{
 "verified": "2026-10-17",
 "note": "Unofficial index. Confirm on official sources. Dates inclusive.",
 "states": {
  "nh": {
   "name": "New Hampshire",
   "agency": "NH Fish and Game Department",
   "source": {
    "name": "NH Fish and Game: Deer Hunting in New Hampshire",
    "url": "https://www.wildlife.nh.gov/hunting-nh/deer-hunting-new-hampshire"
   },
   "verified": "2026-10-17",
   "deer_seasons": [
    {
     "name": "Youth deer weekend (statewide, any deer)",
     "start": "2026-10-24",
     "end": "2026-10-25",
     "note": ""
    },
    {
     "name": "Muzzleloader deer",
     "start": "2026-10-31",
     "end": "2026-11-10",
     "note": "Statewide window. Whether antlered-only or any-deer depends on the Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) and date; see the official page."
    },
    {
     "name": "Firearms deer (regular)",
     "start": "2026-11-11",
     "end": "2026-12-06",
     "note": "Ends Nov 29 in WMU A. Any-deer days at the start vary by WMU (Nov 11 up to Nov 22); the rest of the season is antlered-only. See the official WMU table."
    },
    {
     "name": "Archery deer",
     "start": "2026-09-15",
     "end": "2026-12-15",
     "note": "Closes Dec 8 in WMU A."
    }
   ],
   "facts": [
    {
     "text": "Licenses run on the calendar year (Jan 1 to Dec 31). Temporary license types are the exception.",
     "source_name": "NH Fish and Game online license system",
     "source_url": "https://www.nhfishandgame.com/",
     "verified": "2026-10-17"
    },
    {
     "text": "A hunting or archery license cannot be bought on the NH website if you have no prior hunting or archery license (or NH safety certificate) in the system; it must be bought at a license agent, showing proof.",
     "source_name": "NH Fish and Game online license system",
     "source_url": "https://www.nhfishandgame.com/",
     "verified": "2026-10-17"
    },
    {
     "text": "A hunting license must be printed and signed to be valid. For fishing (not hunting), a PDF or fixed image on a phone is accepted if an officer can read it and you show photo ID.",
     "source_name": "NH Fish and Game online license system",
     "source_url": "https://www.nhfishandgame.com/",
     "verified": "2026-10-17"
    },
    {
     "text": "Non-residents can buy temporary 1-, 3- and 7-day freshwater fishing licenses (consecutive days). A saltwater license is required in NH coastal waters, with an exemption for Maine or Massachusetts residents holding that state's recreational saltwater license.",
     "source_name": "NH Fish and Game: license requirements",
     "source_url": "https://www.wildlife.nh.gov/licenses-and-permits/nh-license-requirements",
     "verified": "2026-10-17"
    },
    {
     "text": "The licensing page carried a notice that the 2026 Unit L and Unit M permits were sold out (read Oct 17, 2026).",
     "source_name": "NH Fish and Game online license system",
     "source_url": "https://www.nhfishandgame.com/",
     "verified": "2026-10-17"
    }
   ],
   "official_links": [
    {
     "title": "Buy or reprint a license (official online system)",
     "url": "https://www.nhfishandgame.com/"
    },
    {
     "title": "License types and requirements",
     "url": "https://www.wildlife.nh.gov/licenses-and-permits/nh-license-requirements"
    },
    {
     "title": "License prices",
     "url": "https://www.wildlife.nh.gov/licenses-and-permits/license-prices"
    },
    {
     "title": "Hunting dates and seasons",
     "url": "https://www.wildlife.nh.gov/hunting-nh/dates-and-seasons"
    },
    {
     "title": "Deer hunting seasons by Wildlife Management Unit",
     "url": "https://www.wildlife.nh.gov/hunting-nh/deer-hunting-new-hampshire"
    },
    {
     "title": "State parks and camping (NH State Parks)",
     "url": "https://www.nhstateparks.org/"
    }
   ]
  },
  "vt": {
   "name": "Vermont",
   "agency": "Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department",
   "source": {
    "name": "Vermont Fish & Wildlife: Hunting and Trapping Seasons",
    "url": "https://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/hunt/hunting-and-trapping-seasons"
   },
   "verified": "2026-10-17",
   "deer_seasons": [
    {
     "name": "Archery deer",
     "start": "2026-10-01",
     "end": "2026-12-15",
     "note": "Expanded archery Sept 15-30 in designated zones only."
