Vermont is known for its high population of black bears and white-tail deer., which makes it a popular state for deer hunting. Last year, the majority of the state’s 73,000 resident hunters participated in deer hunting during the fall season.
The newest Vermont Hunting Seasons Schedule has been released, so prepare for your hunting trips now! This guide will detail key dates, rules, and licenses for different hunting seasons in Vermont, covering different ranges of games.
Keep reading and get ready for a thrilling year of hunting in Vermont.
White-Tailed Deer Hunting Seasons
| Season | Date | Bag Limit |
| Archery | Oct. 1-Nov. 15 & Dec. 2-15 , 2024 | One legal buck |
| Youth Deer Weekend | October 26-27, 2024 | One deer(either sex) |
| Novice Weekend | October 26-27, 2024 | One legal buck |
| Muzzleloader Antlerless | October 31- Nov. 3, 2024 | / |
| Muzzleloader | Dec. 7-15, 2024 | One legal buck |
| Nov. Regular | Nov. 16- Dec. 1, 2024 | One legal buck |
🔔Notes:
- No more than 4 deer in a year and only one may be a legal buck.
- In Muzzleloader Antlerless season, a muzzleloader license and antlerless permit are required for hunters.
- What is a legal buck:
”In Wildlife Management Units C, D1, D2 E1, E2, G, I, L, M, P, and Q, a legal buck is a deer with a minimum antler length of three inches.
In Units A, B, F1, F2, H, J1, J2, K, N, and O, a legal buck is a deer with at least one antler with two or more points that are one inch in length or longer.”
Vermont Black Bear Seasons
| Season | Date | Bag Limit |
| Early | Sept. 1 – Nov. 15 | One bear per year |
| Late | Nov. 16 – Nov. 24 |
🔔Notes:
- To participate in Early Bear Season, hunters need a specific Early Bear Season tag.
- Hunters can only harvest one bear per year.
- Using bait is not allowed in this season.
- Hounds can be used, but certain conditions must be met, including having a bear-dog permit, using a maximum of six dogs, and not using commercial guiding.
- Nonresident hunters with hounds can start hunting on Sept. 15.
Vermont Moose Seasons
| Season | Date |
| Archery | October 1 – 7, 2024 |
| Regular | October 19 – 24, 2024 |
- Moose hunting is assigned through a lottery system. Only hunters who have been chosen are eligible to hunt moose.
- The resident application fee is $10. The nonresident application fee is $25and Fees are nonrefundable.
Vermont Turkey Seasons
| Season | Date | Limit | Zone |
| Youth Weekend and Novice Weekend | Apr. 27 – 28 | One bearded turkey | Statewide |
| Spring | May 1 – 31 | Two bearded turkeys | Statewide |
| Fall (Archery only) | October 5 – 25, 2024 | One of either sex | Statewide |
| Fall (Archery or Shotgun) | October 26 – Nov. 3, 2024 | One of either sex | WMUs B, D, G, H, I, J, L, M, O, P, and Q |
| Fall (Archery or Shotgun) | October 26 – Nov. 10, 2024 | One of either sex | WMUs F, K and N |
- A turkey license is necessary along with a hunting license.
- Only specific weapons like a shotgun, bow and arrow, or crossbow are allowed for turkey hunting.
- Use of electronic calls, bait, live decoys, cooperative drives, and dogs in the spring season is prohibited.
- Hunters must promptly attach the appropriate tag to a turkey they have taken.
Vermont Small Game Seasons
Cottontail Rabbit/Snowshoe Hare
Dates:Sept. 28 – Mar. 9( WMUs D & E remain open until Mar. 31)
Bag Limit: 3 daily; 6 possession
Gray Squirrel
Date: Sept. 1 – Dec. 31, 2024
Bag Limit: 4 daily; 8 possession
Crow
Date: January 15 – Apr. 8, 2024, August 19 – Dec. 16, 2024
Note: Crow may only be hunted Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.
