Why It Matters: With rising black bear populations, bear sightings and conflicts are becoming more common place, beginning in 2024, New Hampshire bear hunters will now be allowed to take a second bear in Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) C1, D2, E, or F, White Mountains Region. Historically, hunting has been the most efficient, cost-effective, and socially acceptable method of population control. In some areas, bear populations have exceeded population management goals, leading to increased bear-related damages. Overpopulation of species in more residential regions causes human/wildlife conflicts as people come in contact with wildlife. As such, hunting should be codified as the preferred wildlife management tool.
Highlights:
- New Hampshire’s Bear Season kicks off on September 1, 2024, with additional tags available.
- New rules included opportunities for bear hunters in WMUs C1, D2, E, or F, White Mountains Region to take a second black bear after registration of the first bear.
- An additional 23 days of still hunting have been added to the bear season in WMUs L and M.
- Recently an advisory was issued to outdoor enthusiasts in the White Mountain National Forest after multiple bear encounters on trails.
Bear populations within the White Mountains Region remain well above management targets. With wildlife managers aiming for a 0.8 bears per square mile target within the region, populations are estimated to be double current goals at roughly 1.6 bears per square miles. To maintain the health and wellbeing of New Hampshire’s bears and reduce bear-human conflicts, it is the Department’s hope that hunters will take advantage of this option in 2024. Additional opportunities in WMUs L and M will also be enjoyed with an additional 23 days of still hunting opportunities. Across the entire state, bear populations remain above goal with the exception of the SW-1 Region where estimates are at goal.
With rising black bear populations, bear sightings and conflicts are becoming more common place and New Hampshire Fish and Game (starting this September 2024) will be offering an additional bear tag to Granite State bear hunters in WMUs C1, D2, E, or F, White Mountains Region where population targets are double what the Department would like them to be. Additionally, 23 days of still hunting have been added to the more populated areas of the state in WMUs L and M, the southeast region of the state. With bears becoming more brazen by way of home and vehicle invasions, and predation on back yard fowl coops, managers hope to reign in populations. As bears look to pack on the pounds before denning up during the winter months, conflicts are sure to arise.
Recently an advisory was issued to outdoor enthusiasts in the White Mountain National Forest after multiple bear encounters on trails. Since July, National Forest staff have fielded daily calls concerning human/ bear interactions on the National Forest’s trails. Those trails include Lincoln Woods, Bondcliff, Franconia Brook, Lincoln Brook, and at the Liberty Springs and Thirteen Falls campsites.
Bear hunting continues to increase in popularity in the Granite State and hunters have great opportunities to add bear hunting to their fall pursuits and add some of the tastiest wild game to their dinner tables this fall and winter. With hundreds of thousands of acers open to hunting, many within the White Mountains Region, hunters have a great opportunity to fill a New Hampshire bear tag.
CSF continues to work with our state agency partners and Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus to champion hunting as the preferred wildlife management tool for the state, as state agencies already consider it to be the most effective method of regulating populations of game species. Additionally, hunting generates critical conservation funding through the American System of Conservation Funding and has a strong, positive impact on rural economies. Legislators should strongly support hunting as the preferred management tool for their state.
