Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Northeast Region
 

Annual White-tailed Deer Hunt (Shotgun only)

White-tail deer hunting on Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge will be permitted on the first weekend of the New Hampshire "any deer" (either sex) firearm season (usually the second weekend of November). Each hunter selected for a Refuge hunt permit will be assigned a single day to hunt. Hunters must use a firearms deer tag and/or special unit M Tag. There is no charge to apply for the hunt. If you are selected, hunters will be required to pay a $20 permit fee.

Please note:

  • Deer is the only animal that may be legally hunted on the Refuge. Hunting of other species is prohibited.
  • Shotgun hunting with single ball (slug) only is permitted. Muzzle loaders, handguns, and bows are prohibited.

Click here for specific information, including dates, for the 2013 Deer Hunt.

Click here for the 2013 Deer Hunt Permit Application.

Printed copies of these same materials are also be available at the interpretive kiosk, located next to the refuge parking area.

Why is hunting allowed on a wildlife refuge?

Based on the 'National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997', hunting is offered as a recreational activity.

White-tailed deer require adequate food, water, cover and living space in a suitable arrangement in order to ensure their heathy survival. There are natural limits to the number of deer that a given parcel of habitat can support. The potential for deer populations to exdeed carrying capacity sometimes necessitates effective herd management. Regulated hunting has been proven to be an effective deer population management tool. In addition, it has been shown to be the most efficient and least expensive technique for removing deer. Wildlife management agencies recognize deer hunting as the only effective, practical and flexible method available for regional deer population management, and therefore rely on it as their primary management tool.
Last updated: February 26, 2013