WMU E2, New Hampshire
Unit info
- Game species
- Deer, Turkey, Bear
- Group
- Zone E
- Area
- 252 mi²
- Public land
- N/A
Season & harvest data is published for no species so far. Deer, Turkey, Bear also occur here — that data can be added as the community contributes.
About this unit
AI-compiled · sourcedWMU E2 covers south-central New Hampshire in Merrimack and Belknap counties, encompassing the Lakes Region south of Lake Winnipesaukee and surrounding mixed hardwood-softwood terrain. The unit offers solid deer and turkey hunting with bear opportunities, supported by a patchwork of state forests, WMAs, and Bear Brook State Park providing accessible public land. Hunting pressure is moderate, and deer populations are healthy in this transitional zone between the more densely developed seacoast lowlands and the wilder northern forests.
Mixed hardwood-conifer terrain across Merrimack and Belknap counties. Rolling hills and drumlin ridges interspersed with wetlands, agricultural edges, and second-growth forest. Elevation ranges from roughly 200 to 1,500 feet. Classic New England transition habitat with white-tailed deer browse corridors along field edges and softwood drainages. Lakes Region south of Winnipesaukee provides wetland fringes and mast-producing hardwood stands.
moderate
WMU E2 is part of the broader WMU E zone for NHFG antlerless permit allocations. Antlerless-only permits (AOPs) are issued for WMU E as part of statewide deer management; availability varies annually based on herd objectives — check the current NHFG digest. No Special Unit L or M-style unlimited antlerless permits apply here; standard either-sex and antlerless permit rules govern. Archery season runs Sept 15–Dec 15 (WMU E ends Dec 8 in far north units, but E2 runs the full season). Muzzleloader season opens 11 days prior to firearms (approx. Nov 1). Firearms season opens Nov 12. Crossbow is not among the expanded WMUs approved for crossbow during archery season as of 2025–2026 regulations.
DEER: Archery Sept 15–Dec 15; muzzleloader ~Nov 1–11; firearms opens Nov 12. Either-sex on opening weekend of firearms; antlerless permit required for additional harvest. Bag limit 1 antlered deer per year statewide; antlerless harvest requires AOP. TURKEY: Spring season May 1–31 statewide, 2 birds limit. Fall archery turkey Sept 15–Dec 15 (concurrent with deer archery). Fall shotgun turkey season does NOT include WMU E2 — fall shotgun is restricted to WMUs D2, H1, H2, I1, J2, K, L, M. BEAR: Season open statewide; WMU E (including E2) qualifies for an additional second bear with extra tag (must register first bear first as of fall 2025 rule change). Bear baiting and hound hunting seasons are shorter than still-hunting season; still hunting runs through Nov 30. MOOSE: WMU E2 is in central NH and moose permits are concentrated in northern WMUs (A, B, C). E2 does not receive meaningful moose permit allocations — moose presence exists but hunting is not a primary draw for this unit.
Deer hunting along agricultural edges and mature hardwood ridges is the primary draw. Turkey populations are strong in this central NH unit — spring season (May 1–31 statewide) offers good success. Bear hunting is available with a standard bear tag; WMU E qualifies for a second-bear tag opportunity (hunters must register first bear before taking a second). Bear Brook State Park is one of the most accessible and productive public hunting parcels. Good network of forest roads and trails for foot access.
Questions, tips & discussion
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Boundaries: NHFG official Wildlife Management Units. Community info last updated 23d ago.