allow for the hunting of turkeys. Youth hunters (under 16 years of age) do not need a Hunting, Combination, or Archery license, but they do need a turkey license. Each Turkey License comes with 2 tags which may be used in any order and allow the take of two (2) turkeys per year. Turkey hunters may take one (1) bearded or male turkey during the spring season and a second turkey of either sex during the fall. Or, hunters may take two (2) male or bearded turkeys during the spring season. However, the first spring turkey shall be legally registered before the second spring turkey can be taken. One of the spring turkeys may be taken statewide, but the other spring turkey shall only be taken in WMUs H1, H2, I1, J2, K, L, or M. A hunter may not take two (2) spring birds in WMUs A-G, I2, or J1. One (1) or two (2) turkeys may also be taken during the youth weekend, however all spring season registration and WMU regulations apply. The total fall season bag limit is one (1) turkey and hunting may be done statewide with bow and arrow or a crossbow during the archery season, or with a shotgun or crossbow during the fall shotgun season in those units where allowed (see Turkey Hunting Seasons).
Hunting Hours:
- Fall: ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset.
- Spring: ½ hour before sunrise to 12 noon.
Turkeys must be tagged immediately upon killing. Registration of a fully feathered intact carcass is required online or at the closest open registration station within 24 hours. The turkey may be gutted. See Deer/Turkey Registration Stations for a list of Turkey Registration Stations.
Shotguns, with the following shot and loads:
- between 10 and 20 gauge inclusively, with shot size of #4 and smaller, in hunting rather than target loads; or
- 28 gauge and .410, with shot sizes #7 through #9, a minimum shot density of 18 grams per cubic centimeter (G/CC), and a minimum barrel length of 18 inches
A person who has taken a turkey may assist another properly licensed turkey hunter by calling only. The person assisting by calling shall not possess a bow and arrow, crossbow or firearm (other than a pistol or revolver).
Archers and crossbow users must have their name and address on arrows or bolts. Fixed blade broadheads cannot be less than â inches wide; there is no upper size limit. Retractable blade broadheads are permitted (cannot be less than â of an inch wide when open). Minimum bow and arrow draw weight for turkeys is 30 lbs. Crossbows must meet the requirements on Deer Hunting Regulations, and are allowed as described in the Crossbows section in License Information.
NH Spring TURKEY Hunting Season is Starting Now.
FAQ
How many turkeys can you shoot in NH?
Turkey Hunting Licensing Requirements
Each Turkey License comes with 2 tags which may be used in any order and allow the take of two (2) turkeys per year. Turkey hunters may take one (1) bearded or male turkey during the spring season and a second turkey of either sex during the fall.
Can you hunt on your own land without a license in NH?
Resident landowners and their minor children under the age of 16 may hunt and trap on their own land, in season, without a regular hunting or trapping license.
Is it turkey season in NH?
Spring Turkey Season Opens May 1 in New Hampshire. Concord, NH –The Granite State’s spring turkey hunt opens on May 1 and runs through May 31.
What is the first day of turkey season?
California. SEASON DATES: General Season: March 30 – May 5, 2024. Archery Season: March 30 – May 19, 2024.
When is the youth turkey hunt in New Hampshire?
The youth turkey hunt takes place the preceding weekend, Saturday April 27 and Sunday April 28. The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department urges hunters to take advantage of the state’s weather, woodlands, and natural resources this year with hunting safety in mind.
When is the spring turkey hunt in Concord NH?
CONTACT:Allison Keating: (603) 352-9669Andy Timmins: (603) 271-2461April 10, 2024 Concord, NH – The Granite State’s spring turkey season opens on May 1 and runs through May 31. The youth turkey hunt takes place the preceding weekend, Saturday April 27 and Sunday April 28.
What time do you shoot a Turkey in New Hampshire?
Shooting hours for the fall season begin one-half hour before sunrise and end one-half hour after sunset. All New Hampshire Fish and Game Department (NHFG) rules and regulations associated with the state’s fall turkey season remain in effect, and hunters will continue to have the option of registering harvested birds either in person or online.
How many turkeys did New Hampshire hunters eat in 2022?
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department (NHFG) urges hunters to take advantage of the state’s weather, woodlands, and natural resources this year with hunting safety in mind. During 2022’s youth weekend, young hunters took 428 turkeys or 7.5% of the total spring harvest.
When does hunting season start in New Hampshire?
The first of New Hampshire’s fall hunting seasons started on September 1, with the opening of black bear, gray squirrel, and resident Canada goose seasons. Archery seasons for turkey and white-tailed deer started September 15, which gets all hunters excited for the the much-anticipated regular firearms deer-hunting season starting November 13.
When did turkeys re-nest in New Hampshire?
“Last year was a tough breeding season for turkeys in New Hampshire,” Keating said. “Frost during the month of May followed by consistent rain throughout the spring and summer led to many hens re-nesting,” she said.