New Hampshire Duck Season
2026–2027
Season dates by zone, bag limits, youth days, and license requirements — verified against the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department.
- Earliest opener
- Oct 2
- Latest close
- Jan 17
- Daily bag
- 6 ducks
- Possession
- 18 ducks
Northern Zone
Coastal Zone
Species limits apply
3× daily bag
Northern Zone opens in
8 days
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Season dates by zone
Duck season, by zone. Always confirm shooting hours with NH Fish and Game.
Coastal Zone
60 days
- Oct 6 – Oct 12, 2026
- Nov 26, 2026 – Jan 17, 2027
Full boundary ↓Hide ↑
East of a line from the Maine border in Rollinsford: Rte 4 west to Dover, south on Rte 108 through Madbury, Durham and Newmarket to Rte 85 in Newfields, south to Rte 101 in Exeter, east to I-95 in Hampton, south on I-95 to the Massachusetts border. (Fis 302.04(b)(1))
Inland Zone
60 days
- Oct 13 – Nov 11, 2026
- Nov 25 – Dec 24, 2026
Full boundary ↓Hide ↑
The remaining portion of the state, INCLUDING the Connecticut River zone as specified in RSA 209:5-a (Fis 302.04(b)(3)) — a blind on the Connecticut River follows Inland dates. VT/NH reciprocal licensing applies on the river.
Northern Zone
60 days
- Oct 2 – Nov 30, 2026
Full boundary ↓Hide ↑
That area east of the Connecticut River zone and north of the inland zone: from the Rte 10/25A junction in Orford, east on 25A to Rte 25 in Wentworth, southeast to I-93 exit 26 in Plymouth, south on I-93 to Rte 3 at exit 24 in Ashland, northeast on Rte 3 to Rte 113 in Holderness, north via 113/113-A through Sandwich and Tamworth, east on 113 to Rte 16 in Chocorua, north on 16 to Rte 302 in Conway, east on 302 to the Maine border. (Fis 302.04(b)(2))
Other waterfowl seasonsCoot, Early Canada goose, Canada goose (regular), Light goose (snow, blue, Ross’s), Brant
Coot
Coastal Zone
- Oct 6 – Oct 12, 2026
- Nov 26, 2026 – Jan 17, 2027
Coot
Inland Zone
- Oct 13 – Nov 11, 2026
- Nov 25 – Dec 24, 2026
Coot
Northern Zone
- Oct 2 – Nov 30, 2026
Early Canada goose
Statewide
- Sep 1 – Sep 25, 2026
Canada goose (regular)
Coastal Zone
- Oct 6 – Oct 12, 2026
- Nov 26, 2026 – Jan 17, 2027
Canada goose (regular)
Inland Zone
- Oct 13 – Nov 11, 2026
- Nov 25 – Dec 24, 2026
Canada goose (regular)
Northern Zone
- Oct 2 – Nov 30, 2026
Light goose (snow, blue, Ross’s)
Coastal Zone
- Oct 6 – Oct 12, 2026
- Nov 26, 2026 – Jan 17, 2027
Light goose (snow, blue, Ross’s)
Inland Zone
- Oct 13 – Nov 11, 2026
- Nov 25 – Dec 24, 2026
Light goose (snow, blue, Ross’s)
Northern Zone
- Oct 2 – Nov 30, 2026
Brant
Coastal Zone
- Oct 6 – Oct 12, 2026
- Nov 26 – Dec 18, 2026
Brant
Inland Zone
- Oct 13 – Nov 11, 2026
Brant
Northern Zone
- Oct 2 – Oct 31, 2026
Bag limits
Daily limit is 6 ducks total. Within those, no more than:
Light geese: 25 daily.
Mergansers: 5 daily, 15 in possession.
Scaup: 1 daily, 3 in possession.
What you need to hunt ducks in New Hampshire
NH Migratory Waterfowl license — A separate license required (in addition to the base license) for hunters age 16 and older.
NH Hunting, Combination, or Small Game license — Small Game license option is available to nonresidents only.
Federal Waterfowl Stamp
Harvest Information Program (H.I.P.) Survey permit number — Free.
Nontoxic shot — Lead shot is prohibited for waterfowl nationwide.
- No license is required for hunters under age 16, but they must be accompanied by a properly licensed adult age 18 or older.
License and permit names and exemptions are set by the state and can change without notice, and fees aren’t listed here for the same reason. MarshHQ is not responsible for errors or out-of-date information — confirm current requirements directly with NH Fish and Game (opens in a new tab) before you hunt.
Disclaimer: Bag limits and season dates are for reference only and may not reflect the most current regulations. Always verify with USFWS and your state wildlife agency before hunting. Dates and limits above reflect the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s published 2026–2027 waterfowl regulations as checked on 2026-08-18. Confirm with the official source before you hunt: gc.nh.gov (opens in a new tab)
Not affiliated with any state wildlife agency.