Vermont Hunting & Fishing
Season Calendar 2026

Vermont archery deer season runs Oct 1–Nov 27 statewide; any legal bow including compound, recurve, longbow, and crossbow is authorized. Hunters must possess a valid Vermont hunting license and deer license. The season limit is one antlered buck per license year; antlerless deer require an antlerless permit. Vermont's deer population is concentrated in the Champlain Valley agricultural zone and Connecticut River lowlands — the northern Green Mountains have lower deer densities. October hardwood forest hunting along agricultural edges and apple orchards is the classic Vermont archery experience. Peak rut activity typically occurs Nov 5–20 in the Champlain Valley.

Vermont firearms deer season runs Nov 14–Nov 28 statewide; legal methods include centerfire rifles, shotguns, muzzleloaders, and handguns. Hunters must possess a valid Vermont hunting license and deer license. Blaze orange — at least 500 square inches on the upper body including a hat — is required. The season limit is one antlered buck per license year; antlerless permits are available by WMU. Vermont's firearms season opens during the height of the breeding rut in the Champlain Valley — two weeks of intense buck chasing and daylight movement provides outstanding opportunity for hunters willing to weather late November conditions. Northern Vermont hunting typically involves significant snow.

Vermont muzzleloader deer season runs Dec 1–Dec 15; only legal muzzleloading firearms are permitted — front-loaded single-shot designs. Hunters must possess a valid Vermont hunting license and deer license, plus an antlerless permit for doe harvest in applicable WMUs. Blaze orange is required. December muzzleloader season in Vermont targets post-rut bucks focusing on high-calorie food sources before the onset of deep winter. Agricultural edges in the Champlain Valley, apple orchard margins, and beech forest mast areas are the most productive late-season locations. Vermont's late season often features deep snow, which concentrates deer movement to south-facing slopes and hemlock thermal cover.

1 gobbler

Vermont black bear season runs Sep 1–Nov 28 statewide; hunters must possess a valid Vermont hunting license and bear tag. The bag limit is one bear per license year. Legal methods include firearms, archery, and crossbows. Baiting and hounds are prohibited for bear hunting in Vermont. Vermont's bear population is estimated at 4,000–6,000 animals, primarily in the northern Green Mountains and Northeast Kingdom. Black bears are most visible in late summer and fall foraging on beech nuts, berries, and agricultural crops before denning. The Northeast Kingdom counties of Essex, Orleans, and Caledonia hold the highest densities.

Vermont moose season runs Oct 8–Oct 18 on permit only, issued through an annual draw; Vermont issues approximately 50–75 permits annually for Wildlife Management Units with appropriate populations. Hunters must possess a valid Vermont hunting license and moose permit. Legal methods include centerfire rifles, shotguns with slugs, muzzleloaders, and handguns. Nonresidents may apply for the draw. The bag limit is one moose per permit. Vermont's moose population is concentrated in the Northeast Kingdom and Green Mountains — the moose population has declined significantly due to winter tick infestations, affecting permit availability and success rates.