Vermont Upland Game Birds
Ruffed Grouse
Date: Sept. 28 – Dec. 31
Bag Limit: 4 daily; 8 possession
Woodcock
Date: Sept. 30 – Nov. 13
Bag Limit: 3 daily; 9 possession
Ducks, Coots and Mergansers
| Lake Champlain Zone | Interior Vermont Zone | Connecticut River Zone | Limit |
| Oct. 7 – Oct. 11; Nov. 4 – Dec. 28 |
Oct. 7 – Dec. 5 | Oct. 5 – Nov. 3;
Nov. 22 – Dec. 21 |
6 daily; 18 possession
|
Furbearer Hunting Seasons
| Season | Date |
| Bobcat | Jan. 10 – Feb. 7 |
| Red & Gray Fox | Oct. 28, 2023 – Feb. 11, 2024 & |
| Oct. 26, 2024 – Feb. 9, 2025 | |
| Raccoon | Oct. 12 – Dec. 31 |
| Muskrat | March 20 – April 19 |
| Coyote – Hunting with Dogs | December 15 – March 31 |
| Opossum, Coyote (no dogs), | No Closed Season |
| Skunk, Weasel, Beaver, Otter, Mink, Fisher, Marten, Lynx, Wolf, Eastern Mountain Lion |
No Open Season |
Furbearer Trapping Seasons
| Season | Date |
| Mink, Skunk, Red & Gray Fox, Raccoon, Coyote, Opossum, Weasel |
Oct. 26 – Dec. 31 |
| Otter, Muskrat, Beaver | Oct. 28, 2023 – March 31, 2024;
Oct. 26, 2024 – March 31, 2025 |
| Fisher | Dec. 1 – 31 |
| Bobcat | Dec. 1 – 16 |
| Marten, Lynx, Wolf, Eastern Mountain Lion | No Open Season |
Anyone who sells pelts must have a valid Fur Buyer’s License.
Vermont Hunting Licenses
To hunt games in Vermont, in addition to hunting licenses, hunters may be required to obtain separate tags or permits.
Each year, Vermont holds lotteries for moose and antlerless deer hunting permits, as well as for a lifetime license.
If you are not chosen in the lottery, you can acquire permits for unallocated antlerless deer muzzleloader hunts in specific Wildlife Management Units for October 26-29 and December 2-10.
Permits are $10.00 and available for purchase online or at local license agents, first come, first served.
Here you can check whether are are chosen for a specific tag: Hunting Tag Lottery Winners
Here you can enroll in the lifetime license lottery: Enter the Lifetime License Lottery Online
There are different types of hunting licenses for residents and non-residents. Check the following chart to find detailed information.
| License Type | Resident | Non-Resident |
| Hunting | $28 | $102 |
| 5 Year Hunting | $134 | $504 |
| Youth Hunting (under age 18) | $8 | $25 |
| Combination (Fishing and Hunting) | $47 | $143 |
| 5 Year Combination-Fishing and Hunting | $229 | $709 |
| Youth Combination-Fishing and Hunting (under age 18) | $12 | $30 |
| Trapping | 23 | $305 |
| 5 Year Trapping | $109 | $1519 |
| Youth Trapping (under age 18) | $10 | $300 |
| Archery Deer(hunting license required) | $23 | $38 |
| Archery Deer Only(hunting license NOT required) | / | $75 |
| Turkey (hunting license required) | $23 | $38 |
| Muzzleloader Deer(hunting license required) | $23 | $40 |
| Early Season Bear (Sept. 1 – day before opening day of deer rifle season) | $5 | $15 |
| Small Game | / | $50 |
| Vermont Waterfowl Stamp | $7.5 | $7.5 |
| Permanent Licenses (66 or older) | $60 | / |
| Mentored Hunting License | $10 | $10 |
Who doesn’t need a hunting license? Note that if you are a landowner you may hunt on your own property without a hunting or muzzleloader license in Vermont.
Conclusion
Vermont offers a variety of thrilling hunting opportunities. As we conclude the Vermont Hunting Seasons in 2024, we hope you’re eager and motivated to engage in exciting hunting adventures in the Vermont State soon.
Remember to prioritize safety, respect the land, adhere to the regulations set by the Vermont State, and be a responsible and ethical hunter.
Happy hunting, and may your aim be accurate always!
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