FURBEARER HUNTING AND TRAPPING

2020–2021 FURBEARER HUNTING SEASONS Coyote • No closed season. • Night Hunting: Coyotes may be hunted at night from Jan. 1 through March 31. Lights may be used, except from a motor vehicle, snowmobile, or OHRV. Coyote night hunters are restricted to shotguns, .22 caliber rim- SPECIES INCLUSIVE DATES DAILY LIMIT SEASON LIMIT fire, muzzleloaders, or archery equipment in those towns with special rules (see page 22). No closed season; Coyote No No Night hunting allowed, Jan. 1–Mar. 31 • Electronic calling devices are legal. • Written landowner permission, filed with the Fisher Dec. 1, 2020–Jan. 31, 2021 2* 2* local conservation officer, is required to hunt Fox (Red & Gray), coyote at night or to place bait for coyotes. Sept. 1, 2020–March 31, 2021 No No Opossum, Skunk, Raccoon • Baiting is not permitted on ice-covered pub- Oct. 15, 2020–April 10, 2021 WMUs A–F Mink, Muskrat, Weasel No No lic waters. Nov. 1, 2020–April 10, 2021 WMUs G–M • From the close of the bear baiting season Bobcat, Lynx, Pine marten CLOSED through December 15, baiting for coyote will be restricted to the use of meat, animal * The statewide daily and season bag limit is 2 fisher per hunter (combined with trapping). parts, carrion, or fish only.

Fisher Furbearer Hunting Furbearer Hunting Regulations Sealing required within 10 days of the close of Licensing Requirements Hunting Hours: ½ hour before sunrise to ½ season. The season limit is 2 fisher. To hunt for furbearers, hunters must have a hour after sunset. current Regular N.H. Hunting, Combination, There is no daily bag limit for coyote, red Raccoon or Archery License. A Small Game License fox, gray fox, opossum, skunk, weasel, mink, Raccoon may be hunted at night. It is illegal does not allow for the hunting of furbearers. muskrat, or raccoon. to use a rifle or pistol larger than .22 caliber, There is no open hunting season for otter or shot size larger than number 4 birdshot. It or beaver. Furbearers shall not be taken with is illegal to take raccoons using a light from a an air rifle. motor vehicle or OHRV.

2020-2021 TRAPPING SEASONS Are you aware of a POACHING SITUATION? Have you witnessed a WILDLIFE CRIME?

Call Operation Game Thief 24-HOUR HOTLINE: 1-800-344-4262 WILDLIFE SEASON SPECIES INCLUSIVE DATES MANAGEMENT LIMIT UNITS REPORT THESE FACTS: Beaver, Oct. 15, 2020–Apr. 10, 2021 A–F • Date Muskrat, Otter: 10 Mink, Otter, Other: No • Time Weasel Nov. 1, 2020–Apr. 10, 2021 G–M • Vehicle Description Fisher Dec. 1–Dec. 31, 2020 Statewide 2* • Violation Fox (Red Oct. 15–Dec. 31, 2020 A–F • License Number & Gray), Opossum, No • Travel Direction Skunk, Nov. 1, 2020–Jan. 15, 2021 G–M • Road/Route Raccoon • Description of Person(s) Oct. 15, 2020–March 31, 2021 A–F Coyote No Nov. 1, 2020–March 31, 2021 G–M Report violations online, any time: huntnh.com/ogt

Bobcat, Lynx, CLOSED Rewards Paid for Arrest or Citation Pine marten $ Confidentiality Guaranteed! * The statewide bag limit is 2 fisher per trapper (combined with hunting).