    },
    {
     "name": "October muzzleloader (antlerless by permit)",
     "start": "2026-10-29",
     "end": "2026-11-01",
     "note": "Muzzleloader license and antlerless permit required, per the 2026 deer guide."
    },
    {
     "name": "Youth and Novice weekend",
     "start": "2026-11-07",
     "end": "2026-11-08",
     "note": "One deer of either sex, per the 2026 deer guide."
    },
    {
     "name": "Regular (16-day) deer season",
     "start": "2026-11-14",
     "end": "2026-11-29",
     "note": "One legal buck statewide; antlerless only with an antlerless permit."
    },
    {
     "name": "December muzzleloader",
     "start": "2026-11-30",
     "end": "2026-12-13",
     "note": ""
    }
   ],
   "facts": [
    {
     "text": "Applying for a hunting license requires a copy of a current or previous hunting license from any state or province, or a hunter education certificate.",
     "source_name": "Vermont Fish & Wildlife: license information",
     "source_url": "https://anrweb.vt.gov/FWD/FW/LicenseInformation.aspx",
     "verified": "2026-10-17"
    },
    {
     "text": "Vermont lists 1-, 3- and 7-day non-resident fishing licenses and a 3-day resident fishing license (see the fee table on the official page; fees are set by statute and can change).",
     "source_name": "Vermont Fish & Wildlife: license information",
     "source_url": "https://anrweb.vt.gov/FWD/FW/LicenseInformation.aspx",
     "verified": "2026-10-17"
    },
    {
     "text": "Vermont has an online map tool that shows the fishing rules for a specific waterbody, including a current-location feature.",
     "source_name": "Vermont Fish & Wildlife: online fishing regulations tool",
     "source_url": "https://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/fish/fishing-regulations/online-fishing-regulations-tool",
     "verified": "2026-10-17"
    }
   ],
   "official_links": [
    {
     "title": "License information and fees",
     "url": "https://anrweb.vt.gov/FWD/FW/LicenseInformation.aspx"
    },
    {
     "title": "Hunting and trapping seasons",
     "url": "https://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/hunt/hunting-and-trapping-seasons"
    },
    {
     "title": "2026 deer season guide (PDF)",
     "url": "https://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/sites/fishandwildlife/files/documents/Hunt/hunting%20guides/2026-deer-season-guide.pdf"
    },
    {
     "title": "Hunting home",
     "url": "https://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/hunt"
    },
    {
     "title": "Fishing home",
     "url": "https://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/fish"
    },
    {
     "title": "Online fishing regulations tool (by waterbody)",
     "url": "https://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/fish/fishing-regulations/online-fishing-regulations-tool"
    },
    {
     "title": "Vermont State Parks (camping)",
     "url": "https://vtstateparks.com/"
    }
   ]
  },
  "me": {
   "name": "Maine",
   "agency": "Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (IFW)",
   "source": {
    "name": "Maine IFW: Deer Hunting",
    "url": "https://www.maine.gov/ifw/hunting-trapping/hunting/laws-rules/deer-hunting.html"
   },
   "verified": "2026-10-17",
   "deer_seasons": [
    {
     "name": "Expanded archery (designated areas only)",
     "start": "2026-09-12",
     "end": "2026-12-12",
     "note": ""
    },
    {
     "name": "Regular archery deer",
     "start": "2026-10-03",
     "end": "2026-10-30",
     "note": ""
    },
    {
     "name": "Youth deer hunt",
     "start": "2026-10-23",
     "end": "2026-10-24",
     "note": ""
    },
    {
     "name": "Maine Resident Only Day",
     "start": "2026-10-31",
     "end": "2026-10-31",
     "note": "Special exception for some non-resident landowners; see the official page."
    },
    {
     "name": "Firearms deer",
     "start": "2026-11-02",
     "end": "2026-11-28",
     "note": "No Sunday hunting. Antlerless deer permit rules vary by Wildlife Management District."
