Welcome to the Vermont Hunting Seasons page. Updated US Hunting Seasons for 2023-2023.
As part of our comprehensive guide to US Hunting Seasons By State on this page you will find out “When Is Hunting Season for Vermont?”
There is also general information on the different hunting seasons for a wide range of wild game species. You will find links to the relevant State Authority so you can make sure you have all the correct legal obligations in place before you start your hunt.
The Vermont hunting season website describes the hunting in this State as follows:
“Hunting in Vermont is a tradition that extends back before the country’s founding. In fact, Vermont was the first state with constitutional language that protects its citizens’ right to hunt. With the state’s combination of rolling farmland and thick woods, hunting remains popular and a way to put truly fresh local food on the table”
IMPORTANT. All care has been taking in preparing this hunting season information for you. Please check the relevant State Authority’s Website for further information and any changes to current US Hunting Season Regulations. We have provided a link to each States hunting season website for your convenience.
Vermont Deer Hunting Season
The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department makes the following comments about Deer hunting season.
“Hunting” in Vermont means deer hunting. Almost all of the state’s 65,000 resident hunters hunt deer at some point during the fall and more bucks are taken per square mile in Vermont than in any other New England state. The November rifle season, which allows a hunter to take one legal buck with at least one antler having two or more points, is Vermont’s basic deer season.”
Hunting Category |
Hunting Season 2023-2023* |
|---|---|
| Firearms | Nov 16-Dec 1 |
| Muzzleloader | Dec 7-15 |
| Bow | Oct 5-1 & Dec 7-15 |
| Youth | Nov 9 – 10 |
| Anterless | Dec 7 – 15 |
* Season dates may vary by zone. Please check the relevant State Authority Website.
Vermont Turkey Hunting Season
The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department makes the following comments about Turkey hunting season.
“Vermont boasts the best wild turkey hunting in New England. Considered “Big Game” under Vermont law, you will easily understand why after hunting them. Flocks of up to 100 can be counted in late winter and they are highly visible most of the year. But when hunting season comes in May, their prowess in avoiding the hunter puts them way ahead of any small game species and certainly on a par with deer and bear.”
Hunting Category |
Hunting Season 2023-2023* |
|---|---|
| Spring | May 1 -31 |
| Fall (all Weapons) | Oct 26 – nov 10 |
| Fall (Bow Only) | Oct 5 – 25 |
| Youth | Weekend prior to Spring |
* Season dates may vary by zone. Please check the relevant State Authority Website.
Vermont Small Game Hunting Season
Hunting Category |
Hunting Season 2023-2023* |
|---|---|
| cottontail Rabbit | Last Sat Sept – 2nd Sun Mar |
| Snowshoe Hare | Last Sat Sept – 2nd Sun Mar |
| Gray Squirrel | Sept 1 – Dec 31 |
| Bobcat | Jan 10 – Feb 7 |
| Red & Gray Fox | Oct 26 – Feb 9 |
| Coyote | Open all year |
| Opossum | Open All Year |
* Season dates may vary by zone. Please check the relevant State Authority Website.
Vermont Game Bird Hunting Season
The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department makes the following comments about Game Bird hunting season.
“Vermont offers some of the best upland game bird hunting in New England, particularly in the Northeast Kingdom.
Waterfowl hunters will find some surprisingly good hunting in Vermont. The best waterfowling occurs in the Champlain Valley, where numerous public wetlands and private farmland provide excellent hunting for ducks and geese. Elsewhere, good waterfowl hunting can also be had in the Northeast Kingdom, on Lake Memphremagog and among its tributary rivers, and along the Connecticut River Valley and the associated oxbows and agricultural fields.”
Hunting Category |
Hunting Season 2023-2023* |
|---|---|
| Ducks | Oct 2 – Dec 29 |
| Canada Geese | Sept 1 – 25 Oct 2 – Dec 16 |
| Snow geese | Oct 1 – Dec 31, Feb 27 – Mar 10 |
| Pheasant | Sept 28 – Dec 31 |
| Grouse | Last Sat Sept – Dec 31 |
* Season dates may vary by zone. Please check the relevant State Authority Website.
Vermont Black Bear Hunting Season
The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department makes the following comments about Black Bear hunting season.
“Vermont’s most reclusive big-game animal is remarkably abundant. Black bears inhabit most of the state, other than the Champlain Islands. Vermont has one of the densest black bear populations in the country, approximately one bear for every three square miles, most commonly found in the Green Mountains and Northeast Kingdom.”
Hunting Category |
Hunting Season 2023-2023* |
|---|---|
| Early Season | Sept 1 – Nov 15 |
| Late Season | Nov 16 – 24 |
* Season dates may vary by zone. Please check the relevant State Authority Website.
Vermont Moose Hunting Season
Hunting Category |
Hunting Season 2023-2023* |
|---|---|
| Firearms | Oct 19 – 24 |
| Bow | Oct 1 – 7 |
* Season dates may vary by zone. Please check the relevant State Authority Website.
I hope you have found this State hunting season information helpful in planning your next great hunting adventure. Please feel free to share this page with your hunting buddies. In addition to these US Hunting Seasons by State pages, you may be interested in these posts.
Good Luck!!