CONTACT:
Brett Ferry: (603) 868-1095
Andy Timmins: (603) 271-2461
August 21, 2026
Concord, NH – Small game hunting season for gray squirrel starts on September 1 and is a great way to introduce someone to hunting. On October 1, ruffed grouse, woodcock, cottontail rabbit, pheasant, and snowshoe hare seasons each open, all of which are exciting species to pursue and make excellent table fare. Small game hunters should check out the 2025/2026 New Hampshire Small Game Summary Report, which presents data from the annual Small Game Hunter Survey. Participation in these surveys by hunters significantly enhances the Department’s management of these species.
The primary focus of New Hampshire Small Game Summary Report, however, is the Granite State’s two most sought-after small game birds: ruffed grouse and woodcock. The report provides long-term statistical trends for both species of birds, which comprised 93% of reported hunter effort during 2025. Snowshoe hare, eastern cottontail, and gray squirrel are also included in the summary but reported data is limited.
“As summer winds down, it’s time to dust off those shotguns because fall will be here soon and hunting small game is a great way to kick off the season,” said New Hampshire Fish and Game’s Small Game Program Supervisor Brett Ferry. “Small game hunting provides a great opportunity to get youth and novice hunters out into the woods. New hunters can learn hands on about scouting game by identifying each species’ habitat with plenty of opportunity to miss their target and try again. Hunters can assist in our understanding and management of small game populations by participating in our hunter surveys. These surveys are easy to obtain and complete, and they provide the Department with necessary data related to observations, harvest, and hunter effort to help track population trends.”
If you hunt small game, please take part in this year’s surveys:
- Grouse hunters can participate in the Wing and Tail Survey by picking up grouse sample packets from Fish and Game offices and participating locations listed at www.wildlife.nh.gov/hunting-nh/small-game-and-upland-bird-hunting/ruffed-grouse-wing-and-tail-survey.
- Download the Small Game Survey form by visiting www.wildlife.nh.gov/hunting-nh/small-game-and-upland-bird-hunting/small-game-survey, call 603-271-2461, or email wildlife@wildlife.nh.gov (include your name and mailing address and mention the Small Game Survey).
Everyone who completes either of these two surveys will be entered into a raffle to win a firearm donated by Sturm Ruger and the Ruffed Grouse Society, respectively.
“A big thank you to all the small game hunters who participated in our survey efforts,” said Ferry.
Learn more about small game hunting in New Hampshire by visiting www.wildlife.nh.gov/hunting-nh/small-game-and-upland-bird-hunting.
Wildlife research and management activities in New Hampshire are funded through Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration, a user-pay, user-benefit program supported by the purchase of firearms, ammunition and archery equipment.
