Overview
Known For
Vermont’s known for whitetail deer, black bear, moose, wild turkey, ruffed grouse, woodcock, waterfowl, and snowshoe hare hunting. Much of the best deer hunting happens on lowland farms and agricultural lands.
Terrain
Vermont’s terrain is mostly defined by the Green Mountains that run along its western border, making the state mostly forested with conifers and hardwoods. The rest of the state is primarily agricultural land, with intermittent lakes and ponds.
Vermont Hunting Seasons
| Season | Start Date | End Date | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Bear – Early
|
Sep 1, 2023 | Nov 10, 2023 |
|
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Bear – Late
|
Nov 11, 2023 | Nov 19, 2023 |
|
|
Coyote
Open year round. No limit.
|
Jan 1, 2023 | Dec 31, 2023 |
|
|
Deer – Muzzleloader
|
Dec 2, 0023 | Dec 10, 2023 |
|
|
Deer – Early Archery
|
Oct 1, 2023 | Nov 11, 2023 |
|
|
Deer – Youth and Novice Weekend
|
Oct 21, 2023 | Oct 22, 2023 |
|
|
Deer – Muzzleloader Antlerless
If antlerless permits are available. Check website.
|
Oct 26, 2023 | Oct 29, 2023 |
|
|
Deer – Regular
|
Nov 11, 2023 | Nov 26, 2023 |
|
|
Deer – Late Archery
Closed during regular November season
|
Nov 27, 2023 | Dec 15, 2023 |
|
|
Duck – Early Connecticut River
|
Oct 5, 2023 | Nov 3, 2023 |
|
|
Duck – Early Lake Champlain
|
Oct 7, 2023 | Oct 11, 2023 |
|
|
Duck – Interior Vermont Zone
|
Oct 7, 2023 | Dec 5, 2023 |
|
|
Duck – Late Lake Champlain
|
Nov 4, 2023 | Dec 28, 2023 |
|
|
Duck – Late Connecticut River
|
Nov 22, 2023 | Dec 21, 2023 |
|
|
Fox – Red & Gray
|
Oct 28, 2023 | Feb 11, 2024 |
|
|
Goose – Canada Goose Interior 1
|
Sep 1, 2023 | Sep 25, 2023 |
|
|
Goose – Canada Goose Champlain 1
|
Sep 1, 2023 | Sep 25, 2023 |
|
|
Goose – Canada Goose CT River 1
|
Sep 1, 2023 | Sep 25, 2023 |
|
|
Goose – Lake Champlain Snow Goose 1
|
Oct 1, 2023 | Dec 31, 2023 |
|
|
Goose – Interior Vermont Snow Goose 1
|
Oct 1, 2023 | Dec 31, 2023 |
|
|
Goose – Canada Goose CT River 2
|
Oct 5, 2023 | Nov 3, 2023 |
|
|
Goose – CT River Snow Goose 1
|
Oct 5, 2023 | Dec 21, 2023 |
|
|
Goose – Canada Goose Interior 2
|
Oct 14, 2023 | Nov 27, 2023 |
|
|
Goose – Canada Goose Champlain 2
|
Oct 14, 2023 | Nov 27, 2023 |
|
|
Goose – Canada Goose CT River 3
|
Nov 22, 2023 | Dec 21, 2023 |
|
|
Goose – Interior Vermont Snow Goose 2
|
Feb 27, 2024 | Mar 10, 2024 |
|
|
Goose – Lake Champlain Snow Goose 2
|
Feb 27, 2024 | Mar 10, 2024 |
|
|
Goose – Interior Vermont Conservation Order
|
Mar 11, 2024 | Apr 26, 2024 |
|
|
Goose – CT River Conservation Order
Applies to land, not CT River waters.
|
Mar 11, 2024 | Apr 26, 2024 |
|
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Goose – Lake Champlain Conservation Order
|
Mar 11, 2024 | Apr 26, 2024 |
|
|
Ruffed Grouse
|
Sep 30, 2023 | Dec 31, 2023 |
|
|
Moose – Archery
|
Oct 1, 2023 | Oct 7, 2023 |
|
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Moose – Regular
|
Oct 21, 2023 | Oct 26, 2023 |
|
|
Rabbit – Hare
WMUs D&E remain open through March 31.
|
Sep 30, 2023 | Mar 10, 2024 |
|
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Turkey – Youth Weekend
|
Apr 29, 2023 | Apr 30, 2023 |
|
|
Turkey – Spring
|
May 1, 2023 | May 31, 2023 |
|
|
Turkey – Fall Archery
Statewide.
|
Oct 7, 2023 | Oct 20, 2023 |
|
|
Turkey – Fall Shotgun & Archery 1
Unit B, D, G, H, I J, L, M, O, P, and Q.
|
Oct 21, 2023 | Oct 29, 2023 |
|
|
Turkey – Fall Shotgun & Archery 2
Unit F, K, and N.
|
Oct 21, 2023 | Nov 5, 2023 |
Vermont Licenses, Permits, and Regulations
Vermont hunting licenses, permits, and regulations for resident and non-resident hunters can be purchased on the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department website. Click below to view the website.
Hunting GPS Maps
Every Vermont hunter should have hunting GPS maps on hand. Vermont hunting maps are available from onX Hunt. With a paid membership you can access Satellite, Topo, or Hybrid Basemaps, over which you can view maps of wildlife management units, along with State, Forest Service, and other public and private property boundaries. You can view trails and roads, and even download maps to the Hunt App for use offline. Click below to get onX Hunt for Vermont.
Wildlife Management Units
Vermont’s wildlife management units (WMUs) were created in 1979. There are 21 different Vermont WMUs designated by letters and numbers. Each WMU has its own set of regulations and bag limits. Be sure you know which unit you’re hunting in and its rules. Click below to view Vermont’s wildlife management units in more detail through an interactive map.
Hunting Layers
VT Private Lands
Over 300,000 parcels mapped by the onX team, this layer helps you know who the property owners are in Vermont. Tap any parcel to learn more info about the owner and acreage.
VT Gov Lands
onX has the most accurate public lands maps with over 910,000 acres in Vermont to help you plan your next adventure. Tap any public land parcel to learn more.
VT Wildlife Mgmt Units
Vermont Wildlife Management Units and Waterfowl Hunting Units. Please hunt responsibly, obey all signage and have a safe legal hunt.
Includes 2 Sublayers
- Waterfowl Hunting Zones
- VT Wildlife Mgmt Units
VT Possible Access
Possible access lands in Vermont, includes timber companies and land conservation groups. Research rules on these private lands before recreating.
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