| Window | Dates | Days |
|---|---|---|
| Season | 01 OCT – 31 DEC 2026 | 92d |
As publishedOct 1 - Dec 31, 2026
Statewide, all WMUs.No season limit. Confirmed by NHFG's own upland page and by an NHFG press release dated 2026-08-13 for the 2026 season, with the eRegulations digest agreeing.
NHFG's own Small Game Summary Report (2023-2024 edition) organizes all of its grouse and woodcock data into a consistent 5-region framework, namely North, White Mountains, Central, Southwest, and Southeast, and states plainly that grouse densities are highest in the North Region. Wing-and-tail harvest data sharpens this further: harvest samples concentrate heavily in a small number of North Country towns relative to the rest of the state. Independent hunting-press sourcing (Dive Bomb Industries) corroborates the same north-strongest pattern independently.
New Hampshire's spring drumming counts came in similar to 2025 in most regions, with no significant change in abundance from the year before. The Great North Woods ran slightly higher than last spring, and this year's moderate spring rains made for more favorable nesting conditions than a wetter or drier year would have. The department expects a season similar to last year with the potential to be better. Grouse numbers here have been on a long, slow decline for years as young forest habitat disappears, and this year's stability doesn't change that underlying trend.
Slightly higher drumming counts in the Great North Woods and more favorable spring nesting weather than last year, per the state's own small game program.
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