New Hampshire Shooting Hours
30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset under New Hampshire default rule, plus 3 species-specific exceptions.
New Hampshire Shooting Hours
3 New Hampshire species (Deer, Moose, Turkey) carry rules that depart from the statewide default.
New Hampshire shooting-hours quirks
The NH-specific timing details that the standard half-hour rule doesn't capture
Same calendar day, dramatically different first-light times: Pittsburg in the Great North Woods runs about 12 minutes later than Concord in November. Pack a watch with seconds — hunting tickets get written for half a minute over the line.
New Hampshire Shooting Hours Rules
Codified by New Hampshire Fish and Game Department.
- Default Shooting Hours
- 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset
- Species with Special Rules
-
- Deer: 30min before to 30min after
- Moose: 30min before to 30min after
- Turkey: 30min before to 0min after
- Wildlife Agency
- New Hampshire Fish and Game Department
Confirm with New Hampshire Fish and Game Department before each hunt — NH reissues regulations annually.
Last verified: January 2026
Run the New Hampshire shooting hours calculator
The interactive calculator lives on the main tool page. It will pre-load with New Hampshire (NH) and apply the 30 minutes/30 minutes default rule plus any species exceptions.
New Hampshire species exceptions
3 species depart from the default rule
| Species | Legal Start | Legal End | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Default (Most Game) | 30 minutes before sunrise | 30 minutes after sunset | Standard rule |
| Deer | 30 minutes before sunrise | 30 minutes after sunset | - |
| Moose | 30 minutes before sunrise | 30 minutes after sunset | - |
| Turkey | 30 minutes before sunrise | Sunset | - |
New Hampshire Shooting Hours FAQ
Specific questions about legal hunting times in New Hampshire.
What are the legal shooting hours in New Hampshire?
In New Hampshire, legal shooting hours for most game are 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. However, specific species may have different rules - always check the species-specific regulations before hunting.
Do shooting hours vary by species in New Hampshire?
Yes, New Hampshire has different shooting hours for certain species. For example: Deer (30 min before sunrise to 30 min after sunset); Moose (30 min before sunrise to 30 min after sunset); Turkey (30 min before sunrise to 0 min after sunset). Always verify specific rules for your target species.
Where can I find official New Hampshire hunting regulations?
Official hunting regulations for New Hampshire can be found at the state wildlife agency website. Visit the official source for the most up-to-date information on shooting hours, seasons, and bag limits.
Do I need to adjust shooting hours for Daylight Saving Time in New Hampshire?
No, our calculator automatically accounts for Daylight Saving Time based on your selected date. The times shown are in New Hampshire's local time zone.
Are there special considerations for hunting in New Hampshire?
Same calendar day, dramatically different first-light times: Pittsburg in the Great North Woods runs about 12 minutes later than Concord in November. Pack a watch with seconds — hunting tickets get written for half a minute over the line.
Background reading: how shooting hours are defined · general FAQ.
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