Hunters in Vermont define "hunting" as deer hunting. However, you'll find plenty of other wild game to hunt throughout the state (and year)!
There's a deep tradition of hunting and fishing in this state, established even before the founding of the country. This tradition is tied to the pursuit of ethically sourcing healthier food for families and connecting with the outdoors.
What do you need to know to plan your seasons for hunting in Vermont? Keep reading for an overview of season dates, regulations, bag limits, license information, and more to help you plan your hunting year.
Updated February 18, 2026
Why Do Hunters Hunt in Vermont?
For many in the Green Mountain State, the joy of getting outdoors and hunting is passed down to young generations to continue a "field-to-freezer" way of life. The state was the first to include constitutional language protecting the rights of citizens to hunt.
You'll find a wide range of animals to hunt and seasons for hunting year-round, including white-tailed deer, moose, turkey, black bear, and many species of small game and waterfowl — plenty of wild game to fill your freezer and feed friends and family each season.
Where Should I Hunt?
Not only are there plenty of public lands to hunt in Vermont, but all private land in the state is open to hunters unless the landowner posts against hunting. We still recommend getting permission before a day of hunting on a landowner's property.
So, with more than 800,000 acres of state and federal land available to hunt, along with state forests, National Wildlife Refuges, and state parks (plus private land), you're not likely to run out of good hunting areas as you scout, track, and hunt wild game.
No matter what, where, or when you hunt, HuntWise helps you scout to find the best hunt areas for your days in the field. Our hunting app gives you land boundary lines and multiple map layers and 3-D views to help you visualize the terrain before you head out for a hunt.
When Can I Hunt?
When is duck hunting season, Vermont hunters? Whether you're after deer, ducks, or other creatures this year, it's time to start planning your hunts.
Note that the season information we provide here is the latest available from the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department (VFWD). We'll make updates to this page with the latest information and dates as the information becomes available.
We also recommend checking the state's website for the latest season dates, bag limits, and other details to make sure you have the latest details.
Vermont Deer Hunting
Youth and Novice Weekend: November 7 – 8, 2026
Archery: October 1 – November 13, 2026
Expanded Archery (designated areas): September 15 – 30, 2026
Muzzleloader (Antlerless): October 29 – November 1, 2026
November Regular: November 14 – 29, 2026
Muzzleloader: November 30 – December 13, 2026
Turkey
Spring: May 1 – 31, 2026
Youth and Novice Weekend: April 25 – 26, 2026
Fall:
Archery Only: October 1 – November 13, 2026
Archery or Shotgun:
WMUs B, D, G, H, I, J, L, M, O, P, & Q: October 14 – November 1, 2026
WMUs F, K, & N: October 24 – November 8, 2026
Black Bear
Early: September 1 – November 13, 2026
Late: November 14 – 22, 2026
Resident with Dogs (By Permit): September 1 – November 22, 2026
Nonresident with Dogs (By Permit): September 15 – November 22, 2026
Moose
The state manages moose hunting through a lottery system by WMU.
Archery: October 1 – 7, 2026 (if permits are issued)
Regular: October 18 – 23, 2026 (if permits are issued)
Small Game
Cottontail Rabbit & Snowshoe Hare:
All WMUs except D & E: September 27, 2025 – March 8, 2026 and September 26, 2026 – March 14, 2027
WMUs D & E: September 27, 2025 – March 8, 2026 and September 26, 2026 – March 31, 2027
Gray Squirrel: September 1 – December 31, 2026
Crow: January 16 – April 20, 2026 and August 21 – December 18, 2026 (Fridays – Mondays only)
Waterfowl
Ducks, Coots, & Mergansers:
Lake Champlain Zone: October 11 – November 2, 2025, and November 22 – December 28, 2025
Interior Vermont Zone: October 11 – December 9, 2025
Connecticut River Zone: October 13 – November 11, 2025, and November 27 – December 26, 2025
Scaup:
Lake Champlain Zone: October 11 – November 2, 2025, November 22 – December 8, 2025, and December 9 – 28, 2025
Interior Vermont Zone: October 11 – November 19, 2025, November 20 – December 9, 2025
Connecticut River Zone: October 13 – November 11, 2025, and November 27 – December 26, 2025
Canada Geese:
Lake Champlain Zone: September 1 – 25, 2025, October 11 – November 9, 2025, and December 1, 2025 – January 19, 2026
Interior Vermont Zone: September 1 – 25, 2025, October 11 – November 9, 2025, and December 1, 2025 – January 19, 2026
Connecticut River Zone: September 1 – 25, 2025, October 13 –November 11, 2025, November 27 – December 26, 2025, and December 27, 2025 – January 15, 2026
Snow Geese:
Lake Champlain Zone: October 1 – December 31, 2025, February 26 – March 10, 2026, and March 11 – April 24, 2026
Interior Vermont Zone: October 1 – December 31, 2025, February 26 – March 10, 2026, and March 11 – April 24, 2026
Connecticut River Zone: October 13 – November 11, 2025, November 27 – December 26, 2025, and March 11 – April 24, 2026
Brant:
Lake Champlain Zone: October 11 – November 9, 2025
Interior Vermont Zone: October 11 – November 9, 2026
Connecticut River Zone: October 13 – November 11, 2025
Snipe: September 27 – November 10, 2025
Upland Birds
Ruffed Grouse: September 26 – December 31, 2026
Woodcock: September 27 – November 10, 2025
Furbearers
Hunting
Coyote: No closed season for hunting without dogs. When hunting with dogs (new in 2024), the season dates are December 15, 2025 – March 31, 2026.
