Vermont Hunting Laws Licensing & Regulations

Hunting in Vermont

Vermont is one of the states to visit for hunting in the northeastern United States. Hunting has a long history in the state, and it was the first to include hunting laws in its constitution. Moose, black bears, deer, turkey, and a variety of minor games are among the most popular games in Vermont.

Regulations for hunting in Vermont

Vermont has hunting rules, regulations, and standards that everyone who wants to hunt in the state must follow. The following are some of the most essential hunting requirements in the state:

Unlawful hunting behavior

Unlawful hunting conduct in Vermont is defined as any taking, transportation, or possession of game animals, wildlife, or any part of the body when the animal’s specific season has passed, unless approved by Vermont wildlife and fishing statutes.

Unlawful hunting behavior in Vermont also includes the unlawful possession, taking, or destruction of a wild bird’s nest or eggs.

In Vermont, games are being sold.

Vermont prohibits the selling of some game birds and animals, including the following:

Buying and selling wild birds

It is prohibited to sell or have in your possession a wild, illegally purchased bird. Exceptions are made for game bird plumage that was properly taken and sold in accordance with the Vermont Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

offering finished wildlife products for sale

It is not illegal to buy, trade, or sell wildlife goods that you have lawfully in your possession. There is an exception for wildlife and wild bird goods protected by the Vermont Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

Buying and selling deer, bears, and moose

Natural shed antlers of deer or moose are legal to own, buy, and sell in Vermont. In addition, anyone who legally takes or kills a bear, moose, or deer, even if they do not have a valid Vermont hunting license, can sell the following body parts:

Deer head, antlers, feet, and hide
Moose head, hide, bones, antlers, and feet
Bear’s head, hide, teeth, claws, and gallbladder
It is illegal to sell raw antlers and gallbladders of bears to anyone who is not a Vermont licensed hide dealer.

Hide a License in Vermont

A Vermont Hide License is required before you can commercially buy, sell, or exchange untanned hides of game animals, including those of fur-bearing games or other body parts of wildlife and birds. Furthermore, any portion of wildlife or game animals you buy or sell cannot be tied to wildlife or wild birds that are banned from being sold in Vermont.

Vermont during night hunting

The capture of wild birds and animals in Vermont is prohibited between the hours of 30 minutes after sunset and 30 minutes before daybreak the next day.

During Vermont’s open season, an exception is made for raccoon night hunting. The following are the conditions for raccoon night hunting:

The hunter must be accompanied by a hunting dog.
The hunter must use a hunting rifle or handgun with a capacity no bigger than the.22 caliber rifle.
The hunting rifle or handgun will only be loaded when the hunter can see with a flashlight and is attempting to discharge at a treed raccoon or one that has been held by a dog.

Baiting for Vermont hunting

According to Vermont hunting regulations, bait is any animal, plant, or part of their body that can be used to attract game animals and wildlife for the purpose of hunting them. In Vermont, the following requirements must be followed while baiting game animals:

You must obtain the authorization or permission of the landowner or anybody acting on behalf of the landowner. Permission might be given orally or in writing.

The bait must be well labeled with a 2 by 4 inch tag. The tag must include information about the person who placed the bait, such as their address and name.

The bait must be cleaned up immediately if a landowner requests it. If not requested by the landowner, the bait must be cleaned up within 20 days following the final day of hunting on the land.

The following are some Vermont hunting and baiting restrictions:

It is illegal to hunt over another baiter’s site if you do not have the baiter’s authorization.
It is illegal to employ poison, drugs, or any other therapeutic agent to attract game animals.
Between the first of June and the fifteenth of December, it is illegal in Vermont to feed or bait deer.
Between the 1st and 15th of December, it is illegal to bait or feed turkeys or moose.
It is illegal in Vermont to feed or bait wild turkeys during the spring wild turkey hunting season.

