WMU D2W, New Hampshire
Unit info
- Game species
- Deer, Turkey, Bear, Moose
- Group
- Zone D
- Area
- 367 mi²
- Public land
- N/A
Season & harvest data is published for no species so far. Deer, Turkey, Bear, Moose also occur here — that data can be added as the community contributes.
About this unit
AI-compiled · sourcedWMU D2W covers western Grafton County along the Connecticut River Valley, encompassing mixed farm-forest terrain and rolling hardwood ridges that produce consistently good deer numbers with Grafton County ranking among the top NH counties for harvest. The unit sits west of I-93 and the White Mountains corridor, bounded largely by the Vermont border, offering a mix of private farmland edges and state forest interior that holds deer, black bear, and expanding turkey populations. Crossbow is permitted during archery season, and the unit falls within the D2 bear zone where a second bear may be harvested after registering the first.
Western Grafton County along the Connecticut River Valley; rolling mixed hardwood-softwood forest interspersed with agricultural fields, old orchards, and beaver flowages on the west slopes of the White Mountain foothills; elevations mostly 600-2,200 ft; classic New England farm-forest edge habitat that concentrates deer along field margins and ridge benches; some wetland pockets provide year-round water
moderate
One antlered deer included with base license statewide; antlerless harvest in D2W is managed under the standard NH system — no D2W-specific AOP/DOP lottery has been identified (unlike the high-density southern units L and M which run dedicated antlerless permit lotteries); hunters should check the annual NHFG Hunting Digest for any antlerless permit opportunities in WMU D2 or sub-units; crossbow legal during archery season in D2W
DEER: Archery opens mid-September, regular (firearms) season typically opens late October through early December, muzzleloader season follows; crossbow legal during archery in D2W; one antlered deer per license; antlerless permit opportunities vary annually — check NHFG digest. BEAR: Season opens September 1 statewide; D2W falls in the D2 bear zone; residents $16/bear, non-residents $48/bear; hunters may take a second bear in WMU D2 after registering the first; baiting and hounding permitted under NH rules with applicable permits. TURKEY: Spring turkey season typically late April through late May statewide; fall shotgun season open in D2 unit; D2W included in units considered for expanded either-sex fall opportunities; strong population growth in central NH. MOOSE: D2W is in central-western Grafton County — while not a primary northern moose unit, moose are present; moose permits issued by lottery (approximately 35 statewide either-sex permits for fall 2025); hunters must apply in summer; WMUs A, B, and C receive the bulk of moose permits but D2-area applicants may draw in some years depending on NHFG allocation.
Grafton County consistently produces some of NH's highest deer harvests (2,103 deer in 2022, up 19% year-over-year); Connecticut River Valley farmland edges are top early-season deer draws; the unit holds black bear with a solid fall season timed to mast crops; turkey numbers have expanded well into central NH making D2W a productive fall and spring turkey destination; low-to-moderate pressure compared to southern NH units; mixed hardwood terrain favors spot-and-stalk and stand hunting along ag edges and benches
Questions, tips & discussion
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Boundaries: NHFG official Wildlife Management Units. Community info last updated 23d ago.