Bear hunting season began Wednesday in New Hampshire, the beginning of a four-month stretch of the year’s most popular hunting seasons, leading up to rifle season for white-tailed deer in late November.
New Hampshire Fish and Game is cautioning hunters that the pandemic-fueled interest in outdoor recreation means more people are in the woods these days.
“It is more important than ever to be absolutely sure of your target and what lies beyond it. Hunters are strongly encouraged to maximize pre-season scouting and be prepared with backup locations if their desired spot is busy with other outdoor enthusiasts during the 2021 black bear season,” the department said in a statement about the opening of the season.
Hunting accidents are rare in New Hampshire and virtually always involve a member of the hunting party. It is extremely rare for bystanders to be shot by hunters but even so, officials suggest that hikers and other non-hunters in the woods should wear bright clothing.
The population of black bears has grown and spread in recent years and hunting has grown along with it: Last year, hunters killed 1,183 bears, the largest number in recent memory.
Bear hunters must report their kills to conservation officials within 12 hours. Fish and Game has instituted some new methods for hunters to report, including an online form.
Archery season for white-tailed deer begins Sept. 15 and muzzleloader season on Oct. 10. Rifle season for deer, by far the most popular hunting season in New Hampshire and most other states, runs from Nov. 10 to Dec. 5 in most parts of the state.
The fall turkey hunting season starts Sept. 15 for archery and Oct. 11 for shotguns. The 2021 moose hunt runs Oct. 16 to 21. Seasons for several species of small game and birds such as pheasant and grouse also run in the fall.
(David Brooks can be reached at 369-3313 or dbrooks@cmonitor.com or on Twitter @GraniteGeek.)
