CONTACT:
Brett Ferry: 603-744-5470
Andy Timmins: 603-271-1742
September 12, 2024
Concord, NH – The hunting season for ruffed grouse—New Hampshire’s most sought-after upland game bird—starts October 1 and runs through December 31. Woodcock season opens October 1 and concludes November 14. The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s Small Game Program Leader, Brett Ferry, notes that the majority (90%) of reported small game hunter effort in New Hampshire targets these upland game birds, including 67% and 23% for ruffed grouse and woodcock, respectively. Over half of that effort takes place in the North Country.
Hunter effort and field observations are collected through the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s Small Game Hunter Survey. “Observation rates in 2023 indicate that grouse continue to be the most abundant in the northern part of the state,” said Ferry. Spring roadside drumming counts serve as an index to regional grouse breeding populations. Highest grouse densities are located in the North Country. In the spring of 2024, the number of drumming events heard per stop increased in the North and White Mountain regions and decreased in the Central, Southwest and Southeast. “These numbers routinely rise and fall and are affected by many variables, with the most notable being annual hatching success and the survival of young,” said Ferry. “Spring and summer weather conditions the previous year significantly influence grouse abundance and the overall adult population in any given year.” Long-term trends can be viewed in the 2023/2024 New Hampshire Small Game Summary Report.
The 2024 grouse season is expected to be better than last year, which featured a wet spring and early summer. With drier weather in 2024, brood size appears to be average or slightly above, especially in the North Country. Fall mast crops will determine where the grouse can be found in the field, and locating pockets of available food such as apples, cranberries, and mushrooms, which the grouse will be focused on, will be beneficial to hunter success.
Woodcock season is expected to be similar to last year. Singing ground survey routes provide an index to the overall abundance of resident singing males and population trends. In 2024, singing ground survey results increased in all regions of the state except in the White Mountains where it remained stable. Long-term trends are identified in the 2022/2023 New Hampshire Small Game Hunter Summary Report.
Woodcock hunters are reminded that they need a free National Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program (HIP) certification number in order to legally hunt for woodcock.
All small game hunters are encouraged to take part in NH Fish and Game’s annual Small Game Survey, and successful grouse hunters are encouraged to take part in New Hampshire’s Wing and Tail Survey. Those interested in participating can get small game survey packets by calling Fish and Game at (603) 271-2461, and grouse wing and tail packets can be picked up from participating locations listed at www.wildlife.nh.gov/hunting-nh/small-game-and-upland-bird-hunting/ruffed-grouse-wing-and-tail-survey. These surveys provide valuable insight into the status of grouse and other small game species in New Hampshire. As an incentive to participate in these surveys, Ruger Arms and The Ruffed Grouse Society have again generously agreed to donate a firearm for a randomly selected participant in each of these surveys.
Long-term and regional trends for grouse and woodcock can be viewed in the 2023/2024 Small Game Summary Report, which depicts detailed graphs by region and statewide. View the report by visiting www.wildlife.nh.gov/hunting-nh/small-game-and-upland-bird-hunting/small-game-survey.
