New Rules for Deer, Moose and Turkey Hunting
Vermont Fish and Wildlife periodically updates hunting regulations as new issues arise, conditions change, or new opportunities become available. Several changes take effect in 2026. They are intended to provide additional hunting opportunity and allow for more effective management.
Turkey
The fall archery season for turkey has been extended. It now begins on October 1 (same day as deer archery) and runs until the Friday before the regular deer season in November.
Moose
The regular moose season has been extended from 6 days to 9 days and now includes two weekends. The harvest is still controlled by adjusting the number of permits available, but this change provides more flexibility for hunters. Success rates will be more consistent and less affected by poor weather.
Deer
The youth and novice weekend has been moved back to the original youth weekend timing on the weekend before the regular season. The earlier timing since 2020 had resulted in reduced participation due to conflicts with other fall activities.
The antler point restriction has been reinstated in WMU-D1. After removal of the antler restriction in 2020, too many young bucks were being harvested in this WMU, which resulted in a decline in mature bucks. All other WMUs have been able to meet buck age structure objectives under existing regulations.
The archery season is no longer closed during the regular season and now runs continuously from October 1 to December 15. This simplifies regulations and provides additional opportunity for some hunters.
Expanded archery zones have been established in eight areas around the state. These are primarily developed areas around major cities and towns where deer cannot effectively be managed with firearms. Within these areas, the archery season will begin September 15 and will be for antlerless deer only until the regular archery season begins on October 1.
Antlerless permits may now be used during the regular season. Hunters with an antlerless permit may use it during the muzzleloader seasons, as in previous years, or during the regular season. This change was necessary to achieve antlerless harvest objectives in some parts of Vermont. It also provides a new antlerless deer harvest opportunity for a large segment of Vermont’s deer hunters.
Hunters may now hold two antlerless permits at one time, provided the permits are for different WMUs. Only one permit may be acquired through the lottery. If unallocated permits are available, a second permit, for a different WMU, may be purchased before filling the first permit.
Hunters may take a second buck if they meet the following conditions.
- They purchase a second buck tag,
- Their first buck has 3 or more points on one antler, and
- They harvest an antlerless deer.
The order of the conditions does not matter, as long as they are all met. Only one buck may be taken per season.
Five days have been added to the December muzzleloader season.
It now begins on the Monday immediately after the regular season and extends for 14 days. This provides additional opportunity and flexibility for muzzleloader hunters.
