Vermont Hunting Overview
Vermont pairs an affordable, bundled deer license with the lowest non-resident fee among the three New England mountain states, plus extensive family-owned farm and forest land supporting a strong landowner exemption. The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department manages Wildlife Management Units with their own antlerless deer permit lottery, with Champlain Valley units generally offering more opportunity than the mountainous Green Mountains units. Understanding Vermont's zone-based system and regional fee positioning helps hunters plan an efficient New England season.
VT Hunting License Fees at a Glance
Fees are approximate 2025–2026 rates. Verify at Vermont Fish & Wildlife.
VT Hunting Cost Calculator
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Complete Vermont Hunting License Fee Schedule
| License / Tag | Resident | Non-Resident | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Hunting License | $28.00 | $102.00 | Base license |
| Deer Tag | Included* | Included* | *Regular Nov. season only; archery/muzzleloader permits $23–$40 extra |
| Spring Turkey Tag | $28.00 | $28.00 | Per tag |
| Archery Endorsement | Included | Included | No separate purchase |
| Federal Duck Stamp | $27.00 | $27.00 | Required for waterfowl |
| Senior Resident | 66+ free | — | Verify at Vermont Fish & Wildlife |
| Youth | Under 15 free | — | Junior hunting license |
| Active Duty Military | Active duty free | — | With military ID |
Vermont Hunting License Fees — What You're Actually Paying For
Vermont's $28.00 resident license bundles deer access at no extra tag cost, similar to New Hampshire's and Maine's regional approach. Vermont's $102.00 non-resident fee is the lowest of the three New England mountain states, just under New Hampshire's $113.00 and well below Maine's $115.
Vermont's turkey tag at $28.00 matches its base license price and is on the higher end nationally — well above New York's $10 or North Carolina's $10 — reflecting a smaller, more actively managed turkey population than the dense Eastern populations found further south.
Vermont's archery season runs October through December, and is included in the base license with no separate endorsement fee. Combined with the state's landowner exemption for qualifying rural acreage, Vermont offers accessible hunting for a state known for its extensive family-owned farm and forest land.
Vermont's Wildlife Management Units each set their own antlerless deer permit allocation via lottery, with units in the Champlain Valley generally offering more antlerless opportunity than the more mountainous units in the Green Mountains, reflecting differing local deer densities across the state. Vermont also runs a dedicated muzzleloader season after the regular November firearm season closes, giving traditional black-powder hunters an additional dedicated window that some neighboring states fold directly into the general firearm dates instead.
Vermont vs. Nearby States: Hunting License Cost Comparison
Here's how Vermont's resident and non-resident hunting license fees stack up against nearby or commonly compared states.
| State | Resident | Non-Resident |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont (this page) | $28.00 | $102.00 |
| New Hampshire | $32.00 | $113.00 |
| Maine | $26.00 | $115.00 |
| Massachusetts | $40.00 | $112.00 |
How to Buy a Vermont Hunting License
Vermont hunting licenses are sold online through the Fish and Wildlife licensing portal, by phone, or at license agents statewide. Online purchases generate an instant digital license. Regular-season deer is bundled into the base license, but archery and muzzleloader deer each need a separate permit; most Vermont hunters also add the $28.00 turkey tag if pursuing that species.
Buying a VT License, Step by Step
1. Go to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife online licensing portal (or call/visit an agent in person).
2. Select residency status and the license type — base license, plus any required deer, turkey, or archery add-ons.
3. Enter hunter education certification details if this is your first license, or your existing customer ID if you've bought one before.
4. Pay online for an instant digital license, or complete the purchase in person.
5. Print or save your license and any tags to your phone, and review current season dates for your specific zone or unit before heading out.
Vermont Residency Rules & License Exemptions
Vermont requires residents to have lived in the state for at least 30 days immediately before applying, with a Vermont driver's license or state ID as proof, and extends resident rates to active-duty military stationed in Vermont. Residents 66 and older hunt completely free, and youth under 15 also hunt free. Landowners hunting their own qualifying land are exempt from license requirements, a common benefit across Vermont's extensive family-owned farm and forest acreage.
Is a Vermont Hunting License Worth It?
Is Vermont a good value among New England states? Yes — its $28.00 bundled resident license and the lowest non-resident fee of the three New England mountain states ($102.00) make Vermont a competitive option, especially for hunters comparing it against New Hampshire's and Maine's similar pricing. Factor in the state's extensive landowner exemption for qualifying farm and forest acreage, and Vermont residents with rural property can end up hunting an entire season for effectively nothing beyond the cost of ammunition.
Other State Hunting License Costs
Vermont Hunting Season Dates
| Season | Typical Dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Deer — Archery | October – December | Check zone/unit dates |
| Deer — General Firearm | November – December | Varies by zone/unit |
| Spring Wild Turkey | May | $28.00 tag required |
| Waterfowl / Duck | October – December | Duck Stamp + state validation |
Season dates vary by zone/unit. Verify your area's exact calendar at Vermont Fish & Wildlife.