    },
    {
     "name": "Muzzleloader deer (statewide)",
     "start": "2026-11-30",
     "end": "2026-12-05",
     "note": "A second muzzleloader window runs Dec 7-12 in WMDs 12-18 and 20-29."
    }
   ],
   "facts": [
    {
     "text": "Sunday hunting is illegal in Maine, statewide. Carrying hunting equipment in the fields and forests on Sunday has to follow the uncased-equipment rules in the lawbook (cased, wrapped or broken down).",
     "source_name": "Maine IFW 2026-27 hunting lawbook",
     "source_url": "https://www.maine.gov/ifw/docs/26-MDIFW-5-HUNTING-LAWBOOK-2026-27.pdf",
     "verified": "2026-10-17"
    },
    {
     "text": "To get an adult firearms hunting license you must show proof of residency and that you either held an adult hunting license since 1976 or completed an approved hunter safety course in any U.S. state, province or country.",
     "source_name": "Maine IFW: hunting license information",
     "source_url": "https://www.maine.gov/ifw/hunting-trapping/licenses-permits/hunting-license.html",
     "verified": "2026-10-17"
    },
    {
     "text": "Maine's ME Outdoors app can store licenses and shows maps (stocked waters, water access, wildlife management areas and districts) with offline use.",
     "source_name": "Maine IFW: ME Outdoors app",
     "source_url": "https://www.maine.gov/ifw/news-events/app.html",
     "verified": "2026-10-17"
    }
   ],
   "official_links": [
    {
     "title": "IFW home",
     "url": "https://www.maine.gov/ifw/"
    },
    {
     "title": "Hunting license information and fees",
     "url": "https://www.maine.gov/ifw/hunting-trapping/licenses-permits/hunting-license.html"
    },
    {
     "title": "Deer hunting seasons and rules",
     "url": "https://www.maine.gov/ifw/hunting-trapping/hunting/laws-rules/deer-hunting.html"
    },
    {
     "title": "2026-27 hunting lawbook (PDF)",
     "url": "https://www.maine.gov/ifw/docs/26-MDIFW-5-HUNTING-LAWBOOK-2026-27.pdf"
    },
    {
     "title": "Fishing and boating",
     "url": "https://www.maine.gov/ifw/fishing-boating/"
    },
    {
     "title": "ME Outdoors mobile app",
     "url": "https://www.maine.gov/ifw/news-events/app.html"
    },
    {
     "title": "Maine State Parks (camping)",
     "url": "https://www.maine.gov/dacf/parks/"
    }
   ]
  },
  "ma": {
   "name": "Massachusetts",
   "agency": "MassWildlife (Division of Fisheries and Wildlife)",
   "source": {
    "name": "Mass.gov: 2026 hunting and freshwater fishing season summary",
    "url": "https://www.mass.gov/info-details/2026-hunting-and-freshwater-fishing-season-summary"
   },
   "verified": "2026-10-17",
   "deer_seasons": [
    {
     "name": "Youth deer hunt",
     "start": "2026-10-02",
     "end": "2026-10-03",
     "note": ""
    },
    {
     "name": "Archery deer (Zones 1-14)",
     "start": "2026-10-05",
     "end": "2026-11-28",
     "note": ""
    },
    {
     "name": "Shotgun deer (Zones 1-14)",
     "start": "2026-11-30",
     "end": "2026-12-12",
     "note": "Hunting is prohibited on Sundays in Massachusetts."
