Hunting in New Hampshire: 5 Animals to Hunt in the Winter

Winter hunting in New Hampshire offers a wide variety of game, and hunters must prepare for potentially harsh conditions before setting out. Dress for success by layering your clothing. Temperatures can dip far below 0 degrees Fahrenheit, and your outer jacket and boots need help keeping you warm. Thermal socks and underwear, jerseys, sweatshirts, and even heavy coats that fit under hunting jackets may be the key to surviving the outdoors. Be sure that clothing is water resistant, and be sure to remove any items that get wet as wet clothing can rapidly lower your body temperature.

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When searching for game, choose a set up where you are likely to spot game, but look for something that is shielded from the wind. Make sure that the camp is visible to anyone who might be looking for you. There are many species are available for hunting in New Hampshire during the winter. Check the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department website for the exact dates of open seasons for each species. However, here is a look at five animals to hunt during the winter in New Hampshire.

• White-tailed Deer
 - White-tailed Deer are medium-sized animals that are native to most areas in the Americas. Deer live in family groups and their home ranges stay within a square mile in wooded areas. Deer are herbivores and eat along trails in early morning and late afternoon. In winter, deer eat buds and twigs of woody plants.


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• Pheasants
 - Pheasants are a prized catch for bird hunters. Ring-necked pheasants are available to hunt in New Hampshire from October to the end of December. Pheasants eat seeds and insects, and can be found in woods and on farm lands. Pheasants fly as a last resort, but they can run quickly, finding cover in brushy areas. A great dog is often the key to successful pheasant hunting.
• Small Mammals (Foxes, Hares, and Raccoons) -  
Numerous small mammals are available to hunt until the end of January. Fox hunts common in the 1930s and 1940s in the state are rare today, but foxes remain as open game from September thru January throughout the state. They can be found near vegetation, feeding on corn, berries, birds, and small mammals in the winter. Snowshoe hares live on twigs, buds, and bark during the winter. They are active at dawn and dusk, and the look for daytime cover in softwoods. Raccoons can sleep for a month at a time during winter, but they are active on milder tempered days. They do not need to eat during the winter; they live off of stored fat.

This article is for information only. Please check current regulations before hunting.

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