In New Hampshire, the laws surrounding hunting on private property can be a bit confusing. Many people wonder if they need a hunting license to hunt on their own land. The answer depends on a few factors, such as your age and whether you need a special permit for the type of hunting you plan to do.
Resident Landowners and Their Minor Children
According to the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, resident landowners and their minor children under the age of 16 may hunt and trap on their own land in season without a regular hunting or trapping license. This exception applies to hunting and trapping during the regular season, but it does not apply to activities requiring a special license or permit, such as archery, muzzleloader, pheasant, or turkey hunting.
It’s important to note that this exception only applies to the landowner’s own property. If the landowner or their minor child wants to hunt or trap on someone else’s land, they would need a regular hunting or trapping license.
Special Licenses and Permits
Even if you are a resident landowner or their minor child, you may still need a special license or permit for certain types of hunting. For example, you would need an archery license to hunt deer with a bow and arrow during the archery season. You would also need a special permit to hunt deer during the muzzleloader season or to hunt turkeys.
These special licenses and permits are required regardless of whether you are hunting on your own land or someone else’s land.
Non-Resident Landowners
The exception for hunting without a license does not apply to non-resident landowners. Non-resident landowners must have a valid hunting license to hunt on their own property in New Hampshire.
This means that if you own land in New Hampshire but you are not a resident of the state, you would need to purchase a non-resident hunting license to hunt on your own property.
Hunting Regulations
Even if you are exempt from needing a hunting license, you still must follow all other hunting regulations in New Hampshire. This includes obeying hunting hours, bag limits, and restrictions on the types of firearms and ammunition that can be used.
For example, you cannot use certain types of ammunition, such as full metal jacket (FMJ) rounds, for hunting in New Hampshire. You also cannot shoot within 300 feet of a dwelling without the landowner’s permission.
If you plan to hunt coyotes, which have no closed season and no bag limit in New Hampshire, you should be aware of special regulations. For example, you can hunt coyotes at night from January 1 through March 31, but you must use a shotgun, .22 caliber rimfire, muzzleloader, or archery equipment in certain towns.
In conclusion, whether you need a hunting license to hunt on your own land in New Hampshire depends on your age and the type of hunting you plan to do. Resident landowners and their minor children under 16 can hunt and trap on their own land without a license during the regular season, but they may need special licenses or permits for certain types of hunting. Non-resident landowners must have a valid hunting license to hunt on their own property. Regardless of your license status, you must still follow all other hunting regulations in the state.