32 2020/21 New Hampshire Hunting & Trapping Digest FURBEARER TRAPPING

Trapping Licensing Requirements at Fish and Game headquarters in Concord said person is going to trap, together with a Any person (regardless of age), except resi- or by mail. description of the land on which trapping dent landowners while upon their own land is to be done. The only exceptions are traps/ or children under 16 years of age when accom- General Trapping Regulations snares placed in public bodies of water as panied by a licensee 18 years of age or over, • Snares may be used for taking beaver and defined in RSA 271:20 and on the following must have a license to trap fur-bearing animals. otter. Snares shall only be set in water or named rivers: Androscoggin, Ammonoosuc, This license can only be purchased at Fish and under ice. Ashuelot, Bearcamp, Contoocook, Connecti- Game headquarters in Concord or by mail from • All traps/snares must have the name of cut, Cocheco, Exeter, Lamprey, Mascoma, N.H. Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen the person setting them, either stamped or Merrimack, Merrymeeting, Isinglass, Pemi- Drive, Concord, NH 03301. Trapping Licenses engraved in a legible and permanent man- gewasset, Pine, Saco, Soucook, Suncook, expire on June 30 of each year. ner on the trap or on a durable tag securely and Winnipesaukee and their navigable No person shall be issued a license to trap affixed to the trap or snare or chain holding tributaries. Navigable tributaries are those unless he or she presents proof that he or she the trap. waters from the tributary’s mouth to a point has completed a trapper education course • Only New Hampshire residents may trap bea- upstream where a person can row a boat or or has previously held a N.H. license to trap ver and otter during the N.H. open seasons. paddle a canoe when the water in the stream within the last three years. • When set, all traps must be securely attached is in its ordinary condition. to the ground, to a fixed object, to a drag, • No person may set or arrange any trap in • Trapping License—Resident Minor: N.H. or to a slide wire. a public way, cart road, or path commonly resident youths (under age 16) may purchase • Otter sealing is required within 10 days of used as a passageway by human beings or this license with proof of Trapper Education the close of the otter season. domestic animals. or a previous Trapping License. This license • Fisher sealing is required within 10 days of • Any trapper causing injury or damage to allows youth trappers to trap without adult the close of the fisher season. domestic animals, with the exception of accompaniment. • There is no open season on bobcat, lynx, dogs at large, shall be liable to the owner. • Nonresident Trapping Licenses: In order to or pine marten. An injury to a licensed dog at large shall be eligible for a N.H. Trapping License, the • No person may set, arrange, or tend any be reported to the town or city listed on applicant’s state or province must allow non- trap/snare upon any land or from the shores the dog’s tag, and to the owner of the dog, residents to trap within their jurisdictions. of any waters of which he is not the owner if known. Persons engaged in the practice of trapping or occupant unless he has signed, written • No person may set or arrange any trap/snare nuisance animals are required to possess a permission, and until a copy is filed with in or under any bridge, ditch, or drainage Wildlife Control Operator’s License, available the conservation officer in whose district system, whether artificial or natural, within

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the limits of the right-of-way of any public • Fur Dealers must submit a completed “Fur • Per Fis 303.12 (a Fish and Game Administra- highway except by special permission of the Dealers’ Record Book” (Furs Purchased— tive Rule), body gripping traps with an inside executive director. Form F&G 152, Furs Sold—Form F&G jaw spread greater than or equal to 6½ inches, • A trapper must visit traps set at least once 152A) to N.H. Fish and Game on or before measured inside the jaws perpendicular to each calendar day. A person trapping beaver July 30 of each year. All licensees must carry the trap’s pivoting joints, shall only be set: through the ice must visit his traps at least on their persons a Form F&G 152 when 1. Five feet or more above the ground or once each 72 hours. buying the skins of furbearing animals. All surface of the snow (with the exception • Trappers may use artificial lights to facilitate forms are available from Fish and Game’s of a snowstorm during the previous checking traps. Checking traps by the use Concord headquarters. 24 hours); or of lights from a motor vehicle is prohibited. 2. In water for trapping beaver or otter. • While checking traps at night, no person It Is Unlawful to: • Place a trap within 15 feet of a muskrat house, shall have in possession a rifle, revolver or • Disturb or interfere with the dams or houses or injure or destroy the house, den or bur- pistol larger than a .22 caliber long rifle, of beaver without obtaining a special permit row used by any game or furbearing animal. air rifle larger than 25 caliber, or a shotgun from the executive director or his designee, • Place a trap within 50 feet of exposed bait with shells larger than number 4 birdshot. except as provided in RSA 210:9. (see Statewide Restrictions on page 35). • Annual Trapper’s Report due April 30: All • Set or arrange any trap prior to the first day persons licensed to trap furbearing animals, of the open season for trapping a species. Trapping on State-Managed Lands whether they trapped or not, are required to • Disturb the trap of another person or take a Permits to trap on state-managed lands are submit an Annual Trapper’s Report by April furbearing animal from the trap of another issued by lottery every two years, in even years 30 of each year. person, unless specifically authorized in only, and are valid for two years. The next lot- writing by the owner of the trap. tery will be in September 2022. Permit forms, applications, property maps, and lists of available lands may be obtained from the Wildlife Division in Concord (603- 271-2461), or downloaded from huntnh.com.

