Vermont Deer Season 2026-2027: VT Deer Hunting Guide [Schedule, Rules, Limit & More!
If you’ve been waiting for crisp autumn air, frost on the maples, and the bugle of a buck rattling through the woods, this one’s for you. Below is your full breakdown of every white-tailed season opener, lottery, license fee, and regulation rule confirmed by the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department for the 2026-2027 calendar. Grab a coffee — it’s a long one, and you’ll want to bookmark it. ☕🍂
What This Page Covers 🎯
Inside, you’ll find everything you need to plan a Green Mountain trip this fall: archery and expanded archery openers, muzzleloader weekends, the November rifle push, license and tag prices, antler-point maps, baiting rules, and FAQs straight from the regs. New for 2026 — antlerless deer permits can now be used during the regular November rifle season, a big shift from prior years.
Quick Summary: Vermont Deer Season Snapshot 🗓️
| Season | Method | 2026 Dates | Bag Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expanded Archery | Bow | Sept. 15 – Sept. 30, 2026 | Designated zones only |
| Archery | Bow | Oct. 1 – Dec. 15, 2026 | 1 legal buck statewide + antlerless by permit |
| Oct. Muzzleloader | Muzzleloader | Oct. 29 – Nov. 1, 2026 | Antlerless only w/ permit |
| Youth & Novice Weekend | Any legal method | Nov. 7 – Nov. 8, 2026 | 1 deer either sex |
| Regular (Rifle) | Centerfire | Nov. 14 – Nov. 29, 2026 | 1 buck + antlerless by permit |
| December Muzzleloader | Muzzleloader | Nov. 30 – Dec. 13, 2026 | 1 buck + antlerless by permit |
All Vermont Deer Seasons for 2026-2027 🦌
🏹 1. Expanded Archery (Designated Zones Only)
- Dates: Sept. 15 – Sept. 30, 2026
- Where: Only valid inside designated Expanded Archery Zones
- Limit: 4 deer per year max; only one may be a legal buck
- License Needed: Hunting license + Archery Deer tag
These towns and WMUs were opened up primarily to help reduce browse pressure and tick populations. If you’re a suburb-loving bowhunter, this is your early-season window.
🏹 2. Archery (Statewide)
- Dates: Oct. 1 – Dec. 15, 2026 (a long, generous stretch this year)
- Where: Statewide
- Limit: One legal buck anywhere; antlerless harvest depends on the WMU you draw a permit for. The Fish & Wildlife Board sets antlerless allocations each spring.
- License Needed: Hunting license + Archery Deer tag
Honestly, a three-month archery window is what makes Vermont special — you can plan around the rut, the weather, even your work schedule. Bring layers. 🥾
🔫 3. October Muzzleloader (Antlerless Only)
- Dates: Oct. 29 – Nov. 1, 2026
- Method: Muzzleloader only
- Limit: Antlerless deer only — no bucks on this one
- License Needed: Hunting license, Muzzleloader license, and an antlerless permit drawn from the lottery
Think of this as a four-day chance to put meat in the freezer before rifle season kicked off.
🧒 4. Youth & Novice Weekend
- Dates: Nov. 7 – Nov. 8, 2026
- Who: Licensed youth hunters + adults holding their first hunting license within the past 12 months (must be 16+)
- Limit: One deer of either sex, no antler restrictions
- Methods: Any legal weapon
This is hands-down the best weekend to introduce a kid to the tradition. We’ve all seen that first-buck grin — it never gets old. 😊
🔫 5. November Regular Rifle Season (16-Day)
- Dates: Nov. 14 – Nov. 29, 2026
- Method: Centerfire rifles and shotguns
- Limit: One legal buck statewide + antlerless deer if you hold an antlerless permit (new for 2026)
- Hours: ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset
This is the main event for most folks. Set up your tree stand early, scout trails in late October, and remember Vermont’s bait ban — see below. 🐾
🔫 6. December Muzzleloader Season
- Dates: Nov. 30 – Dec. 13, 2026
- Method: Muzzleloader only
- Limit: One legal buck anywhere + antlerless by permit
- License Needed: Hunting license + Muzzleloader license + antlerless permit (if applicable)
A nice late-season opportunity for traditionalists, especially those chasing a doe to round out the freezer.
Other Deer-Like Game in Vermont 🤔
Vermont is a single-species whitetail state — no mule deer, no black-tailed deer, and no exotic populations of axis, fallow, or sika. Elk and moose do exist in Vermont, but they’re managed exclusively through a separate limited permit lottery, not a public season. So if you were hoping to chase an axis or sika buck in the Green Mountains — sorry, those aren’t established here. Stick with your whitetail plan. 🗺️
Vermont Late Deer Season Snapshot ❄️
| Late Window | Dates | Method | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Late Archery | Oct. 1 – Dec. 15, 2026 | Bow | Extended archery runs into the December muzzleloader opener |
| December Muzzleloader | Nov. 30 – Dec. 13, 2026 | Muzzleloader | Antlerless by permit allowed |
| Final day | Dec. 15, 2026 | Bow only | Archery closes the calendar |
If you plan to hunt late, dress warm — December in Vermont can drop below zero. 🧣
Vermont Deer Regulations List 📜
Here’s the short list of rules every hunter needs to know before stepping into the woods:
- Annual limit: 4 deer per year, only one may be a legal buck (with exceptions for youth/novice).
