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Vermont Hunting Season Dates 2026–27

Season openers, closers, and tag requirements by species. Always confirm against Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department before you hunt. Dates can change.

License: resident $28 · nonresident $102. Species tags and permits are extra. See each section below.

White-tailed Deer Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Expanded Archery - antlerless only, designated zones: Expanded Archery ZonesSep 15, 2026Sep 30, 2026Archery License + Expanded Archery tags
ArcheryOct 1, 2026Dec 15, 2026Archery License; Antlerless Permit required for antlerless in most WMUs
October Muzzleloader - antlerless only, by permitOct 29, 2026Nov 1, 2026Muzzleloader License + WMU-specific Antlerless Permit (lottery)
Youth Deer WeekendNov 7, 2026Nov 8, 2026Youth licence; one deer of either sex
Novice Deer WeekendNov 7, 2026Nov 8, 2026Novice licence (first licence bought within the past 12 months, age 16 or older); one deer of either sex
Regular Season (16 days)Nov 14, 2026Nov 29, 2026Hunting License; Antlerless Permit required for antlerless
December MuzzleloaderNov 30, 2026Dec 13, 2026Muzzleloader License; Antlerless Permit required for antlerless

Wild Turkey Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Fall Archery - statewideOct 1, 2026Nov 13, 2026Hunting License + Turkey Tag
Fall Shotgun or Archery - WMUs B, D, G, H, I, J, L, M, O, P, Q: Fall turkey shotgun group - WMUs B, D, G, H, I, J, L, M, O, P and QOct 24, 2026Nov 1, 2026Hunting License + Turkey Tag
Fall Shotgun or Archery - WMUs F, K, N: Fall turkey shotgun group - WMUs F, K and NOct 24, 2026Nov 8, 2026Hunting License + Turkey Tag

Black Bear Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Early SeasonSep 1, 2026Nov 13, 2026Hunting License + Bear Tag
Late SeasonNov 14, 2026Nov 22, 2026Hunting License + Bear Tag
With use of dogs by permit - resident huntersSep 1, 2026Nov 22, 2026Bear Dog Permit (resident)
With use of dogs by permit - nonresident huntersSep 15, 2026Nov 22, 2026Bear Dog Permit (nonresident)

Beaver Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
TrappingOct 24, 2026Mar 31, 2027Trapping License

Bobcat Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
TrappingDec 1, 2026Dec 16, 2026Trapping License

Eastern Coyote Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Hunting without the aid of dogs - no closed seasonJul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027Hunting License
TrappingOct 24, 2026Dec 31, 2026Trapping License

American Crow Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Regular (Fridays through Mondays only)Aug 21, 2026Dec 18, 2026Hunting License

Fisher Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
TrappingDec 1, 2026Dec 31, 2026Trapping License

Red and Gray Fox Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
HuntingOct 24, 2026Feb 14, 2027Hunting License
TrappingOct 24, 2026Dec 31, 2026Trapping License

Ruffed Grouse (Partridge) Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
RegularSep 26, 2026Dec 31, 2026Hunting License

Mink Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
TrappingOct 24, 2026Dec 31, 2026Trapping License

Moose Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Archery: Moose WMUs E1 and E2Oct 1, 2026Oct 7, 2026Moose Permit (lottery, auction, special opportunity or veteran priority draw)
Regular Season: Moose WMUs E1 and E2Oct 17, 2026Oct 25, 2026Moose Permit (lottery, auction, special opportunity or veteran priority draw)

Muskrat Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
TrappingOct 24, 2026Mar 31, 2027Trapping License

Virginia Opossum Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Hunting - no closed seasonJul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027Hunting License
TrappingOct 24, 2026Dec 31, 2026Trapping License

River Otter Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
TrappingOct 24, 2026Mar 31, 2027Trapping License

Snowshoe Hare and Cottontail Rabbit Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Snowshoe Hare and Cottontail Rabbit: Regular - all WMUs except D and E: All WMUs except D and ESep 26, 2026Mar 14, 2027Hunting License
Snowshoe Hare and Cottontail Rabbit: Regular - WMUs D and ESep 26, 2026Mar 31, 2027Hunting License

Raccoon Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
HuntingOct 10, 2026Dec 31, 2026Hunting License
TrappingOct 24, 2026Dec 31, 2026Trapping License

Striped Skunk Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Hunting - no closed seasonJul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027Hunting License
TrappingOct 24, 2026Dec 31, 2026Trapping License

Wilson's Snipe Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Regular - statewideSep 26, 2026Nov 9, 2026License + HIP Registration

Gray Squirrel Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
RegularSep 1, 2026Dec 31, 2026Hunting License

