Hunters Preparing for 2024 Muzzleloader Season

CONTACT:
Becky Fuda: (603) 744-5470
Andy Timmins: (603) 271-1742
October 18, 2024

Concord, NH – Over 25,000 muzzleloader hunters are expected to take to New Hampshire’s woodlands during the upcoming muzzleloader deer season, which runs from November 2 to November 12. Muzzleloaders are single-barrel, single-shot firearms which require that the projectile be loaded through the muzzle each time before firing. Muzzleloaders harken back to pioneer days, but have become a more sophisticated and increasingly popular sporting firearm in recent years.

“Deer hunting is very popular in New Hampshire,” said Becky Fuda, Deer Project Leader at the NH Fish and Game Department. “People enjoy the opportunity to spend time in the field with friends and family. They also appreciate the high-quality food value of venison, which is a naturally fed, free-range source of lean protein for thousands of New Hampshire families. Last year hunters harvested approximately 13,136 deer in our state. If you assume that each deer provides about 40 pounds of venison, and that each venison meal weighs approximately 1/2 pound that amounts to more than a million meals of venison enjoyed each year.”

Fuda also noted that, “New Hampshire’s 11-day muzzleloader season is favored by hunters because of its early timing, milder weather, and the high level of buck activity that happens leading up to the peak of the deer breeding period in mid- to late November. Many hunter’s also view the muzzleloader season as a way to scout the woods and get in shape for the approaching firearms season.”

In New Hampshire, muzzleloader hunters are given 11 days prior to the opening day of the regular firearms season to hunt deer. Hunters must obtain a regular hunting license ($32 for residents; $113 for nonresidents) and a muzzleloader license ($16 for residents; $41 for nonresidents).

“Hunters are reminded to maintain safety as their first priority,” said Fuda. They are also urged to treat private landowners with respect, courtesy, and appreciation. “We are heavily dependent on the generosity of private landowners for hunting access in our state. We owe it to landowners and our peers to treat private land with great respect. Without private land access, many hunters would be severely restricted in their hunting options.”

Hunters should also remember to take proper care when handling wild game to minimize possible exposure to wildlife diseases. First and foremost, hunters should avoid shooting or handling any animal that appears sick. For more tips on safe handling of wild game please visit: www.wildlife.nh.gov/hunting-nh/after-harvest/safe-handling-wild-game.

To learn more about hunting in New Hampshire, visit www.huntnh.com.