- Second buck tag: Possible only after you’ve reported an antlerless harvest AND your first buck had at least one antler with 3+ points.
- Baiting is illegal: It is unlawful to bait any wild animal during any deer hunting season (trappers may use bait for furbearers).
- Legal buck (3-point rule): WMUs C, D2, E1, E2, G, I, L, M, P, Q require at least one antler ≥ 3 inches long.
- Legal buck (2-point rule): WMUs A, B, D1, F1, F2, H, J1, J2, K, N, O require at least one antler with 2+ points ≥ 1 inch.
- Antlerless permits: Drawn by lottery; deadline was July 22, winners announced August 19, 2026.
- Tracking dogs: Hunters may engage a certified leashed tracking dog handler within 24 hours after a season closes.
- Shooting hours: ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset.
- Reporting: All harvested deer must be reported within 48 hours.
Always double-check the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Board Rules page in late spring for annual tweaks.
Vermont Deer License & Tag Fees 💵
| Item | Resident | Non-Resident |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Hunting License | $28.00 | $102.00 |
| 5-Year Hunting License | $134.00 | $504.00 |
| Archery Deer Tag | $23.00 | $38.00 |
| Muzzleloader License | $23.00 | $38.00 |
| Antlerless Permit | $13.00 (lottery draw) | Same |
| Second Buck Tag | $28.00 | Available to all hunters |
Pro tip: If you plan to bowhunt more than one season, buy the 5-year — it pays for itself in just two seasons for residents.
Vermont Deer License Requirements ✅
To legally pursue whitetails here, you’ll need:
- A valid Vermont hunting license (resident or non-resident).
- An Archery Deer tag if hunting with a bow.
- A Muzzleloader license if hunting during muzzleloader seasons.
- An antlerless permit if you intend to harvest a doe during the October muzzleloader, November rifle, or December muzzleloader.
- Hunter education certification — required for anyone born after 1974.
- A Harvest Tag (completed and attached at the kill site).
Non-residents should purchase licenses in advance via the Vermont Fish & Wildlife online portal — same-day e-tags are now standard.
Vermont Deer Hunting FAQs 🦌
When does the 2026 Vermont archery deer season open?
The statewide archery season runs Oct. 1 – Dec. 15, 2026. Expanded Archery in designated zones opens earlier, Sept. 15 – Sept. 30, 2026.
Can I take a doe during the November rifle season in 2026?
Yes — this is a brand-new rule for 2026. If you draw an antlerless permit for the WMU you’re hunting, you can take a doe during the Nov. 14 – Nov. 29 regular rifle season.
How much does a non-resident deer hunting license cost in Vermont?
A standard non-resident hunting license is $102.00, plus a $38.00 archery tag and any applicable antlerless permits.
Is baiting allowed for whitetail deer in Vermont?
No. It is illegal to bait any wild animal during any deer hunting season — period. Stick to natural food sources, scrapes, and rubs. 🍂
What’s the annual deer bag limit in Vermont?
Four deer per license year, with no more than one buck unless you’ve met the second-buck criteria (reported doe + 3-point first buck).
Do I need a separate muzzleloader license?
Yes. Vermont requires a $23 muzzleloader license if you hunt during the Oct. 29 – Nov. 1 or Nov. 30 – Dec. 13 muzzleloader seasons.
Are there elk, moose, or exotic deer species in Vermont?
No public elk, moose, fallow deer, axis deer, or sika hunts. The state only hosts free-ranging whitetails. Moose permits go through a separate lottery managed by Vermont Fish & Wildlife.
When are antlerless permit lottery results announced?
For 2026, winners were drawn August 19, 2026. Application deadline was July 22.
What’s the legal shooting light?
Hunting is allowed from ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset. No night hunting.
Do I have to report my harvest?
Yes — every deer must be reported within 48 hours through the official Vermont Fish & Wildlife reporting system.
Plan Your Vermont Deer Hunt 🗺️
Looking for nearby season info to compare? Check out our state-by-state breakdown of New Hampshire Deer Season — Granite State rules differ on antlerless allocations and baiting, so it’s worth a read before crossing the Connecticut River.
Conclusion 🎯
Vermont’s 2026-2027 whitetail calendar is one of the longest and most generous in the Northeast — archery opens October 1 and runs straight through December 15, with rifle, muzzleloader, and youth weekends layered in between. Budget $28 (resident) or $102 (non-resident) for a base license, expect antlerless permits to be competitive, and remember to check WMU antler-point maps before you head out. Have a safe and fruitful fall in the Green Mountains! 🌲🏹
Season dates, fees, and bag limits are subject to change by the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Board. Always confirm current regulations on the official Vermont Fish & Wildlife website before your hunt. This article is for informational purposes only.
Hi can hunt deer with a pcp 35 cal air gun in Vermont?