34 2020/21 New Hampshire Hunting & Trapping Digest LYNX PROTECTION ZONE & TRAP RESTRICTIONS

CANADA LYNX

PITTSBURG PROTECTION ZONE FOR 3

CLARKSVILLE TRAPPING RESTRICTIONS ATKINSON AND GILMANTON A ACADEMY GRANT STEWARTSTOWN

SECOND DIXS COLLEGE GRANT COLEBROOK GRANT Wildlife Management Unit DIXVILLE WENTWORTHS LOCATION COLUMBIA 26 16 ERVINGS boundary LOCATION B MILLSFIELD ERROL ODELL STRATFORD Lynx Protection Zone COOS DUMMER CAMBRIDGE

NORTHUMBERLAND 16 110 STARK 110A MILANC2 110 KILKENNY SUCCESS

BERLIN LANCASTER C1

JEFFERSON RANDOLPH GORHAM DALTON SHELBURNE2 WHITEFIELD 2 LITTLETON MARTINS D1 115 LOC. 93 CARROLL GREENS LOW AND BURBANKS 16 GRANT CRAWFORDS THOMPSON AND MONROE GRANT PURCHASE MESERVES PUR. BEANS PURCHASE 05 10 20 LYMAN CHANDLERS PINKHAMS PUR. GRANT LISBON BETHLEHEM E1 BEANS SUGAR 3 Miles GRANT HILL 302

April 2012 FRANCONIA JACKSON E2 BATH west D2- HARTS LOC. CUTTS GRANT SARGENTS HADLEYS PUR. PURCHASE CHATHAM NH Fish and Game Department LANDAFF 116 EASTON E3 93 112 302 LINCOLN BARTLETT 16A HAVERHILL HALES BENTOND2-east LIVERMORE LOC.

CONWAY WOODSTOCK 112 302 PIERMONT 25 118 ALBANY WARREN WATERVILLE VALLEY 25A THORNTONF 16 GRAFTONELLSWORTH MADISON EATON ORFORD 113A WENTWORTH TAMWORTH SANDWICH RUMNEY CAMPTON CARROLLFREEDOM LYME 113 25 DORCHESTER 25 HOLDERNESS J1 OSSIPEE GROTON PLYMOUTH 25 EFFINGHAM MOULTONBOROUGH HANOVER 3 ASHLAND 25B 118 HEBRON CENTER TUFTONBORO CANAAN HARBOR BRIDGEWATER G1 G2 NEW HAMPTON LEBANON ORANGE 109 MEREDITH ALEXANDRIA BRISTOL WOLFEBORO ENFIELD 4 104 WAKEFIELD GRAFTON LACONIA BROOKFIELD PLAINFIELD 89 BELKNAGILFORD P DANBURY HILL SANBORNTON 109 GRANTHAM

SPRINGFIELD 4 ALTON MIDDLETON CORNISH TILTON BELMONT NEW WILMOT FRANKLIN DURHAM ANDOVER J2 MILTON CROYDON GILMANTON NEW LONDON 11 NORTHFIELD H1 SUNAPEE CLAREMONT I1SALISBURY 93 NEWPORT FARMINGTON CANTERBURY BARNSTEAD SUTTON SULLIVAN 89 BOSCAWEN LOUDON NEWBURY MERRIMACK UNITY WEBSTER ROCHESTER GOSHEN WARNER PITTSFIELD SSTRATRAFFFFORD ORD 10 SOMERSWORTH 202 ROLLINSFORD BRADFORD LEMPSTER 89 CONCORD CHICHESTER CHARLESTOWN ACWORTH EPSOM 4 NORTHWOOD BARRINGTON HOPKINTON DOVER 9 MADBURY I2 HENNIKER LANGDON WASHINGTON 202 PEMBROKE HILLSBOROUGH WINDSOR ALLENSTOWN DEERFIELD 123 MARLOW BOW L NOTTINGHAM ALSTEAD 93 LEE DURHAM NEW 123 DUNBARTON CASTLE WEARE STODDARD DEERING 9 HOOKSETT NEWMARKET NEWINGTON WALPOLE GILSUM CANDIA GREENLAND ANTRIM EPPING NEWFIELDS RAYMOND SURRY SULLIVAN GOFFSTOWN 101 PORTSMOUTH STRATHAM 293 RYE FRANCESTOWN NELSON AUBURN FREMONT BRENTWOOD EXETER NORTH BENNINGTON MANCHESTER K HAMPTON H2N HANCOCK NEW BOSTON CHESTER WESTMORELAND KENSINGTON EAST GREENFIELD ROCKINDANVILLE GHAKINGSTON M KEENE ROXBURY HILLSBOROUGHBEDFORD HAMPTON HARRISVILLE SANDOWN HAMPTON 202 MONT FALLS MARLBOROUGH KINGSTON VERNON SEABROOK CHESTERFIELD DUBLIN PETERBOROUGH 101 LYNDEBOROUGH DERRY HAMPSTEAD SOUTH MERRIMACK LONDONDERRY HAMPTON AMHERST NEWTON SWANZEY 13 LITCHFIELD PLAISTOW CHESHIRE ATKINSON TROY JAFFREY TEMPLE WILTON M HINSDALE SHARON MILFORD WINDHAM

