Rifle deer season 2026 in Vermont opens Saturday, November 14, and the biggest change in years is that you can now take a doe with a rifle during it. For decades, the November rifle season was a bucks-only affair. The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board approved the rifle doe rule on a 7-5 vote, and it takes effect in 2026.
This article walks you through the dates, legal firearms, permits, license fees, tagging, and reporting steps so you arrive at opening morning with the right paperwork. Where a figure is not published by the state, it is stated in general terms rather than guessed.
Rifle Deer Season 2026-27 Dates in Vermont
Vermont’s regular rifle season is called the 16-Day Regular Season, and it runs November 14 through November 29, 2026, according to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department season page. The opener lands on a Saturday, so plan camp around a full opening weekend.
The rifle season sits inside a longer calendar. Here is how the 2026 deer seasons stack up, per the department’s white-tailed deer page.
| Season | 2026 Dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Expanded Archery | Sept. 15-30 | Designated areas only |
| Archery | Oct. 1-Dec. 15 | Runs through the rifle season |
| October Muzzleloader | Oct. 29-Nov. 1 | Antlerless only, permit required |
| Youth and Novice Weekend | Nov. 7-8 | One deer of either sex for youth |
| Regular (Rifle) Season | Nov. 14-29 | One legal buck; antlerless with permit |
| December Muzzleloader | Nov. 30-Dec. 13 | One legal buck; antlerless with permit |
The October muzzleloader window closes today, November 1 being its last day, so the next major date on your calendar is the Youth and Novice Weekend on November 7-8.
Vermont Rifle Deer Season by Zone, Unit or Region
Vermont organizes deer management by Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) rather than by separate rifle zones. The rifle season dates are the same statewide, but antlerless permits are issued per WMU. The department notes that antlerless harvest regulations change annually, including the number of permits in each unit.
A legal buck may be taken anywhere in the state during the regular season. An antlerless permit, however, only works in the WMU printed on it, so match the permit to the unit you plan to hunt before you leave home.
Legal Rifles, Calibers and Cartridges for Deer in Vermont
During the regular season, a rifle, shotgun, muzzleloader, handgun, bow and arrow, or crossbow may be used. That makes the November season the most flexible weapon window of the year.
Vermont’s published deer regulations do not set a minimum rifle caliber in the material reviewed here, so choose a cartridge suited to ethical deer harvest and read the department’s full deer regulations for any equipment details. Remember that rifles are off limits in other seasons: it is illegal to carry a rifle, shotgun or muzzleloader while archery hunting deer.
Pro Tip: Archery season now continues through the rifle season, so a bowhunter may be in the woods next to you. Positively identify your target and what lies beyond it every time.
Deer Tags, Permits and Draw Deadlines in Vermont
Your standard hunting license includes one regular-season buck. Antlerless deer during the regular season and both muzzleloader seasons need a WMU permit from the summer lottery or the leftover sale, according to World Deer’s Vermont summary. The state’s eRegulations deer page confirms a permit is required to harvest an antlerless deer during any firearm season.
An antlerless permit lets you take one antlerless deer in the WMU listed on it, and it can be used in the regular season, October muzzleloader season, or December muzzleloader season. The department tells hunters to check its website in June for permit availability, so the application window has already closed for 2026. Contact Vermont Fish and Wildlife about any remaining unallocated permits.
Hunting License Requirements and Costs in Vermont
You need a valid Vermont hunting license to hunt deer in the rifle season, and no additional deer license applies to rifles. The state’s license price list sets these fees.
| License | Resident | Non-Resident |
|---|---|---|
| Hunting (annual) | $28.00 | $102.00 |
| 5-Year Hunting | $134.00 | $504.00 |
| Youth Hunting (under 18) | $8.00 | $25.00 |
| Muzzleloader Deer (hunting license required) | $23.00 | $40.00 |
Rifle hunters only need the base hunting license. The muzzleloader add-on matters only if you plan to hunt the muzzleloader seasons too. A resident who hunts deer only in the regular rifle season therefore pays $28.
When applying, the state requires a copy of a current or previous hunting license from any state or province, or a hunter education certificate.
Bag Limits and Antler Restrictions During Vermont Rifle Season
During the regular season, one legal buck may be taken anywhere in the state, and antlerless deer may be taken with an antlerless permit. The annual limit is four deer, with only one legal buck under the standard rule, as summarized by AskHunting.
The department defines an antlerless deer as one without antlers or with no antler longer than three inches. A new earn-a-buck program also lets hunters take two bucks in two different seasons if the first buck meets antler criteria and the hunter also harvests a doe, per the Valley News report. Review the department’s guide for the exact antler criteria before counting on a second buck.
Hunter Education and Age Rules for Rifle Deer Hunting in Vermont
First-time hunters must complete hunter education before buying a license, unless they can show a prior license or a hunter education card from another jurisdiction. Under-18 hunters take the online course and then finish an in-person class, as described in our Vermont deer hunting season overview.
