new hampshire fish and game department • … · this plan span the period 2016-2025 and are...

NEW HAMPSHIRE FISH AND GAME DEPARTMENT • HUNTNH.COM

NEW HAMPSHIRE FISH AND GAME DEPARTMENT

11 Hazen Drive Concord, NH 03301

(603) 271-2461

huntnh.com

2017 New Hampshire

SUMMARY

WILDLIFEHARVEST

2 • 2017 NEW HAMPSHIRE WILDLIFE HARVEST SUMMARY

Printed on Recycled Paper© NHF&G, 2017. F&W17013.indd

We thank our partners in wildlife conservation, hunters and shooters, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and private industry.

Excise taxes collected on firearms, ammunition and archery equipment are distributed to state agencies like the N.H. Fish and Game Department

to conduct research, restore and manage wildlife populations, purchase habitat, conduct hunter education programs and create opportunities for

hunting and other wildlife-associated recreation.

You are the key to wildlife restoration success in New Hampshire!

The NH Fish and Game Department receives Federal Assistance from the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and thus prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age and sex, pursuant to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975. If you believe you have been discriminated against in any program, activity or service, please contact or write the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration, 4001 N. Fairfax Drive, Mail Stop: WSFR – 4020, Arlington, Virginia 22203, Attention: Civil Rights Coordinator for Public Programs.

Cover photo credits: Moose ©Cappi [email protected]; Whitetail buck ©Toni [email protected]; Black bear ©Lynn [email protected]; Eastern coyote ©Geoffrey [email protected]; Wild turkey tom ©Bruce [email protected].

2017 NEW HAMPSHIRE WILDLIFE HARVEST SUMMARY • 3

CONTENTS

WHITE-TAILED DEER ......................................................................................................................................................... 5

DEER POPULATION OBJECTIVES BY WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT UNIT ...................................................................................... 6

2017 DEER SEASON MAP..................................................................................................................................................... 7

TOTAL AND SEX-SPECIFIC DEER HARVEST FOR THE 1960-2017 HUNTING SEASONS ............................................................ 8

DEER KILL BY SEX, SEASON AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT UNIT IN 2017 ............................................................................. 9

MALE KILL BY SEASON AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT UNIT DURING 2017 .......................................................................... 9

FEMALE KILL BY SEASON AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT UNIT DURING 2017 ....................................................................... 9

TOTAL KILL BY SEASON AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT UNIT DURING 2017 ......................................................................... 9

ADULT (ANTLERED) BUCK KILL BY WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT UNIT (1960-2017) ................................................................... 10

MALE KILL BY SEASON AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT UNIT DURING 2017 ........................................................................ 11

YEARLING ANTLER BEAM DIAMETER BY WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT UNIT (2013-2017) .......................................................... 12

YEARLING MALE FRACTION BY WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT UNIT (2013-2017) ...................................................................... 13

NEW HAMPSHIRE TROPHY DEER PROGRAM .................................................................................................................. 14-15

DEER KILL BY TOWN AND SEX DURING 2017 ................................................................................................................ 16-20

DEER KILL BY COUNTY, SEX AND HUNTER RESIDENCY DURING 2017 ................................................................................ 21

NUMBER AND PERCENTAGE OF DEER KILL BY SEX AND SEASON FOR 1987-2017 .............................................................. 21

BLACK BEAR ........................................................................................................................................................................ 22

NEW HAMPSHIRE BEAR MANAGEMENT REGIONS .............................................................................................................. 23

REGIONAL BEAR POPULATION MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES .............................................................................................. 24

TOTAL BEAR HARVEST FOR 1983-2017 HUNTING SEASONS .............................................................................................. 24

BEAR HARVEST BY METHOD (1997-2017) ........................................................................................................................... 25

REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION OF BEAR HARVEST (1997-2017) ................................................................................................ 26

BEAR HARVEST BY REGION, WMU AND METHOD DURING 2017 ........................................................................................ 27

BEAR HARVEST SEX RATIOS (1997-2017) ............................................................................................................................ 28

BEAR HARVEST BY METHOD AND SEX DURING 2017 ......................................................................................................... 29

BEAR HARVEST BY REGION AND SEX DURING 2017 ........................................................................................................... 29

AVERAGE AGE OF HARVESTED BEARS (2004-2016) ............................................................................................................ 30

NEW HAMPSHIRE HEAVYWEIGHTS ..................................................................................................................................... 30

BEAR HARVEST BY TOWN, WMU AND SEX DURING 2017 .............................................................................................. 31-33

MOOSE .................................................................................................................................................................................. 34

NEW HAMPSHIRE MOOSE MANAGEMENT REGIONS .......................................................................................................... 35

NH MOOSE POPULATION MANAGEMENT GOALS BY REGION EXPRESSED AS MOOSE PER SQUARE MILE .......................... 36

SUMMARY OF NH MOOSE LOTTERY AND HARVEST ........................................................................................................... 36

PERMITS ISSUED, HARVEST SUCCESS RATE AND HARVEST PER SQUARE MILE OF MOOSE HABITAT FOR THE 2017 MOOSE HUNT BY MANAGEMENT REGION AND WMU ................................................... 37

METHODS OF HARVEST USED BY SUCCESSFUL HUNTERS DURING THE 2017 MOOSE HUNT ..................................................................................................................... 37

AGE AND SEX OF THE 2017 MOOSE HARVEST BY MANAGEMENT REGION AND WMU ...................................................... 38

SUMMARY OF APPLICATIONS AND PERMITS DRAWN BASED UPON POINT STANDINGS FOR THE 2017 NH MOOSE LOTTERY ................................................................................................................................. 38

SUMMARY OF MOOSE PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS FROM THE 2017 MOOSE HARVEST BY MANAGEMENT REGION AND AGE ................................................................................................................. 39

TEN-YEAR MOOSE HUNTER SUCCESS RATES BY MANAGEMENT REGION AND WMU .......................................................... 39


CONTENTSCONTINUED

WILD TURKEY ..................................................................................................................................................................... 40

SPRING AND FALL TURKEY HARVESTS FROM PAST 10 YEARS ............................................................................................... 41

2017 TURKEY POPULATION OBJECTIVES BY WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT UNITS IN TERMS OF SPRING HARVEST PER SQUARE MILE OF TURKEY HABITAT .................................................................................................................................................. 41

NEW HAMPSHIRE TURKEY MANAGEMENT REGIONS .......................................................................................................... 42

FALL 2017 TURKEY HARVEST BY WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT UNIT.......................................................................................... 43

SPRING 2017 TURKEY HARVEST BY WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT UNIT ..................................................................................... 43

SPRING TURKEY HARVESTS BY WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT UNIT (2008-2017) ........................................................................ 44

TOP GOBBLERS TAKEN IN NEW HAMPSHIRE DURING 2017 SPRING SEASON ..................................................................... 44

2017 TURKEY HARVEST BY TOWN AND SEASON ........................................................................................................... 45-49

FURBEARER .......................................................................................................................................................................... 50

NEW HAMPSHIRE FURBEARER MANAGEMENT REGIONS ..................................................................................................... 51

NH FURBEARER TRAPPER HARVEST BY SEASON, 2009/10-2016/17 ..................................................................................... 52

NH FURBEARER STATEWIDE CATCH PER 100 TRAP NIGHTS BY SEASON, 2009/10-2016/17................................................. 52

NH FURBEARER TRAPPER HARVEST BY REGION, 2016/17 .................................................................................................... 52

NH FURBEARER CATCH PER 100 TRAP NIGHTS BY REGION, 2016/17 ................................................................................. 52


New Hampshire’s 2017 deer season resulted in a total harvest of 12,309. This was an increase of 15% from 10,675 in 2016. The adult buck (antlered males age 1.5+) kill increased 17% from 6,622 in 2016 to 7,708 in 2017. This represents the highest adult buck harvest the state has ever seen going back to 1922. The antlerless harvest (does and fawns) increased from 4,053 in 2016 to 4,591 in 2017. The Department has generated an annual Winter Severity Index (WSI) since the winter of 1964-65. The index assesses the duration of snow depths in excess of 18 inches and minimum temperatures below 0° F from December through April and provides an indication of potential winter impacts on the deer population. The statewide average WSI for the winter of 2016-17 was again below the long-term average. Additional winters of average to below average severity, especially in more northern portions of the state, will continue to help increase deer numbers towards population objectives in those management units that remain below goal and will allow increased antlerless hunting opportunity in units that are at or near goal.

The total male kill in 2017 including male fawns was 8,437, and the total female kill including female fawns was 3,872. The 2017 general season framework, unit-specific either-sex hunting opportunities and a map of Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) are provided in a subsequent figure in this report.

The kill during the special youth weekend hunt was 270 (2% of total kill), up slightly from 257 in 2016. Archery hunters took 3,102 deer (25%) in 2017, up 20% from 2,589 in 2016. The muzzleloader kill in 2017 was 2,662 (22%), an increase of 9% from 2,440 taken in 2016 while “regular” firearm hunters took 6,275 deer (51%) in 2017, up 16% from 5,390 in 2016. Subsequent tables give additional details on the harvest by season, sex and WMU.

Biological information was again collected during 2017 at select deer registration stations in order to monitor the

physical condition of New Hampshire’s deer and assess harvest age structure. In 2017, a total of 1,046 deer were checked (711 males, 335 females). Average yearling (age 1.5) antler beam diameter was 18.6 millimeters, and yearling male field dressed weight averaged 117.1 pounds. Average yearling antler beam diameter was above the recent 5-year average of 18.0 millimeters. Field dressed weight was also above the 5-year average of 115.0 pounds. Both suggest a deer population in good physical condition and below the biological carrying capacity of our deer habitat. The statewide yearling male fraction, the percentage of adult (antlered) bucks consisting of yearlings, for the 2017 harvest was 52.2%, up slightly from 50.8%, in 2016. This indicates that roughly half

of adult males taken in NH in 2017 continue to be 2.5 years old or older. The 2017 value was above the 5-year average of 47.6%. The statewide yearling female fraction (21.2%) was again also above the 5-year average (19.8). Increases in the percentage of yearling male and female deer in the harvest such as this are often indicative of extremely mild winter conditions (as seen during the winters of 2015-16 and 2016-17) and likely represent increased fawn production 2 years previous and good fawn survival from the previous winter. These both result in high

recruitment into the yearling age class. The distribution of older antlered bucks at biological check stations was 22% at 2.5 years old, 17% at 3.5 years, 7% at 4.5 years and 2% at 5.5+ years old. Mature bucks at 4.5 years old averaged 177 pounds dressed weight with an average of 8.4 antler points (≥1”), while bucks 5.5+ years old averaged 199 pounds and 8.9 points.

Deer population management efforts in the near future will remain primarily focused on achieving WMU-specific deer population objectives as provided by New Hampshire’s Big Game Management Plan. Limited female kill and less severe winters will help increase the deer population in units that are currently below the objective.

WHITE-TAILED DEER

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WHITE-TAILED DEER

*2-year running average of adult (antlered) buck kill.

DEER POPULATION OBJECTIVES BY WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT UNIT

Deer management decisions are based on our existing Big Game Population Management Plan. The objectives of this plan span the period 2016-2025 and are summarized in the following table. A negative (-) value under “desired % change” indicates a need to decrease the population to achieve the objective while a positive (+) value reflects a need to increase the population. The objective is the desired average annual antlered buck kill. The current level is the actual 2-year average antlered buck kill. The 2-year average is less sensitive to annual variation due to factors other than deer numbers, such as bad weather, snow conditions, etc.

EXPRESSED AS ADULT (ANTLERED) BUCK KILL

WMU OBJECTIVE CURRENT LEVEL*

DESIRED % CHANGED

A 300 259 16%

B 125 112 12%

C1 65 43 51%

C2 90 73 23%

D1 170 137 24%

D2E 20 15 33%

D2W 360 474 -24%

E 80 92 -13%

F 105 130 -19%

G1 340 485 -30%

G2 100 114 -12%

H1 460 425 8%

H2 675 667 1%

I1 215 249 -14%

I2 260 235 11%

J1 310 399 -22%

J2 940 993 -5%

K 675 723 -7%

L 525 736 -29%

M 535 986 -46%

TOTAL 6350 7346 -14%


WHITE-TAILED DEER

TYPE INCLUSIVEDATES

WILDLIFEMGMT. UNITS

ARCHERY

Any Deer Sept. 15 – Dec. 8 A

Any Deer Sept. 15 – Dec. 15 B – M

YOUTH WEEKEND***

Any Deer Oct. 21 – Oct. 22 STATEWIDE

MUZZLELOADER

Antlered Only Oct. 28 – Nov. 7 C1, C2, D1, D2-East, F, G2, I1, I2

Any DeerAntlered Only

Oct. 28Oct. 29 – Nov. 7 A, B, E, J1


Oct. 28 – Oct. 29 Oct. 30 – Nov. 7 D2-West


Oct. 28 – Oct. 30Oct. 31 – Nov. 7 H1, H2, J2, K


Any Deer

Oct. 28 – Oct. 31Nov. 1 – Nov. 7

Oct. 28 – Nov. 7

G1

L, M

FIREARM

Antlered Only Nov. 8 – Dec. 3 C1, C2, D1, D2-East, E, F, G2, I1, I2, J1


Nov. 8Nov. 9 – Nov. 26 A


Nov. 8Nov. 9 – Dec. 3 B


Nov. 8 – Nov. 9Nov. 10 – Dec. 3 H1, H2, K


Nov. 8 – Nov. 10Nov. 11 – Dec. 3 D2-West, J2


Nov. 8 – Nov. 11Nov. 12 – Dec. 3 G1


Nov. 8 – Nov. 17Nov. 18 – Dec. 3 L, M

2017 N.H. DEER SEASON

N.H. Fish and Game Department 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301 (603) 271-2461 • HuntNH.com

2018 FIREARM OPENING DAY: NOVEMBER 14, 2018

F&W17004.INDDRevised 6-2017

DEFINITIONS – Antlered Deer: A deer with at least one antler three (3) inches long. Antlerless Deer: A deer without antlers or with antlers less than 3 inches long. Any Deer: All deer regardless of sex or age. * Nonresident youth hunters may participate provided N.H. youth can hunt during youth deer hunts in their state of residence. **Further restrictions apply. A full list of rules regarding baiting wildlife in N.H. can be found in the Fis 300 section of the N.H. Code of Administrative Rules or go online at www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rules/state_agencies/fis.html.

HUNTING HOURS: 1/2 hour before

sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset.

PH

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BAITING**Oct. 18 – Nov. 15 A – L

Sept. 15 – Dec. 15 M


WHITE-TAILED DEER

TOTAL AND SEX-SPECIFIC DEER HARVEST FOR THE 1960-2017 HUNTING SEASONS

The graph below shows the number of male, female and total deer harvested from 1960 through 2017. The highest total harvest (14,204 deer) occurred in 1967, the second highest (13,559) in 2007 and the lowest (3,280) in 1983. Earlier harvests contained nearly equal portions of males and females and were the result of very liberal either-sex hunting seasons. High female harvest rates, combined with severe winter weather, caused the state’s deer population to decrease from the late 1960s until the early 1980s. In 1983, the Department dramatically reduced the number of either-sex hunting days in most areas of the state to allow populations to begin to increase. Since then, female kill has been consistently lower than the male kill.

The graph below shows a highly variable deer harvest over the past 5 and a half decades. Many factors can affect the number of deer harvested in any given year such as: deer population density, habitat availability and productivity, hunter density and access, weather severity (all seasons), natural food production, and the Department’s season objectives (with respect to management plan goals). All of the above factors have changed with time and will continue to change in years to come. When WMU-specific deer populations reach management plan objectives, the total harvest will rival that of 1967, but the herd will be at a higher level, and more importantly, the harvests will be more sustainable. In addition to hunting, winter severity will continue to play a major role in deer population status in New Hampshire.


WHITE-TAILED DEER

WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT UNIT (WMU)

SEASON A B C1 C2 D1 D2E D2W E F G1 G2 H1 H2 I1 I2 J1 J2 K L M ALL

ARCHERY 30 20 3 8 19 1 63 9 19 78 15 71 106 41 30 45 201 149 194 372 1474

YOUTH 6 0 0 1 3 0 16 0 2 9 2 9 13 1 3 7 13 13 7 6 111

MUZZL. 37 16 4 4 21 1 97 15 28 100 17 93 186 58 47 78 260 221 253 346 1882

FIREARM 197 83 27 57 101 12 356 75 95 345 93 294 448 177 183 301 643 445 424 614 4970

TOTAL 270 119 34 70 144 14 532 99 144 532 127 467 753 277 263 431 1117 828 878 1338 8437

KPSM 0.49 0.36 0.17 0.3 0.67 0.14 1.57 0.15 0.32 1.35 0.58 1.26 1.17 0.86 0.74 0.99 1.54 1.45 2.29 2.93 1.06

MALE KILL BY SEASON AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT UNIT DURING 2017

DEER KILL BY SEX, SEASON AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT UNIT IN 2017

The following tables give the deer kill for the archery season, youth weekend, muzzleloader season and the regular firearm season. The Wildlife Management Unit (WMU)-specific and overall deer kill per square mile (KPSM) reported in these tables is based on estimates of square miles of deer habitat. These estimates were derived as part of the New Hampshire Big Game Management Plan that will guide deer management from 2016 to 2025.



