Hunting Seasons & Licensing · VT
Vermont Hunting Seasons & Licensing
2025–2026 SeasonVermont offers a classic New England hunting experience with white-tailed deer, moose (limited permits), black bear, wild turkey, and small game. The state is approximately 75% forested, providing extensive habitat. Vermont's deer hunting tradition runs deep, with the opening day of rifle season in November treated as an unofficial state holiday. The Green Mountain National Forest and state Wildlife Management Areas provide public hunting access. Vermont is one of the few states that still allows hunting with a traditional flintlock during a dedicated season.
Dates shown are for the 2025–2026 season based on the most recent published regulations. Always verify current dates with the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department before hunting.
Season Dates by Game Type
Big Game
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed Deer | Archery | Oct 4 – Nov 7 & Dec 6 – Dec 14, 2025 | 1 antlered + antlerless by WMU | Bow and arrow, crossbow |
| White-tailed Deer | Rifle | Nov 8 – Nov 23, 2025 | 1 antlered (buck only in most WMUs) | Rifle, shotgun, handgun, muzzleloader |
| White-tailed Deer | Muzzleloader | Dec 6 – Dec 14, 2025 | 1 antlerless (in select WMUs) | Muzzleloader only |
| Moose | General | Oct (varies — typically 7 days) | 1 moose | Rifle, bow, muzzleloader |
| Black Bear | General | Sep 1 – Nov 14, 2025 | 1 bear per year | Rifle, shotgun, bow, muzzleloader |
White-tailed Deer (Rifle): Opening day of rifle season is a Vermont tradition
Moose (General): Permit by lottery — approximately 55–75 permits per year. Northeast Kingdom primarily.
Black Bear (General): Baiting and hound hunting permitted
Turkey
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Turkey | Spring (youth) | Last Saturday in April, 2026 | 1 bearded turkey | Shotgun, bow |
| Wild Turkey | Spring | May 1 – May 31, 2026 | 2 bearded turkeys | Shotgun, bow |
| Wild Turkey | Fall | Oct 1 – Oct 31, 2025 | 1 turkey either sex | Shotgun, bow |
Upland Game Birds
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ruffed Grouse | General | Sep 25 – Dec 31, 2025 | 4 daily / 8 possession | Shotgun |
| Woodcock | General | Oct 1 – Nov 14, 2025 | 3 daily / 9 possession | Shotgun |
| Ring-necked Pheasant | General | Oct 1 – Dec 31, 2025 | 2 daily | Shotgun |
Ring-necked Pheasant (General): Stocked birds on select WMAs
Waterfowl
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ducks | General | Varies by zone — Oct through Dec | 6 daily (species-specific limits) | Shotgun (non-toxic shot required) |
Ducks (General): Federal duck stamp + HIP required. Atlantic Flyway.
Small Game
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snowshoe Hare | General | Sep 25 – Mar 10, 2026 | 3 daily | Rifle, shotgun, handgun |
| Gray Squirrel | General | Sep 1 – Dec 31, 2025 | 5 daily | Rifle, shotgun, handgun |
Licensing
| License Type | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Hunting License | $28 | — |
| Non-Resident Hunting License | $102 | — |
| Resident Deer Tag (rifle) | Included with hunting license | — |
| Non-Resident Deer Tag | Included with license | — |
| Archery Deer Tag | $25 (resident) / $42 (non-resident) | — |
| Muzzleloader Deer Tag | $15 (resident) / $30 (non-resident) | — |
| Moose Application Fee | $25 (resident) / $75 (non-resident) | — |
| Moose Permit (if drawn) | $100 (resident) / $350 (non-resident) | — |
| Bear Tag | $5 (resident) / $25 (non-resident) | — |
| Turkey Tag | $5 (resident) / $25 (non-resident) | — |
| Youth (under 16) | Free with hunter education | — |
| Federal Duck Stamp | $25 | Required for waterfowl |
Tags, Draws & Lotteries
Most Vermont hunting licenses and tags are available over the counter. Moose permits are issued through a random lottery — approximately 55 to 75 permits per year. Applications are due in late April. There is no preference point system — all drawings are random. Antlerless deer permits are allocated by WMU and may require a lottery in some units.
Harvest Reporting
Vermont requires mandatory reporting for all deer, moose, bear, and turkey. Deer must be reported at a biological reporting station within 48 hours. Moose and bear require check-in at a reporting station within 48 hours. CWD has not been detected in Vermont but surveillance is ongoing.
Vermont Wildlife Resources
- Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department — Hunting Home →
- Current Hunting Regulations →
- Hunter Education →
- Violation Hotline: Operation Game Thief: 1-800-752-5378
- USFWS Waterfowl Frameworks →
Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only. Season dates, bag limits, license fees, and regulations shown here are based on the most recently published data from the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department and may not reflect last-minute changes, emergency closures, or special regulations. Always verify current regulations directly with your state wildlife agency before hunting. FirearmSelect does not provide legal advice and is not responsible for actions taken based on this information.