Where to Hunt in Vermont

Vermonters have a proud heritage of living close to the land in our very rural state. Hunting is a way of life here. In fact, the Vermont Constitution guarantees the right to hunt. Article 67 states “The inhabitants of this State shall have liberty in seasonable times, to hunt and fowl on the lands they hold, and on other lands not enclosed.” But what does that mean?

All private land in Vermont is open to hunters unless that land is posted against hunting. The only exception is that landowner permission is required for youth and novice turkey and deer hunting weekends. While landowner permission is not required for hunters on private lands, hunters should still ask the permission of the landowner before proceeding. Hunters who treat the land and landowner with respect usually find that landowners are happy to grant permission.

Visit www.vtfishandwildlife.com for tips on hunting on private land.

Vermont has more than 800,000 acres of federal and state public land open to hunting; National Wildlife Refuges, the Green Mountain National Forest, and all state forests. State parks are open to hunting outside the operating season.

Perhaps the crown jewel of hunting in Vermont is the state’s system of Wildlife Management Areas, or WMAs.
All WMAs are open to hunting, trapping, fishing and other wildlife-related outdoor activities except in specifically designated areas. Check out the WMA maps on the department website at www.vtfishandwildlife.com, and in the “Guide to Wildlife Management Areas of Vermont” guidebook, available through the online store.

To learn more about Vermont hunting, check our website, call (802) 828-1000, or ‘like’ our Facebook page.