Vermont 2026-27 Hunting Season Dates
Quick answer
Vermont's 2026-27 firearm deer season runs Nov 14-29, 2026.
Archery deer season runs Oct 1-Dec 15, 2026.
Duck season opens between October 10, 2026 and October 13, 2026 depending on zone; the last zone closes December 27, 2026.
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to Vermont Fish & Wildlife.
- firearm deer
- Nov 14-29, 2026
- archery deer
- Oct 1-Dec 15, 2026
- duck
- opens Oct 10-13, 2026 by zone
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Key seasons by species
How to read Vermont's seasons
Wildlife Management Units frame the deer seasons
Vermont manages deer by Wildlife Management Unit across archery, rifle, and muzzleloader seasons, with antlerless opportunity controlled by unit. The unit you hunt is the key variable.
Confirm unit boundaries, antlerless permits, and weapon-season dates with the official Vermont Fish and Wildlife source.
We summarize official agency information and link to the source for verification. Regulations can change, and zone details matter. Always confirm final dates, bag limits, permits, and legal requirements with Vermont Fish & Wildlife before hunting.
Deer
White-tailed Deer
Archery
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
Youth Weekend and Novice Weekend
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
16-Day Regular Season
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
Dec. Muzzleloader
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
Expanded Archery
Zone: Designated areas
White-tailed Deer
Oct. Muzzleloader Antlerless
Antlerless Deer Season by permit only
Zone: Statewide
Turkey
Wild Turkey
Fall Archery
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Shotgun or Archery
Shotgun or Archery only
Zone: WMUs: F, K, N
Wild Turkey
Youth & Novice Weekend
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Spring Season
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Shotgun or Archery
Shotgun or Archery only
Zone: WMUs: B, D, G, H, I, J, L, M, O, P, Q
Bear
Black Bear
Early Season
Zone: Statewide
Black Bear
Resident Season with Dogs by Permit
Resident Black Bear Hunters with use of dogs by permit
Zone: Statewide
Black Bear
Nonresident Season with Dogs by Permit
Nonresident Black Bear Hunters with use of dogs by permit
Zone: Statewide
Black Bear
Late Season
Zone: Statewide
Moose
Moose
Archery Only
If permits are issued
Zone: Statewide
Moose
Regular Season
If permits are issued
Zone: Statewide
Waterfowl
Canada Geese
Second Season
Zone: Lake Champlain and Interior Vermont Zones
Canada Geese
Second Season
Also November 25 - December 24.
Zone: Connecticut River Zone
Ducks
Regular Season
One scaup daily Oct. 10 - Nov. 18; two scaup daily for the remainder of the season.
Zone: Interior Vermont Zone
Ducks
Regular Season
Also Oct. 10 - Nov. 1. One scaup daily Oct. 10 - Nov. 1 and Nov. 21 - Dec. 7; two scaup daily for the remainder of the season.
Zone: Lake Champlain Zone
Canada Geese
Second Season
Also October 13 - November 11.
Zone: Connecticut River Zone
Canada Geese
Late Season
Zone: Lake Champlain and Interior Vermont Zones
Canada Geese
Late Season
Does not include Connecticut River waters.
Zone: Connecticut River Zone (Vermont land only)
Canada Geese
September Resident Season
Zone: Statewide
Coots, Mergansers, Brant
Regular Season
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
See 2026-2027 Migratory Game Bird Seasons for dates
Zone: Statewide
Ducks
Regular Season
Also Nov. 21 - Dec. 27. One scaup daily Oct. 10 - Nov. 1 and Nov. 21 - Dec. 7; two scaup daily for the remainder of the season.
Zone: Lake Champlain Zone
Ducks
Regular Season
One scaup daily for the entire season. The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department sets the season dates and bag limits for the Connecticut River Zone.
Zone: Connecticut River Zone
Waterfowl
Youth Weekend
Hunters 17 or younger may hunt ducks and geese in the Lake Champlain and Interior Vermont Zones; in the Connecticut River Zone, youth must be 15 or younger. Must be accompanied by an adult 18 or older. The adult may not hunt or carry a firearm.
Zone: Statewide
Grouse
Ruffed Grouse
Regular Season
Zone: Statewide
Rabbit
Hare & Rabbit
Regular Season
WMUs D, E remain open until March 31
Zone: All WMUs except D, E
Hare & Rabbit
Regular Season
Zone: WMUs D, E
Squirrel
Gray Squirrel
Regular Season
Zone: Statewide
Furbearer
Beaver
Trapping Season
Zone: Statewide
Mink, Skunk, Red & Gray Fox, Raccoon, Coyote, Opossum, Weasel
Trapping Season
Zone: Statewide
Muskrat
Trapping Season
Zone: Statewide
Otter
Trapping Season
Zone: Statewide
Raccoon
Hunting Season
Zone: Statewide
Red & Gray Fox
Hunting Season
Zone: Statewide
Bobcat
Trapping Season
Zone: Statewide
Fisher
Trapping Season
Zone: Statewide
Bobcat
Hunting Season
Zone: Statewide
Muskrat
Hunting Season
Dates listed as March 20 - April 19, 2026
Zone: Statewide
Small Game
Crow
Regular Season
Fridays - Mondays Only. Also open January 16 - April 10, 2026 (prior segment).
Zone: Statewide
Migratory Birds
Woodcock
Regular Season
Zone: Statewide
Snow Goose
Regular Season
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
Permit required. See 2026-2027 Migratory Game Bird Seasons for dates
Zone: Statewide
Coyote
Coyote
Hunting without Aid of Dogs
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
No closed season
Zone: Statewide
Coyote
Hunting with Dogs by Permit
Permit required.
Zone: Statewide
Other
Crow
Firearm
Fridays - Mondays Only
Crow
Firearm
Fridays - Mondays Only; also August 21 - December 18, 2026
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Vermont Hunting Season FAQ
When does deer season start in Vermont?
Archery deer season runs Oct 1-Dec 15, 2026. Firearm deer season runs Nov 14-29, 2026. Dates can differ by zone and permit; confirm with Vermont Fish & Wildlife.
When is Vermont's firearm deer season?
Firearm deer season runs Nov 14-29, 2026. Check zone and permit details with Vermont Fish & Wildlife before hunting.
Do I need a license to hunt in Vermont?
Yes. Hunters generally need the appropriate Vermont hunting license, and some seasons may require tags, permits, stamps, or zone-specific authorizations. Confirm final requirements with Vermont Fish & Wildlife.