ARCHERY 28 9 7 10 17 1 98 8 5 111 23 76 114 56 40 37 220 191 182 395 1628

YOUTH 11 2 1 0 0 1 20 0 1 22 0 11 8 5 3 8 21 23 15 7 159

MUZZL. 15 4 0 0 0 0 33 3 0 45 0 42 55 0 0 16 113 75 135 244 780

FIREARM 18 9 0 0 0 0 89 0 0 107 0 79 114 1 0 4 191 87 205 401 1305

TOTAL 72 24 8 10 17 2 240 11 6 285 23 208 291 62 43 65 545 376 537 1047 3872

KPSM 0.13 0.07 0.04 0.04 0.08 0.02 0.71 0.02 0.01 0.73 0.10 0.56 0.45 0.19 0.12 0.15 0.75 0.66 1.40 2.29 0.48

FEMALE KILL BY SEASON AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT UNIT DURING 2017



ARCHERY 58 29 10 18 36 2 161 17 24 189 38 147 220 97 70 82 421 340 376 767 3102

YOUTH 17 2 1 1 3 1 36 0 3 31 2 20 21 6 6 15 34 36 22 13 270

MUZZL. 52 20 4 4 21 1 130 18 28 145 17 135 241 58 47 94 373 296 388 590 2662

FIREARM 215 92 27 57 101 12 445 75 95 452 93 373 562 178 183 305 834 532 629 1015 6275

TOTAL 342 143 42 80 161 16 772 110 150 817 150 675 1044 339 306 496 1662 1204 1415 2385 12309

KPSM 0.61 0.43 0.22 0.35 0.75 0.16 2.27 0.16 0.33 2.08 0.68 1.82 1.63 1.05 0.86 1.14 2.28 2.10 3.68 5.22 1.54

TOTAL KILL BY SEASON AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT UNIT DURING 2017


WHITE-TAILED DEER

ADULT (ANTLERED) BUCK KILL BY WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT UNIT (1960-2017)

Adult buck kill is New Hampshire’s most consistent index of total deer population on an historical basis. While either-sex hunting seasons have varied widely through time, adult buck seasons have remained fairly constant, and the adult buck kill provides an accurate and consistent index to change in population levels within a WMU. Adult buck kill figures prior to 1987 (the first year we have good data on a WMU basis) are estimated based on town of kill and current WMU boundaries. Since the number of deer killed in any given year can vary significantly as a result of snow cover, weather and natural food production, we use two-year averages to assess population status relative to our management efforts and population objectives.

WILDLIFE MANAGMENT UNIT (UMU)YEAR A B C1 C2 D1 D2E D2W E F G1 G2 H1 H2 I1 I2 J1 J2 K L M TOTAL1960 171 164 75 126 132 25 175 166 86 186 103 160 217 165 171 258 264 225 120 146 31351961 221 217 96 134 220 30 257 165 67 167 65 163 180 164 165 174 225 219 111 102 31421962 217 232 100 118 222 28 251 168 70 166 81 190 234 145 188 185 225 197 76 64 31571963 158 169 63 109 147 24 221 157 122 256 146 238 286 184 210 288 312 298 139 120 36471964 244 185 66 134 161 34 196 158 110 228 105 217 211 123 147 306 254 207 104 66 32561965 301 207 87 167 205 44 283 236 107 326 180 228 244 158 160 399 355 225 128 69 41721966 240 168 67 137 170 29 280 201 152 289 151 215 277 147 199 406 402 241 150 75 39961967 310 278 109 177 268 61 439 234 192 329 162 286 371 184 236 523 596 374 209 123 54611968 353 232 99 163 240 55 355 245 178 278 179 236 322 139 180 467 494 234 195 75 47191969 235 200 82 137 175 43 330 166 183 313 159 182 210 101 141 371 262 124 122 46 35821970 215 134 63 102 139 38 250 164 146 215 139 133 156 84 93 313 260 88 138 64 29341971 166 85 55 65 112 32 264 121 119 198 119 133 186 84 106 332 337 108 216 69 29071972 143 79 58 72 141 40 312 150 99 169 112 113 139 86 75 295 294 100 150 71 26981973 138 53 42 36 84 18 238 90 85 130 57 99 107 60 49 270 288 88 137 41 21101974 113 47 41 52 102 26 270 95 101 156 79 128 162 87 76 353 402 122 207 89 27081975 116 61 54 60 132 30 308 121 106 186 108 169 237 111 96 360 526 140 243 116 32801976 141 83 65 80 155 49 266 126 133 192 84 180 272 140 132 363 613 211 253 145 36831977 109 63 49 56 127 27 206 103 98 131 80 168 221 94 104 255 441 132 170 90 27241978 43 28 18 25 83 17 129 41 41 71 51 151 174 85 109 170 398 125 174 117 20501979 22 19 10 12 70 13 95 24 45 86 42 152 176 93 103 216 403 139 208 92 20201980 73 41 26 39 56 11 100 47 46 72 41 154 234 93 118 220 428 130 217 125 22711981 94 46 23 40 91 14 147 54 46 89 45 180 256 100 142 228 459 211 255 138 2658

1982 82 39 13 26 56 9 88 28 25 61 19 137 173 71 85 139 323 130 169 114 17871983 79 36 15 20 38 7 81 20 34 86 55 130 149 58 94 112 280 123 161 92 16701984 155 63 24 25 83 6 168 41 33 88 51 143 231 78 97 191 372 149 209 143 23501985 190 56 32 54 91 7 154 69 48 117 56 171 327 112 130 257 494 244 288 202 30991986 190 65 25 42 73 6 150 52 42 123 57 221 363 132 147 328 571 255 320 228 33901987 189 82 18 44 79 8 183 37 36 112 32 204 340 127 128 231 499 252 265 276 31441988 279 71 32 38 87 6 143 44 47 111 58 196 369 131 151 245 527 296 397 332 35591989 270 90 45 51 106 12 217 66 63 137 85 204 443 165 176 260 655 410 448 384 42871990 328 102 40 60 93 8 187 66 62 163 64 221 457 141 151 248 618 388 428 410 42341991 248 122 54 58 128 15 246 68 74 236 73 329 535 187 185 303 713 464 474 414 49261992 221 93 40 40 119 17 268 79 74 235 107 358 611 248 225 331 906 482 484 496 54331993 212 99 38 45 133 12 276 68 74 237 107 320 595 237 254 318 874 489 473 488 53481994 213 82 24 38 125 6 245 70 53 199 87 327 486 234 210 257 772 429 445 489 47901995 388 152 48 85 169 24 346 92 81 268 108 412 599 220 265 343 939 539 502 546 61251996 315 106 43 47 159 17 370 72 66 284 81 348 590 220 218 317 960 487 475 564 57401997 382 138 59 81 209 14 451 89 75 309 80 349 575 199 249 374 899 580 536 657 63051998 306 118 45 67 195 13 416 73 69 232 77 263 491 157 126 253 714 450 447 615 51271999 421 142 50 62 182 17 416 62 74 279 95 273 478 155 157 292 714 466 579 724 56422000 428 169 77 98 199 24 490 74 89 338 89 335 550 195 196 319 816 600 593 863 65542001 306 119 66 81 166 14 388 53 85 291 64 333 601 186 185 287 799 581 543 828 59812002 387 128 71 106 169 10 450 62 85 337 80 375 642 234 288 308 969 714 597 827 68552003 355 141 55 70 148 9 453 43 53 273 58 392 562 181 169 219 762 605 576 691 58282004 264 98 48 68 97 7 370 69 66 252 88 331 506 149 179 263 856 565 499 746 55372005 294 99 56 92 137 13 435 52 92 305 67 400 598 209 230 254 842 626 567 761 61272006 280 122 67 96 144 15 573 87 111 351 117 419 665 231 270 259 924 645 561 741 66782007 260 193 74 112 225 13 666 91 128 376 132 487 730 257 313 343 1091 789 581 806 76672008 244 134 50 87 164 23 537 74 76 371 92 451 646 201 256 241 749 698 475 821 63902009 167 100 52 76 172 18 466 61 87 357 83 455 572 191 256 243 767 625 473 719 59402010 310 116 40 67 148 11 412 71 95 335 80 409 561 195 215 275 775 608 497 795 60152011 237 91 44 73 124 19 429 61 88 382 105 375 588 213 232 283 1046 714 601 844 65492012 302 120 49 63 107 9 397 58 91 435 76 392 514 201 208 273 1030 713 709 912 66592013 333 138 61 94 152 8 423 79 115 422 109 440 664 198 239 333 1091 692 669 911 71712014 272 130 64 87 147 9 414 104 92 459 88 409 604 180 222 311 892 659 685 915 67432015 194 109 40 49 122 15 395 72 115 420 69 380 557 194 189 263 849 621 711 789 61532016 271 104 61 85 128 16 423 79 109 466 89 400 580 200 198 354 956 629 643 824 66152017 253 116 34 67 141 14 500 98 140 495 126 437 711 273 254 422 1011 768 783 1065 7708


WHITE-TAILED DEER

MALE KILL BY SEASON AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT UNIT DURING 2017

The following tables give the deer kill for the archery season, youth weekend, muzzleloader season and the regular firearm season. The Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) specific and overall deer kill per square mile (KPSM) reported in these tables is based on estimates of square miles of deer habitat. These estimates were derived as part of the New Hampshire Big Game Management Plan that will guide deer management from 2016 to 2025.

ARCHERY SEASON (15 SEPTEMBER - 15 DECEMBER)

A B C1 C2 D1 D2E D2W E F G1 G2 H1 H2 I1 I2 J1 J2 K L M TOTALALL 30 20 3 8 19 1 63 9 19 78 15 71 106 41 30 45 201 149 194 372 1474

YOUTH WEEKEND (21 - 22 OCTOBER)

DATE A B C1 C2 D1 D2E D2W E F G1 G2 H1 H2 I1 I2 J1 J2 K L M TOTAL10/21 3 0 0 0 1 0 7 0 2 6 1 7 7 1 0 4 7 7 3 3 5910/22 3 0 0 1 2 0 9 0 0 3 1 2 6 0 3 3 6 6 4 3 52ALL 6 0 0 1 3 0 16 0 2 9 2 9 13 1 3 7 13 13 7 6 111

MUZZLELOADER SEASON (28 OCTOBER - 7 NOVEMBER)

DATE A B C1 C2 D1 D2E D2W E F G1 G2 H1 H2 I1 I2 J1 J2 K L M TOTAL10/28 17 2 1 0 4 0 31 7 6 26 2 36 59 9 6 24 102 74 57 106 56910/29 1 1 0 0 2 0 12 1 2 8 0 7 18 2 1 2 30 22 24 25 15810/30 0 1 0 0 0 0 7 0 0 4 1 5 16 1 2 1 9 19 8 15 8910/31 1 0 2 1 0 0 5 2 0 5 1 4 9 2 6 5 10 14 20 34 12111/1 2 0 0 0 1 1 4 0 2 5 2 3 11 3 4 3 14 13 17 21 10611/2 1 1 1 0 0 0 4 0 1 7 1 4 4 4 1 4 12 3 12 17 7711/3 2 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 5 0 3 6 4 6 3 4 7 12 22 7711/4 6 6 0 1 5 0 19 3 4 22 3 16 31 16 10 12 44 28 51 60 33711/5 4 1 0 1 5 0 8 2 6 12 2 10 21 12 6 13 21 24 32 31 21111/6 1 1 0 0 2 0 2 0 2 2 1 1 2 0 0 2 1 9 5 2 3311/7 2 1 0 1 2 0 4 0 5 4 4 4 9 5 5 9 13 8 15 13 104ALL 37 16 4 4 21 1 97 15 28 100 17 93 186 58 47 78 260 221 253 346 1882

REGULAR FIREARM SEASON (8 NOVEMBER - 3 DECEMBER)

DATE A B C1 C2 D1 D2E D2W E F G1 G2 H1 H2 I1 I2 J1 J2 K L M TOTAL11/8 25 6 0 1 4 2 56 4 9 56 10 59 93 18 21 30 136 69 47 40 68611/9 7 3 1 4 5 1 38 4 12 42 5 36 53 14 13 27 87 62 23 38 47511/10 14 4 4 2 3 2 35 5 4 37 3 8 18 8 17 22 49 22 25 19 30111/11 14 6 1 2 11 3 18 6 10 32 11 24 30 15 10 25 40 41 56 77 43211/12 11 4 1 3 8 0 26 13 5 17 6 15 46 23 17 27 36 27 53 48 38611/13 6 1 2 0 1 0 10 4 2 6 5 3 9 8 9 10 15 11 9 5 11611/14 5 5 1 1 3 0 10 5 2 7 1 6 9 5 7 13 11 7 14 19 13111/15 6 1 2 1 3 0 10 2 6 10 1 7 7 5 6 7 12 9 22 22 13911/16 7 4 1 4 3 0 10 1 0 3 7 7 7 4 5 9 10 7 13 9 11111/17 8 2 1 2 2 1 9 1 8 8 2 11 12 3 3 8 20 8 14 17 14011/18 17 3 1 5 10 0 19 7 5 13 9 24 35 18 10 25 43 31 26 69 37011/19 7 3 3 3 4 0 5 3 1 6 5 11 14 7 4 12 14 12 11 18 14311/20 6 5 0 1 2 0 11 2 2 6 3 4 5 4 0 8 14 8 7 14 10211/21 19 1 0 1 6 0 8 2 1 10 2 2 8 2 4 3 14 8 6 14 11111/22 8 3 1 4 5 0 9 0 3 11 3 8 4 4 4 5 5 6 5 13 10111/23 12 3 2 3 5 0 15 2 9 9 5 13 20 4 12 11 18 13 17 25 19811/24 11 2 0 4 3 1 14 2 2 14 7 12 14 8 8 13 23 21 13 23 19511/25 9 7 1 1 9 0 15 3 2 13 4 12 18 8 12 12 25 27 14 33 22511/26 5 2 3 2 3 0 13 3 5 13 0 10 14 5 9 5 15 20 14 23 16411/27 0 3 1 4 1 0 1 4 1 5 0 3 2 1 1 3 3 4 2 7 4611/28 0 3 1 1 1 0 2 0 1 3 0 2 4 1 0 3 5 2 5 6 4011/29 0 2 0 2 0 0 3 1 0 3 2 1 3 1 0 4 5 2 3 3 3511/30 0 3 0 1 2 0 2 0 1 4 1 1 4 1 1 4 4 3 5 6 4312/1 0 3 0 0 3 2 3 0 0 7 0 1 2 1 4 1 6 5 3 14 5512/2 0 2 0 2 2 0 7 0 3 5 1 6 8 5 3 10 15 13 9 29 12012/3 0 2 0 3 2 0 7 1 1 5 0 8 9 4 3 4 18 7 8 23 105ALL 197 83 27 57 101 12 356 75 95 345 93 294 448 177 183 301 643 445 424 614 4970

ALL SEASONS COMBINED

A B C1 C2 D1 D2E D2W E F G1 G2 H1 H2 I1 I2 J1 J2 K L M TOTALALL 270 119 34 70 144 14 532 99 144 532 127 467 753 277 263 431 1117 828 878 1338 8437


WHITE-TAILED DEER

YEARLING ANTLER BEAM DIAMETER BY WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT UNIT (2013-2017)

The antler beam diameter (ABD) of yearling (age 1.5) males is used to assess the quality of deer habitat. The biological maximum average yearling ABD on excellent range is around 24 millimeters (mm). This maximum is not reached anywhere in New Hampshire because of our relatively unproductive soils and harsh winters. As deer densities increase from low levels, ABDs in the 17-19mm range indicate deer are in good to excellent health that can easily be sustained on the available habitat. Average ABDs below 16mm on a consistent basis indicate deer densities may be nearing the carrying capacity of the WMU. In the following table, the number in parenthesis following each average is the number of deer measured.

YEAR 5-YEARAVERAGEWMU 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013

A 16.5 (22) 18.8 (9) 18.6 (9) 17.8 (14) 17.9 (16) 17.6 (70)

B 17.8 (5) 18.3 (4) 17.0 (1) 16.3 (3) 19.0 (2) 17.7 (15)C1 . (0) 16.0 (1) . (0) 19.5 (2) 19.0 (3) 18.7 (6)C2 17.5 (2) 20.0 (2) 17.3 (4) 19.0 (3) 18.8 (5) 18.4 (16)D1 . (0) . (0) . (0) . (0) . (0) . (0)

D2E . (0) . (0) 18.0 (1) . (0) . (0) 18.0 (1)D2W 18.1 (24) 18.0 (13) 18.8 (11) 15.8 (12) 16.2 (13) 17.5 (73)

E . (0) 22.5 (4) . (0) 17.0 (1) 23.0 (1) 21.7 (6)F 20.0 (1) . (0) 20.0 (1) 18.0 (1) . (0) 19.3 (3)

G1 15.6 (19) 16.6 (10) 16.2 (9) 17.3 (7) 16.7 (6) 16.3 (51)G2 22.0 (1) . (0) . (0) . (0) . (0) 22.0 (1)H1 17.3 (33) 18.1 (24) 18.2 (31) 16.3 (30) 16.7 (27) 17.3 (145)H2 19.1 (38) 17.7 (29) 17.3 (18) 16.0 (23) 17.7 (24) 17.7 (132)I1 19.0 (7) 18.3 (9) 19.5 (4) 17.3 (6) 16.0 (3) 18.2 (29)I2 19.9 (15) 19.2 (9) 18.8 (5) 18.1 (8) 17.6 (14) 18.7 (51)J1 19.8 (32) 20.2 (21) 18.1 (14) 16.1 (7) 15.3 (3) 19.1 (77)J2 19.1 (24) 17.5 (47) 19.2 (23) 16.4 (18) 17.1 (21) 17.9 (133)K 19.3 (41) 18.7 (33) 17.9 (19) 16.9 (38) 17.5 (27) 18.1 (158)L 18.5 (11) 18.6 (9) 18.1 (9) 17.5 (14) 17.6 (24) 17.9 (67)M 19.3 (46) 20.0 (24) 18.7 (30) 17.9 (20) 18.1 (50) 18.8 (170)

ALL 18.6 (321) 18.5 (248) 18.3 (189) 16.9 (207) 17.5 (239) 18.0 (1204)


WHITE-TAILED DEER

YEARLING MALE FRACTION BY WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT UNIT (2013-2017)

The yearling male fraction (YMF) is the percentage of harvested adult males that are yearlings (age 1.5). The YMF reflects the average annual mortality rate of all adult males in the population by estimating the percentage lost to all causes on an annual basis (about half of our annual all-cause mortality is from the hunting seasons). In any given year, a high YMF may also reflect good fawn production 2 years previous and/or good fawn survival the previous winter. This likely explains the increases seen in the 2016 and 2017 YMFs due to the mild winters of 2015-16 and 2016-17. New Hampshire has a relatively low annual mortality rate when compared with many other northeastern states, and this is why we maintain good age structure in the male population. Based on 2016 statewide biological check station data, 52.2% of adult (age 1.5+) males were yearlings, 22.4% of harvested adult males were 2.5 years old and 25.4% were 3.5 years or older. The number in parenthesis following each yearling male fraction is the total number of yearling and older bucks in the aged sample.