Waterfowl (Ducks, Coots, Mergansers, Canada and Snow Geese, Brant) Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Ducks, coots and mergansers (first segment) - Lake Champlain Zone: Lake Champlain Waterfowl ZoneOct 10, 2026Nov 1, 2026License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp + Vermont Migratory Waterfowl Tag
Ducks, coots and mergansers (second segment) - Lake Champlain Zone: Lake Champlain Waterfowl ZoneNov 21, 2026Dec 27, 2026License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp + Vermont Migratory Waterfowl Tag
Ducks, coots and mergansers - Interior Vermont Zone: Interior Vermont Waterfowl ZoneOct 10, 2026Dec 8, 2026License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp + Vermont Migratory Waterfowl Tag
Ducks, coots and mergansers (first segment) - Connecticut River Zone: Connecticut River Waterfowl ZoneOct 13, 2026Nov 11, 2026License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp + Vermont Migratory Waterfowl Tag
Ducks, coots and mergansers (second segment) - Connecticut River Zone: Connecticut River Waterfowl ZoneNov 25, 2026Dec 24, 2026License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp + Vermont Migratory Waterfowl Tag
September Canada goose - Lake Champlain Zone: Lake Champlain Waterfowl ZoneSep 1, 2026Sep 25, 2026License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp + Vermont Migratory Waterfowl Tag
September Canada goose - Interior Vermont Zone: Interior Vermont Waterfowl ZoneSep 1, 2026Sep 25, 2026License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp + Vermont Migratory Waterfowl Tag
September Canada goose - Connecticut River Zone: Connecticut River Waterfowl ZoneSep 1, 2026Sep 25, 2026License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp + Vermont Migratory Waterfowl Tag
October-November Canada goose - Lake Champlain Zone: Lake Champlain Waterfowl ZoneOct 10, 2026Nov 23, 2026License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp + Vermont Migratory Waterfowl Tag
December-January Canada goose - Lake Champlain Zone: Lake Champlain Waterfowl ZoneDec 1, 2026Jan 4, 2027License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp + Vermont Migratory Waterfowl Tag
October-November Canada goose - Interior Vermont Zone: Interior Vermont Waterfowl ZoneOct 10, 2026Nov 23, 2026License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp + Vermont Migratory Waterfowl Tag
December-January Canada goose - Interior Vermont Zone: Interior Vermont Waterfowl ZoneDec 1, 2026Jan 4, 2027License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp + Vermont Migratory Waterfowl Tag
Canada goose (first autumn segment) - Connecticut River Zone: Connecticut River Waterfowl ZoneOct 13, 2026Nov 11, 2026License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp + Vermont Migratory Waterfowl Tag
Canada goose (second autumn segment) - Connecticut River Zone: Connecticut River Waterfowl ZoneNov 25, 2026Dec 24, 2026License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp + Vermont Migratory Waterfowl Tag
Canada goose (late segment, land only) - Connecticut River Zone: Connecticut River Waterfowl ZoneDec 25, 2026Jan 4, 2027License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp + Vermont Migratory Waterfowl Tag
Snow goose (autumn segment) - Lake Champlain Zone: Lake Champlain Waterfowl ZoneOct 1, 2026Dec 31, 2026License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp + Vermont Migratory Waterfowl Tag; snow goose permit required
Snow goose (late winter segment) - Lake Champlain Zone: Lake Champlain Waterfowl ZoneFeb 26, 2027Mar 10, 2027License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp + Vermont Migratory Waterfowl Tag; snow goose permit required
Snow goose (autumn segment) - Interior Vermont Zone: Interior Vermont Waterfowl ZoneOct 1, 2026Dec 31, 2026License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp + Vermont Migratory Waterfowl Tag; snow goose permit required
Snow goose (late winter segment) - Interior Vermont Zone: Interior Vermont Waterfowl ZoneFeb 26, 2027Mar 10, 2027License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp + Vermont Migratory Waterfowl Tag; snow goose permit required
Snow goose (first segment) - Connecticut River Zone: Connecticut River Waterfowl ZoneOct 13, 2026Nov 11, 2026License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp + Vermont Migratory Waterfowl Tag; snow goose permit required
Snow goose (second segment) - Connecticut River Zone: Connecticut River Waterfowl ZoneNov 25, 2026Dec 24, 2026License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp + Vermont Migratory Waterfowl Tag; snow goose permit required
Brant - Lake Champlain Zone: Lake Champlain Waterfowl ZoneOct 10, 2026Nov 8, 2026License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp + Vermont Migratory Waterfowl Tag
Brant - Interior Vermont Zone: Interior Vermont Waterfowl ZoneOct 10, 2026Nov 8, 2026License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp + Vermont Migratory Waterfowl Tag
Brant - Connecticut River Zone: Connecticut River Waterfowl ZoneOct 13, 2026Nov 11, 2026License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp + Vermont Migratory Waterfowl Tag
Youth Waterfowl Hunting DaysSep 26, 2026Sep 27, 2026Youth waterfowl weekend; ages 17 and under (15 and under in the Connecticut River Zone), accompanied by a licensed adult who may not hunt

Weasel Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Hunting - no closed seasonJul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027Hunting License
TrappingOct 24, 2026Dec 31, 2026Trapping License

American Woodcock Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Regular - statewideSep 26, 2026Nov 9, 2026License + HIP Registration
Verify before you hunt. These dates are compiled for planning and can change between when they're published and when the season opens, and many states vary dates by unit, zone, or WMU. Always confirm with Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department before heading out. Nothing here is legal advice.
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