Tracking dogs help hunters recover game

MONTPELIER — The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is providing a list of certified leashed tracking dog owners who volunteer to help locate deer, bear or moose that have been shot but not yet recovered. The leashed tracking dog owners, who provide their services free of charge, must pass an extensive exam in order to be certified and licensed to provide their services. The full list is available on the Vermont Fish and Wildlife website. Included are a half-dozen certified trackers in and near Addison Co … (read more)

Fish and Wildlife urges hunters to review the  2026 Deer Season Hunting Guide 

Vermont has two bear hunting seasons.

The Fish and Wildlife Board met on May 20 and set antlerless deer permit numbers for the fall deer hunting seasons.

Two more public hearings will be held to solicit input.

Youth and novice weekend is April 25 – 26 and the regular season is May 1 – 31.

As a conservation biologist who resides in South Starksboro, Vermont, I was alarmed to learn that the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board is considering a petition to allow hunting bears with bait.

After an opening weekend of rifle deer season in Addison County that was the least productive in a decade, the final two weeks of the season proved to be happier for hunters.

One-hundred-and-thirty-one hunters had bucks weighed at Addison County wildlife reporting stations after taking them down this past Saturday and Sunday, the opening weekend of rifle season.

The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is asking hunters to participate in its annual deer hunter effort and sighting survey.

Hunters are gearing up for the start of Vermont’s traditionally popular 16-day regular deer season that begins Saturday, Nov. 15, and ends Sunday, Nov. 30.

State officials reminds hunters that waterfowl hunting blinds may not be placed on or in the waters of the state earlier than the first Saturday in September.

The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department has announced the 2025-2026 migratory game bird hunting season dates and bag limits.

The course is designed for those who would like to go hunting this fall but have never taken a hunter education course. A person must pass the course before they can purchase their first hunting license.

The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department reminds hunters that muzzleloader season antlerless deer permit applications are available on its website until Thursday, July 31.