YEAR 5-YEARAVERAGEWMU 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013

A 55.0 (40) 40.9 (22) 56.3 (16) 56.0 (25) 53.3 (30) 52.6 (133)B 83.3 (6) 66.7 (6) 25.0 (4) 33.3 (9) 33.3 (6) 48.4 (31)

C1 . (0) 100.0 (1) 0.0 (1) 50.0 (4) 75.0 (4) 60.0 (10)C2 66.7 (3) 33.3 (6) 66.7 (6) 42.9 (7) 41.7 (12) 47.1 (34)D1 . (0) . (0) . (0) . (0) 0.0 (1) 0.0 (1)

D2E 0.0 (1) . (0) 50.0 (2) . (0) . (0) 33.3 (3)D2W 49.0 (49) 54.2 (24) 47.8 (23) 65.0 (20) 52.0 (25) 52.5 (141)

E 0.0 (8) 50.0 (8) 0.0 (2) 20.0 (5) 50.0 (2) 24.0 (25)F 50.0 (2) . (0) 33.3 (3) 100.0 (1) 0.0 (1) 42.9 (7)

G1 48.7 (39) 40.0 (25) 36.0 (25) 41.2 (17) 36.8 (19) 41.6 (125)G2 100.0 (1) . (0) . (0) 0.0 (1) . (0) 50.0 (2)H1 55.9 (59) 33.3 (72) 44.3 (70) 42.3 (71) 36.0 (75) 41.8 (347)H2 46.9 (81) 46.0 (63) 36.0 (50) 41.8 (55) 43.6 (55) 43.4 (304)I1 46.7 (15) 75.0 (12) 57.1 (7) 46.2 (13) 42.9 (7) 53.7 (54)I2 51.7 (29) 47.4 (19) 23.8 (21) 44.4 (18) 37.8 (37) 41.1 (124)J1 42.9 (77) 43.1 (51) 31.8 (44) 35.0 (20) 37.5 (8) 39.5 (200)J2 42.4 (59) 66.7 (72) 42.6 (54) 32.1 (56) 43.8 (48) 46.7 (289)K 60.3 (68) 61.1 (54) 38.8 (49) 54.3 (70) 40.3 (67) 51.3 (308)L 45.8 (24) 55.0 (20) 45.5 (22) 45.2 (31) 46.2 (52) 47.0 (149)M 77.8 (63) 58.5 (41) 68.9 (45) 60.6 (33) 57.5 (87) 64.7 (269)

ALL 52.2 (624) 50.8 (496) 43.0 (444) 45.6 (456) 44.8 (536) 47.6 (2556)


WHITE-TAILED DEER

NEW HAMPSHIRE TROPHY DEER PROGRAM

Beginning in 1999, the New Hampshire Antler and Skull Trophy Club (NHASTC) assumed responsibility for New Hampshire’s trophy deer program. The program annually recognizes hunters who take deer with a weight of 200 pounds or more by each of three hunting methods (archery, muzzleloader and regular firearms). To qualify, deer must weigh at least 200 pounds completely field dressed (with all internal organs including heart, lungs and liver removed). For entry information and an application form, look in the Hunting Digest published annually by Fish and Game and available at your license agent or on-line at www.huntnh.com. The following tables provide the overall historical top 10 and those for the 2017 season. For a complete listing of this year’s registry or information on trophy deer, moose and black bear, contact Roscoe Blaisdell, president of NHASTC, 22 Scribner Road, Raymond, NH 03077, or call 603-895-9947. The information below was generously provided by NHASTC.

ALL METHODS OVERALL 2017 ALL METHOD TOP 10

YEAR NAME RESIDENCE WEIGHT COUNTY NAME RESIDENCE WEIGHT COUNTY

1951 Robert Senechal Hancock, NH 2941 Hillsborough Patrick Couch Rochester, NH 253 Coos

1985 Arnold Girroir W. Newbury, MA 289 Coos Evan Colby Hiram, ME 240 Carroll

1998 Mike Kenyon Bradford, VT 284 Grafton Justin Bishop Lancaster, NH 239 Coos

1998 Scott Magoon Topsham, VT 277 Coos Logan Earle Wolcoft, VT 238 Grafton

1984 Dave Alonzo Berlin, NH 273 Coos Michael Donnelly Vergennes, VT 236 Merrimack

1984 William Robinson Northfield, NH 273 Coos Donald Padgett Danbury, NH 235 Merrimack

1985 Bradley Frizzell Pittsburg, NH 272 Coos Joseph Wolski Winchendon, MA 234 Cheshire

1980 Robert Neil Gorham, NH 267 Coos John Hodgkins Walpole, NH 233 Cheshire

1994 Steven Young Beecher Falls, VT 267 Coos Douglas Piper Post Mills, VT 232 Grafton

2016 Justin Vien Berlin, NH 266 Coos Patrick Gomez Waterbury Ctr., VT 232 Coos1 - Could not be verified that this was field dressed weight.

REGULAR FIREARM OVERALL 2017 REGULAR FIREARM TOP 10


1985 Arnold Girroir W. Newbury, MA 289 Coos Patrick Couch Rochester, NH 253 Coos

1998 Mike Kenyon Bradford, VT 284 Grafton Evan Colby Hiram, ME 240 Carroll

1984 Dave Alonzo Berlin, NH 273 Coos Justin Bishop Lancaster, NH 239 Coos

1985 Bradley Frizzell Pittsburg, NH 272 Coos Patrick Gomez Waterbury Ctr., VT 232 Coos

1980 Robert Neil Gorham, NH 267 Coos Bryce Walker Bethel, ME 231 Coos

1995 Lawrence Gonyer Bow, NH 265 Coos Randy Hooper Jr. Wolfeboro, NH 231 Carroll

1986 Joe Daley Jr Brentwood, NH 265 Rockingham Leslie Washburn Bethlehem, NH 230 Grafton

1983 Perry Taylor Moultonborough, NH 262 Coos Larry Glines II Stewartstown, NH 230 Coos

1994 Howard Fields Jr Saline, MI 261 Coos Walter Stone Jr. Randolph, NH 230 Coos

2013 Earl F. Pike Canaan, NH 259 Grafton Mark Gilman Exeter, NH 229 Rockingham

Michael Metcalf Hiram, ME 229 Carroll


WHITE-TAILED DEER

NEW HAMPSHIRE TROPHY DEER PROGRAM, cont.

REGULAR ARCHERY OVERALL 2017 ARCHERY TOP 10


2007 Rick Pescinski Sanbornton, NH 255 Belknap John Hodgkins Walpole, NH 233 Cheshire

2002 Jeremiah Donaldson Albany, NH 252 Carroll Michael Fallon Merrimac, MA 228 Rockingham

2002 Rodger Matthewman Meredith, NH 251 Belknap Mark Stone Salem, NH 226 Rockingham

2007 Dennis L. Faulkenham Stark, NH 243 Coos Matthew Troiano Sr. New Durham, NH 225 Strafford

2009 Patric J. Laughy Sanbornton, NH 243 Belknap Andrew Ring Laconia, NH 222 Belknap

2002 Dave Lufkin Lancaster, NH 242 Coos Paul Hamel Claremont, NH 221 Sullivan

2012 Scott Kenison Laconia, NH 242 Grafton Stephen Tripp Lebanon, NH 212 Grafton

2004 Ted Pinney Rochester, NH 240 Rock. Brian Piragis Madbury, NH 211 Strafford

2013 Kenneth J. Martell Groton, NH 238 Grafton Steven McMaster Derry, NH 206 Rockingham

1995 Gregory Hebert Laconia, NH 237 Belknap Donald Shuffleton Francestown, NH 206 Hillsborough

2001 Fred Schobel Rehoboth, MA 237 Rockingham

MUZZLELOADER OVERALL 2017 MUZZLELOADER TOP 10


1998 Scott Magoon Topsham, VT 277 Coos Logan Earle Wolcoft, VT 238 Grafton

1984 William Robinson Northfield, NH 273 Coos Michael Donnelly Vergennes, VT 236 Merrimack

1994 Steven Young Beecher Falls, VT 267 Coos Donald Padgett Danbury, NH 235 Merrimack

2016 Justin Vien Berlin, NH 266 Coos Joseph Wolski Winchendon, MA 234 Cheshire

2016 Michael Merrill Washington, VT 265 Coos Douglas Piper Post Mills, VT 232 Grafton

2001 Larry Miles North Conway, NH 260 Coos William Thomas Salisbury, NH 227 Merrimack

1994 Dennis McLaughlin Barre, VT 257 Coos Heath Wilbur Somersworth, NH 226 Rockingham

1992 Colby Morrison Wentworth, NH 254 Grafton Norman Page Newton, NH 225 Rockingham

2000 Carl Baker Hyde Park, VT 254 Coos Lee Dupuis Somersworth, NH 225 Strafford

2016 Andre Larin Berlin, NH 253 Coos Arthur Worthen III Frankford, DE 225 Hillsborough


WHITE-TAILED DEER

DEER KILL BY TOWN AND SEX DURING 2017

This is an alphabetical listing of New Hampshire towns with reported deer harvest in 2017. It gives the Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) that the town is part of, as well as the deer kill by sex and per square mile. The kill per square mile for towns in this table is expressed on the basis of square miles of land area. Towns not listed had no registered deer harvest in 2017.

TOWN WMUs IN TOWN MALE FEMALE TOTAL KILL/SQ.MI.ACWORTH (H1) 31 5 36 0.93ALBANY (E/F/J1) 13 0 13 0.17ALEXANDRIA (G2/I1) 14 6 20 0.46ALLENSTOWN (L) 22 9 31 1.53ALSTEAD (H1/H2) 36 14 50 1.29ALTON (J2) 70 27 97 1.53AMHERST (K/M) 49 37 86 2.55ANDOVER (G1/I1) 29 8 37 0.92ANTRIM (H2/I2/K) 33 6 39 1.10ASHLAND (F/G2/J2) 9 3 12 1.07ATKINSON (M) 30 21 51 4.57ATKINSON & GIL. AC. GR. (A) 3 1 4 0.21AUBURN (L/M) 52 38 90 3.55BARNSTEAD (J2) 69 47 116 2.73BARRINGTON (J2/L) 69 44 113 2.43BARTLETT (E) 14 2 16 0.22BATH (D2W) 88 51 139 3.69BEDFORD (K/L/M) 43 37 80 2.45BELMONT (J2) 49 21 70 2.33BENNINGTON (H2/K) 12 5 17 1.52BENTON (D2E/D2W) 5 0 5 0.10BERLIN (C1/C2) 10 0 10 0.16BETHLEHEM (D1/D2W/E) 29 5 34 0.38BOSCAWEN (I1) 26 3 29 1.18BOW (I1/K/L) 53 23 76 2.71BRADFORD (I2) 20 0 20 0.57BRENTWOOD (L/M) 56 43 99 5.90BRIDGEWATER (G2) 9 0 9 0.42BRISTOL (G2/I1) 18 5 23 1.37BROOKFIELD (J1/J2) 29 3 32 1.40BROOKLINE (K/M) 27 15 42 2.12CAMBRIDGE (B/C2) 10 0 10 0.20CAMPTON (F) 29 3 32 0.62CANAAN (G1/G2) 62 31 93 1.75CANDIA (L/M) 65 35 100 3.31CANTERBURY (I1/J2) 40 11 51 1.17CARROLL (D1/E) 9 0 9 0.18CENTER HARBOR (J1/J2) 14 6 20 1.51CHARLESTOWN (H1) 40 23 63 1.77CHATHAM (E) 12 1 13 0.23CHESTER (M) 54 35 89 3.43CHESTERFIELD (H2) 31 14 45 0.99CHICHESTER (J2/L) 27 33 60 2.86CLAREMONT (H1) 63 30 93 2.17CLARKSVILLE (A) 32 13 45 0.75


WHITE-TAILED DEER

DEER KILL BY TOWN AND SEX DURING 2017, cont.

TOWN WMUs IN TOWN MALE FEMALE TOTAL KILL/SQ.MI.COLEBROOK (A/B) 28 8 36 0.89COLUMBIA (B) 43 8 51 0.84CONCORD (I1/J2/K/L) 62 34 96 1.51CONWAY (E/F/J1) 41 8 49 0.71CORNISH (H1) 60 21 81 1.93CROYDON (H1/I2) 18 12 30 0.82DALTON (D1) 15 3 18 0.65DANBURY (G1/G2/I1) 22 2 24 0.64DANVILLE (M) 16 12 28 2.41DEERFIELD (L) 94 45 139 2.73DEERING (K) 30 3 33 1.09DERRY (M) 51 43 94 2.66DIXVILLE (A/B) 13 2 15 0.31DORCHESTER (G1/G2) 11 1 12 0.27DOVER (L) 72 42 114 4.27DUBLIN (H2) 28 7 35 1.25DUMMER (B/C1/C2) 28 9 37 0.77DUNBARTON (K) 44 17 61 2.09DURHAM (L) 55 55 110 4.92EAST KINGSTON (M) 49 44 93 9.42EASTON (D2E/D2W) 6 0 6 0.19EATON (J1) 17 0 17 0.70EFFINGHAM (J1) 42 4 46 1.19ENFIELD (G1/H1) 65 28 93 2.31EPPING (L/M) 67 29 96 3.73EPSOM (J2/L) 59 37 96 2.82ERROL (A/B/C2) 15 3 18 0.30EXETER (L/M) 44 27 71 3.62FARMINGTON (J2) 65 28 93 2.56FITZWILLIAM (H2) 50 21 71 2.05FRANCESTOWN (K) 30 12 42 1.42FRANCONIA (D1/D2E/D2W/E) 16 3 19 0.29FRANKLIN (I1) 21 4 25 0.91FREEDOM (J1) 46 9 55 1.60FREMONT (M) 22 24 46 2.67GILFORD (J2) 47 17 64 1.65GILMANTON (J2) 95 37 132 2.30GILSUM (H2) 21 6 27 1.63GOFFSTOWN (K) 60 31 91 2.46GORHAM (C1/C2/E) 7 0 7 0.22GOSHEN (H1/I2) 20 3 23 1.03GRAFTON (G1/G2) 25 6 31 0.75GRANTHAM (G1/H1/I2) 18 6 24 0.89GREENFIELD (K) 19 23 42 1.59GREENLAND (M) 39 25 64 6.04GREENVILLE (K) 4 7 11 1.60GROTON (G1/G2) 10 1 11 0.27HAMPSTEAD (M) 20 4 24 1.80HAMPTON (M) 16 16 32 2.46HAMPTON FALLS (M) 24 22 46 3.82HANCOCK (H2/K) 28 12 40 1.34


WHITE-TAILED DEER


TOWN WMUs IN TOWN MALE FEMALE TOTAL KILL/SQ. MI.HANOVER (G1) 118 83 201 4.10HARRISVILLE (H2) 21 6 27 1.44HART'S LOCATION (E) 2 0 2 0.10HAVERHILL (D2W) 71 44 115 2.25HEBRON (G2) 8 4 12 0.72HENNIKER (I2/K) 45 11 56 1.34HILL (I1) 14 0 14 0.53HILLSBOROUGH (H2/I2/K) 34 11 45 1.04HINSDALE (H2) 24 19 43 2.10HOLDERNESS (F/G2/J1/J2) 16 0 16 0.53HOLLIS (M) 62 40 102 3.23HOOKSETT (K/L) 55 21 76 2.12HOPKINTON (I1/I2/K) 46 18 64 1.55HUDSON (M) 49 36 85 3.00JACKSON (E) 11 0 11 0.16JAFFREY (H2/K) 58 24 82 2.14JEFFERSON (C1/D1/E) 43 7 50 1.00KEENE (H2) 27 21 48 1.30KENSINGTON (M) 37 39 76 6.37KINGSTON (M) 32 24 56 2.87LACONIA (J2) 14 11 25 1.26LANCASTER (C1/D1) 39 6 45 0.90LANDAFF (D2E/D2W) 32 10 42 1.48LANGDON (H1/H2) 10 7 17 1.05LEBANON (G1/H1) 111 62 173 4.31LEE (L) 40 21 61 3.08LEMPSTER (H1/I2) 25 8 33 1.02LINCOLN (D2E/E/F) 3 0 3 0.02LISBON (D2W) 61 31 92 3.51LITCHFIELD (M) 22 20 42 2.83LITTLETON (D1/D2W) 55 18 73 1.46LONDONDERRY (M) 76 47 123 2.94LOUDON (J2) 79 49 128 2.78LOW & BURS GRANT (E) 2 0 2 0.08LYMAN (D2W) 52 24 76 2.67LYME (G1) 89 45 134 2.49LYNDEBOROUGH (K) 59 24 83 2.77MADBURY (L) 36 32 68 5.88MADISON (F/J1) 35 6 41 1.06MANCHESTER (K/L/M) 16 9 25 0.76MARLBOROUGH (H2) 30 16 46 2.25MARLOW (H1/H2/I2) 17 7 24 0.93MASON (K) 26 20 46 1.93MEREDITH (I1/J2) 33 16 49 1.22MERRIMACK (M) 67 76 143 4.43MIDDLETON (J2) 13 5 18 1.00MILAN (B/C1/C2) 16 2 18 0.28MILFORD (K/M) 21 22 43 1.71MILLSFIELD (A/B) 6 0 6 0.13MILTON (J2) 46 27 73 2.21MONROE (D2W) 49 27 76 3.39


