CONCORD, NH. – The small game hunting season for gray squirrels begins September 1st and is a great way to introduce someone new to hunting. October 1st marks the start of the hunting season for ruffed grouse, woodcock, cottontail rabbit, pheasant and snowshoe hare, all exciting species to hunt and great for food. Small game hunters should look to the 2023/2024 season. Summary report on small game in New Hampshirewhich presents data from the annual Small Game Hunter Survey. Hunter participation in these surveys contributes significantly to the department’s management of these species.
While the Summary report on small game in New Hampshire includes a wide variety of species, most of the data obtained, and the primary focus is on the Granite State’s two most sought-after small game birds: the ruffed grouse and woodcock. The report provides long-term statistical trends for both bird species, which accounted for 90% of reported hunting efforts in 2023. Other species of interest to small game hunters included in the report are snowshoe hare and gray squirrel.
“The crisp fall air will soon be here and small game hunting is a great way to start the season,” said Brett Ferry, small game program manager for New Hampshire Fish and Game. “Small game hunting provides a unique opportunity to introduce young and inexperienced hunters to the sport. Because small game species are dependent on their habitat, new hunters need to learn the species’ food and cover needs, which adds to the experience. Hunters can help us better understand and manage small game populations by providing data on sightings, harvest and effort. These surveys are easy to obtain and complete, and they provide the department with the data needed to promote small game populations and capitalize on opportunities to utilize this resource.”
If you hunt small game, please participate in this year’s surveys:
Anyone who completes either of these two surveys will be entered into a drawing to win a firearm donated by Sturm Ruger or the Ruffed Grouse Society.
“A big thank you to all the small game hunters who participated in our investigation efforts,” Ferry said.
For more information about small game hunting in New Hampshire, visit www.wildlife.nh.gov/hunting-nh/small-game-and-upland-bird-hunting.