Hunting and Shooting Distances in Vermont

It is illegal to shoot a hunting firearm, muzzleloader, or archery equipment within 100 yards of a residential building without the permission of the owner. If the owner is not there, you must acquire permission from an adult occupant of the building.

This regulation does not limit construction to residential structures. It includes retail, educational, religious, farm, and commercial facilities designed to house humans or domestic animals or to house equipment and harvested crops.

While hunting, open carry is permitted.

It is legal in Vermont to openly carry weapons while hunting.

However, if you only have an archery hunting permit, you can only use a handgun when hunting, and it is unlawful to kill any animal with the firearm.

Vermont has prohibitions against hunter harassment, which include the following:

Nobody shall tamper with any firearm, trap, net, or equipment used for hunting or similar activities such as fishing or trapping on purpose.
Put himself or herself in a position to interfere with or prevent hunting or associated activities such as fishing and trapping.
Engage in acts that disrupt animal habitat, such as disturbing or pursuing them, making hunting harder.
No landowner shall construe any provision of this law in such a way that it restricts or prohibits authorized activities such as farming or hunting permits.

Hunting Licenses, Permits, and Tags in Vermont

In Vermont, hunting licenses are issued based on the age and residency of the hunter, whereas permits and tags are issued based on the game animal. In order to take various games in Vermont, you must have both a valid state hunting license and a game permit.

The following are some of the most important hunting licenses, permits, and tags in Vermont:

Apprentice Hunting Permit

This license is accessible to Vermont citizens and non-residents who are 16 years old or older and have never had an adult hunting license.

Apprentice hunting licenses in Vermont include the following:

Apprentice Hunting License for Residents

This hunting license is exclusively available to Vermont citizens. It contains hunting licenses for bears and turkeys in the state. It will set you back $26.

Permit for a Resident Apprentice Cross-Bow

This permission allows resident apprentice hunters to hunt with crossbows. It will set you back $26.

Apprentice Hunting License for Non-Residents

Non-residents can only purchase this hunting license. It contains hunting licenses for bears and turkeys in the state. It will set you back $115.

Apprentice Small Game License for Non-Residents

Non-resident hunters will be able to take small game animals in Vermont with this hunting license. It costs $75 and includes turkey permits.

Non-resident Cross-Bow Apprentice Permit

This permission allows non-resident apprentice hunters to hunt with crossbows. It will set you back $56.

Non-residents who have obtained an apprentice archery permit

Non-residents with this permit may hunt with archery devices in Vermont. It will set you back $75.

Other Residents’ Hunting Permits

The following Vermont hunting licenses are valid for inhabitants of the state:

Big Game Hunting Permit

This license is available to Vermont residents who are at least 16 years old. It enables them to hunt large game animals. It will set you back $26.

Junior Hunting Permit

This license is offered to Vermont’s junior resident hunters. To apply, you must be at least 15 years old. It will set you back $8.

Small Game Hunting Permit

This license is available to Vermont residents who are at least 16 years old. It enables them to hunt tiny game. It is priced at $15.

License for Hunting and Fishing

In Vermont, this is a combination hunting and fishing license. To apply for this license, you must be at least 16 years old, and it costs $43.

Archery and fishing license

In Vermont, this is a combined archery hunting and fishing license. To apply for this license, you must be at least 16 years old, and it costs $43.

License for Disabled War Veterans

This hunting license is offered to disabled veterans in the state. It is completely free.

Non-resident hunting license in Vermont

This is a non-resident Vermont out-of-state hunting license. Among them are the following:

Big Game Hunting Permit

This license is accessible to non-resident Vermont hunters over the age of 16. It enables them to hunt large game animals. It will set you back $115.

License for Hunting and Fishing

This is a non-resident combination hunting and fishing license. To apply for this license, you must be at least 16 years old, and it costs $150.

Hunting License

This is a basic hunting license that is available to non-residents aged 16 and up. It will set you back $75.

Small Game Hunting License for 3 Days

Non-residents can purchase this license for small game hunting for three consecutive days. It will set you back $50.