WHITE-TAILED DEER


TOWN WMUs IN TOWN MALE FEMALE TOTAL KILL/SQ. MI.MONT VERNON (K) 19 13 32 1.90MOULTONBORO (J1/J2) 65 27 92 1.54NASHUA (M) 12 14 26 0.85NELSON (H2) 22 6 28 1.28NEW BOSTON (K) 52 29 81 1.90NEW CASTLE (M) 0 3 3 3.81NEW DURHAM (J2) 39 16 55 1.34NEW HAMPTON (G2/I1/J2) 46 15 61 1.66NEW IPSWICH (K) 40 18 58 1.78NEW LONDON (G1/I1/I2) 11 6 17 0.77NEWBURY (I2) 20 2 22 0.62NEWFIELDS (L) 22 15 37 5.21NEWINGTON (M) 36 27 63 7.73NEWMARKET (L) 45 35 80 6.34NEWPORT (H1/I2) 48 18 66 1.53NEWTON (M) 23 12 35 3.59NORTH HAMPTON (M) 53 43 96 6.93NORTHFIELD (I1/J2) 42 11 53 1.86NORTHUMBERLAND (B/C1/D1) 14 4 18 0.50NORTHWOOD (J2/L) 43 22 65 2.31NOTTINGHAM (L) 54 32 86 1.84ODELL (B) 3 0 3 0.07ORANGE (G1/G2) 15 3 18 0.78ORFORD (D2W/G1) 66 25 91 1.96OSSIPEE (J1) 55 7 62 0.88PELHAM (M) 47 37 84 3.24PEMBROKE (L) 36 23 59 2.63PETERBOROUGH (H2/K) 39 21 60 1.59PIERMONT (D2W) 52 18 70 1.81PITTSBURG (A) 152 40 192 0.68PITTSFIELD (J2) 40 28 68 2.87PLAINFIELD (H1) 76 52 128 2.45PLAISTOW (M) 12 7 19 1.80PLYMOUTH (F/G2) 26 2 28 1.00PORTSMOUTH (M) 27 18 45 2.88RANDOLPH (C1/E) 7 1 8 0.17RAYMOND (L/M) 44 30 74 2.57RICHMOND (H2) 42 9 51 1.36RINDGE (H2/K) 51 18 69 1.87ROCHESTER (J2/L) 87 43 130 2.94ROLLINSFORD (L) 19 14 33 4.51ROXBURY (H2) 17 3 20 1.67RUMNEY (F/G1/G2) 15 0 15 0.36RYE (M) 51 44 95 7.59SALEM (M) 43 21 64 2.59SALISBURY (I1) 29 2 31 0.79SANBORNTON (I1/J2) 41 14 55 1.16SANDOWN (M) 13 20 33 2.38SANDWICH (F/J1) 39 3 42 0.46SEABROOK (M) 6 3 9 1.01SECOND COLL GRANT (A) 5 0 5 0.12


WHITE-TAILED DEER


TOWN WMUs IN TOWN MALE FEMALE TOTAL KILL/SQ. MI.SHARON (K) 11 6 17 1.09SHELBURNE (C2/E) 18 0 18 0.38SOMERSWORTH (L) 18 7 25 2.57SOUTH HAMPTON (M) 28 17 45 5.71SPRINGFIELD (G1/I2) 35 9 44 1.01STARK (B/C1) 14 3 17 0.29STEWARTSTOWN (A) 37 10 47 1.02STODDARD (H2/I2) 24 6 30 0.59STRAFFORD (J2) 80 30 110 2.26STRATFORD (B) 27 6 33 0.42STRATHAM (L/M) 29 27 56 3.71SUCCESS (C2) 2 0 2 0.04SUGAR HILL (D1/D2W) 16 3 19 1.11SULLIVAN (H2) 13 2 15 0.81SUNAPEE (G1/I2) 34 3 37 1.76SURRY (H2) 13 5 18 1.17SUTTON (I1/I2) 27 4 31 0.73SWANZEY (H2) 52 22 74 1.66TAMWORTH (F/J1) 20 0 20 0.34TEMPLE (K) 24 7 31 1.40THORNTON (F) 27 2 29 0.58TILTON (I1/J2) 7 3 10 0.90TROY (H2) 36 16 52 2.98TUFTONBORO (J1/J2) 66 20 86 2.12UNITY (H1) 53 17 70 1.90WAKEFIELD (J1/J2) 52 23 75 1.90WALPOLE (H1/H2) 39 13 52 1.48WARNER (I1/I2) 23 2 25 0.46WARREN (D2E/D2W/F) 24 2 26 0.54WASHINGTON (I2) 25 5 30 0.66WATERVILLE VALLEY (E/F) 1 0 1 0.02WEARE (K) 89 25 114 2.02WEBSTER (I1) 22 5 27 0.97WENTWORTH (D2W/F/G1) 33 6 39 0.94WENTWORTH'S LOCATION (A/C2) 5 0 5 0.27WESTMORELAND (H2) 47 18 65 1.81WHITEFIELD (D1) 21 2 23 0.67WILMOT (G1/I1) 13 4 17 0.58WILTON (K) 43 21 64 2.52WINCHESTER (H2) 59 19 78 1.43WINDHAM (M) 33 23 56 2.10WINDSOR (I2) 4 0 4 0.49WOLFEBORO (J1/J2) 61 13 74 1.54WOODSTOCK (D2E/F) 15 1 16 0.27TOTAL 8437 3872 12309 1.38


WHITE-TAILED DEER

DEER KILL BY COUNTY, SEX AND HUNTER RESIDENCY DURING 2017

Note: The kill per square mile by county in the rightmost column of this table is expressed on the basis of square miles of land area.

NH RESIDENTS NON-RESIDENTS TOTAL GRANDTOTAL

TOTAL KILLPER SQ. MI.COUNTY MALE FEMALE MALE FEMALE MALE FEMALE

BELKNAP 464 203 21 11 485 214 699 1.74CARROLL 503 110 117 16 620 126 746 0.80CHESHIRE 619 241 139 51 758 292 1050 1.49COOS 437 102 187 26 624 128 752 0.42GRAFTON 996 406 355 147 1351 553 1904 1.11HILLSBOROUGH 986 589 85 48 1071 637 1708 1.97MERRIMACK 876 354 51 13 927 367 1294 1.40ROCKINGHAM 1311 883 95 89 1406 972 2378 3.43STRAFFORD 577 328 62 36 639 364 1003 2.75SULLIVAN 469 182 87 37 556 219 775 1.45TOTAL 7238 3398 1199 474 8437 3872 12309 1.38

NUMBER AND PERCENTAGE OF DEER KILL BY SEX AND SEASON FOR 1987-2017

MALE KILL AND % OF MALE KILL FEMALE KILL AND % OF FEMALE KILL TOTALYEAR ARCHERY YOUTH MUZZLE. FIREARM ARCHERY YOUTH MUZZLE. FIREARM KILL1987 138 (4%) 0 (0%) 445 (12%) 3201 (85%) 119 (5%) 0 (0%) 446 (19%) 1772 (76%) 61211988 119 (3%) 0 (0%) 659 (16%) 3462 (82%) 106 (6%) 0 (0%) 462 (25%) 1317 (70%) 61251989 248 (5%) 0 (0%) 814 (16%) 4061 (79%) 241 (11%) 0 (0%) 526 (25%) 1348 (64%) 7238

1990 238 (5%) 0 (0%) 817 (16%) 4118 (80%) 246 (9%) 0 (0%) 592 (22%) 1861 (69%) 7872

1991 353 (6%) 0 (0%) 889 (15%) 4686 (79%) 380 (13%) 0 (0%) 740 (26%) 1749 (61%) 8797

1992 592 (9%) 0 (0%) 1178 (18%) 4815 (73%) 610 (17%) 0 (0%) 1007 (28%) 2013 (55%) 10215

1993 441 (7%) 0 (0%) 1375 (21%) 4685 (72%) 437 (13%) 0 (0%) 994 (29%) 1957 (58%) 9889

1994 432 (8%) 0 (0%) 967 (17%) 4243 (75%) 469 (17%) 0 (0%) 975 (36%) 1293 (47%) 8379

1995 718 (10%) 0 (0%) 1474 (20%) 5208 (70%) 863 (23%) 0 (0%) 1364 (36%) 1580 (42%) 112071996 729 (11%) 0 (0%) 2015 (29%) 4152 (60%) 733 (21%) 0 (0%) 1203 (35%) 1531 (44%) 103631997 829 (11%) 0 (0%) 1841 (24%) 4915 (65%) 929 (22%) 0 (0%) 1201 (28%) 2085 (49%) 118001998 727 (12%) 0 (0%) 1653 (27%) 3840 (62%) 822 (23%) 0 (0%) 1471 (41%) 1272 (36%) 9785

1999 946 (14%) 41 (1%) 1803 (26%) 4029 (59%) 1035 (27%) 54 (1%) 1457 (38%) 1338 (34%) 10703

2000 968 (13%) 89 (1%) 1814 (24%) 4601 (62%) 1002 (30%) 104 (3%) 1095 (32%) 1186 (35%) 10859

2001 797 (12%) 84 (1%) 1631 (25%) 4035 (62%) 780 (30%) 119 (5%) 630 (24%) 1067 (41%) 9143

2002 925 (12%) 101 (1%) 1862 (24%) 4839 (63%) 929 (28%) 159 (5%) 1049 (31%) 1225 (36%) 11089

2003 882 (13%) 138 (2%) 1564 (24%) 3953 (60%) 959 (32%) 196 (7%) 766 (26%) 1034 (35%) 9492

2004 1001 (16%) 120 (2%) 1336 (21%) 4000 (62%) 1157 (31%) 192 (5%) 858 (23%) 1469 (40%) 10133

2005 910 (13%) 139 (2%) 1582 (22%) 4421 (63%) 1061 (30%) 187 (5%) 967 (27%) 1328 (37%) 10595

2006 1452 (19%) 301 (4%) 1605 (21%) 4470 (57%) 1526 (39%) 367 (9%) 879 (22%) 1166 (30%) 11766

2007 1765 (20%) 296 (3%) 1766 (20%) 4997 (57%) 2043 (43%) 346 (7%) 1021 (22%) 1325 (28%) 13559

2008 1219 (17%) 153 (2%) 1910 (27%) 3912 (54%) 1416 (38%) 188 (5%) 830 (22%) 1288 (35%) 10916

2009 1233 (18%) 139 (2%) 1628 (24%) 3772 (56%) 1445 (40%) 224 (6%) 770 (21%) 1173 (32%) 10384

2010 1023 (15%) 175 (3%) 1559 (23%) 4024 (59%) 961 (32%) 217 (7%) 660 (22%) 1140 (38%) 9759

2011 1371 (19%) 180 (2%) 1400 (19%) 4445 (60%) 1416 (38%) 295 (8%) 851 (23%) 1151 (31%) 11109

2012 1429 (19%) 148 (2%) 2069 (27%) 3882 (52%) 1722 (42%) 240 (6%) 963 (24%) 1159 (28%) 11612

2013 1830 (22%) 190 (2%) 1806 (22%) 4335 (53%) 2107 (48%) 293 (7%) 845 (19%) 1134 (26%) 12540

2014 1440 (19%) 197 (3%) 1842 (25%) 4037 (54%) 1701 (44%) 201 (5%) 823 (21%) 1154 (30%) 11395

2015 1401 (20%) 176 (3%) 1299 (19%) 4107 (59%) 1774 (45%) 215 (5%) 813 (21%) 1110 (28%) 10895

2016 1208 (17%) 111 (2%) 1690 (23%) 4292 (59%) 1379 (41%) 146 (4%) 750 (22%) 1089 (32%) 10665

2017 1474 (17%) 111 (1%) 1882 (22%) 4970 (59%) 1628 (42%) 159 (4%) 780 (20%) 1305 (34%) 12309


BLACK BEAR

New Hampshire’s 2017 bear season resulted in a total harvest of 587 bears. This represented a 23% decrease from the preceding 5-year average of 764 bears and was down 35% from the 2016 level when a state record bear harvest (898 bears) was achieved. During most years, hunters typically harvest 10-12% of the estimated statewide bear population. Similar to previous trends, the 2017 harvest approximated 10% of the estimated New Hampshire bear population (6,100). The bear harvest achieved last fall represented a more typical harvest level that occurs during abundant food years.

The annual bear harvest serves as the primary tool used to regulate bear population growth, and therefore the hunting season is structured to achieve a specific target harvest level. Desired harvest levels typically result in bear densities that are consistent with bear population objectives in each of the state’s six management regions. The Department’s Big Game Management Plan was revised in 2015 and will guide management actions over the next decade; the continued focus under this plan will be to maintain bear populations at levels consistent with regional management objectives.

At the statewide level, the estimated New Hampshire bear population is above objective (0.52 bears/mi2), therefore the required management action is to reduce the bear population by approximately 23% over the next ten years. This reduction is focused on two specific bear management regions, specifically the White Mountains and Central regions, where a decrease in bear density is required given continued human population growth. Management actions in the North and southernmost regions call for stabilization of bear populations. Bear seasons are most liberal in the White Mountains and Central regions which have resulted in higher annual harvest tallies. Season length has been more limited in the remaining regions, and corresponding harvest levels have promoted modest population growth or stability.

Long-term bear harvest data clearly indicate that the annual vulnerability of bears to hunter harvest varies, often dramatically, due to the diverse production and distribution

of natural foods from one year to the next. The decrease in harvest during 2017 (as compared with more recent years) was the direct result of abundant natural foods in that year. Mast surveys, which measure production of ten important bear foods, conducted by biologists and foresters indicated that production by 9 of 10 species was good to excellent during 2017. During summer, strong blueberry and blackberry crops (raspberry production was down slightly) resulted in a notable decrease in bear-human conflicts, similar to the trend seen in 2015 when a record low number of conflicts were documented. Late summer and fall soft mast crops (i.e., cherries, apples and mountain ash berries) also produced above average crops. In terms of hard mast, beechnut production was the best it had been in six years. Additionally, acorns were again highly abundant in most areas. In summary, 2017 was a great food year which buffered bears from both increased conflict activity and high harvest rate. The end result was a substantial decrease in conflicts between bears and people and a more “average” annual bear harvest.

Bear population management activities will continue to focus on maintaining regional bear densities at levels consistent with regional population management objectives as defined in the Department’s Big Game Plan. Keeping population growth in check will help ensure that the state’s bear population is consistent with public expectation and desire, held at a socially acceptable level and appreciated by the residents and visitors of the state.

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BLACK BEAR

NEW HAMPSHIRE BEAR MANAGEMENT

REGIONS


BLACK BEAR

REGIONAL BEAR POPULATION MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES

Black bear management decisions through 2025 will be based on our current Big Game Population Management Plan goals, derived through a detailed public input process. These population objectives and current status are summarized in the following table, where objectives and estimates are expressed in terms of density (bears per square mile).

REGION 2016-2025OBJECTIVE

CURRENTLEVEL1

MANAGEMENTACTION REQUIRED2

NORTH 0.6 0.50 Stabilize

WHITE MOUNTAINS 0.8 1.24 Decrease

CENTRAL 0.5 0.81 Decrease

SOUTHWEST-1 0.5 0.52 Stabilize

SOUTHWEST-2 0.5 0.47 Stabilize

SOUTHEAST 0.05 0.07 Stabilize

STATEWIDE 0.52 0.68 Decrease12017 data were not available for inclusion in this estimate when this report was written. 2If the “Current Level” is ±12.5% of the 2016-2025, objective no management action is considered necessary.

TOTAL BEAR HARVEST FOR 1983-2017 HUNTING SEASONS

Total bear harvest is the combined take of bait, hound and still hunters. As illustrated in the graph below, bear harvest has increased notably during the past decade and a half. Periodic drops in harvest generally occur during abundant mast years. Such circumstances prompt less bear movement while foraging which decreases the vulnerability of bears to hunting. The opposite is true during poor food years. The highest bear harvests in New Hampshire history have been consistently achieved during the past 15 years. Historic highs in bear harvest reflect: 1) a strong bear population in all management regions, 2) increasing interest and participation in bear hunting, 3) longer seasons due to more recent liberalization, and 4) changes in method-specific hunter effort – the growing popularity of hunting bears with bait, and to a lesser extent hounds, has resulted in higher hunter success rates thereby increasing harvest levels.


BLACK BEAR

BEAR HARVEST BY METHOD (1997-2017)

A total of 587 bears were harvested during the 2017 season, which was 23% below the preceding 5-year average of 764 bears. Additionally, this year’s harvest was down 35% from 2016 level when a record harvest was achieved. Percentage harvest by method in recent years has averaged 33% by still hunters, 53% by bait hunters and 14% by hound hunters. During 2017, these rates varied slightly from previous levels with 27% by still hunters, 55% by bait and 18% by hound hunters. Continued increased participation in baiting, and to a lesser extent hound hunting, has been evident for several years and has resulted in a declining percentage of the annual harvest taken via still hunting. Still hunting was the predominant bear hunting method in New Hampshire until approximately 2004; however, harvest percentage by this method has since declined.

The number of bears taken during the November deer season, which tends to serve as an index to fall food abundance, varies on an annual basis and is affected by many factors. Fall food conditions and the impact on denning phenology likely have the greatest influence. However, season length and the degree of overlap between the bear and deer season do play a significant role. During strong food years, bears delay den entry and remain active later into fall, resulting in a greater percentage of bears being harvested during the deer season. Conversely, during poor food years bears den earlier and therefore are less vulnerable to opportunistic harvest by deer hunters. Statewide, 40% of the still hunter harvest occurred during the gun portion of the deer season in 2017, including 16% and 24% taken during the muzzleloader and regular firearms deer seasons, respectively. This percentage was higher than that achieved in 2016 when 25% of the still hunter harvest occurred during this same period. This percentage indicates that bears were more active later into fall (and therefore more susceptible to harvest during deer season) due primarily to an abundant beechnut and acorn crop in most areas. Additionally, bear seasons have become more liberalized in recent years in an effort to curb population growth in select management regions. Of the six bear management regions, four were open to bear hunting during the muzzleloader season and two were open (for 14 days) during the regular firearms season.

HUNTING METHODYEAR STILL BAIT HOUND TOTAL1997 202 69 64 3351998 181 53 45 2791999 313 117 69 4992000 294 118 37 4492001 295 169 63 5272002 203 92 43 3382003 462 274 67 8032004 343 244 92 6792005 190 179 65 4342006 149 152 51 3522007 277 278 60 6152008 209 176 55 4402009 295 372 91 7582010 252 373 83 7082011 155 193 70 4182012 283 430 99 8122013 164 309 99 5722014 261 408 117 7862015 265 379 110 7542016 300 486 112 8982017 158 322 107 587


BLACK BEAR

REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION OF BEAR HARVEST (1997-2017)

The Central region again accounted for the largest regional harvest tally at 207 (35%) bears. The White Mountains and North regions followed with 169 (29%) and 99 (17%) bears, respectively. Historically, harvest was typically highest in the White Mountains region, and harvest tallies in the North and Central regions had a tendency to fluctuate between the second and third highest. During recent years, the highest bear harvest has consistently occurred in the Central region, followed by the White Mountains and the North region. During 2017, over half (64%) of the statewide harvest came from the Central and White Mountains regions where the season structure was intended to focus additional harvest pressure given the objective to reduce bear density. Regional harvest percentages for Southwest-1 and 2 (11% and 7%, respectively) were consistent with recent averages (10% and 7%, respectively). Harvest in the Southeast remained low (<1%).

