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Vermont

Hunting

Hunting

Furbearer Hunting & Trapping

Furbearer Hunting Seasons

Species

Season

Bobcat

Jan. 10 – Feb. 7

Red & Gray Fox

Oct. 26, 2024 – Feb. 9, 2025 &

Oct. 25, 2025 – Feb. 8, 2026

Raccoon

Oct. 11 – Dec. 31

Muskrat

March 20 – April 19

Opossum, Skunk, Weasel

No Closed Season

Coyote

See vtfishandwildlife.com for season

Beaver, Otter, Mink, Fisher, Marten, Lynx, Wolf, Mountain Lion

No Open Season

Furbearer Trapping Seasons

Species

Season

Mink, Skunk, Red & Gray Fox, Raccoon, Coyote, Opossum, Weasel

Oct. 25 – Dec. 31

Otter, Muskrat, Beaver

Oct. 26, 2024 – March 31, 2025 &

Oct. 25, 2025 – March 31, 2026

Fisher

Dec. 1 – 31

Bobcat

Dec. 1 – 16

Marten, Lynx, Wolf, Mountain Lion

No Open Season

Furbearer Hunting & Trapping Methods

Furbearer Hunting & Trapping Regulations changed in 2024. Please consult vtfishandwildlife.com for current regulations.

Furbearing Animals

The following are classified as furbearing animals: beaver, otter, marten, mink, raccoon, fisher, fox, skunk, muskrat, bobcat, coyote, weasel, opossum, lynx, and wolf.

Trapping License Requirements

An applicant for a trapping license must have either:

  • A previous or current trapping license from any state or Canadian province; or
  • A certificate showing satisfactory completion of a trapper education course, in any state or Canadian province; or
  • A signed affidavit attesting to having a prior trapping license.

It is mandatory for trappers to fill out and return an Annual Trapper's Report for each year they possess a trapping license.

Fur Buyer’s License

Anyone dealing in pelts must have a valid fur buyer’s license. The fur buyer’s license is available from Vermont Fish & Wildlife in Springfield (phone 802-289-0613).

Trapping License Required of Wildlife Control Trapper

A person who for compensation sets a trap for rabbits or furbearing animals on the property of another person in defense of that property shall possess a valid trapping license, and complete and return a mandatory trapper report.

Coyote Hunting Competitions Prohibited

It is illegal to participate in a coyote hunting competition for a prize. Fine for first offense is $400 to $1,000 and ten points on a hunter's license and second offense is $2,000 to $4,000 and twenty points on a hunter's license.

Raccoons

  • A person shooting raccoons during the raccoon hunting season shall use a .22 caliber rimfire firearm or a shotgun with #2 shot or smaller.
  • A light may be used to illuminate and shoot a raccoon once treed by a dog, or dogs, during the raccoon hunting season. A light may also be used to illuminate a raccoon once treed by a dog, or dogs, during the training season.

Rodenticide

Biologists in the Northeast are increasingly concerned about the widespread use of rodenticides and their impact on wildlife including bobcats, fisher, foxes, coyotes, hawks, owls, and otters. Modern rodenticides known as second-generation anticoagulants are particularly problematic as they accumulate in rodents, taking up to ten days to show effects. These rodenticides interfere with blood clotting in an animal, potentially suppressing reproductive capacity and immune function, which increases vulnerability to parasites, disease and predators.

In Vermont, we are actively engaged in researching any potential rodenticide impacts in collaboration with a larger regional effort. This research relies heavily on carcasses provided by trappers and hunters, without which this crucial information would remain unavailable.

Otters, bobcat and fisher are monitored through mandatory carcass collection, providing valuable data on rodenticide exposure.

From 2018–2021, all 71 tested fisher showed rodenticide exposure. The majority were exposed to multiple compounds, suggesting multiple exposure times. Samples were collected statewide, which indicates widespread use of rodenticides in Vermont. Bobcats also showed high exposure levels. Despite this, tested animals appeared healthy and there is no noticeable impact on fisher or bobcat population trends.

Rare Species Reporting Form

Can you tell the difference between a Canada lynx and a bobcat? How about an American marten, long-tailed weasel, fisher, and mink? The Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife is monitoring rare species like the Canada lynx and American marten, which might be present in the state. Even if you're unsure about identifying these species, please report any sightings you suspect might be a Canada lynx or American marten.

Canada Lynx, federally threatened and state endangered, can be distinguished from bobcats by their long legs, large snowshoe-like feet, long ear tufts, and the lack of dark patterning on the inside of their legs. American marten, state-endangered, typically inhabit high-elevation areas with dense canopy cover. They are smaller than fisher and have a distinctive reddish throat patch and black “eyebrows.”

American Marten

If you observe a rare mammal species, please use the Department’s rare species reporting form available on our website: (https://anrweb.vt.gov/FWD/FW/FurbearerReportingForm.aspx). You can report sightings of Canada lynx, mountain lion, wolf, and American marten. While we have no confirmed sightings of mountain lions or wolves, we encourage you to report any suspected sightings. Your reports help us track the presence or absence of these species in Vermont. Photographs are especially helpful for accurate identification.

Thank you for your interest and assistance in protecting Vermont's rare and endangered species!