Junior Hunting Permit

This license is available in Vermont for junior non-resident hunters. To apply, you must be at least 15 years old. It will set you back $35.

Archery Hunting Permit

Non-residents who want to play archery games in Vermont must first obtain this license. The minimum age to purchase a license is 16 years old. It will set you back $75.

Archery License for 6 Days

This archery license is only valid for 6 days and is only available to non-resident hunters. The minimum age to apply is 16 years old, and the application fee is $26.

Vermont Hunting Licenses for Life

Vermont grants lifetime licenses based on the applicant’s age. Among them are the following:

Fishing Licenses, Permits, and Tags in Vermont

Vermont fishing licenses, permits, and tags include the following:

Seasonal Fishing Permit

This license allows the holder to catch fish during particular seasons. It is available to both Vermont citizens and non-residents for $25 and $64, respectively.

Combination Hunting and Fishing License

This license allows holders to participate in Vermont’s hunting and fishing seasons. It is offered for $43 and $150 for locals and non-residents, respectively.

Archery and fishing licenses combined

This license allows holders to participate in Vermont archery hunting and fishing seasons. It is exclusively available to locals and costs $43.

15-Day Fishing Permit

This license only lasts 15 days. It is offered to non-residents for $47.

One-Day Fishing Permit

This fishing permit is only good for one day. It costs $11 and is available to both residents and non-residents.

7-Day Fishing Permit

This fishing permit is only good for seven days. It is offered to non-residents for $43.

Combination Serviceman Dependent License

Members of the United States Armed Forces or the National Guard may apply for this combo hunting and fishing license in Vermont. It is priced at $20.

Military Dependent Fishing License

Members of the United States Armed Forces, or the National Guard, are eligible to apply for this license to fish in Vermont. It costs ten dollars.

Seasons for hunting in Vermont

The seasons for shooting game animals and the types of hunting rifles required in Vermont vary.

Vermont’s shooting season for various species in 2020–21 includes the following:

Seasons for hunting deer in Vermont

Resident Only Hunting Season (October 31st)
Youth Hunting Season (October 24th)
Firearms Hunting Season (November 2nd to November 28th)
Archery Hunting Season (October 3rd to October 30th)
Muzzleloader Hunting Season (Statewide: November 30th to December 5th, and Selected Regions: December 7th to December 12th)
Extended Archery Season (September 12th to December 12th)

Deer hunting seasons in Vermont may differ depending on hunting zones and wildlife management regions. Deer licenses must be purchased in order to participate in a deer hunting season. Hunters may also consult the webpages of the Vermont Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife for more information on deer hunting in specific locations of the state.

Bear Hunting Season in Vermont

General Hunting Season (August 31st to November 28th)
Dog Hunting Season (September 14th to October 30th)
Bear Bait Hunting Season (August 31st to September 26th)
Youth Hunting Day/Season (August 29th)
Moose Hunting Season in Vermont
General Hunting Season (September 28th to November 28th)
Resident Only Day/Season (October 31st)

Moose hunting seasons vary by Vermont hunting zone. Only hunters with valid state permission will be able to capture moose, and most states have a bag restriction of one moose per year. Moose hunting seasons may also differ depending on where you live in the state.

Wild Turkey Season in Vermont

Fall Hunting Season (September 14th to November 7th)
Spring Hunting Season (March 3rd to June 6th)
Spring Youth Hunting Season/Day (May 1)

Vermont turkey hunting may differ depending on the state’s hunting regions. This means that during the open season, some areas of the state may still be limited to turkey hunting. For further information, hunters should visit the Vermont Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife website.