Annual differences in regional bear harvest distribution are generally caused by many factors including bear density, however the most significant factors appear related to regional differences in food abundance, hunter access, fluctuations in hunter effort and the degree by which different hunting methods are employed from one region to the next.

MANAGEMENT REGION

YEAR NORTH WT-MTS CENTRAL S-WEST(1) S-WEST(2) S-EAST TOTAL

1997 99 120 106 10 0 0 335

1998 68 94 95 16 5 1 279

1999 144 180 138 32 4 1 499

2000 116 162 143 21 7 0 449

2001 134 195 156 31 11 0 527

2002 65 101 124 38 7 3 338

2003 254 242 238 56 12 1 803

2004 158 227 177 88 27 2 679

2005 126 148 112 35 9 4 434

2006 65 108 99 49 23 8 352

2007 165 200 180 42 23 5 615

2008 113 136 137 35 18 1 440

2009 198 249 229 57 25 0 758

2010 183 233 227 52 13 0 708

2011 65 128 147 46 30 2 418

2012 185 229 264 76 57 1 812

2013 108 168 186 70 36 4 570

2014 160 234 268 62 56 6 786

2015 151 215 255 92 38 3 754

2016 164 282 293 89 69 1 898

2017 99 169 207 64 46 2 587


BLACK BEAR

BEAR HARVEST BY REGION, WMU AND METHOD DURING 2017

This table summarizes the 2017 bear harvest by region, wildlife management unit (WMU) and hunting method. The decision to manage on a regional rather than WMU basis is driven in part by the sample size of harvested bears necessary for reliable data analysis. At the individual WMU level, our samples are not large enough to allow for a meaningful assessment of local bear populations.

The popularity and impact of the different bear hunting methods varies regionally in New Hampshire. Regional bear hunting preferences are documented from harvest statistics and are a result of tradition, landscape and access. Traditionally, bait hunting for bear was most popular in the North and White Mountains and less prevalent in the more southern management regions. However, increased participation in bear baiting has become more evident in nearly all regions. Still hunting for bear tends to be the most prominent method of harvest in the southernmost regions. While houndsmen account for the smallest percentage of the overall annual bear take, their harvest has become more notable in select regions and most widespread in the White Mountains and Central regions.

METHOD OF HARVESTREGION WMU STILL BAIT HOUND TOTAL

NORTH

A 1 39 1 41

B 4 12 3 19

C2 0 8 4 12

D1 5 20 2 27

ALL 10 79 10 99

WHITE MTNS

C1 1 14 6 21

D2 16 23 5 44

E 5 29 23 57

F 11 29 7 47

ALL 33 95 41 169

CENTRAL

G 37 44 10 91

I1 15 9 14 38

J1 11 18 18 47

J2 9 18 4 31

ALL 72 89 46 207

SOUTHWEST-1H1 13 15 1 29

I2 9 17 9 35

ALL 22 32 10 64

SOUTHWEST-2H2 12 21 N/A 33

K 7 6 N/A 13

ALL 19 27 N/A 46

SOUTHEASTL 1 0 N/A 1

M 1 0 N/A 1

ALL 2 0 N/A 2

STATEWIDE TOTAL 158 322 107 587


BLACK BEAR

BEAR HARVEST SEX RATIOS (1997-2017)

Since 1997, the bear harvest sex ratio (HSR) has averaged 1.3 males per female. Higher mortality rates for males result in females being more abundant than males in our bear population, but this is rarely apparent in our harvest data. During poor mast years, female harvest tends to increase relative to male harvest, with the result being that females can approach or exceed males in the harvest (e.g., 2003, 2010). During years with abundant mast, males are more vulnerable than females to harvest and therefore account for a larger percentage of the harvest.

The HSR in 2017 of 1.2 males per female was slightly lower but generally consistent with the long-term average. This indicates that males continued to be more susceptible to harvest than females but that the female component of the population was harvested at a higher rate compared with previous years. Given the current objective to reduce bear densities in select regions, a higher proportion of females in the harvest was advantageous, particularly in the White Mountains and Central regions. In regions where bear densities are at goal, HSRs heavier to males (1.4+) correspond well with population management objectives in those areas.

YEAR FEMALE MALE UNKNOWN MALE : FEMALE RATIO TOTAL

1997 127 206 2 1.6 335

1998 124 155 0 1.3 279

1999 216 283 0 1.3 499

2000 190 259 0 1.4 449

2001 223 304 0 1.4 527

2002 141 197 0 1.4 338

2003 420 383 0 0.9 803

2004 313 366 0 1.2 679

2005 190 244 0 1.3 434

2006 139 213 0 1.5 352

2007 262 353 0 1.3 615

2008 192 248 0 1.3 440

2009 344 414 0 1.2 758

2010 345 363 0 1.1 708

2011 172 246 0 1.4 418

2012 376 436 0 1.2 812

2013 231 341 0 1.5 572

2014 357 429 0 1.2 786

2015 314 440 0 1.4 754

2016 417 481 0 1.2 898

2017 270 317 0 1.2 587


BLACK BEAR

BEAR HARVEST BY METHOD AND SEX DURING 2017

Harvest sex ratios (HSRs) play a role in management decision-making due to the impact that female harvest has on bear populations. HSRs in New Hampshire vary slightly by year but often vary substantially among hunting methods. Bait and still hunters usually harvest more males than females and hound hunters generally take more females than males. This is seemingly due to more extensive movements by males that predispose them to increased harvest (and other mortality); however, hunter selectivity does play a significant role. During 2017, bait hunters harvested more males than females, still hunters took an equal number of both sexes, and hound hunters killed a higher percentage of females.

BEAR HARVEST BY REGION AND SEX DURING 2017

Harvest sex ratios (HSRs) in 4 of 6 regions were generally consistent with or greater than New Hampshire’s long-term statewide average of 1.3 males per female (1997-2016) reflecting greater harvest vulnerability of males. The lower HSR in the Central region was consistent with the population objective to reduce bear density in that region. The HSR in the North region was below average and presumably caused by more limited food abundance in that region (lack of oak) resulting in greater vulnerability of bears to harvest. As harvest vulnerability increases, females typically account for a greater percentage of the harvest. Annual and regional variation in HSRs are expected, hence the importance of monitoring trend data over time.

Multiple factors influence HSRs across management regions and from one year to the next. Food conditions, and the resulting impact on differential vulnerability to harvest between sexes, can vary by region in any given year. Other factors, including the age and sex structure of the population, the preferred method of harvest in a given region and hunter selectivity can also influence HSRs at the local level.

METHOD FEMALE MALE MALE : FEMALE RATIO TOTAL

STILL 78 80 1.0 158

BAIT 136 186 1.4 322

HOUND 56 51 0.9 107

TOTAL 270 317 1.2 587

REGION FEMALE MALE MALE : FEMALE RATIO TOTAL

NORTH 52 47 0.9 99

WHITE MTN 67 102 1.5 169

CENTRAL 102 105 1.0 207

SOUTHWEST-1 29 35 1.2 64

SOUTHWEST-2 20 26 1.3 46

SOUTHEAST 0 2 -- 2

TOTAL 270 317 1.2 587


BLACK BEAR

AVERAGE AGE OF HARVESTED BEARS (2004-2016*)

Age data derived from premolars collected during bear registration are the backbone of New Hampshire’s bear management program. We use harvest sex and age data to estimate sex-specific harvest rates. Knowing these rates allows us to back-calculate a statewide population estimate from annual harvest data. Regional sighting rates derived from hunter surveys, coupled with knowledge of the amount of bear habitat in each management region, allows us to partition the population across six management regions. The New Hampshire bear management recipe is quite complex and places heavy reliance on bear age and sex data.

NEW HAMPSHIRE HEAVYWEIGHTS

The following table summarizes record weights (actual dressed weights) for black bears harvested in New Hampshire through 2017. It is important to note that not all harvested bears are weighed. However, it is likely that a high percentage of large bears are weighed due to hunter interest. The heaviest bear taken in 2017 was a male that weighed 505 pounds, taken in WMU J1 in the town of Wolfeboro and now ranked number 6 in the table below.

YEARS

SEX 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

FEMALES 5.7 5.4 5.9 5.6 5.3 5.3 5.6 5.4 5.1 5.2 5.4 5.5 5.3

MALES 3.9 4.0 4.4 3.1 3.8 3.4 3.4 4.6 3.2 4.2 3.6 4.0 3.3

*2017 age data were not available for inclusion in this report at the time of printing.

RANK WEIGHT AGE METHOD WMU TOWN YEAR

1 552 9.5 HOUND F WARREN 2007

2 540 12.5 BAIT C2 SHELBURNE 2010

3 535 11.5 HOUND J1 WOLFEBORO 2016

4 532 N/A STILL D1 BETHLEHEM 2005

5 520 17.5 HOUND J1 TAMWORTH 2014

6 505 -- 2 HOUND J1 WOLFEBORO 2017

7 494 17.5 HOUND E BARTLETT 1997

7 494 10.5 HOUND J1 SANDWICH 2001

7 494 12.5 HOUND D1 BETHLEHEM 2002

7 494 10.5 BAIT C2 SHELBURNE 2015

1All the bears in this table are male.22017 age data were not available for inclusion in this report at the time of printing.

TEN HEAVIEST BEARS1 HARVESTED IN NEW HAMPSHIRE


BLACK BEAR

BEAR HARVEST BY TOWN, WMU AND SEX DURING 2017

The following table summarizes the 2017 bear harvest by town. Towns where no bears were killed are excluded from this table.

TOWN WMUs IN TOWN FEMALE MALE TOTALACWORTH H1 1 4 5ALBANY E/F/J1 4 6 10ALEXANDRIA G/I1 4 1 5ALSTEAD H1/H2 2 1 3ALTON J2 0 3 3AMHERST K/M 0 1 1ANDOVER G/I1 0 5 5ANTRIM H2/I2/K 3 2 5ASHLAND F/G/J2 1 1 2ATKINSON & GIL. AC. GR. A 3 5 8BARTLETT E 6 5 11BATH D2 2 2 4BEAN’S PURCHASE E 0 1 1BERLIN C1/C2 4 1 5BETHLEHEM D1/D2/E 6 6 12BOSCAWEN I1 6 4 10BOW I1/K/L 0 2 2BRADFORD I2 0 3 3BRIDGEWATER G 4 2 6BRISTOL G/I1 3 1 4BROOKFIELD J1/J2 3 3 6CAMBRIDGE B/C2 0 2 2CAMPTON F 2 3 5CANAAN G 4 3 7CARROLL D1/E 2 4 6CHARLESTOWN H1 1 1 2CHATHAM E 5 2 7CHESTERFIELD H2 0 2 2CLARKSVILLE A 3 3 6COLEBROOK A/B 0 4 4COLUMBIA B 2 3 5CONCORD I1/J2/K/L 0 1 1CONWAY E/F/J1 2 2 4CORNISH H1 0 1 1CRAWFORD’S PURCHASE E 1 0 1CROYDON H1/I2 0 2 2DALTON D1 1 1 2DANBURY G/I1 0 5 5DEERFIELD L 0 1 1DIX’S GRANT A 0 1 1DIXVILLE A/B 0 1 1DORCHESTER G 0 2 2DUMMER B/C1/C2 5 1 6DUNBARTON K 0 1 1EASTON D2 0 2 2EATON J1 1 1 2EFFINGHAM J1 3 4 7ELLSWORTH F 1 1 2ENFIELD G/H1 1 2 3ERROL A/B/C2 1 2 3FARMINGTON J2 2 1 3


BLACK BEAR

BEAR HARVEST BY TOWN, WMU AND SEX DURING 2017, cont.

TOWN WMUs IN TOWN FEMALE MALE TOTALFITZWILLIAM H2 1 1 2FRANCONIA D1/D2/E 2 3 5FRANKLIN I1 1 1 2FREEDOM J1 2 0 2GILSUM H2 0 1 1GORHAM C1/C2/E 2 3 5GOSHEN I2/H1 1 1 2GRAFTON G 3 3 6GRANTHAM G/H1/I2 2 1 3GROTON G 1 3 4HANCOCK H2/K 2 1 3HANOVER G 0 3 3HART’S LOCATION E 0 3 3HAVERHILL D2 1 7 8HEBRON G 6 2 8HENNIKER I2/K 4 2 6HILL I1 2 0 2HILLSBOROUGH H2/I2/K 5 1 6HINSDALE H2 1 0 1HOLDERNESS F/G/J1/J2 0 1 1HOPKINTON I1/I2/K 0 2 2JACKSON E 2 4 6JAFFREY H2/K 0 1 1JEFFERSON C1/D1/E 4 2 6KILKENNY C1 0 3 3LACONIA J2 0 2 2LANCASTER C1/D1 1 3 4LANDAFF D2 2 3 5LANGDON H1/H2 0 1 1LEBANON G/H1 0 2 2LEMPSTER H1/I2 1 1 2LINCOLN D2/E/F 0 4 4LISBON D2 2 1 3LITTLETON D1/D2 2 4 6LOUDON J2 1 0 1LOW & BURBANK’S GRANT E 1 0 1LYMAN D2 0 2 2LYME G 5 6 11MADISON F/J1 1 1 2MARLBOROUGH H2 0 2 2MARLOW H1/H2.I2 2 1 3MARTIN’S LOCATION E 0 1 1MEREDITH I1/J2 2 2 4MILAN B/C1/C2 0 1 1MILLSFIELD A/B 1 0 1MONROE D2 2 3 5MONT VERNON K 0 1 1MOULTONBORO J1/J2 2 2 4NELSON H2 0 1 1NEW DURHAM J2 0 1 1NEW HAMPTON G/I1/J2 4 2 6NEW IPSWICH K 1 1 2NEW LONDON G/I1/I2 1 0 1NEWBURY I2 4 2 6


BLACK BEAR

BEAR HARVEST BY TOWN, WMU AND SEX DURING 2017, cont.

TOWN WMUs IN TOWN FEMALE MALE TOTALNEWPORT H1/I2 2 3 5NORTHFIELD I1/J2 0 1 1NORTHUMBERLAND B/C1/D1 3 0 3NORTHWOOD J2/L 0 1 1ORANGE G 1 4 5ORFORD D2/G 7 2 9OSSIPEE J1 7 8 15PIERMONT D2 4 3 7PITTSBURG A 7 6 13PLAINFIELD H1 0 2 2PLYMOUTH F/G 5 3 8RANDOLPH C1/E 0 2 2RICHMOND H2 1 1 2RUMNEY F/G 1 2 3SALISBURY I1 3 2 5SANBORNTON I1/J2 3 1 4SANDWICH F/J1 6 5 11SHARON K 0 1 1SHELBURNE C2/E 3 0 3SPRINGFIELD G/I2 5 1 6STARK B/C1 1 5 6STEWARTSTOWN A 4 0 4STODDARD H2/I2 2 1 3STRATFORD B 1 3 4SUCCESS C2 6 0 6SUGAR HILL D1/D2 0 1 1SULLIVAN H2 1 1 2SURRY H2 1 2 3SUTTON I1/I2 0 1 1SWANZEY H2 1 0 1TAMWORTH F/J1 2 4 6TEMPLE K 1 0 1THORNTON F 2 4 6TILTON I1/J2 0 2 2TUFTONBORO J1/J2 3 2 5UNITY H1 1 2 3WALPOLE H1/H2 0 2 2WARNER I1/I2 4 2 6WARREN D2/F 2 4 6WASHINGTON I2 3 3 6WATERVILLE VALLEY E/F 0 2 2WEARE K 1 0 1WEBSTER I1 3 0 3WENTWORTH D2/F/G 0 3 3WENTWORTH'S LOCATION A/C2 1 1 2WESTMORELAND H2 1 1 2WHITEFIELD D1 2 1 3WILMOT G/I1 2 0 2WOLFEBORO J1/J2 1 1 2WOODSTOCK D2/F 0 4 4TOTAL 270 317 587


The 2017 moose season tallied 37 moose and concluded with a statewide success rate of 69%. A total of 51 either-sex permits were issued through the lottery (down from 71 in 2016), and in addition, one auction permit was issued for the Wildlife Heritage Foundation of New Hampshire (WHF) and one permit was donated to the Hunt of a Lifetime program (HOL). Additionally, one medical deferment permit from 2016 was issued in the 2017 season for a total of 54 permits issued in the 2017 season.

At 69% statewide success, the hunt was slightly less successful than last year at 72%. With so few permits issued in each region (none were issued in the Southwest Region) success rates are much more variable and comparing them over time is now more interesting than instructive with regard to moose management. Success rates were similar to past years in the Connecticut Lakes and White Mountains Regions. The North Region saw a 71% success rate (17 issued permits) which is the lowest it’s been since 1990 when it dropped to 57% with a similar number of permits issued. The Central Region, with only 6 permits issued, saw 100% success compared with 50% success in 2016 at 6 permits issued. The Southeast Region had 0% success in 2017 with 5 permits issued, and had 50% in 2016 and 0% in 2015.

Twenty-five (25) adult bulls, 11 cows and 1 calf were taken statewide. All regions that took moose had a percentage of cows and calves in the take ranging from a

low of 12.5 % in the Connecticut Lakes Region to a high of 41.7% in the North Region. All regional cow and calf percentages in the take were higher than in 2016.

Successful hunters traveled from all over New Hampshire and five different states to participate in the 2017 season. Twenty-nine (29) residents and 8 non-residents filled their permits. Permittees were the primary shooter in 27 instances and sub-permittees in 10. Women hunters accounted for 2 of the 37 moose taken this year. Fifty-one (51) percent of all moose were taken in the first three days of the season, and 76% of hunters took their animal prior to 10:00 am. One person used a 50 caliber muzzleloader to take their moose while the remaining hunters utilized a rifle. The 30-06, 308 and 300 remained the most popular rifle calibers used.

The heaviest bull was taken by NH resident Elijah Smith who was also the youngest hunter (15) and hunted under the Hunt of a Lifetime permit. The bull was taken in unit B on October 2. The animal weighed 831 lbs. dressed and had an antler spread of 45.5 inches. The heaviest cow was taken by NH resident John Norman in unit C1 on October 27 and this animal weighed 580 lbs. dressed. The largest spread of 59.875 inches was on a bull taken by non-resident Matthew Wheeler on October 22 in unit A2. This animal had a dressed weight of 810 lbs. Chester Kania Jr., a 78-year-old NH resident, was our oldest successful hunter and took a 675 lb. bull in unit A2.

