WMU J1, New Hampshire
About this unit
Sign in to contributeWMU J1 covers the eastern Lakes Region and western Carroll County, encompassing towns like Ossipee, Tamworth, Conway, Wolfeboro, and Moultonboro — a mix of hardwood ridges, wetland drainages, and second-growth forest with Ossipee Lake as a central landmark. Deer hunting is solid with either-sex opportunities available during archery season and crossbow legal for archery license holders; bear are huntable September through mid-November with a required permit. Spring and fall turkey seasons are open, and moose permits are available by lottery for northern overlap areas.
Mixed hardwood and softwood forest on rolling hills and low ridgelines; significant wetland and beaver flowage complexes around Ossipee Lake and Great East Lake drainages; second-growth hardwoods (oak, beech, maple) in southern portions transitioning to spruce-fir mix northward toward the White Mountains; river corridors along the Ossipee and Swift rivers provide travel corridors for deer and bear
White Mountain National Forest covers the northern reaches of J1 around Conway and Albany — open to hunting under NH Fish and Game regulations at no charge. Ossipee Lake State Forest and Heath Pond Bog WMA provide additional public access in the central and southern portions. Numerous NHDOT-managed gravel roads and DRED state lands offer dispersed access. Private timberland is widespread and often open by default under NH trespass law unless posted; always verify posting status.
moderate
One antlered buck statewide included with base license. Antlerless permits (AOP/DOP) available for J1 — NHFG proposed additional either-sex opportunities for J1 in the 2025-2026 season. Archery-season crossbow legal in J1 for any archery license holder. Antlerless permits are sold over the counter or by application depending on annual quota; check NHFG digest for current year allocation numbers.
DEER: Archery season Sept 15 – Dec 15; muzzleloader Oct 31 – Nov 10; firearms (regular season) Nov 11 – Dec 6. One buck statewide; antlerless by permit. Crossbow legal during archery in J1. BEAR: Season opens Sept 1; dog season Sept 22 – Nov 11 in J1. One bear per year statewide; permit required ($16 resident / $48 non-resident). TURKEY: Spring season (dates set annually, typically late April – late May); fall archery turkey follows deer archery dates (Sept 15 – Dec 15) in J1; turkey permit required ($16 resident / $31 non-resident). MOOSE: Northern edge of J1 near Conway may qualify for moose permit zones (Units B/E area adjacent); moose harvest by lottery permit only, season typically Oct 17-25; J1 core is transitional moose range, not a primary permit zone — confirm current zone boundaries with NHFG.
Good early-season archery hunting in hardwood ridges above Ossipee Lake and along the Conway/Tamworth corridor. Bear hunting with dogs is permitted September 22 through November 11 — J1 holds a healthy bear population. Spring turkey season draws consistent success in the agricultural edges and hardwood bottoms around Ossipee and Wakefield. WMNF access in the north provides remote, lower-pressure hunting. Mast crop (beech and oak) drives deer and bear movement in October.
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Boundaries: NHFG official Wildlife Management Units. Community info last updated 114d ago.