    },
    {
     "name": "Primitive firearms deer (Zones 1-14)",
     "start": "2026-12-14",
     "end": "2026-12-31",
     "note": ""
    }
   ],
   "facts": [
    {
     "text": "Hunting is prohibited on Sundays in Massachusetts.",
     "source_name": "Mass.gov: hunting FAQ",
     "source_url": "https://www.mass.gov/info-details/frequently-asked-questions-about-hunting-in-massachusetts",
     "verified": "2026-10-17"
    },
    {
     "text": "You are eligible for a Massachusetts hunting license with a government-issued Basic Hunter Education certificate from any jurisdiction, or if you held a hunting or sporting license before Jan 1, 2007 (from any jurisdiction).",
     "source_name": "Mass.gov: hunting licenses, permits and stamps",
     "source_url": "https://www.mass.gov/info-details/hunting-licenses-permits-and-stamps",
     "verified": "2026-10-17"
    },
    {
     "text": "You need an Antlerless Deer Permit to take an antlerless deer in archery, shotgun and primitive firearms seasons. Archery and primitive firearms deer seasons also need an Archery Stamp or Primitive Firearms Stamp.",
     "source_name": "Mass.gov: hunting licenses, permits and stamps",
     "source_url": "https://www.mass.gov/info-details/hunting-licenses-permits-and-stamps",
     "verified": "2026-10-17"
    },
    {
     "text": "A phone image of a valid license is accepted, but when a tag is required (deer, bear, turkey) hunters must carry a paper copy of the license, permits and tags.",
     "source_name": "Mass.gov: hunting licenses, permits and stamps",
     "source_url": "https://www.mass.gov/info-details/hunting-licenses-permits-and-stamps",
     "verified": "2026-10-17"
    }
   ],
   "official_links": [
    {
     "title": "MassWildlife home",
     "url": "https://www.mass.gov/orgs/masswildlife"
    },
    {
     "title": "Hunting licenses, permits and stamps",
     "url": "https://www.mass.gov/info-details/hunting-licenses-permits-and-stamps"
    },
    {
     "title": "2026 hunting and freshwater fishing season summary",
     "url": "https://www.mass.gov/info-details/2026-hunting-and-freshwater-fishing-season-summary"
    },
    {
     "title": "Hunting FAQ",
     "url": "https://www.mass.gov/info-details/frequently-asked-questions-about-hunting-in-massachusetts"
    },
    {
     "title": "Fishing (Mass.gov)",
     "url": "https://www.mass.gov/topics/fishing"
    },
    {
     "title": "State parks and camping (DCR)",
     "url": "https://www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-conservation-and-recreation"
    }
   ]
  },
  "ct": {
   "name": "Connecticut",
   "agency": "CT DEEP (Dept. of Energy and Environmental Protection)",
   "source": {
    "name": "CT DEEP: 2026 Hunting Season Summary (PDF)",
    "url": "https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/deep/hunting_trapping/pdf_files/seasonsummary2026.pdf"
   },
   "verified": "2026-10-17",
   "deer_seasons": [
    {
     "name": "Archery deer, private land (all zones)",
     "start": "2026-09-15",
     "end": "2026-12-31",
     "note": "Zones 11 and 12 private land also open Jan 1-31, 2027. State land is Sept 15-Nov 17 and Dec 23-31."
    },
    {
     "name": "Shotgun/rifle/revolver deer, private land",
     "start": "2026-11-18",
     "end": "2026-12-08",
     "note": "Landowner season runs Nov 1-Dec 31. State land lottery and no-lottery seasons also start Nov 18."
    },
    {
     "name": "Muzzleloader deer, private land",
     "start": "2026-12-09",
     "end": "2026-12-31",
     "note": "State land muzzleloader is Dec 9-22."
