CONTACT:
Jake DeBow: 603-788-3164
Andy Timmins: 603-271-1742
November 4, 2026
Concord, NH – Trapping seasons in New Hampshire run from mid-October through mid-April but vary significantly by area of the state and species. Trapping season length and limits for various species are determined based on many factors, including abundance. A full summary of trapping season dates, rules, and regulations are provided in the New Hampshire Hunting Digest, which is available at licensing agents or online at https://www.eregulations.com/newhampshire/hunting.
Trapping is a highly regulated activity and may be conducted on public or private lands. Individuals interested in trapping must attend a mandatory Trapper Education class, purchase a license, file written landowner permission with the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, adhere to science-based regulations and harvest limits, use modern traps designed to target specific species, and check traps daily.
Trapper Education courses are offered around the state from April to September and teach students how to be safe, legal, responsible, and ethical trappers. Courses teach best management practices that improve trap efficiency, selectivity, and considerations toward animal welfare. Mandatory reporting of the towns where trapping activity occurred, catch, and effort must be filed by April 30 following the close of each season. An active force of highly trained Conservation Officers and other agency personnel monitor trapping activity to ensure that current laws are followed. Wildlife biologists use the data furnished by trappers to assess the health and abundance of furbearer populations.
This long-standing part of New Hampshire’s cultural heritage remains relevant and necessary today. Trappers are a unique group among New Hampshire’s outdoor enthusiasts, having an unparalleled eye for interpreting their natural surroundings and understanding wildlife behavior. Though relatively few—256 licenses have been sold in New Hampshire for the 2026–2027 season—skilled trappers provide an extremely valuable service by helping to manage abundant wildlife populations and collecting biological samples that otherwise would be challenging for the Department to acquire.
They also contribute to public safety by maintaining beaver populations at manageable levels, reducing damage to property and infrastructure while promoting the ecological benefits of beavers. Trapping helps to keep furbearer populations at healthy levels and to prevent overpopulation, which can significantly increase the risk of disease transmission, including rabies and canine distemper.
Trapping has been used to help reintroduce species to an area where they once existed. Wildlife professionals and local trappers used foothold traps to trap river otters from states where they are abundant and relocated individuals to rebuild other states’ river otter populations. The use of modern traps can also reduce locally abundant predator populations to help protect rare or endangered species such as piping plovers. With specialized skills, training, and a deep connection to the natural world, trappers are a vital resource for balancing wildlife conservation and wildlife–human conflict management, which promotes coexistence.
“State law prohibits traps from being set or arranged in a public way, cart road, or path commonly used as a passageway by people or domestic animals,” said Jacob DeBow, NH Fish and Game’s Furbearer Project Leader. “New Hampshire has a long tradition of sharing the outdoors. During hunting and trapping seasons, it’s sensible for anyone walking a dog or using wooded areas to stay on established trails, keep dogs on a leash, and wear an article of blaze orange clothing. Various user groups utilize both public and private lands in New Hampshire , including Department owned or managed land, to enjoy outdoor activities. Being mindful and respectful of one another is the key to continuing this unique cultural heritage.”
To learn more about trapping or to find a Trapper Education course in New Hampshire, visit www.wildlife.nh.gov/hunting-nh/trapping.
Furbearer management in the Granite State is funded in part by Wildlife Restoration Grants administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program: Partnering to fund conservation and connect people with nature. To learn more, visit www.wildnh.com/funding/wsfr.html.