If you are unsure whether a child is ready, the department says a mentor license lets them hunt with a fully licensed adult for up to two years. You can reach the licensing office at 802-828-1190.
Youth Weekend on November 7-8 allows one deer of either sex with no antler restriction. The Novice Weekend runs the same days for anyone 16 or older who bought a first hunting license within the past 12 months.
Blaze Orange Requirements for Rifle Deer Season in Vermont
Vermont has historically not required hunter orange by law, and the state’s guidance strongly recommends it during firearm seasons. That is the approach described in our Vermont season guide, and World Deer’s summary also lists orange as not required by law.
The department’s hunter education materials promote blaze orange as a safety tool, with a video on how much to wear. With rifles, archers and muzzleloaders sharing the woods through December, wear a hat and vest regardless of what the law requires.
Legal Shooting Hours in Vermont
The department publishes hunting hours alongside its annual deer season guide. Open the 2026 Vermont white-tailed deer seasons guide and use its hunting hours chart for sunrise and sunset times in your area.
Sunday Rifle Deer Hunting Rules in Vermont
Vermont allows Sunday hunting, so the two weekends of the November rifle season, including Sunday, November 15 and Sunday, November 22, are open days. You still need your license, your permit for any antlerless deer, and the same reporting steps you would follow on any other day.
Public Land vs. Private Land Rifle Hunting in Vermont
Vermont has plenty of both. The state’s deer page describes a rural landscape with lots of public and private land open to hunting, as noted by eRegulations. Rules for state lands, such as Wildlife Management Areas and the Green Mountain National Forest, can differ from private ground.
On private land, get landowner permission and respect posted signs. On public land, check the managing agency’s rules for access, camping, and vehicle use before you set up camp.
- Know the boundary of your WMU before you tag a doe.
- Carry a map that shows public and private parcels.
- Never bait. Baiting any wild animal during deer season is illegal in Vermont, according to DeerSeason.org.
How Vermont Rifle Season Differs From Archery, Muzzleloader and Youth Seasons
The rifle season is the only window when every legal deer weapon is allowed. Archery hunters may only carry archery equipment, and a muzzleloader hunter may not possess any firearm other than one single-barreled muzzleloader.
| Season | Weapons | Deer Allowed |
|---|---|---|
| Archery (Oct. 1-Dec. 15) | Bow or crossbow only | One legal buck; antlerless statewide in 2026 |
| Youth and Novice (Nov. 7-8) | Legal firearms or archery gear | One deer, either sex, no antler restriction (youth) |
| Regular (Nov. 14-29) | Rifle, shotgun, muzzleloader, handgun, bow, crossbow | One legal buck; antlerless with permit |
| December Muzzleloader (Nov. 30-Dec. 13) | Single-barreled muzzleloader | One legal buck; antlerless with permit |
For neighboring states with different structures, compare our guides to New Hampshire and New York deer seasons.
CWD Rules and Carcass Transport in Vermont
Vermont’s 2026 eRegulations hunting guide includes a dedicated Chronic Wasting Disease section, which our Vermont deer season page treats as a top regulatory priority. Carcass import rules from CWD-affected states and provinces are the main restriction hunters run into, so read that section before you bring any deer or parts into Vermont from out of state.
If you hunt in neighboring states during the same weeks, check their carcass rules too. Our Maine and Pennsylvania pages cover those states’ seasons.
Tagging, Checking and Reporting a Rifle-Harvested Deer in Vermont
Every deer taken during the regular November season must be reported in person at an official reporting station, per eRegulations Vermont. Online reporting is available for archery and muzzleloader deer, but not for youth, novice, or regular-season deer.
The department’s season page repeats that any regular-season deer must be reported in person at a Big Game Station. Locate your nearest station before opening day, and bring your license and any antlerless permit.
- Tag the deer as the license instructs as soon as you harvest it.
- Field dress and transport it to a Big Game Station.
- Report the deer in person with your license and permit.
Rifle Deer Season in Vermont: Frequently Asked Questions
When does Vermont rifle deer season start in 2026?
The 16-day regular season opens Saturday, November 14, and closes Sunday, November 29, 2026.
Can I shoot a doe with a rifle in Vermont?
Yes, in 2026 you can, if you hold an antlerless permit for the WMU where you hunt. Without a permit, only a legal buck is allowed.
How much is a Vermont hunting license?
The state lists a resident hunting license at $28 and a non-resident license at $102 on its license information page.
Do I have to report my deer in person?
Yes. Regular November season deer must be reported at an official reporting station.
Where can I find more Vermont outdoor guides?
See our pages on tick season in Vermont before heading into the woods, and our Rhode Island and New Jersey deer guides if you hunt across state lines.