Hunting

The department is asking all successful 16-day regular November season hunters to provide a tooth from their buck, regardless of its size or age. The tooth is used to accurately age the deer and provides information critical for managing Vermont's deer herd. We will publish the age information on our website in the spring.

Here’s your opportunity to directly contribute to the management of deer, moose, and other wildlife species in Vermont.

What Is the Hunter Effort Survey?

This survey is like a diary, where hunters record how many hours they hunted and how many deer, moose, bears, or other wildlife they saw on each day of the 16-day November regular season. 

Two of the department’s Wildlife Management Areas – Dead Creek and Mud Creek – are managed for controlled, public waterfowling, as is the federally owned Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge.

Controlled Hunts on WMAs

• Dead Creek WMA Controlled Hunt Application - Deadline to apply has past - application for the next years hunt will be available in August

Waterfowl hunters will find some surprisingly good hunting in Vermont. The best waterfowling occurs in the Champlain Valley, where numerous public wetlands and private farmland provide excellent hunting for ducks and geese.

Vermont hunters who take deer, bear or turkeys must report them within 48 hours by bringing them to a reporting station or by using one of our online reporting options.

Check out these educational oppportunities to expand your knowledge of hunting, trapping, fishing, and outdoor recreating or for more information about pertinent topics in Fish & Wildlife.

Upcoming Seminars or Webinars

"Hunting" in Vermont means deer hunting. Almost all of the state's 65,000 resident hunters hunt deer at some point during the fall and more bucks are taken per square mile in Vermont than in any other New England state.

The following rules allows the department to better protect the public's use of and interests in the more than 130,000 acres the department manages throughout Vermont.

As of August 27, 2021:

The bridge replacement over West Mountain Brook is completed. The bridge and road are now passable and open to the public and camp owners.

Safe, accessible and environmentally responsible shooting ranges are essential to hunter skill development and the safe use of firearms.