WINCHESTER GREENVILLE SALEM

H2SRICHMOND FITZWILLIAM 13 HUDSON RINDGE NEW IPSWICH MASON BROOKLINE HOLLIS NASHUA PELHAM

anada lynx are a federally listed 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on weekends, or, if Restrictions within the Threatened Species. There is no open the Fish and Game Department is closed, by “Lynx Protection Zone” Cseason for the trapping or hunting of contacting the nearest Conservation Officer. The following restrictions on traps shall apply lynx in New Hampshire. Fish and Game biolo- • Deadfalls are prohibited. while trapping in WMUs A, B, C1, C2, D1, gists have confirmed the presence of repro- • Traps shall not be set within 50 feet of D2-east, E and F: ducing lynx in northern New Hampshire. To exposed bait, but may be set any distance • All foothold traps set on land must have one protect the lynx, and to help N.H. trappers from a covered bait (see definitions below). swivel in the chain/cable and one swivel avoid accidentally taking lynx, Fish and Game — “Exposed bait” means bait that is the body connection to the trap; worked with the N.H. Trappers Association to of any animal, including fish, or parts • Body gripping traps with an inside jaw delineate a lynx protection zone in the north- thereof, including meat, organs, viscera, spread of 4 inches or greater and less than ern and White Mountains area where special bones, or any other parts of an animal, that or equal to 5 inches which are set on the regulations are in effect. is visible from above, but does not include ground shall only be set as follows: meat, organs, viscera, or bones totaling 4 —S et in water at all times; Statewide Restrictions ounces or less, or skin, hair, or feathers 25 — Set under overhanging stream banks; and • No foothold trap with auxiliary teeth added square inches or less, droppings, urine, or — Set as a blind set with no bait or attrac- shall be allowed. living or dead animals held in a trap as the tant; and • No foothold trap with an inside jaw spread result of lawful trapping activity. • Body gripping traps with an inside jaw greater than 6½ inches shall be set on land. — “Covered bait” means bait that is the spread 4 inches or greater which are set off • Body gripping traps with an inside jaw body of any animal, including fish, or the ground shall only be set as follows: spread greater than or equal to 6½ inches parts thereof, including meat, organs, — Five feet or more above the ground or sur- shall only be set: viscera, bones, or any other parts that face of the snow, with the exception of a — Five feet or more above the ground or are covered so as to not be visible from snowstorm during the previous 24 hours; surface of the snow with the exception above, where cover includes, but is not — Affixed to a leaning section of a pole or of a snowstorm during the previous 24 limited to, brush, branches, leaves, soil, tree, no greater than 4 inches in diameter hours; and or snow and is constructed in a man- that is free of branches and angled 45 —I n water for beaver or otter. ner to withstand wind and normal envi- degrees or greater in its entirety; • There is no open season for taking bobcat, ronmental conditions. “Covered bait” American marten, or Canada lynx. Any includes baits less than one-half pound American marten or Canada lynx trapped when placed in a dirt hole 6 inches in must be reported immediately by contacting diameter or less at a depth of 6 inches or Know the difference between lynx and bob- the Fish and Game Department at 603-271- greater; and baits of less than 5 pounds cat AND wolf and coyote. See our brochure at 3361 on business days during the hours of placed on pole sets 5 or more feet above wildnh.com/hunting/publications.html. 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., during weekdays or ground are also considered covered bait. huntnh.com 35 LYNX PROTECTION ZONE & TRAP RESTRICTIONS — Excluding branch removal, the pole or » The opening shall not be directly in tree shall not have planed or altered sides. front of the trap, but shall be either on — The area within 4 feet of the trap shall the top or side of the device; Shop Wild NH! be free of trees, poles or other objects » The trap set within the device shall 2021 New Hamp- greater than 4 inches in diameter; be a minimum of 18 inches from the shire Wildlife — The areas within 4 feet of the trap shall closest edge of the opening to the trap; Calendar, be free of trees or poles that are angled » The back of the device shall be plus official Fish & less than 45 degrees to the ground at any secured to withstand heavy pulling; Game logo hats, point between the ground elevation and » If using wire mesh with a wood box, shirts and more! the elevation of the trap; and the wire mesh shall wrap around shopwildnh.com — The area within 4 feet of the trap shall be two opposite sides of the box and free of banks, bluffs, rocks or immediate be secured; rise in ground elevation; » There shall be at least 2 attachment • Body gripping traps with an inside jaw points for each side of the device where spread greater than 5 inches and less than there is a joint, or where panels come Other Wildlife 6½ inches which are set on the ground shall together; only be set: » The exclusion device shall be con- There is no restriction in New Hampshire on the taking of woodchucks, porcupines, — Recessed in the den entry of nuisance structed of wood, or wire mesh that English sparrows, European starlings, com- wildlife, with the den entry covered by does not exceed 1½ inch openings from mon feral pigeons, red squirrels and other wire mesh with openings that do not side to side; rodents not covered in this publication. All exceed 1½ inches side-to-side and wire » The wire gauge shall be 16 gauge or other birds not specifically covered in this gauge shall be 16 gauge or less or a wire less or a wire diameter of 0.05 inches digest are protected by New Hampshire diameter of 0.05 inches or greater. or greater; or federal law, and may not be taken. For — If placed in a lynx exclusion device, » The opening slot in the device that more information on nongame and endan- as follows: allows the trap springs to extend out- gered wildlife, look for the N.H. Wildlife » The trap jaws shall be completely side the device shall be no more than Action Plan at wildnh.com. within the device, the trap springs 7½ inches wide and a height of no may be outside of the device; more than 1½ inches; and » The lynx exclusion device shall not » The trap shall be anchored outside have an opening greater than 6 inches of the device. by 8 inches; OTHER—NONGAME WILDLIFE Reptiles and Amphibians • No person shall sell native species of rep- • The possession limit of harvested reptiles and

