Vermont 2026-27 Hunting Season Dates
Quick answer
Vermont's listed 2026-27 firearm deer season runs Nov 14-29, 2026.
Archery White-tailed Deer opens Oct 1, 2026 and closes Dec 15, 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
- Oct 1-Dec 15, 2026
- small game
- Jan 16-Dec 18, 2026
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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
Muzzleloader
October Muzzleloader Antlerless Deer Season by permit only
White-tailed Deer
Muzzleloader Antlerless - Permit Only
Oct. Muzzleloader Antlerless Deer Season by permit only
White-tailed Deer
Youth Weekend and Novice Weekend
Youth Weekend and Novice Weekend
White-tailed Deer
Youth Weekend
Youth Weekend and Novice Weekend
White-tailed Deer
Regular Firearm
16-Day Regular Season
White-tailed Deer
Regular Season (Firearm)
16-Day Regular Season
White-tailed Deer
Muzzleloader
December Muzzleloader Season
White-tailed Deer
Expanded Archery
Expanded Archery in designated areas
Zone: designated areas
Turkey
Wild Turkey
Fall Archery
Fall Archery - Statewide
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Fall Shotgun or Archery
Shotgun or Archery only
Zone: WMUs: F, K, N
Wild Turkey
Firearm
Shotgun or Archery only
Zone: WMUs F, K, N
Wild Turkey
Fall Shotgun or Archery
Shotgun or Archery only
Zone: WMUs: B, D, G, H, I, J, L, M, O, P, Q
Wild Turkey
Firearm
Shotgun or Archery only
Zone: WMUs B, D, G, H, I, J, L, M, O, P, Q
Wild Turkey
Youth & Novice Weekend
Youth & Novice Weekend
Wild Turkey
Spring Season
Spring Season
Bear
Black Bear
Hunting with Dogs - Resident
Resident Black Bear Hunters with use of dogs by permit
Black Bear
Firearm
Resident Black Bear Hunters with use of dogs by permit
Black Bear
Early Season
Early Season
Black Bear
Hunting with Dogs - Nonresident
Nonresident Black Bear Hunters with use of dogs by permit
Black Bear
Firearm
Nonresident Black Bear Hunters with use of dogs by permit
Black Bear
Late Season
Late Season
Moose
Moose
Archery
Archery Only - if permits are issued
Moose
Firearm
Regular Season - if permits are issued
Moose
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
Firearm
Partridge
Ruffed Grouse
Open Season
Rabbit
Hare & Rabbit
Firearm
WMUs D and E remain open until March 31
Zone: All WMUs except D, E
Hare & Rabbit
Firearm
Zone: WMUs D, E
Hare & Rabbit
Open Season
WMUs D, E remain open until March 31; Also 2025-2026 season: September 27, 2025 - March 31, 2026
Zone: WMUs D, E
Hare & Rabbit
Open Season
Also 2025-2026 season: September 27, 2025 - March 8, 2026
Zone: All WMUs except D, E
Squirrel
Gray Squirrel
Firearm
Gray Squirrel
Open Season
Furbearer
13 listed rowsRaccoon
Hunting
Beaver
Trapping
Also October 25, 2025 - March 31, 2026
Mink, Skunk, Red & Gray Fox, Raccoon, Coyote, Opossum, Weasel
Trapping
Muskrat
Trapping
Also October 25, 2025 - March 31, 2026
Otter
Trapping
Also October 25, 2025 - March 31, 2026
Red & Gray Fox
Hunting
Also October 2, 2025 - February 8, 2026
Bobcat
Trapping
Fisher
Trapping
Bobcat
Hunting
Fisher, Otter, Beaver
Hunting
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
Marten, Lynx, Wolf
Trapping
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
No Open Season
| Season | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| MuskratHunting | Closed |
Small Game
Crow
Open Season
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
Permit required
Coyote
Hunting with Dogs - Permit Required
Hunting with Dogs - Permit required
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?
October 1, 2026 is the first listed deer opener for Vermont; it is archery white-tailed deer Oct 1-Dec 15, 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.
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.