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MOOSE

NEW HAMPSHIRE MOOSE MANAGEMENT

REGIONS


MOOSE

NH MOOSE POPULATION MANAGEMENT GOALS BY REGION EXPRESSED AS MOOSE PER SQUARE MILE

REGIONRECOMMENDED

GOALCURRENT

LEVEL*

CT. LAKES 2.24 1.94

NORTH 1.28 0.82

WHITE MOUNTAINS 0.47 0.33

CENTRAL 0.25 0.23

S. WEST 0.23 0.21

S. EAST 0.10 0.10

*Moose/mi2 estimated from moose seen per 100 hunter hours during the deer hunter mail survey, 2016-2017.

YEAR TOTAL PAID APPLICATIONS

TOTAL PERMITS DRAWN

(ISSUED)*

RESIDENT ODDS OF

BEING DRAWN

STATEWIDE HARVEST PERCENT CALVES & COWS

HUNTER SUCCESS RATEBULLS COWS CALFS TOTAL

1988 5,915 75 (75) 1 IN 76 37 15 5 57 35% 76%1989 5,504 75 (75) 1 IN 71 33 22 4 59 44% 79%1990 5,707 75 (75) 1 IN 72 39 11 3 53 26% 71%1991 5,122 100 (100) 1 IN 49 64 21 4 89 28% 89%1992 8,702 190 (190) 1 IN 45 117 48 7 172 32% 91%1993 10,044 317 (317) 1 IN 30 188 79 14 281 33% 89%1994 11,572 405 (405) 1 IN 27 204 84 17 305 33% 75%1995 14,150 495 (495) 1 IN 26 256 104 24 384 33% 78%1996 14,398 495 (493) 1 IN 26 257 97 20 374 31% 76%1997 15,161 570 (569) 1 IN 23 248 152 28 428 42% 75%1998 15,942 570 (569) 1 IN 25 235 139 33 407 42% 72%1999 13,090 570 (570) 1 IN 20 227 155 24 406 44% 71%2000 13,984 585 (581) 1 IN 20 225 138 15 378 40% 65%2001 14,943 585 (584) 1 IN 20 250 144 25 419 40% 72%2002 14,888 485 (484) 1 IN 23 209 127 19 355 41% 73%2003 14,402 485 (482) 1 IN 23 236 118 8 362 35% 75%2004 15,505 525 (522) 1 IN 23 280 96 12 388 28% 74%2005 15,837 525 (526) 1 IN 24 269 125 14 408 34% 78%2006 16,344 675 (673) 1 IN 18 268 157 24 449 40% 67%2007 16,779 675 (678) 1 IN 18 310 148 24 482 36% 71%2008 16,144 515 (516) 1 IN 22 180 132 21 333 46% 65%2009 15,723 515 (521) 1 IN 22 180 130 23 341 45% 65%2010 15,229 395 (399) 1 IN 27 200 93 9 302 34% 76%2011 15,007 395 (408) 1 IN 26 191 89 10 290 26% 71%2012 14,776 275 (281) 1 IN 36 101 66 12 179 27% 64%2013 13,187 275 (280) 1 IN 35 91 73 16 180 49% 64%2014 11,986 124 (128) 1 IN 59 56 31 4 91 38% 72%2015 11,056 105 (108) 1 IN 63 46 27 1 74 38% 69%2016 9,590 71 (72) 1 IN 75 45 7 0 52 13% 72%2017 8,261 51 (54) 1 IN 87 25 11 1 37 32% 69%

SUMMARY OF NH MOOSE LOTTERY AND HARVEST

*Permits issued may differ from permits drawn due to failure of permittees to meet eligibility requirements, medical or military deferments, and permits issued through the Hunt of a Lifetime and Wildlife Heritage Foundation programs.


MOOSE

PERMITS ISSUED, HARVEST SUCCESS RATE AND HARVEST PER SQUARE MILE OFMOOSE HABITAT FOR THE 2017 MOOSE HUNT BY MANAGEMENT REGION AND WMU

REGION WMUEITHER SEX

PERMITS ISSUED

ANTERLESS ONLY PERMITS

ISSUED

TOTAL PERMITS ISSUED

TOTAL HARVEST

SUCCESS RATE

HARVEST PER SQ. MILE

CT. LAKE

A1 2 0 2 2 100% 0.01

A2 8 0 8 6 75% 0.01

ALL 10 0 10 8 80% 0.01

NORTH

B 7 0 7 7 100% 0.02

C2 5 0 5 3 60% 0.01

D1 5 0 5 2 40% 0.01

ALL 17 0 17 12 71% 0.02

WHITE MTN.

C1 5 0 5 3 60% 0.02

D2 2 0 2 2 100% <0.01

E1 2 0 2 2 100% 0.01

E2 3 0 3 0 0% 0.01

E3 2 0 2 2 100% 0.01

F 2 0 2 2 100% <0.01

ALL 16 0 16 11 69% 0.01

CENTRAL

G 1 0 1 1 100% <0.00

H1 1 0 1 1 100% <0.01

I1 1 0 1 1 100% <0.00

I2 1 0 1 1 100% <0.01

J1 1 0 1 1 100% <0.01

J2 1 0 1 1 100% <0.00

ALL 6 0 6 6 100% <0.01

S. WEST

H2N 0 0 0 N/A N/A N/A

H2S 0 0 0 N/A N/A N/A

K 0 0 0 N/A N/A N/A

ALL 0 0 0 N/A N/A N/A

S. EASTL 3 0 3 0 0% <0.01

M 2 0 2 0 0% 0.00

ALL 5 0 5 0 0% <0.01

ALL ALL 54 0 54 37 69% <0.01

METHODS OF HARVEST USED BY SUCCESSFUL HUNTERS DURING THE 2017 MOOSE HUNT

METHOD # OF HUNTERS % OF HUNTERS

ARCHERY 0 0.00%

HANDGUN 0 0.00%

MUZZLELOADER 1 2.70%

RIFLE 36 97.30%

SHOTGUN 0 0.00%

UNKNOWN 0 0.00%

TOTALS 37 100.00%


MOOSE

AGE AND SEX OF THE 2017 MOOSE HARVEST BY MANAGEMENT REGION AND WMU

REGION WMU BULLS AGE 2.5+

BULLS AGE 1.5

COWS AGE 2.5+

COWS AGE 1.5 CALVES TOTAL % COWS &

CALVES% BULLS AGE 2.5+

CT. LAKE

A1 1 0 0 1 0 2 50% 50%A2 5 1 0 0 0 6 0% 83%

ALL 6 1 0 1 0 8 13% 75%

NORTH

B 4 0 2 1 0 7 43% 57%C2 2 1 0 0 0 3 0% 67%D1 0 0 1 0 1 2 100% 0%

ALL 6 1 3 1 1 12 42% 50%

WHITE MTN.

C1 1 0 2 0 0 3 67% 33%D2 2 0 0 0 0 2 0% 100%E1 1 0 1 0 0 2 50% 50%E2 0 0 0 0 0 0 N/A N/AE3 1 0 1 0 0 2 50% 50%F 2 0 0 0 0 2 0% 100%

ALL 7 0 4 0 0 11 36% 64%

CENTRAL

G 1 0 0 0 0 1 0% 100%H1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0% 100%I1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0% 0%I2 1 0 0 0 0 1 0% 100%J1 0 0 1 0 0 1 100% 0%J2 0 0 1 0 0 1 100% 0%

ALL 3 1 2 0 0 6 33% 50%

S. WEST

H2N N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/AH2S N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

K N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/AALL N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

S. EASTL 0 0 0 0 0 0 N/A N/AM 0 0 0 0 0 0 N/A N/A

ALL 0 0 0 0 0 0 N/A N/AALL ALL 22 3 9 2 1 37 32% 59%

SUMMARY OF APPLICATIONS AND PERMITS DRAWN BASED UPON POINT STANDINGS FOR THE 2017 NH MOOSE LOTTERY

RESIDENTS NON-RESIDENTS OVERALL

POINTS APPS.* PERMITS DRAWN

PERCENTAGE OF PERMITS APPS.* PERMITS

DRAWNPERCENTAGE OF PERMITS APPS.* PERMITS

DRAWNPERCENTAGE OF PERMITS

1 785 4 9.30% 529 0 0.00% 1,314 4 7.84%

2 330 1 2.33% 351 0 0.00% 681 1 1.96%

3 300 2 4.65% 236 1 12.50% 536 3 5.88%

4 206 2 4.65% 214 0 0.00% 420 2 3.92%

5 251 0 0.00% 176 0 0.00% 427 0 0.00%

6 220 2 4.65% 173 0 0.00% 393 2 3.92%

7 214 3 6.98% 209 1 12.50% 423 4 7.84%

8 210 5 11.63% 163 0 0.00% 373 5 9.80%

9 157 2 4.65% 103 0 0.00% 260 2 3.92%

10 148 4 9.30% 131 0 0.00% 279 4 7.84%

11 127 1 2.33% 141 3 37.50% 268 4 7.84%

12 119 2 4.65% 178 1 12.50% 297 3 5.88%

13 110 0 0.00% 114 1 12.50% 224 1 1.96%

14 545 15 34.88% 410 1 12.50% 955 16 31.37%

ALL 3,722 43 100.00% 3,128 8 100.00% 6,850 51 100%

*Excludes “point only” applications.


MOOSE

SUMMARY OF MOOSE PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS FROM THE 2017 MOOSEHARVEST BY MANAGEMENT REGION AND AGE

BULLS COWS

REGION AGE IN YEARS

MEAN ABD1

MAXIMUM ABD1

MEAN SPREAD2

MAXIMUM SPREAD2

MEAN WEIGHT

MAXIMUM WEIGHT

MEAN WEIGHT

MAXIMUM WEIGHT

CT. LAKE

0.5 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A1.5 36 36 26.5 26.5 510 510 N/A N/A

2.5-4.5 48 50 42.5 51.5 683 750 N/A N/A5.5+ 57.3 60 51.5 59.88 745 810 N/A N/A

NORTH

0.5 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 90 901.5 38 38 25.3 25.25 470 470 475 475

2.5-4.5 46 46 39.3 40 660 670 555 5605.5+ 60.5 75 50.9 55.25 787 831 520 520

WHITE MTN.

0.5 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A1.5 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

2.5-4.5 41.7 45 29.3 32 477 510 520 5805.5+ 52.5 59 41.9 47.75 708 770 N/A N/A

CENTRAL

0.5 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A1.5 33 33 18 18 340 340 N/A N/A

2.5-4.5 50 52 33.6 38 655 670 540 5405.5+ 49 49 45.9 45.88 650 650 N/A N/A

S. WEST


2.5-4.5 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A5.5+ N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

S. EAST


2.5-4.5 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A5.5+ N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

1ABD is antler beam diameter measured in mm.2Spread is measured by the department as the furthest distance between two legal tines in inches.

TEN-YEAR MOOSE HUNTER SUCCESS RATES BY MANAGEMENT REGION AND WMU

REGION WMU 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 MEAN

CT. LAKE

A1 79% 77% 84% 76% 60% 80% 75% 50% 100% 100% 78%A2 80% 87% 87% 84% 83% 72% 82% 75% 89% 75% 81%

ALL 80% 84% 86% 82% 80% 74% 81% 70% 91% 80% 81%

NORTH

B 86% 98% 90% 75% 90% 85% 100% 79% 90% 100% 89%C2 95% 91% 94% 83% 81% 85% 80% 100% 89% 60% 86%D1 67% 74% 73% 50% 60% 100% 44% 71% 50% 40% 63%

ALL 83% 91% 90% 76% 82% 87% 79% 82% 78% 71% 82%

WHITE MTN.

C1 80% 92% 89% 89% 85% 100% 79% 78% 75% 60% 83%D2 35% 33% 70% 70% 53% 60% 38% 40% 75% 100% 57%E1 50% 40% 40% 80% 60% 100% 100% 67% 100% 100% 74%E2 40% 80% 80% 80% 60% 60% 67% 50% 100% 0% 62%E3 40% 36% 100% 80% 0% 60% 67% 33% 50% 100% 57%F 42% 38% 36% 69% 80% 80% 0% 100% 33% 100% 58%

ALL 47% 47% 72% 79% 64% 81% 64% 60% 68% 69% 65%

CENTRAL

G 83% 71% 70% 65% 48% 70% 56% 67% 0% 100% 63%H1 73% 53% 67% 27% 60% 60% 50% 100% 100% 100% 69%I1 55% 65% 53% 67% 60% 20% 50% 100% 0% 100% 57%I2 67% 60% 65% 60% 50% 55% 100% 100% 100% 100% 76%J1 64% 50% 57% 81% 70% 20% 60% 100% 100% 100% 70%J2 52% 53% 80% 65% 40% 20% 100% 100% 0% 100% 61%

ALL 68% 62% 67% 63% 52% 48% 68% 90% 50% 100% 67%

S. WEST

H2N 60% 75% 83% 100% 60% 40% 100% 0% 0% N/A 58%H2S 40% 20% 40% 60% 40% 0% 100% 0% 0% N/A 33%

K 40% 50% 50% 50% 50% 60% 67% 67% 100% N/A 59%ALL 45% 47% 57% 65% 50% 40% 80% 40% 60% N/A 54%

S. EASTL 30% 40% 50% 30% 40% 13% 50% 0% 67% 0% 32%M 50% 60% 40% 20% 20% 60% 0% 0% 0% 0% 25%

ALL 38% 47% 45% 25% 35% 25% 40% 0% 50% 0% 31%ALL ALL 65% 65% 76% 71% 64% 64% 72% 69% 72% 69% 69%


WILD TURKEY

Spring 2017 Gobbler Season (May 3-31, 2017): The May 2017 spring turkey season harvest was comprised of 16 bearded hens, 1,155 jakes (25.9% of males), and 3,311 toms (74.1% of males), for a juvenile to adult gobbler harvest ratio of 0.35 to 1.00 statewide, and a total of 4,482 turkeys. The youth hunt weekend registered 494 turkeys or 11.0% of the 2017 season total. Hunting weather was relatively poor the first week of the season. Opening day Wednesday May 3 registered 798 turkeys or 17.8% of the season total. The first weekend May 6 and 7 registered 742 turkeys or 16.6% of the season total. The second weekend of May 13 and 14 registered 302 turkeys or 6.8% of the total.

The jake:tom harvest ratio jumped to approximately 3 toms to each jake. For the five previous spring gobbler seasons the male harvest ratio has been 2 toms to each jake. There may be a combination of reasons for this change. It was probably not the result of a scarcity of jakes because summer 2016 had above average productivity due to good hatching weather. Many veteran turkey hunters are becoming more “selective” now and passing up jakes in order to shoot a larger tom. Also, in most of the WMUs there are now just more “total” turkeys from which to select.

The statewide “average” was 0.62 gobblers killed per square mile. This was a significant increase over 0.53 the previous year. Only unit L (1.05) reached a kill per square mile of 1.0 or greater. However, the following units were quite close to 1.0 turkey kill per square mile: unit M (0.92), unit K (0.96), unit J2 (0.93) and unit H1 (0.98). Unit D1 (0.36) is the one unit which dropped below the 0.50 kill per square mile level established in the turkey management plan to allow for having a full shotgun season.

The May 2017 breakdown of age classes was 25.9% 1-year olds, 44.5% 2-year olds, 24.2% 3-year olds, 4.9% 4-year olds, and 0.6% 5-year olds. There were only 26 toms of age 5 years or greater, as determined by measurements of leg spur length at the registration station.

The statewide total harvest in May 2016 was 3,882 turkeys and 4,482 turkeys during May 2017, or an increase of 600 turkeys (15.5%). All 18 WMU’s showed an

increase in harvest from May 2016 to May 2017, except for unit C1. Units J2 (681 turkeys), L (434 turkeys), and M (489 turkeys) in southeastern New Hampshire continue to have harvests equal to or surpassing the totals of the original turkey population areas in southwestern New Hampshire.

Eight (8) towns had 50 or more gobblers taken. These were Weare (72), Deerfield (68), Gilmanton (63), Claremont (55), Loudon (54), Alton (52), Plainfield (52) and Strafford (50). A total of 48 towns registered 30 or more gobblers. Heavy gobblers were fairly numerous from the May 2017 season. There was one of 26 pounds, five of 25 pounds, seven of 24.5 pounds and twenty-three of 24 pounds. The longest beards were 13.5, two of 12.0, and seven of 11.0 inches. The longest leg spur lengths were: 1.875, 1.375, 1.250 and 1.250 inches.

Fall 2017 Turkey Seasons: As expected, the fall 2017 turkey hunting season harvest was down significantly from the fall 2016 harvest. This was not because of turkey scarcity. Numerous flocks were observed “everywhere” during the summer/early fall of 2017. The primary reason was the plentiful supply of hard and soft mast in the woods. There is a definite correlation to the fall turkey harvests: harvest is down in good mast years, and harvest is up in poor mast years when turkey flocks are in fields where they are more readily seen and hunted. Flocks were seldom seen in fields during October and November 2017.

Fall 2017 Archery Season (September 15–December 15, 2017). The total of 174 turkeys registered was down compared with the 312 turkeys for the 2016 season, a decrease of 44.2%. The units with the most archery turkeys taken were unit M (49) and unit K (31).

Fall 2017 Shotgun Season (October 16-22, 2017). The fall shotgun season harvest was 276 turkeys compared with 790 for the 2016 total, a decrease of 65.1%. As usual the units in southeastern New Hampshire showed the best harvest totals: J2 (51), L (25) and M (40) combined for a total of 116 turkeys or 42.0% of the statewide harvest. Of the 7-day season, the ending weekend registered 101 turkeys or 36.6% of the season total. The first day of the season registered 57 turkeys and the last day 54 turkeys.


WILD TURKEY

Turkey Viruses: For the 2017 harvest, there were 25 cases of the turkey pox virus reported from 16 towns in 8 of the state’s 10 counties. The Public Internet Winter Flock Survey only reported 4 pox sites, and the Public Internet Brood survey also reported only 4 pox sites. After years of monitoring, from the spring and fall hunting seasons and the public internet surveys, New Hampshire seems to have few turkeys with lesions characteristic of the pox virus.

