Deer and Bear Hunting Numbers Down from 2007

“Thanksgiving week should continue to provide good firearm and archery hunting opportunities, with at least some snow in much of northern New Hampshire,” said Kent Gustafson, Deer Project Leader for Fish and Game. ”For many families, this is a traditional time to get out and enjoy the pursuit of whitetails, a time when hunting stories and Thanksgiving dinner are both shared with family and friends.”

New Hampshire’s bear hunting season concludes this week. As of November 16, hunters in New Hampshire had taken an estimated 426 bears (240 males, 186 females). This year’s number is 31% below the 2007 tally at this point in the season (613), but is 21% higher than the 2006 total by this date (352 bears). The bear season ends November 25; it currently remains open only in four areas in the White Mountain region.

According to Fish and Game bear biologist Andrew Timmins, bears have continued to remain very active over the past couple of weeks because of the abundance of acorns in many areas of the state. During years of less abundant mast, most bears typically den by early November. Many deer hunters are reporting seeing bears while deer hunting, and a number of these hunters who also have a bear license have taken bears.