Hunting, Fishing and Shooting

The USDA Forest Service shares responsibility for managing wildlife resources on the White Mountain National Forest with the New Hampshire Fish & Game Department and the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. These wildlife agencies are responsible for regulating fishing laws and regulations in their respective states.

Because the White Mountain National Forest includes land in both the state of New Hampshire and the state of Maine, it is the responsibility of those hunting or fishing to have the appropriate state permit or license, depending on which side of the state border one is in.

To learn more, including how to obtain a fishing license, visit the New Hampshire Fish & Game Department or Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife websites.

Hunting

The US Forest Service shares responsibility for managing wildlife resources on the White Mountain National Forest with the New Hampshire Fish & Game Department and the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. These wildlife agencies are responsible for regulating hunting seasons and enforcing game laws in their respective states. The Forest Service, mainly through timber harvest, contributes to improved habitat conditions that benefit wildlife populations on the Forest.

Hunting is allowed on all White Mountain National Forest Lands including Wilderness areas pursuant to state regulations. State hunting licenses are required to hunt on National Forest land. Hunting on private land within the National Forest is prohibited without permission of the landowner. In addition, the following acts are prohibited on the National Forest:

Discharging a firearm or any other implement capable of taking human life, causing injury, or damaging property as follows:
- In or within 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation site, or occupied area, or
- Across or on a Forest System Road or body of water adjacent thereto, or in any manner or place whereby any person or property is exposed to injury or damage as result of such discharge. 36-CFR 261.10 (d)

Trapping

Trapping is also allowed on all White Mountain National Forest Lands including Wilderness areas pursuant to state regulations. Trapping on private land within the National Forest is prohibited without permission of the landowner. A state license to trap is required on National Forest land.

If you are providing Outfitter/Guide services in conjunction with your hunting or trapping activities, you must obtain an Outfitter/Guide Permit from the White Mountain National Forest. For more information about obtaining an Outfitter/Guide Permit from the US Forest Service, contact us at 603-466-2713 (ext. 213).

Hunting Maps

These maps show areas on the White Mountain National Forest where recent harvest has provided game habitat.

PDF -- High resolution, very large file size (approximately 3 MB). Has layers that can be turned on and off, also GPS coordinates.