SPRING AND FALL TURKEY HARVESTS FROM PAST 10 YEARS

YEAR SPRING HARVEST

CHANGE FROM PRECEDING YEAR

FALL HARVEST

2008 4,107 +12.4% 5032009 4,056 -1.2% 4922010 3,669 -9.8% 1,0102011 3,672 0.0% 6432012 3,873 +5.5% 1,0562013 4,550 +17.5% 8552014 3,911 -14.0% 7052015 4,006 +2.4% 1,0432016 3,882 -3.1% 1,1012017 4,482 +15.5% 450

2017 TURKEY POPULATION OBJECTIVES BY WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT UNITS IN TERMS OF SPRING HARVEST PER SQUARE MILE OF TURKEY HABITAT

WMU 2017 CURRENT LEVEL1

2015-2024 OBJECTIVE

HUNTING STRATEGY 2,3,4

A 0.12 0.20 ConservativeB 0.12 0.20 Conservative

C1 0.09 0.20 ConservativeC2 0.20 0.20 ConservativeD1 0.36 0.60 ModerateD2 0.60 0.75 ModerateE 0.09 0.20 ConservativeF 0.23 0.20 ConservativeG 0.55 0.60 ModerateH1 0.98 1.00 LiberalH2 0.73 0.75 LiberalI1 0.64 0.60 ModerateI2 0.68 0.62 ModerateJ1 0.53 0.50 ModerateJ2 0.93 1.00 LiberalK 0.96 1.00 LiberalL 1.05 1.00 LiberalM 0.92 1.00 Liberal

1Current level is the spring kill per square mile of turkey habitat for the 2017 season.2Conservative strategies allow spring hunting and a fall archery season.3Moderate strategies allow for spring hunting and a fall archery season. A fall shotgun season is allowed if the spring harvest equals or exceeds 0.5 gobbler kill per square mile.4Liberal strategies allow spring hunting, a fall shotgun and archery season. If the spring harvest reaches 0.75 to 1.00 gobbler kill per square mile, a 2-gobbler spring bag limit will be considered.

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WILD TURKEY

NEW HAMPSHIRE TURKEY MANAGEMENT

REGIONS


WILD TURKEY

FALL 2017 TURKEY HARVEST BY WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT UNIT

SEASONFALL ARCHERY SEASON HARVEST

A B C1 C2 D1 D2 E F G H1 H2 I1 I2 J1 J2 K L M ALLImm. Hens 2 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 11Adult Hens 2 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 1 1 2 2 2 1 7 15 6 22 64Total Hens 4 0 0 1 2 3 0 0 1 2 3 3 2 1 8 16 6 23 75Imm. Males 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 3 0 5 17Adult Males 3 1 0 3 0 2 1 0 10 3 3 1 2 1 6 12 13 21 82Total Males 4 1 0 3 1 3 1 1 13 3 3 1 2 1 8 15 13 26 99TOTAL 8 1 0 4 3 6 1 1 14 5 6 4 4 2 16 31 19 49 174

SEASONFALL SHOTGUN SEASON HARVEST

A B C1 C2 D1 D2 E F G H1 H2 I1 I2 J1 J2 K L M ALLImm. Hens N/A N/A N/A N/A 0 2 N/A N/A 0 1 4 1 0 1 6 2 2 1 20Adult Hens N/A N/A N/A N/A 4 6 N/A N/A 14 13 9 4 1 3 24 17 11 23 129Total Hens N/A N/A N/A N/A 4 8 N/A N/A 14 14 13 5 1 4 30 19 13 24 149Imm. Males N/A N/A N/A N/A 2 6 N/A N/A 0 5 2 2 0 1 4 4 5 5 36Adult Males N/A N/A N/A N/A 1 2 N/A N/A 5 9 11 3 3 8 17 14 7 11 91Total Males N/A N/A N/A N/A 3 8 N/A N/A 5 14 13 5 3 9 21 18 12 16 127TOTAL N/A N/A N/A N/A 7 16 N/A N/A 19 28 26 10 4 13 51 37 25 40 276

SEASONTOTAL FALL SEASON HARVEST

A B C1 C2 D1 D2 E F G H1 H2 I1 I2 J1 J2 K L M ALLImm. Hens 2 0 0 0 2 3 0 0 0 2 5 2 0 1 7 3 2 2 31Adult Hens 2 0 0 1 4 8 0 0 15 14 11 6 3 4 31 32 17 45 193Total Hens 4 0 0 1 6 11 0 0 15 16 16 8 3 5 38 35 19 47 224Imm. Males 1 0 0 0 3 7 0 1 3 5 2 2 0 1 6 7 5 10 53Adult Males 3 1 0 3 1 4 1 0 15 12 14 4 5 9 23 26 20 32 173Total Males 4 1 0 3 4 11 1 1 18 17 16 6 5 10 29 33 25 42 226TOTAL 8 1 0 4 10 22 1 1 33 33 32 14 8 15 67 68 44 89 450

WMU SQ. MI HABITAT

BEARDED HENS JAKES TOMS TOTAL % OF TOTAL JUVENILE : ADULT

HARVEST RATIO KPSM*

A 424.44 0 20 30 50 1.12% 0.67:1:00 0.12B 251.65 0 8 21 29 0.65% 0.38:1.00 0.12

C1 144.62 0 5 8 13 0.29% 0.63:1.00 0.09C2 177.69 0 9 26 35 0.78% 0.35:1.00 0.20D1 193.11 2 28 40 70 1.56% 0.70:1.00 0.36D2 402.46 1 53 188 242 5.40% 0.28:1.00 0.60E 451.29 0 12 30 42 0.94% 0.40:1.00 0.09F 372.65 0 18 69 87 1.94% 0.26:1.00 0.23G 555.15 0 66 241 307 6.85% 0.27:1.00 0.55H1 353.86 3 67 277 347 7.74% 0.24:1.00 0.98H2 626.12 4 126 324 454 10.13% 0.39:1.00 0.73I1 317.97 1 48 156 205 4.57% 0.31:1.00 0.64I2 327.64 0 59 165 224 5.00% 0.36:1.00 0.68J1 426.81 0 46 179 225 5.02% 0.26:1.00 0.53J2 733.4 1 180 500 681 15.19% 0.36:1.00 0.93K 569.91 2 135 411 548 12.23% 0.33:1.00 0.96L 412.97 1 125 308 434 9.68% 0.41:1.00 1.05M 532.39 1 150 338 489 10.91% 0.44:1.00 0.92

TOTALS 7,274.13 16 1,155 3,311 4,482 100.00% 0.35:1.00 0.62

*Kill per square mile of turkey habitat.

SPRING 2017 TURKEY HARVEST BY WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT UNIT


WILD TURKEY

SPRING TURKEY HARVESTS BY WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT UNIT (2008-2017)

WMU 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 10-YEAR AVERAGE

A 14 34 22 30 47 62 48 48 50 50 40.5B 39 37 26 19 34 41 25 23 19 29 29.2

C1 12 16 14 13 13 18 22 7 15 13 14.3C2 28 29 23 19 26 33 28 35 28 35 28.4D1 123 101 82 83 99 114 102 95 65 70 93.4D2 378 352 308 236 213 270 234 216 194 242 264.3E 47 35 37 37 23 47 34 38 40 42 38.0F 101 94 82 64 78 83 64 74 69 87 79.6G 307 301 279 244 265 324 257 257 240 307 278.1H1 353 337 340 299 274 337 295 300 285 347 316.7H2 467 505 409 431 371 449 361 428 408 454 428.3I1 212 242 188 181 196 199 159 153 175 205 191.0I2 224 192 174 172 182 202 176 178 175 224 189.9J1 206 199 181 152 165 212 166 205 180 225 189.1J2 500 530 471 512 532 676 600 622 637 681 576.1K 486 487 472 529 535 571 490 450 463 548 503.1L 285 289 261 311 393 455 410 403 411 434 365.2M 308 264 296 338 425 456 440 474 428 489 391.8

Totals 4,107 4,044 3,669 3,672 3,876 4,550 3,911 4,006 3,882 4,482 4,019.9

TOP GOBBLERS TAKEN IN NEW HAMPSHIRE DURING 2017 SPRING SEASON

HUNTER NAME - RESIDENCE WEIGHT (LBS) BEARD LENGTH

SPUR LENGTH WMU TOWN OF KILL

PAUL HAMMOND - RAYMOND 26 10 1.250 M RAYMONDWILLIAM EATON JR - HAVERHILL (MA) 25 10 1.000 M PLAISTOWJEFFREY PARADIS - NOTTINGHAM 25 9.5 1.250 L NOTTINGHAMARNOLD HORSCH III - BRENTWOOD 25 9 1.000 M BRENTWOODVERONIQUE LUDINGTON - STRATHAM 24.75 10.5 1.000 M PORTSMOUTHGERARD DECOSTA SR - LITCHFIELD 24.68 11.25 1.125 M LITCHFIELDSHAUN CLARK - HUDSON 24.5 11.25 1.000 M LITCHFIELDJOEL COBB - CHARLESTOWN 24.5 11.25 1.000 H2 WALPOLECHRISTOPHER GARRETT - PORTSMOUTH 24.5 10.25 1.000 M PORTSMOUTHDANIEL HARRISON - MARLBOROUGH 24.5 10 0.875 H2 MARLBOROUGHGAIL CROSBY - LEE 24.5 10 0.750 M SOUTH HAMPTONFRANKIE FRAZIER JR - NARROWS (VA) 24.5 9.5 0.750 H1 ACWORTHMICHAEL SADOWSKI - GREENVILLE 24.5 9.25 0.875 K GREENVILLEPETER GENEST SR - BEVERLY (MA) 24.25 10.75 1.375 L ROCHESTERBRETT MARTINEAU - DOVER 24.25 9.75 0.750 L DOVERGARY CIARDELLI - WILTON 24 13.5 1.000 K WILTONMARK SCHULTZ - EXETER 24 12 1.125 M KENSINGTONCOLBY FOSTER - NEWMARKET 24 12 1.000 M HAMPTON FALLSWILLIAM BARRETT - GROTON 24 11 1.000 K MASONCOLBY CLEGG - CENTER BARNSTEAD 24 11 1.000 J2 BARNSTEADMARCO ZAMPETTI - CHELMSFORD (MA) 24 10.75 1.875 M MERRIMACKADAM OHLIN - NEW BOSTON 24 10.25 1.000 K NEW BOSTONCIERRA NEVIN - FRANKLIN 24 10.25 1.000 G ALEXANDRIACAMERON FOSTER - NEW IPSWICH 24 10 1.125 K NEW IPSWICHTIMOTHY DEAN - RINDGE 24 10 0.875 H2 RINDGEERICK DULUDE - DUNBARTON 24 9.75 1.000 K DUNBARTONJEAN DESILETS - CHICHESTER 24 9.5 1.000 J2 CHICHESTERKARL RICKER - ROCHESTER 24 9.5 1.000 J2 GILMANTONDARREN JOHNSON - PEMBROKE 24 9.5 0.750 L PEMBROKEWILLIAM SENECAL SR - RAYMOND 24 9.25 1.000 L NOTTINGHAMROBERT MURPHY - BARRINGTON 24 9.25 1.000 J2 NORTHWOODFORREST HOWES JR - PLYMOUTH 24 9 1.125 F ASHLANDTIMOTHY BUTLER - EPPING 24 9 1.000 J2 STRAFFORDPAUL SIZEMORE - WEARE 24 9 0.750 K WEARELAWRENCE DUVAL - CORNISH 24 7.75 1.000 H1 CORNISHMARC MORIN - NASHUA 24 6.25 1.188 K GREENVILLE


