Vermont 2026-27 Hunting Season Dates
Quick answer
Vermont's listed 2026-27 firearm deer season runs Nov 14-29, 2026.
Expanded Archery White-tailed Deer opens Sep 15, 2026 and closes Sep 30, 2026.
Small game season opens Jan 16, 2026 and closes Dec 18, 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
- Sep 15-30, 2026
- small game
- Jan 16-Dec 18, 2026
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Key seasons by species
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
Expanded Archery
Sep 15-30, 2026
Expanded Archery in designated areas
Zone: designated areas
White-tailed Deer
Archery
Oct 1-Dec 15, 2026
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
Archery
Oct 1-Dec 15, 2026
Archery Season
White-tailed Deer
Muzzleloader Antlerless - Permit Only
Oct 29-Nov 1, 2026
Oct. Muzzleloader Antlerless Deer Season by permit only
White-tailed Deer
Muzzleloader
Oct 29-Nov 1, 2026
October Muzzleloader Antlerless Deer Season by permit only
White-tailed Deer
Youth Weekend and Novice Weekend
Nov 7-8, 2026
Youth Weekend and Novice Weekend
White-tailed Deer
Youth Weekend
Nov 7-8, 2026
Youth Weekend and Novice Weekend
White-tailed Deer
Regular Firearm
Nov 14-29, 2026
16-Day Regular Season
White-tailed Deer
Regular Season (Firearm)
Nov 14-29, 2026
16-Day Regular Season
White-tailed Deer
Muzzleloader
Nov 30-Dec 13, 2026
December Muzzleloader Season
Turkey
Wild Turkey
Youth & Novice Weekend
Apr 25-26, 2026
Youth & Novice Weekend
Wild Turkey
Spring Season
May 1-31, 2026
Spring Season
Wild Turkey
Fall Archery
Oct 1-Nov 13, 2026
Fall Archery - Statewide
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Fall Shotgun or Archery
Oct 24-Nov 1, 2026
Shotgun or Archery only
Zone: WMUs: B, D, G, H, I, J, L, M, O, P, Q
Wild Turkey
Firearm
Oct 24-Nov 8, 2026
Shotgun or Archery only
Zone: WMUs F, K, N
Wild Turkey
Fall Shotgun or Archery
Oct 24-Nov 8, 2026
Shotgun or Archery only
Zone: WMUs: F, K, N
Wild Turkey
Firearm
Oct 24-Nov 1, 2026
Shotgun or Archery only
Zone: WMUs B, D, G, H, I, J, L, M, O, P, Q
Bear
Black Bear
Firearm
Sep 1-Nov 22, 2026
Resident Black Bear Hunters with use of dogs by permit
Black Bear
Hunting with Dogs - Resident
Sep 1-Nov 22, 2026
Resident Black Bear Hunters with use of dogs by permit
Black Bear
Early Season
Sep 1-Nov 13, 2026
Early Season
Black Bear
Firearm
Sep 15-Nov 22, 2026
Nonresident Black Bear Hunters with use of dogs by permit
Black Bear
Hunting with Dogs - Nonresident
Sep 15-Nov 22, 2026
Nonresident Black Bear Hunters with use of dogs by permit
Black Bear
Late Season
Nov 14-22, 2026
Late Season
Moose
Moose
Archery
Oct 1-7, 2026
Archery Only - if permits are issued
Moose
Regular Season
Oct 18-23, 2026
If permits are issued
Moose
Firearm
Oct 18-23, 2026
Regular Season - if permits are issued
Waterfowl
Ducks, Coots, Mergansers, Canada Geese, Brant
Open Season
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
See 2025-2026 Migratory Game Bird Seasons for dates
Snow Goose
Open Season - Permit Required
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
Permit required; See 2025-2026 Migratory Game Bird Seasons for dates
Waterfowl
Youth Weekend
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
See 2025-2026 Migratory Game Bird Seasons for dates
Grouse
Ruffed Grouse
Open Season
Sep 26-Dec 31, 2026
Ruffed Grouse
Firearm
Sep 26-Dec 31, 2026
Partridge
Rabbit
Hare & Rabbit
Open Season
Sep 26, 2026-Mar 14, 2027
Also 2025-2026 season: September 27, 2025 - March 8, 2026
Zone: All WMUs except D, E
Hare & Rabbit
Firearm
Sep 26, 2026-Mar 31, 2027
Zone: WMUs D, E
Hare & Rabbit
Open Season
Sep 26, 2026-Mar 31, 2027
WMUs D, E remain open until March 31; Also 2025-2026 season: September 27, 2025 - March 31, 2026
Zone: WMUs D, E
Hare & Rabbit
Firearm
Sep 26, 2026-Mar 14, 2027
WMUs D and E remain open until March 31
Zone: All WMUs except D, E
Squirrel
Gray Squirrel
Firearm
Sep 1-Dec 31, 2026
Gray Squirrel
Open Season
Sep 1-Dec 31, 2026
Furbearer
13 listed rowsBeaver
Trapping
Oct 24, 2026-Mar 31, 2027
Also October 25, 2025 - March 31, 2026
Bobcat
Hunting
Jan 10-Feb 7, 2026
Bobcat
Trapping
Dec 1-16, 2026
Fisher
Trapping
Dec 1-31, 2026
Fisher, Otter, Beaver
Hunting
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
No Open Season
Marten, Lynx, Wolf
Trapping
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
No Open Season
Marten, Lynx, Wolf
Hunting
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
No Open Season
Mink, Skunk, Red & Gray Fox, Raccoon, Coyote, Opossum, Weasel
Trapping
Oct 24-Dec 31, 2026
Muskrat
Hunting
Mar 20-Apr 19, 2026
Muskrat
Trapping
Oct 24, 2026-Mar 31, 2027
Also October 25, 2025 - March 31, 2026
Otter
Trapping
Oct 24, 2026-Mar 31, 2027
Also October 25, 2025 - March 31, 2026
Raccoon
Hunting
Oct 10-Dec 31, 2026
Show 1 more furbearer rows
Red & Gray Fox
Hunting
Oct 24, 2026-Feb 14, 2027
Also October 2, 2025 - February 8, 2026
Small Game
Crow
Open Season
Jan 16-Dec 18, 2026
Two segments: January 16 - April 10, 2026 and August 21 - December 18, 2026; Fridays - Mondays Only
Migratory Birds
Woodcock
Open Season
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
See 2025-2026 Migratory Game Bird Seasons for dates
Coyote
Coyote
Hunting without Dogs
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
No Closed Season - hunting without aid of dogs
Coyote
Hunting
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
Hunting without aid of dogs - no closed season
Coyote
Hunting with Dogs
Dec 15, 2025-Mar 31, 2026
Permit required
Coyote
Hunting with Dogs - Permit Required
Dec 15, 2025-Mar 31, 2026
Hunting with Dogs - Permit required
Other
Crow
Firearm
Jan 16-Apr 10, 2026
Fridays - Mondays Only; also August 21 - December 18, 2026
Crow
Firearm
Aug 21-Dec 18, 2026
Fridays - Mondays Only
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Vermont Hunting Season FAQ
When does deer season start in Vermont?
September 15, 2026 is the first listed deer opener for Vermont; it is expanded archery white-tailed deer Sep 15-30, 2026.
When is Vermont's firearm deer season?
Nov 14-29, 2026 is the listed firearm deer window for Vermont. Check zone and permit details with Vermont Fish & Wildlife before hunting.
When does spring turkey open in Vermont?
A current spring turkey opener is not listed for Vermont yet. Check Vermont Fish & Wildlife for the latest turkey dates.
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.