Small Game Hunting Season in Vermont

Gray Squirrel Hunting Season (September 26th to December 31st)
Snowshoe Hare Hunting Season (September 26th to March 31st)
Bobcat Hunting Season (December 1st to February 29th)
Open Season for Woodchuck Hunting
Open Season for Coyote Hunting
Open Season for Porcupine Hunting
Hunting Season for Red Squirrels (Open Season)
Coyote Night Hunting Season (December 16th to August 31st)
Hunting Season for Ruffed Grouse and Bobwhite Quail (September 26th to December 31st)

It is critical to understand that bag limits, hunting standards and rules, and unique hunting seasons will be determined by the game animals and their seasons. Hunters should ensure that they are aware of the exact date for the wildlife they wish to take in their hunting zone. They should also visit the department’s website for further information on hunting season laws.

Vermont Wildlife, Recreation, and Fishing

The following are some of the most popular hunting games in Vermont:

Deer hunting in Vermont

Aside from the state’s WMAs, deer hunting is prevalent in wetland ecosystems, forest land areas, active farmlands, and declining agricultural fields in Vermont. White-tailed deer are the most prevalent variety of deer in Vermont, and they can be found in forest stands with no canopy features and farmlands with feed for the animals.

Hunting for black bears in Vermont

Because of the state’s even distribution, black bear hunting is popular in Vermont. However, black bears are more common in the eastern and northern portions of Vermont, and they are rarely found in the south of central Vermont, where there is a human population.

Moose hunting in Vermont

Moose hunting is permitted in practically every WMA in Vermont. They are widely distributed throughout the state, although the majority of them live in the mountains and lakes of western Vermont. Moose can be seen best at dusk and dawn, especially between May and July.

Turkey hunting in Vermont

Turkey hunting is popular in Vermont on the majority of the state’s public hunting grounds, including the WMA. They are evenly dispersed throughout the state.

Grouse hunting in Vermont

In Vermont, grouse hunting is practiced throughout the state. The ruffed grouse is the most common species. They primarily dominate the state’s forest areas, including highland hardwoods, softwood areas, orchards, and so on.

Duck hunting in Vermont

Ducks are waterfowl that are mainly found in wetlands remote from human settlements. The majority of Vermont’s public hunting grounds will include ducks in their ponds and lakes, particularly in the shallow areas of these bodies of water.

Shooting ranges in Vermont

The following shooting ranges in the state are open to the general public for practice:

The Alburg Rod and Gun Club
The Underhill Rod and Gun Club
Black River Valley Rod & Gun Club is a rod and gun club in the Black River Valley.
The Chester Rod and Gun Club
Lamoille Valley Fish & Game Club is located in Lamoille, Vermont.
The Hale Mountain Fish and Game Club
The Chester Rod and Gun Club

Hunting Lands in Vermont for Sale and Lease

Vermont hunting lands for sale and lease include the following:

30 acres in Chelsea, Vermont (Orange County)
22.6 acres in Pittsford, Vermont (Rutland County).
83 acres in Middlesex, Vermont (Washington County).
605.93 acres in Bristol, Vermont (Addison County).
110.5 acres in Burke, Vermont (Caledonia County).
31 acres in Hubbardton, Vermont (Rutland County)
67.1 acres in Newfane, Vermont (Windham County).
65.6 acres in Hyde Park, Vermont (Lamoille County).

There are currently no hunting leases available in Vermont.

Public Hunting Lands in Vermont

Vermont’s public hunting lands to visit include the following:

Windsor County has 624 acres for hunting whitetail deer, turkey, predators, and exotics.
80 acres in Windsor County for whitetail deer, turkey, predator, and exotic hunting.
In Windsor County, there are 7788 acres available for hunting whitetail deer, predators, and exotics.
Bennington County has 707 acres for hunting whitetail deer, turkey, ducks, predators, and exotics.
Windsor County has 656 acres for hunting whitetail deer, turkey, and exotics.
Windham County has 799 acres for hunting whitetail deer, turkey, predators, and exotics.
252 acres in Windsor County for Whitetail Deer, Turkey, Duck, Predator, and Exotics hunting.
1272 acres in Windsor County for whitetail deer, turkey, predator, and exotic hunting.
216 acres in Windsor County for Whitetail Deer, Predator, and Exotics hunting.