    }
   ],
   "facts": [
    {
     "text": "Archery deer hunting is allowed on Sundays on private land only, not on state land. Sunday hunting on private land is not allowed within 40 yards of blazed public trails.",
     "source_name": "CT DEEP: Deer Hunting (2026 guide page)",
     "source_url": "https://portal.ct.gov/deep/hunting/2026-connecticut-hunting-and-trapping-guide/deer-hunting",
     "verified": "2026-10-17"
    },
    {
     "text": "Private-land deer and turkey hunters must have written landowner permission on the official form, signed and dated for the current season.",
     "source_name": "CT DEEP: 2026 hunting and trapping guide (news release and guide)",
     "source_url": "https://portal.ct.gov/deep/news-releases/news-releases---2026/fall-archery-deer-and-turkey-season-opens-in-september",
     "verified": "2026-10-17"
    },
    {
     "text": "A current firearms hunting license is required to buy a firearms deer permit. State-land deer lottery applications opened Jan 2, 2026; people not drawn can still buy a state-land no-lottery permit, but not both.",
     "source_name": "CT DEEP: hunting and trapping licenses",
     "source_url": "https://portal.ct.gov/deep/hunting/2026-connecticut-hunting-and-trapping-guide/hunting-and-trapping-licenses",
     "verified": "2026-10-17"
    }
   ],
   "official_links": [
    {
     "title": "Hunting (DEEP)",
     "url": "https://portal.ct.gov/deep/hunting"
    },
    {
     "title": "Deer hunting (2026 guide page)",
     "url": "https://portal.ct.gov/deep/hunting/2026-connecticut-hunting-and-trapping-guide/deer-hunting"
    },
    {
     "title": "Hunting and trapping licenses",
     "url": "https://portal.ct.gov/deep/hunting/2026-connecticut-hunting-and-trapping-guide/hunting-and-trapping-licenses"
    },
    {
     "title": "2026 hunting season summary (PDF)",
     "url": "https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/deep/hunting_trapping/pdf_files/seasonsummary2026.pdf"
    },
    {
     "title": "Fishing (DEEP)",
     "url": "https://portal.ct.gov/deep/fishing"
    },
    {
     "title": "State parks (DEEP)",
     "url": "https://portal.ct.gov/deep/state-parks"
    }
   ]
  },
  "ri": {
   "name": "Rhode Island",
   "agency": "RI DEM Division of Fish & Wildlife",
   "source": {
    "name": "RI DEM: 2026-27 hunting abstract (PDF)",
    "url": "https://dem.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur861/files/2026-08/huntabs.pdf"
   },
   "verified": "2026-10-17",
   "deer_seasons": [
    {
     "name": "Archery deer (Zones 1 and 2)",
     "start": "2026-09-15",
     "end": "2027-01-31",
     "note": "Zone 3 and Block Island (Zone 4) have different dates; see the official abstract."
    },
    {
     "name": "Muzzleloader deer (Zones 1 and 2)",
     "start": "2026-11-07",
     "end": "2026-12-04",
     "note": ""
    },
    {
     "name": "Shotgun deer (Zones 1 and 2)",
     "start": "2026-12-05",
     "end": "2026-12-31",
     "note": "Single projectile only; buckshot is prohibited, per the abstract."
    }
   ],
   "facts": [
    {
     "text": "The Rhode Island license year begins March 1 and ends the last day of February.",
     "source_name": "RI DEM: hunting license, stamp and permit fees",
     "source_url": "https://dem.ri.gov/natural-resources-bureau/fish-wildlife/licenses-applications/hunting-licenses-applications/liscense",
     "verified": "2026-10-17"
    },
    {
     "text": "Annual written permission is required to hunt deer on privately owned land (R.I. Gen. Laws 20-15-1(4), as cited in the DEM regulations).",
     "source_name": "RI DEM hunting and trapping regulations (250-RICR-60-00-9)",
     "source_url": "https://dem.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur861/files/2026-03/redline-250-RICR-60-00-9.pdf",
     "verified": "2026-10-17"
    },
    {
     "text": "A valid RI hunting license also serves as a permit to hunt State Management Areas, except where check stations operate or special permits are required (deer, waterfowl, turkey on state lands).",
     "source_name": "RI DEM: hunting license, stamp and permit fees",
     "source_url": "https://dem.ri.gov/natural-resources-bureau/fish-wildlife/licenses-applications/hunting-licenses-applications/liscense",
     "verified": "2026-10-17"
    }
   ],
   "official_links": [
    {
     "title": "Fish & Wildlife (DEM)",
     "url": "https://dem.ri.gov/natural-resources-bureau/fish-wildlife"
    },
    {
     "title": "Online hunting and fishing licenses",
     "url": "https://dem.ri.gov/huntfish"
    },
    {
     "title": "Hunting license, stamp and permit fees",
     "url": "https://dem.ri.gov/natural-resources-bureau/fish-wildlife/licenses-applications/hunting-licenses-applications/liscense"
    },
    {
     "title": "2026-27 hunting abstract (PDF)",
     "url": "https://dem.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur861/files/2026-08/huntabs.pdf"
    },
    {
     "title": "Hunting and trapping regulations (RI Dept. of State)",
     "url": "https://rules.sos.ri.gov/regulations/part/250-60-00-9"
    }
   ]
  }
 }
}