CONTACT:
Dan Ellingwood: (603) 352-9669
Andrew Timmins: (603) 271-2461
August 20, 2026
Concord, NH – The Granite State’s 2026 fall turkey hunting season opens September 15 for archery hunters and runs October 12–18 for the shotgun season in designated Wildlife Management Units (WMUs). Hunters who did not fill both of their turkey tags during the 2026 spring season may harvest one turkey during either the fall archery or fall shotgun season.
WMUs open to the fall shotgun season are D2, H1, H2, I1, J2, K, L, and M.
Upon harvest, hunters must immediately affix the turkey tag issued with their hunting license to their bird; all harvested turkeys must also be registered within 24 hours. Hunters may register harvested turkeys either online or at an in-person registration station. Hunters wishing to register a bird in-person can find the nearest participating registration station by visiting
https://www.wildlife.nh.gov/hunting-nh/check-stations-registration
Alternatively, to register a turkey online, and for instructions on how to accurately age and determine the sex of harvested birds, visit:
https://www.wildlife.nh.gov/hunting-nh/turkey-hunting-new-hampshire/registering-turkey-online
To streamline online registration, hunters should have a reliable internet connection, a scale, and a ruler available, along with the following information:
- Hunting/turkey license information
- License plate number of the vehicle used while hunting
- Town and Wildlife Management Unit where the turkey was harvested
- Sex of the bird
- Age of the bird (adult or juvenile)
- Weight (nearest ¼ pound)
- Beard length (nearest ¼ inch)
- Spur lengths (nearest 1/16 inch)
Hunters registering a turkey will receive a confirmation number which must be written on or kept with the hunter’s hunting license as proof of registration.
Fish and Game’s Wildlife Division is currently conducting a statewide wild turkey leg-banding study in partnership with the National Wild Turkey Federation. Information collected from band recoveries will help biologists estimate turkey survival, measure regional harvest rates, and improve understanding of wild turkey ecology across New Hampshire. Hunters who harvest a banded turkey should report the band number during registration and/or by following the instructions inscribed on the band. Band reports provide valuable information that helps ensure New Hampshire’s wild turkey population is sustainably managed for future generations. To learn more about the study or to report a recovered leg band, visit:
https://www.wildlife.nh.gov/wildlife-and-habitat/wild-turkeys-new-hampshire/turkey-surveys
Wild turkey management is partially funded through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Wildlife Restoration Program.
