In Vermont, the fall turkey season offers wonderful chances to gather a mouthwatering bird for your Thanksgiving feast. But when is it exactly? Continue reading to learn all there is to know about Vermont’s fall turkey season, including dates, bag restrictions, and rules.
Fall Turkey Season Dates
Fall turkey season in Vermont is divided into two parts: an archery-only season and a shotgun or archery season,
- Archery-only season: October 5-25, 2024 (all Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) statewide)
- Shotgun or archery season: October 26-November 3, 2024 (WMUs B, D, G, H, I, J, L, M, O, P, and Q)
- Shotgun or archery season: October 26-November 10, 2024 (WMUs F, K, and N)
Bag Limit
The bag limit for fall turkey season in Vermont is one turkey of either sex.
Regulations
When going turkey hunting in Vermont in the fall, bear the following regulations in mind:
- You must have a valid Vermont hunting license and turkey license.
- You must wear blaze orange when walking in and out of your hunting site.
- You must wrap any turkeys you bag in blaze orange.
- You may only use shotguns, bows and arrows, or crossbows to take turkeys.
- You may only use number 2 or smaller shot.
- You may not use electronic calling devices, bait, live decoys, or participate in cooperative drives.
- You may not use dogs.
- You must immediately attach the proper tag to the carcass of any turkey you take.
- You must report any turkey you take within 48 hours.
Tips for a Successful Fall Turkey Hunt
The following advice will help you have a productive fall turkey hunt in Vermont:
- Scout the area you plan to hunt in advance. Look for signs of turkeys, such as tracks, droppings, and feathers.
- Use a variety of calls to attract turkeys.
- Be patient and persistent. Turkeys can be wary, so don’t give up if you don’t see one right away.
- Be safe. Always wear blaze orange when hunting, and be aware of your surroundings.
Fall turkey season in Vermont is a great opportunity to harvest a delicious turkey for your Thanksgiving table By following the regulations and tips above, you can increase your chances of having a successful hunt
Legal Methods of Taking
Only a shotgun, bow and arrow or crossbow may be used to take turkeys.
An arrowhead needs to be at least 7/8 of an inch wide and have two or more cutting edges. Only number 2 and smaller shot may be used or owned.
Rifles shall not be used or carried by any person while hunting turkeys. No person shall use electronic calling devices, bait, live decoys, or participate in cooperative drives. No person shall use dogs in the spring season.
A hunter who takes a turkey shall immediately attach the proper tag to the carcass. The tag must remain on the carcass until the carcass is prepared for consumption.
Turkey hunting requires some additional measures of safety that may not be practiced in other forms of hunting. A gobbling turkey is difficult to approach, and attempting to stalk one could result in you unexpectedly sneaking up on another hunter.
Wear blaze orange clothing when you enter and exit your hunting area, and wrap any turkeys you catch in it as well. Use only hen calls to avoid potentially attracting another hunter with a gobbler call. In the unlikely event that another hunter inadvertently shoots your decoy, sit with your back against a tree and a clear view of the surrounding area.
When harvesting a turkey, you have to present the carcass to the nearest game warden or official Fish and Game within 48 hours of the harvest. Turkey may also be reported online. Check our website for more information. No turkey carcass shall be transported out of state without first being reported.
Novice Turkey Hunting Weekend —
(concurrent with Youth Turkey Weekend)
Novice: Anyone who, within the past year, has acquired their first hunting license and is 16 years of age or older
To participate in the novice season, a qualified person must fulfill the requirements of the youth turkey hunting weekend and hold a valid Vermont hunting license, turkey license, and novice turkey hunting tag.
The novice hunter must be accompanied by an adult who is at least eighteen years old, unarmed, and in possession of a valid Vermont hunting license. An adult accompanying a novice shall accompany no more than two novice hunters at one time. “Accompany,” “accompanied,” or “accompanying” refers to having direct control and supervision over a novice hunter. This includes having the ability to see and interact with them without the need for artificial instruments like radios or binoculars, unless they are instruments that are necessary for medical purposes like spectacles or hearing aids.
No inexperienced hunter may hunt on privately owned property without the owner’s or occupant’s consent.
One-half hour before sunrise to 5:00 p.m. for this weekend season only.
One bearded turkey per novice. A novice may also hunt during the spring season and take two bearded turkeys during that season.
“I’m Surrounded” ~ Vermont Muzzleloader + Fall Turkey Hunt 2023
FAQ
What are the hours for fall turkey hunting in Vermont?
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What are the hunting seasons in Vermont?
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Species
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Season
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Dates
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Deer
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Youth & Novice Deer Weekend
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Oct. 26 – 27
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Muzzleloader Antlerless Deer Season
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Oct. 31 – Nov. 3
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16 Day Regular Season
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Nov. 16 – Dec.1
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Muzzleloader
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Dec. 7 – 15
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