Vermont Hunting Seasons, 2023-2024
Hunting in the Northeast may not have the exotic wildlife of other western states, but that doesn’t mean you should count Vermont out. The Green Mountain State blends a beautiful, rugged outdoors with ample hunting seasons sure to draw in any hunter. The state’s dedication to its hunting history lead Vermont to be the first state to develop constitutional rights to hunting.
Vermont’s hunting seasons include a variety of large, northern game, including deer, black bear and moose. The state also offers up turkey seasons and a handful of small game hunting opportunities.
Vermont Deer Seasons
| Archery | Oct. 1-Dec. 15 |
| Youth Weekend | Oct. 21-22 |
| Novice Weekend | Oct. 21-22 |
| Muzzleloader Antlerless | Oct. 26-29 |
| November Regular | Nov. 11-26 |
| Muzzleloader | Dec. 2-10 |
Vermont hunters are limited to four deer per year, and only one may be legal bucks. Youth and novice hunters are permitted to bag two legal bucks, and no more than four deer. Antler restrictions do not apply to young hunters during Youth Deer Weekend.
Vermont Black Bear Seasons
| Early Season | Sept. 1 through the day before the 16-day November Regular Deer Season |
| Late Season | First nine days of the 16-day November Regular Deer Season |
Vermont has ample black bear populations — approximately one bear for every three square miles of the state — allowing for an intriguing and likely successful hunt. Vermont requires a separate Early Bear Season tag to hunt during the early season. Hunters may take one bear per year and are prohibited from using bait. Hunting with dogs is legal so long as the hunter has a bear-dog permit and uses no more than six dogs.
Vermont Moose Seasons
| Archery | Oct. 1-7 |
| General Season | Third Saturday in October, for six consecutive days |
Moose hunting is only possible through a permit lottery. Residents and nonresidents are able to apply, though fees vary by resident status. For nonresidents, permits are more difficult to obtain as the state only awards up to 10% of its moose hunting permits to out of state residents.
Vermont Turkey Seasons
| Fall Archery Only | Oct. 7-20 |
| Fall Shotgun or Archery | Oct. 21-Nov. 5** |
| Spring General Season | May 1-31 |
| Spring Youth and Novice Weekend | Weekend prior to the opening of spring turkey season |
**Season dates vary by zone. Vermont boasts huge turkey populations, sometimes with flocks of more than 100 turkeys in one location. Dates may vary by region.
Vermont Small Game Seasons
| Gray Squirrel | Sept. 1-Dec. 31 |
| Rabbit and Hare | Sept. 24-March 12 |
| Ruffed Grouse | Sept. 30-Dec. 31 |
| Crow | Jan. 20-April 11 Aug. 25-Dec. 18 (Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays only) |
Vermont bagging totals and available licenses vary by region and lottery. For information on how to obtain season licenses for harvest, visit the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department website.