Vermont Hunting Seasons – Updated

Welcome to the Vermont Hunting Seasons page. Updated US Hunting Seasons for 2024-2023.

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 2024-2023*

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 2024-2023*

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 2024-2023*

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 2024-2023*

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 2024-2023*

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 2024-2023*

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!!