Vermont Whitetail Hunting
Plan your Vermont whitetail hunt with season dates, license options, and hunting opportunities organized by unit. Browse available private-land hunts and book access directly from landowners.
Last updated by Aricin Rotarius
Find Hunts by Unit
Browse private-land whitetail hunts across Vermont, organized by unit, and book directly with landowners.
Vermont Whitetail Seasons
These dates represent the “general” season dates. Check the individual hunting unit regulations for the most accurate season dates and regulations.
Archery Season Expanded Archery Early
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Expanded Archery in designated areas only.
Expanded Archery
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Expanded Archery Zone
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Expanded archery zones established in eight areas around the state, primarily developed areas around major cities and towns where deer cannot effectively be managed with firearms. Within these areas, archery season begins September 15 and is for antlerless deer only until the regular archery season begins October 1.
Archery
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Archery Season Expanded Archery
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Expanded Archery in designated areas only.
Regular Archery
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Licenses needed: Hunting and Archery, or NR Archery only.
October Muzzleloader
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Novice
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Youth hunters
Novice and Youth Deer season on November 7 & 8. Mentored hunting opportunity for new hunters.
Novice Weekend
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Youth hunters
16 Day Regular
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Rifle
16 Day Regular Season.
Regular
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Licenses needed: Hunting. A rifle, shotgun, muzzleloader, handgun, bow and arrow, or crossbow may be used.
December Muzzleloader
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December Muzzleloader
Dates vary by unit
Five days added to the December muzzleloader season in 2026. Now begins on the Monday immediately after the regular season and extends for 14 days. Antlerless permits may be used during this season.
Novice Weekend
Dates vary by unit
Youth hunters
Moved back to the original youth weekend timing: the weekend before the regular season. The earlier timing since 2020 had resulted in reduced participation due to conflicts with other fall activities.
Vermont Whitetail Licenses
Resident Licenses
| License | Availability | Eligibility | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resident Archery-Deer License | OTC | — | $23.00 |
Hunting license required. Archery deer tag is only for use in archery deer season. | |||
| Resident Muzzleloader-Deer License | OTC | — | $23.00 |
Hunting license required. Muzzleloader deer licenses are only valid for use in muzzleloader deer season. | |||
Nonresident Licenses
| License | Availability | Eligibility | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nonresident Archery-Deer License | OTC | — | $38.00 |
Hunting license required. Archery deer tag is only for use in archery deer season. | |||
| Nonresident Archery Only-Deer License | OTC | — | $75.00 |
Hunting license NOT needed. Archery deer tag is only for use in archery deer season. | |||
| Nonresident Muzzleloader-Deer License | OTC | — | $40.00 |
Hunting license required. Muzzleloader deer licenses are only valid for use in muzzleloader deer season. | |||
Frequently Asked Questions
Vermont whitetail season includes several phases with different methods and timing. Expanded archery for antlerless deer in designated areas runs approximately September 15 through September 30, 2026. Regular archery season runs approximately October 1 through December 15, 2026, and requires a Hunting and Archery license or a nonresident Archery license. October muzzleloader season runs approximately October 29 through November 1, 2026. Novice and Youth Deer season is a mentored hunting opportunity on November 7 and 8, 2026. The 16-day regular season runs approximately November 14 through November 29, 2026, and allows rifles, shotguns, muzzleloaders, handguns, bows and arrows, or crossbows with a Hunting license. December muzzleloader season runs approximately November 30 through December 13, 2026, and antlerless permits may be used during this season.