WILD TURKEY

2017 TURKEY HARVEST BY TOWN AND SEASON

TOWN/WMUs SPRING HEN

SPRING JAKE

SPRING TOM

SPRING MALE TOTAL

SPRING MALE KPSM*

FALL HEN

FALL MALE

FALL TOTAL

FALL KPSM*

ACWORTH (H1) 1 8 16 24 0.67 0 0 0 0.00

ALBANY (E/F/J1) 0 1 4 5 0.08 0 0 0 0.00

ALEXANDRIA (G/I1) 0 1 8 9 0.23 1 2 3 0.08

ALLENSTOWN (L) 0 5 7 12 0.67 0 1 1 0.06

ALSTEAD (H1/H2) 1 9 20 29 0.80 2 2 4 0.11

ALTON (J2) 0 13 39 52 0.91 1 1 2 0.03

AMHERST (K/M) 0 6 16 22 0.79 0 1 1 0.04

ANDOVER (G/I1) 0 6 14 20 0.54 0 0 0 0.00

ANTRIM (H2/I2/K) 0 5 13 18 0.57 0 1 1 0.03

ASHLAND (F/G/J2) 0 1 5 6 0.62 1 1 2 0.21

ATKINSON (M) 0 2 3 5 0.53 1 1 2 0.21

AUBURN (L/M) 0 3 18 21 0.95 2 0 2 0.09

BARNSTEAD (J2) 0 13 26 39 1.00 2 4 6 0.15

BARRINGTON (J2/L) 0 7 35 42 1.01 2 0 2 0.05

BARTLETT (E) 0 2 4 6 0.10 0 0 0 0.00

BATH (D2) 0 9 39 48 1.35 6 4 10 0.28

BEDFORD (K/L/M) 0 4 16 20 0.78 3 0 3 0.12

BELMONT (J2) 0 7 25 32 1.25 6 4 10 0.39

BENNINGTON (H2/K) 0 1 12 13 1.33 0 1 1 0.10

BENTON (D2) 0 0 6 6 0.15 0 1 1 0.03

BERLIN (C1/C2) 0 3 5 8 0.17 0 0 0 0.00

BETHLEHEM (D1/D2/E) 0 3 7 10 0.14 0 0 0 0.00

BOSCAWEN (I1) 0 4 12 16 0.73 0 0 0 0.00

BOW (I1/K/L) 0 4 22 26 1.16 1 2 3 0.13

BRADFORD (I2) 0 3 9 12 0.38 0 0 0 0.00

BRENTWOOD (L/M) 0 7 12 19 1.33 2 3 5 0.35

BRIDGEWATER (G) 0 2 8 10 0.50 1 0 1 0.05

BRISTOL (G/I1) 0 1 9 10 0.68 0 0 0 0.00

BROOKFIELD (J1/J2) 0 3 21 24 1.12 0 1 1 0.05

BROOKLINE (K/M) 0 3 12 15 0.86 0 1 1 0.06

CAMBRIDGE (B/C2) 0 0 0 0 0.00 1 0 1 0.02

CAMPTON (F) 0 1 16 17 0.37 0 0 0 0.00

CANAAN (G) 0 11 28 39 0.89 2 5 7 0.16

CANDIA (L/M) 0 7 16 23 0.84 0 0 0 0.00

CANTERBURY (I1/J2) 0 8 24 32 0.80 1 0 1 0.03

CARROLL (D1/E) 0 2 4 6 0.14 0 0 0 0.00

CENTER HARBOR (J1/J2) 0 1 4 5 0.43 0 2 2 0.17

CHARLESTOWN (H1) 0 3 23 26 0.80 3 0 3 0.09

CHATHAM (E) 0 2 3 5 0.10 0 0 0 0.00

CHESTER (M) 0 16 20 36 1.52 3 1 4 0.17

CHESTERFIELD (H2) 0 5 19 24 0.56 0 2 2 0.05

CHICHESTER (J2/L) 0 2 14 16 0.84 1 0 1 0.05

CLAREMONT (H1) 0 11 44 55 1.49 1 3 4 0.11

CLARKSVILLE (A) 0 2 2 4 0.08 1 0 1 0.02

COLEBROOK (A/B) 0 9 14 23 0.75 0 1 1 0.03

COLUMBIA (B) 0 1 5 6 0.12 0 1 1 0.02

CONCORD (I1/J2/K/L) 0 11 31 42 0.88 3 0 3 0.06

CONWAY (E/F/J1) 0 2 12 14 0.23 0 1 1 0.02

CORNISH (H1) 0 8 41 49 1.31 3 6 9 0.24

CROYDON (H1/I2) 1 6 19 25 0.88 0 1 1 0.04



WILD TURKEY



SPRING JAKE

SPRING TOM

SPRING MALE TOTAL

SPRING MALE KPSM*

FALL HEN

FALL MALE

FALL TOTAL

FALL KPSM*

DALTON (D1) 0 4 10 14 0.60 0 0 0 0.00

DANBURY (G/I1) 0 8 13 21 0.67 1 1 2 0.06

DANVILLE (M) 0 4 6 10 1.00 0 0 0 0.00

DEERFIELD (L) 0 12 56 68 1.45 2 1 3 0.06

DEERING (K) 0 6 15 21 0.75 0 1 1 0.04

DERRY (M) 0 7 13 20 0.70 4 1 5 0.18

DORCHESTER (G) 0 3 9 12 0.32 0 0 0 0.00

DOVER (L) 0 3 15 18 0.90 1 1 2 0.10

DUBLIN (H2) 0 4 9 13 0.54 0 0 0 0.00

DUMMER (B/C1/C2) 0 2 6 8 0.21 0 1 1 0.03

DUNBARTON (K) 0 4 24 28 1.01 1 0 1 0.04

DURHAM (L) 0 4 17 21 1.12 1 1 2 0.11

EAST KINGSTON (M) 0 3 12 15 1.67 0 0 0 0.00

EASTON (D2) 1 0 2 2 0.08 0 0 0 0.00

EATON (J1) 0 2 10 12 0.52 0 1 1 0.04

EFFINGHAM (J1) 0 2 9 11 0.31 0 1 1 0.03

ENFIELD (G/H1) 0 11 21 32 0.94 1 2 3 0.09

EPPING (L/M) 1 8 12 20 0.89 1 1 2 0.09

EPSOM (J2/L) 0 13 30 43 1.37 4 0 4 0.13

ERROL (A/B/C2) 0 0 1 1 0.02 0 0 0 0.00

EXETER (L/M) 0 6 8 14 0.90 2 2 4 0.26

FARMINGTON (J2) 0 10 32 42 1.26 1 2 3 0.09

FITZWILLIAM (H2) 1 5 16 21 0.70 2 3 5 0.17

FRANCESTOWN (K) 0 5 17 22 0.79 3 0 3 0.11

FRANCONIA (D1/D2/E) 0 0 5 5 0.10 1 0 1 0.02

FRANKLIN (I1) 0 3 12 15 0.63 0 0 0 0.00

FREEDOM (J1) 0 4 10 14 0.44 3 0 3 0.10

FREMONT (M) 0 3 9 12 0.81 0 1 1 0.07

GILFORD (J2) 0 11 27 38 1.15 1 4 5 0.15

GILMANTON (J2) 1 15 48 63 1.18 6 1 7 0.13

GILSUM (H2) 0 2 9 11 0.72 0 0 0 0.00

GOFFSTOWN (K) 0 7 32 39 1.25 2 6 8 0.26

GORHAM (C1/C2/E) 0 1 5 6 0.21 0 0 0 0.00

GOSHEN (I2/H1) 1 1 12 13 0.64 1 0 1 0.05

GRAFTON (G) 0 8 12 20 0.57 2 0 2 0.06

GRANTHAM (G/H1/I2) 0 2 6 8 0.36 0 1 1 0.05

GREENFIELD (K) 0 2 15 17 0.73 1 0 1 0.04

GREENLAND (M) 0 4 11 15 1.75 1 1 2 0.23

GREENVILLE (K) 0 3 6 9 1.49 1 3 4 0.66

GROTON (G) 0 1 8 9 0.26 0 1 1 0.03

HAMPSTEAD (M) 0 1 1 2 0.18 0 0 0 0.00

HAMPTON (M) 0 3 1 4 0.60 0 0 0 0.00

HAMPTON FALLS (M) 0 3 13 16 1.70 0 2 2 0.21

HANCOCK (H2/K) 0 4 15 19 0.71 1 1 2 0.07

HANOVER (G) 0 2 22 24 0.54 1 2 3 0.07

HARRISVILLE (H2) 0 2 6 8 0.47 1 1 2 0.12

HAVERHILL (D2) 0 9 34 43 0.91 0 3 3 0.06

HEBRON (G) 0 2 7 9 0.60 1 1 2 0.13

HENNIKER (I2/K) 0 6 24 30 0.75 0 0 0 0.00

HILL (I1) 0 4 7 11 0.45 0 2 2 0.08



WILD TURKEY




SPRING JAKE

SPRING TOM

SPRING MALE TOTAL

SPRING MALE KPSM*

FALL HEN

FALL MALE

FALL TOTAL

FALL KPSM*

HILLSBOROUGH (H2/I2/K) 0 7 27 34 0.86 2 1 3 0.08

HINSDALE (H2) 0 5 11 16 0.89 0 2 2 0.11

HOLDERNESS (F/G/J1/J2) 0 5 9 14 0.51 0 0 0 0.00

HOLLIS (M) 0 8 12 20 0.72 4 3 7 0.25

HOOKSETT (K/L) 0 7 23 30 1.07 0 2 2 0.07

HOPKINTON (I1/I2/K) 0 12 22 34 0.91 2 0 2 0.05

HUDSON (M) 1 6 11 17 0.88 3 1 4 0.21

JACKSON (E) 0 1 5 6 0.10 0 0 0 0.00

JAFFREY (H2/K) 1 10 33 43 1.30 3 1 4 0.12

JEFFERSON (C1/D1/E) 0 8 11 19 0.46 2 0 2 0.05

KEENE (H2) 0 1 10 11 0.37 0 0 0 0.00

KENSINGTON (M) 0 10 11 21 1.94 0 1 1 0.09

KINGSTON (M) 0 2 17 19 1.16 2 0 2 0.12

LACONIA (J2) 0 2 6 8 0.54 2 0 2 0.14

LANCASTER (C1/D1) 1 10 6 16 0.39 1 4 5 0.12

LANDAFF (D2) 0 4 14 18 0.70 0 0 0 0.00

LANGDON (H1/H2) 0 6 8 14 0.91 0 0 0 0.00

LEBANON (G/H1) 0 7 32 39 1.18 0 2 2 0.06

LEE (L) 0 5 16 21 1.23 2 1 3 0.18

LEMPSTER (H1/I2) 0 1 10 11 0.45 0 1 1 0.04

LINCOLN (D2/E/F) 0 1 3 4 0.05 0 0 0 0.00

LISBON (D2) 0 3 14 17 0.71 0 0 0 0.00

LITCHFIELD (M) 0 3 11 14 1.23 2 2 4 0.35

LITTLETON (D1/D2) 0 2 12 14 0.32 1 1 2 0.05

LONDONDERRY (M) 0 8 28 36 1.14 3 5 8 0.25

LOUDON (J2) 0 13 41 54 1.35 2 3 5 0.12

LYMAN (D2) 0 4 10 14 0.52 0 0 0 0.00

LYME (G) 0 5 25 30 0.61 1 0 1 0.02

LYNDEBOROUGH (K) 0 11 32 43 1.51 3 3 6 0.21

MADBURY (L) 0 1 6 7 0.68 1 2 3 0.29

MADISON (F/J1) 0 5 17 22 0.62 0 0 0 0.00

MANCHESTER (K/L/M) 0 0 2 2 0.15 1 1 2 0.15

MARLBOROUGH (H2) 0 5 19 24 1.27 1 1 2 0.11

MARLOW (H1/H2/I2) 0 3 10 13 0.60 1 0 1 0.05

MASON (K) 0 3 9 12 0.53 1 3 4 0.18

MEREDITH (I1/J2) 0 5 9 14 0.40 0 0 0 0.00

MERRIMACK (M) 0 9 17 26 1.08 2 5 7 0.29

MIDDLETON (J2) 0 6 11 17 1.02 0 0 0 0.00

MILAN (B/C1/C2) 0 5 6 11 0.24 0 2 2 0.04

MILFORD (K/M) 0 6 13 19 0.93 0 3 3 0.15

MILLSFIELD (A/B) 0 1 0 1 0.03 0 0 0 0.00

MILTON (J2) 0 12 11 23 0.77 2 0 2 0.07

MONROE (D2) 0 3 13 16 0.77 1 0 1 0.05

MONT VERNON (K) 0 5 9 14 0.90 1 0 1 0.06

MOULTONBORO (J1/J2) 0 1 11 12 0.23 0 0 0 0.00

NASHUA (M) 0 0 3 3 0.25 0 0 0 0.00

NELSON (H2) 0 2 9 11 0.57 0 0 0 0.00

NEW BOSTON (K) 0 10 28 38 0.98 4 2 6 0.16

NEW DURHAM (J2) 0 6 19 25 0.66 2 0 2 0.05

NEW HAMPTON (G/I1/J2) 0 2 13 15 0.45 2 1 3 0.09


WILD TURKEY




SPRING JAKE

SPRING TOM

SPRING MALE TOTAL

SPRING MALE KPSM*

FALL HEN

FALL MALE

FALL TOTAL

FALL KPSM*

NEW IPSWICH (K) 1 7 15 22 0.75 1 1 2 0.07

NEW LONDON (G/I1/I2) 1 1 6 7 0.38 0 0 0 0.00

NEWBURY (I2) 0 8 17 25 0.78 0 1 1 0.03

NEWFIELDS (L) 0 5 4 9 1.42 0 1 1 0.16

NEWINGTON (M) 0 0 7 7 1.17 0 0 0 0.00

NEWMARKET (L) 0 12 8 20 1.93 1 0 1 0.10

NEWPORT (H1/I2) 0 14 28 42 1.08 1 3 4 0.10

NEWTON (M) 0 4 1 5 0.60 1 2 3 0.36

NORTH HAMPTON (M) 0 2 5 7 0.64 0 2 2 0.18

NORTHFIELD (I1/J2) 0 5 12 17 0.65 3 0 3 0.12

NORTHUMBERLAND (B/C1/D1) 0 1 5 6 0.20 0 0 0 0.00

NORTHWOOD (J2/L) 0 7 28 35 1.37 2 0 2 0.08

NOTTINGHAM (L) 0 15 24 39 0.92 1 2 3 0.07

ORANGE (G) 0 1 3 4 0.21 1 0 1 0.05

ORFORD (D2/G) 0 5 16 21 0.50 1 0 1 0.02

OSSIPEE (J1) 0 7 31 38 0.61 1 3 4 0.06

PELHAM (M) 0 6 5 11 0.51 2 2 4 0.18

PEMBROKE (L) 0 13 8 21 1.09 1 1 2 0.10

PETERBOROUGH (H2/K) 0 4 19 23 0.72 1 1 2 0.06

PIERMONT (D2) 0 13 17 30 0.82 2 2 4 0.11

PITTSBURG (A) 0 8 8 16 0.07 2 3 5 0.02

PITTSFIELD (J2) 0 5 26 31 1.43 0 0 0 0.00

PLAINFIELD (H1) 0 6 46 52 1.13 3 2 5 0.11

PLAISTOW (M) 0 0 5 5 0.62 1 0 1 0.12

PLYMOUTH (F/G) 0 4 9 13 0.55 2 0 2 0.08

PORTSMOUTH (M) 0 0 3 3 0.38 2 1 3 0.38

RANDOLPH (C1/E) 0 1 1 2 0.05 0 0 0 0.00

RAYMOND (L/M) 0 4 14 18 0.76 2 1 3 0.13

RICHMOND (H2) 0 9 17 26 0.72 0 0 0 0.00

RINDGE (H2/K) 0 6 19 25 0.81 3 0 3 0.10

ROCHESTER (J2/L) 0 12 25 37 1.05 2 6 8 0.23

ROLLINSFORD (L) 0 2 8 10 1.60 0 1 1 0.16

ROXBURY (H2) 0 3 4 7 0.61 0 0 0 0.00

RUMNEY (F/G) 0 5 15 20 0.53 0 0 0 0.00

RYE (M) 0 3 7 10 1.11 0 2 2 0.22

SALEM (M) 0 1 0 1 0.06 3 0 3 0.18

SALISBURY (I1) 0 4 22 26 0.70 0 0 0 0.00

SANBORNTON (I1/J2) 0 7 16 23 0.52 0 1 1 0.02

SANDOWN (M) 0 3 5 8 0.67 1 0 1 0.08

SANDWICH (F/J1) 0 8 19 27 0.33 1 1 2 0.02

SEABROOK (M) 0 1 2 3 0.67 0 0 0 0.00

SHARON (K) 1 2 3 5 0.36 1 0 1 0.07

SHELBURNE (C2/E) 0 3 12 15 0.39 0 0 0 0.00

SOMERSWORTH (L) 0 0 4 4 0.57 0 1 1 0.14

SOUTH HAMPTON (M) 0 1 4 5 0.70 0 0 0 0.00

SPRINGFIELD (G/I2) 0 4 16 20 0.61 1 1 2 0.06

STARK (B/C1) 0 4 2 6 0.12 0 0 0 0.00

STEWARTSTOWN (A) 0 2 6 8 0.22 1 0 1 0.03

STODDARD (H2/I2) 0 2 5 7 0.16 0 0 0 0.00

STRAFFORD (J2) 0 17 33 50 1.10 2 4 6 0.13


WILD TURKEY



SPRING JAKE

SPRING TOM

SPRING MALE TOTAL

SPRING MALE KPSM*

FALL HEN

FALL MALE

FALL TOTAL

FALL KPSM*

STRATFORD (B) 0 2 10 12 0.18 0 0 0 0.00

STRATHAM (L/M) 0 6 17 23 1.81 1 0 1 0.08

SUGAR HILL (D1/D2) 0 1 8 9 0.58 0 0 0 0.00

SULLIVAN (H2) 0 3 4 7 0.42 1 0 1 0.06

SUNAPEE (G/I2) 0 7 11 18 1.02 0 1 1 0.06

SURRY (H2) 0 2 2 4 0.28 0 1 1 0.07

SUTTON (I1/I2) 0 3 18 21 0.56 1 0 1 0.03

SWANZEY (H2) 0 11 22 33 0.83 1 0 1 0.03

TAMWORTH (F/J1) 0 3 13 16 0.30 0 0 0 0.00

TEMPLE (K) 0 4 12 16 0.77 1 2 3 0.14

THORNTON (F) 0 2 8 10 0.22 0 1 1 0.02

TILTON (I1/J2) 0 2 2 4 0.44 0 0 0 0.00

TROY (H2) 0 3 7 10 0.62 1 0 1 0.06

TUFTONBORO (J1/J2) 0 5 25 30 0.82 1 1 2 0.05

UNITY (H1) 0 7 35 42 1.24 2 1 3 0.09

WAKEFIELD (J1/J2) 0 7 28 35 1.00 0 1 1 0.03

WALPOLE (H1/H2) 1 11 24 35 1.10 2 2 4 0.13

WARNER (I1/I2) 0 8 16 24 0.48 1 1 2 0.04

WARREN (D2/F) 0 0 7 7 0.15 0 0 0 0.00

WASHINGTON (I2) 0 4 15 19 0.55 0 0 0 0.00

WATERVILLE VALLEY (E/F) 0 0 2 2 0.05 0 0 0 0.00

WEARE (K) 0 21 51 72 1.33 4 3 7 0.13

WEBSTER (I1) 0 8 23 31 1.21 0 1 1 0.04

WENTWORTH (D2/F/G) 0 2 14 16 0.44 1 0 1 0.03

WESTMORELAND (H2) 0 12 27 39 1.15 2 0 2 0.06

WHITEFIELD (D1) 1 3 6 9 0.33 2 0 2 0.07

WILMOT (G/I1) 0 4 10 14 0.55 0 1 1 0.04

WILTON (K) 0 7 15 22 0.95 4 2 6 0.26

WINCHESTER (H2) 0 12 25 37 0.73 1 1 2 0.04

WINDHAM (M) 0 2 7 9 0.40 0 2 2 0.09

WINDSOR (I2) 0 1 1 2 0.27 0 0 0 0.00

WOLFEBORO (J1/J2) 0 5 23 28 0.64 1 4 5 0.11

WOODSTOCK (D2/F) 0 0 1 1 0.02 0 0 0 0.00

TOTALS 16 1,155 3,311 4,466 224 226 450



FURBEARER

During the 2016/17 trapping season, New Hampshire trappers continued to provide valuable benefits to New Hampshire’s citizenry. Trapper harvest, under the guidelines of a carefully regulated trapping program, helps maintain furbearer populations at desired biological and social levels. Data that trappers provide in annual trapper reports give information on furbearer distribution and abundance and are essential for furbearer population management decision-making. Finally, the expertise that trappers provide to state, municipal, and private interests in resolving wildlife/human conflicts represents an invaluable public service.

Results from the 2016/17 New Hampshire trapping season reflect the fact that New Hampshire furbearers are widespread and abundant. A total of 586 trapper licenses were issued for the 2016/17 trapping season.

This represents a 10.6% decrease from the 656 licenses issued the previous year. Reported trap nights of effort for some species were also down in 2016/17. Average pelt values, derived from averaging area states trapping association fur auctions, decreased for some species while increasing for others. The value of the 2016/17 fur harvest was $28,714 based on average pelt values and the total

amount of fur harvested in New Hampshire. This was down (46.8%) from the estimated value of $53,981 for the 2015/16 season.

The New Hampshire furbearer management program relies on trapper data to monitor furbearer populations and to develop season proposals. While population trends based on catch per 100 trap nights of effort for

species have varied, declines and increases have generally remained within historic norms.

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FURBEARER

NEW HAMPSHIRE FURBEARERS

MANAGEMENT REGIONS


FURBEARER

NH FURBEARER TRAPPER HARVEST BY SEASON, 2009/10-2016/17*

SEASON BEAVER COYOTE FISHER GRAY FOX MINK MUSKRAT OTTER RACCOON RED FOX

2009-10 2616 466 301 201 280 1794 257 446 274

2010-11 2347 412 339 193 353 1347 242 548 249

2011-12 3255 427 260 129 268 1804 386 410 226

2012-13 2491 534 280 181 399 1850 306 623 307

2013-14 2329 499 224 187 289 1743 256 617 271

2014-15 2054 440 227 99 269 1450 177 487 210

2015-16 2246 501 140 109 174 1452 166 463 180

2016-17 1176 379 88 62 110 542 153 331 115

NH FURBEARER STATEWIDE CATCH PER 100 TRAP NIGHTS BY SEASON, 2009/10-2016/17*

SEASON BEAVER COYOTE FISHER GRAY FOX MINK MUSKRAT OTTER RACCOON RED FOX

2009-10 7.62 2.00 1.61 1.20 2.07 6.24 2.48 3.57 1.41

2010-11 8.82 1.92 1.58 1.52 2.08 5.73 1.97 3.18 1.51

2011-12 6.86 2.40 1.28 1.33 1.99 5.64 1.55 3.07 1.80

2012-13 5.29 1.46 1.42 1.07 1.43 4.85 1.26 2.49 1.34

2013-14 5.96 1.21 0.94 0.92 1.09 5.07 1.55 2.72 1.13

2014-15 5.52 1.21 1.32 0.69 1.91 4.70 1.96 2.20 1.12

2015-16 4.71 1.06 1.13 0.77 1.47 5.31 1.46 3.41 0.88

2016-17 7.33 1.42 1.73 0.55 1.57 5.96 2.77 1.60 0.83

NH FURBEARER TRAPPER HARVEST BY REGION, 2016/17*

REGION BEAVER COYOTE FISHER GRAY FOX MINK MUSKRAT OTTER RACCOON RED FOX

NORTH 278 132 1 6 29 175 14 76 34

WHITE MTN. 115 51 7 8 25 84 15 26 13

CENTRAL 339 106 27 22 37 112 57 124 33

SOUTH WEST 223 44 17 11 14 65 24 48 17

SOUTH EAST 221 46 36 15 5 106 43 57 18

STATEWIDE 1176 379 88 62 110 542 153 331 115

REGION BEAVER COYOTE FISHER GRAY FOX MINK MUSKRAT OTTER RACCOON RED FOX

NORTH 9.99 1.59 1.49 0.31 2.72 9.22 4.65 2.11 0.76

WHITE MTN. 10.27 1.93 2.71 0.73 3.26 11.65 2.41 2.92 0.70

CENTRAL 8.73 1.36 1.94 0.48 1.06 3.44 3.23 2.63 0.85

SOUTH WEST 4.70 0.86 0.94 0.52 1.68 3.81 1.54 1.88 0.74

SOUTH EAST 6.30 1.60 2.30 0.89 0.57 6.66 3.45 0.67 1.27

STATEWIDE 7.33 1.42 1.73 0.55 1.57 5.96 2.77 1.60 0.83

*Due to late data submittals, previous year’s data may have changed from previous reports.

NH FURBEARER CATCH PER 100 TRAP NIGHTS BY REGION, 2016/17*




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