Bobcat: January 10 – February 7, 2026
Muskrat: March 20 – April 19, 2026
Raccoon: October, 2025 – February 8, 2026 and October 24, 2026 – February 14, 2027
Fisher, Otter, Beaver, Marten, Lynx, Wolf: No open season
Trapping
Mink, Skunk, Red & Gray Fox, Raccoon, Coyote, Opossum, Weasel: October 24 – December 31, 2026
Otter: October 25, 2025 – March 31, 2026 and October 24, 2026 – Marh 31, 2027
Muskrat: October 25, 2025 – March 31, 2026 and October 24, 2026 – Marh 31, 2027
Beaver: October 25, 2025 – March 31, 2026 and October 24, 2026 – Marh 31, 2027
Bobcat: December 1 – 16, 2026
Fisher: December 1 – 31, 2026
Marten, Lynx, Wolf: No open season
When planning your furbearer season, make sure you understand the differences in regulations between trapping live animals vs hunting them.
What Do I Need to Know About Regulations for Hunting in Vermont?
All first-time hunters in Vermont must pass a hunter education course before getting a hunting license — unless you can show proof of a hunter education card or license from another state. Additionally, hunters under the age of 18 must take the online course and then complete an in-person class to fulfill the hunter education requirements.
With your hunter-ed taken care of, you can buy the licenses you'll need for the game you plan to hunt. License fees vary based on the type of license you need (youth, archery, turkey, deer, permanent licenses, and more).
What are the Bag Limits?
How many deer, black bears, or coots can you bring home this year? To comply with the rules for hunting in Vermont, make sure you know the bag limits any wild game you plan to hunt!
Deer
No more than 4 deer per year (only on can be a legal buck)
Turkey
1 bearded (Youth & Novice Weekend)
2 bearded (spring)
1 either-sex (fall)
Black Bear
1 per calendar year
Scaup
1 per day, 3 in possession (Lake Champlain Zone October 12 – November 3 and November 23– December 9, Interior Vermont Zone October 12 – November 10 and November 23 – December 2, and Connecticut River Zone)
2 per day, 6 in possession (Lake Champlain Zone December 10 – 29 and Interior Vermont Zone November 27 – December 22) Canada Geese
8 per day, 24 in possession (September Season Lake Champlain Zone and Interior Vermont Zone)
5 per day, 15 in possession (September Season Connecticut River Zone)
3 per day, 9 in possession (Oct-Nov Season Lake Champlain Zone and Interior Vermont Zone)
2 per day, 6 in possession (Oct-Nov Season Connecticut River Zone)
5 per day, 15 in possession (Dec-Jan Season All Zones)
Moose
1 per permit
Snow Geese
25 per day (no possession limit)
15 per day, no possession limit (CO)
Rabbit and Hare
3 per day (6 in possession)
Brant
1 per day (3 in possession)
Gray Squirrel
4 per day (8 in possession)
Snipe
8 per day (24 in possession)
Ruffed Grouse
4 per day (8 in possession)
Coots
15 per day (45 in possession)
Woodcock
3 per day (9 in possession)
Mergansers
5 per day (15 in possession)
Ducks
6 per day (18 in possession)
What Else Do I Need to Hunt?
Whether you're excited about deer hunting in Vermont or planning your first black bear hunt, you need the right gear!
Make sure you have the right stuff for an early-season or cold-weather hunt, including good binoculars, the right tree saddle, a sharp hunting knife, and your trusty rifle or bow.
Don't Forget: HuntWise Pro and Elite subscribers can save up to 40% on the best quality gear! Use exclusive gear discounts from our partners to save.
Use HuntWise and Plan for Success When Hunting in Vermont
We hope this information in this guide helps you enjoy many successful hunts when hunting in Vermont this year! Just be sure to also confirm regulations, season dates, and bag limits with official state resources before heading out.
Content most recently reviewed and updated for recency and the latest season dates February 18, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
We have answers to your questions about hunting in Vermont!
Q: Does Vermont have good hunting?
A: Yes, Vermont has good hunting. The state is known for solid big-game and small-game hunting, especially during the white-tailed deer season in the fall. There’s also bear, turkey, waterfowl, and upland bird hunting. It’s not a high-density, trophy-focused state like some in the Midwest, but it offers a classic Northeast woods hunting experience.
Q: What animals can you hunt in Vermont?
A: Legal game species you can hunt in Vermont include white-tailed deer, black bear, wild turkey, moose (by limited permit only), coyote, bobcat (regulated season), snowshoe hare, ruffed grouse, waterfowl (ducks and geese), and various small game species. Seasons and regulations vary each year.
Q: Can non-residents hunt in Vermont?
A: Yes. Non-residents can hunt in Vermont, but they must purchase non-resident hunting licenses and follow all state regulations. Some species (like moose) require entering a lottery drawing.
Q: Can you shoot a moose in Vermont?
A: Yes, you can shoot a moose in Vermont, but only if you draw a special permit. Vermont runs a highly limited moose hunt each year, and permits are awarded through a lottery system. It’s competitive.
Q: Does VT have grizzly bears?
A: No, Vermont does not have grizzly bears. The state only has black bears. Grizzly bears are found in parts of the western U.S., not in the Northeast.
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