Resident deer tag or permit entry cost.
VT
Deer Hunting in Vermont: Tags, Seasons & Doe Permits (2026)
Deer hunting in Vermont starts with the current deer cost entries, season dates, bag limits, and CWD rules.
Resident Tag $23 Deer tag/permit
Non-Resident Tag $38 Non-resident deer tag
Primary Season Nov 14 – Nov 29 Regular Deer
Draw Required? Mixed: license access plus WMU antlerless permits Regular, archery, and muzzleloader deer access is not a statewide deer draw; Vermont doe permits are WMU-specific antlerless permits with current-year application and availability rules.
DEER QUICK ANSWER
Vermont Deer Tag Cost, Season & Rules: Quick Answer
Start here for Vermont deer tag cost, primary season timing, draw status, and CWD planning before using the full tables below.
Use this before adding the base license and trip permits.
Regular, archery, and muzzleloader deer access is not a statewide deer draw; Vermont doe permits are WMU-specific antlerless permits with current-year application and availability rules.
Regular Deer; also check Archery.
Use this deer-specific page for Vermont tag cost, season dates, bag limit, draw status, and non-resident cost. For broader base-license questions, start with the Vermont license page before choosing tags or dates. For Vermont deer hunting, use the listed resident and non-resident deer cost entries together with the note: Regular November deer is covered by the hunting license; archery deer is $23 resident / $38 non-resident, muzzleloader deer is $23 / $40, and doe/antlerless permits are controlled by current WMU rules.. Because this page lists mixed access, confirm the exact tag type, zone, and application rule before planning travel. Vermont does not list a current CWD detection here, but carcass import rules can still affect travel.
OVERVIEW
Deer Hunting in Vermont
Vermont deer access is split between the base hunting license and season-specific deer licenses. The base hunting license covers regular November deer season, while archery and muzzleloader deer require separate licenses. Vermont doe permits are WMU-specific antlerless permits used for regular and muzzleloader seasons; archery antlerless harvest follows archery tag and WMU rules instead. Vermont has not detected CWD in wild deer, but Fish and Wildlife still uses carcass-import limits and a natural deer-urine lure ban to reduce disease risk. Antler rules are WMU-specific, so hunters should verify the current lawbook before assuming a single statewide point rule.
Species present: White-tailed Deer
SEASONS
Vermont Deer Season Dates (2026)
All archery, firearm, and muzzleloader season dates.
Multiple Seasons
Vermont offers 6 distinct deer seasons. Check specific zone dates with the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department — dates and bag limits may vary by management unit.
COSTS
Vermont Deer Tag Fees
Resident vs. non-resident tag and permit costs.
Resident
$23
Deer tag / permit
Non-Resident
$38
Access depends on hunt type or residency.
Regular November deer is covered by the hunting license; archery deer is $23 resident / $38 non-resident, muzzleloader deer is $23 / $40, and doe/antlerless permits are controlled by current WMU rules.
PLAN YOUR NEXT STEP
Choose the right Vermont deer planning path
Jump into the state hub, shortlist pages, and deer-planning tools before you work through every remaining section.
Check the full Vermont license setup
Move back to the main state hub when you need the base license, non-resident options, or add-on permits outside deer tags; general license questions belong on the state hub.
Use deer-planning tools next
Shift from deer-tag detail into season timing, trip budgeting, and cross-state deer planning helpers.
Add a wider 2026 cost view
Check benchmark and non-resident premium reports before you commit to one deer state or trip budget.
REGULATIONS
CWD & Deer Hunting Regulations in Vermont
Chronic Wasting Disease status, antler restrictions, and weapon rules.
CWD Status
Not Detected
CWD Testing / Transport
No in-state detection listed
Vermont restricts import of whole carcasses and high-risk cervid parts from CWD-affected areas and bans natural deer urine lures; confirm current Fish and Wildlife guidance before travel.
Bag Limit
Daily: 1 · Season: Up to 4 deer per calendar year
Only one legal buck is generally allowed, with youth/novice and conditional second-buck exceptions; antlerless deer require the correct tag or WMU permit.
Allowed Weapons
Bow, rifle, shotgun, muzzleloader
Access Planning
Access: Mixed: license access plus WMU antlerless permits
Deadline: Regular, archery, and muzzleloader deer access is not a statewide deer draw; Vermont doe permits are WMU-specific antlerless permits with current-year application and availability rules.
Points system: No
Official Source
Always verify current regulations with the official source: Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department . Season dates, bag limits, and CWD regulations may change annually.
FAQ
Deer Hunting in Vermont — FAQ
Is CWD testing mandatory in Vermont?
No statewide mandatory CWD testing rule is listed for routine Vermont deer hunters. Vermont has not detected CWD in wild deer, and the state relies on import restrictions, surveillance, and a natural deer-urine lure ban to reduce risk.
What are the antler point restrictions (APRs) in Vermont?
It depends entirely on your WMU. Many units (like WMU D1) require at least one antler with two or more points, while others simply require a basic 3-inch antler.
Do I need a draw to hunt deer in Vermont?
Regular, archery, and muzzleloader deer access is not a statewide deer draw, but Vermont doe permits are controlled by WMU allocation and current-year rules. Check the current Fish and Wildlife lawbook and permit results before assuming an antlerless permit is available for a specific WMU.
How do Vermont doe permits work in 2026?
A Vermont doe permit is an antlerless deer permit for a specific Wildlife Management Unit. In 2026, antlerless permits can be used during the regular deer season and the October or December muzzleloader seasons in the WMU printed on the permit. Archery antlerless deer use archery tags, and youth/novice weekend follows its own tag rules.
What deer species can I hunt in Vermont?
Vermont is home to White-tailed Deer. Allowed weapons include bow, rifle, shotgun, muzzleloader.
Can non-residents hunt deer in Vermont?
Yes, non-residents can hunt deer in Vermont. The full non-resident hunting license covers regular rifle deer, while non-resident archery deer is $38 with a hunting license or $75 as an archery-only deer license, and non-resident muzzleloader deer is $40.