tiles or amphibians, including parts or eggs amphibians is 2 times the daily bag limit. NH Fish & Game thereof, except: • Individuals may possess up to 2 each of the — Non-living snapping turtles and bull- following native reptiles:* Help Protect frogs raised outside the state which may — Musk turtle —B rown snake Nongame Wildlife be possessed, bought, and sold for use — Painted turtle — Northern as food provided that with each package — Snapping turtle watersnake When you buy there shall be a bill of sale bearing the — Ring-necked — Red-bellied your license, species, the weight of the package, and snake snake consider adding the place of origin; and —E astern milk — Garter snake a donation to — Non-living amphibians and reptiles snake N.H. Fish and obtained outside the state to be used Game’s Nongame • Individuals may possess up to 5 each of the for educational purposes. and Endangered following native amphibians:* Wildlife Program. • No person shall take or possess a spotted — American toad — Northern Work related to NONGAME turtle, Blanding’s turtle, wood turtle, East- &E& EndangendangeredWd Wiildlifldlifee —G ray tree frog two-lined nongame species PROGRAM ern box turtle, black racer, Eastern hognose — Spring peeper salamander and their habitats snake, timber rattlesnake, marbled salaman- — American — Red-spotted helps many other wildlife species, der, or any egg or part thereof. bullfrog newt including those you like to hunt! • Importation, possession, and release of reptiles —G reen frog — Northern dusky shall be in accordance with Fis Chapter 800. Donate online at: — Pickerel frog salamander • No person shall take any species of indig- — Mink frog —E astern enous turtle from May 15 to July 15. wildnh.com/nongame — Wood frog red-backed • Persons taking reptiles or amphibians shall — Spotted salamander not take more than 2 reptiles or 5 amphib- salamander ians per day. • The taking of amphibians and reptiles shall * NOTE: Although limited possession of these species is currently legal in New Hampshire, the N.H. Fish be only by hand capture, including the use and Game Department encourages people to leave these wildlife species wild. Populations of some of hand-held nets. species, especially turtles, can be adversely affected by the removal of a small number of individuals. • Snapping turtles may only be taken if less than 6 inches or 12 to 15 inches in length, as measured along the top of the carapace. 36 2020/21 New Hampshire Hunting & Trapping Digest