Vermont is a turkey hunter’s paradise because of its large population of turkeys and stunning natural scenery. The specifics of the forthcoming turkey hunting season, including the dates, rules, and bag restrictions, will be covered on this page. This guide will give you all the knowledge you need for a fruitful and fun season, whether you’re an experienced hunter or a novice ready to go out on your first turkey hunting expedition. So prepare for an exciting voyage during the Vermont Turkey Season 2023 by gathering your gear, honing your abilities, and getting ready!
Vermont Turkey Season 2023
Turkeys may now be seen in almost every town in Vermont as a result of successful restoration efforts. These birds have a perfect habitat because of the area’s diversified fields, woodlands, and farming terrain. The state now offers lucrative prospects for turkey hunting, making it a popular destination. Over 35% of springtime hunters successfully capture a second turkey, with success rates routinely above 25%. Over 6,000 turkeys are taken annually ethically, allowing hunters to interact with nature and supplying more than 140,000 portions of natural, local turkey meat.
VT Spring Turkey Hunt
| VT Spring Turkey Hunt | Season Start Date | Season End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Spring Season | 1-May | 31-May-23 |
VT Youth Turkey Hunt
| VT Youth Turkey Hunt | Season Start Date | Season End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Youth & Novice Weekend | 29-Apr | 30-Apr-23 |
VT Fall Turkey Hunt,
| VT Fall Turkey Hunt | Season Start Date | Season End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Fall Archery- Statewide | 7-Oct | 20-Oct |
| Shotgun or Archery- (Limited to WMUs: B, D, G, H, I, J, L, M, O, P, Q) | 7-Oct | 29-Oct |
| Shotgun or Archery- (Limited to WMUs: F, K, N) | 21-Oct | 5-Nov |
Bag Limits
| Season | Location | Bag Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Youth Weekend | Statewide | One bearded turkey |
| Novice Weekend | Statewide | Two bearded turkeys |
| Spring Season | Statewide | Two bearded turkeys |
| Fall Season (Archery) | Statewide | One of either sex |
| Fall Season (Shotgun) | WMUs B, D, G, H, I, J, L, M, O, P, Q | One of either sex |
Hunting Licenses
| VT Turkey Licenses | Resident | Nonresident |
|---|---|---|
| Hunting | $28.00 | $102.00 |
| Youth Hunting | $8.00 | $25.00 |
| Combination Hunting/Fishing | $47.00 | $143.00 |
| Youth Combination | $12.00 | $30.00 |
| Turkey (hunting license needed) | $23.00 | $38.00 |
Hunting Regulations
- Vermont has permitted turkey hunting techniques. Turkey hunting allows firearms, bows, and crossbows. Arrows must have at least 7/8-inch arrowheads with two or more cutting edges and employ number 2 or smaller shots. Rifles, electronics, bait, live decoys, and cooperative drives are forbidden. Spring turkey hunting with dogs is prohibited. These rules guarantee Vermont turkey hunters are ethical.
- Vermont turkey hunters need a hunting or combination license and a turkey license with a tag. Bows and crossbows need a bow license or bow hunter education certificate. These licensing requirements guarantee Vermont turkey hunters are licensed and informed.
- Vermont hunters must brand their turkeys immediately after killing them. This tag must stay on the corpse until eating. Responsible hunting and regulatory compliance are promoted by this turkey tagging requirement.
- The hunter must record the turkey catch within 48 hours and deliver the carcass to the closest game warden, official Fish & Wildlife Department Reporting Station, or approved commissioner-designated person for verification. Online turkey harvest reports are provided on the official website. Turkey carcasses cannot be transported out of state without appropriate reporting. These reporting requirements help wildlife management and conservation by collecting vital data and following rules.
- Vermont’s Youth Turkey Hunting Weekend is the Saturday and Sunday before spring turkey hunting season. Any 15-year-old resident or nonresident who has taken a hunter safety course may get a free juvenile turkey hunting permit this weekend. The qualifying kid must also buy a Vermont hunting and turkey license and provide documentation of completing the hunter safety course or prior hunting licenses. Unarmed adults over 18 with Vermont hunting licenses must accompany two young hunters per adult. Except with medical equipment, the adult must guide and supervise. Hunting on private property with a juvenile turkey tag requires landowner permission and compliance with game rules, including the ban on baiting and road hunting. Youth weekends need tags even for landowners.
- Shooting hours begin one-half hour before dawn and conclude at 5:00 p.m. during the Youth Turkey Hunting Weekend. Youth hunters may take one bearded turkey this weekend. The teenage hunter may also capture two bearded turkeys in spring. During the child Turkey Hunting Weekend, offences incur double penalties, and the licensed adult supervising the child hunter will be held liable.
- On April 29–30, 2023, Vermont hosts the Youth and Novice Turkey Hunting Weekends. Novice hunters—16-year-olds who bought their first hunting license last year—can participate. The beginner season requires a Vermont hunting license, turkey license, novice turkey hunting tag, and the youth turkey hunting weekend requirements. The hunter must be accompanied by an unarmed adult with a Vermont hunting license and at least 18 years old during beginner season. The adult may supervise up to two beginner hunters and must be able to communicate visually and vocally without aids. Beginner hunters must get landowner permission before hunting on private property.
- Exclusively for the Novice Turkey Hunting Weekend, shooting hours are from one-half hour before dawn to 5:00 p.m. Spring turkey season shooting hours are one-half hour before dawn to noon. Fall Turkey Season shooting hours are one-half hour before dawn to one-half hour after dusk. These shooting hours limit turkey hunting to safe, legal times.
- Turkey hunting requires special safety measures not used in other hunts. Never stalk a gobbling turkey because you may run into another hunter. Wear blazing orange to and from the hunting spot, and wrap any turkeys. Hen calls instead of gobbler cries to keep other hunters away. To prevent being shot by another hunter who mistook a decoy for a real turkey, sits with your back against a tree. These safety precautions prevent accidents and misidentification when hunting.
Note: You may review the VT Fish & Wildlife Department website for a complete list of regulations.
FAQs related to Vermont Turkey Hunting Season
What is the turkey hunting season in Vermont?
Vermont turkey hunters have many seasons to chase these elusive birds. Youth and Novice Weekends precede the spring turkey season. Youth and inexperienced hunters may shoot bearded turkeys statewide on certain dates. From May 1 through May 31, hunters may hunt turkeys across the state during Spring Turkey Season. An archery-only season runs October 7–20 in the autumn.
Are there any special hunting opportunities for youth hunters?
Yes, the Saturday and Sunday before the spring turkey hunting season starts, Vermont has a Youth Turkey Hunting Weekend. Young people who have finished a hunter safety course and are 15 years old or younger may get a free youth turkey hunting tag.
Are there any prospects for novice hunters?
Yes, the Youth and Novice Turkey Hunting Weekends overlap. Those who are 16 years of age or older and have bought their first hunting license within the last 12 months are considered novice hunters. They need a current Vermont hunting permit, a turkey permit, and a beginner turkey hunting tag. They must also adhere to the juvenile turkey hunting weekend rules and be with an unarmed adult at least 18 years old.
What times are the fall turkey season shooting hours?
Shooting hours in Vermont’s fall turkey season start half an hour before daybreak and last until half an hour after dusk.
