Hunting in Vermont: 3 Animals To Hunt in the Spring

During the spring, hunters are limited to what animals are eligible for hunting in Vermont. However, a few furbearing open seasons spill over from winter into spring, so hunters have a couple more weeks to increase their pulls for the year.

It’s important to remember to check with local and state regulations before embarking on any hunting expedition, and review the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department’s requirements regarding obtaining the proper hunter education and hunting licenses, including trapping and hunting dog license requirements.

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Here are three animals eligible for hunting in the Spring in Vermont.

1. Turkey
Throughout the month of May, turkey hunters can enjoy an open season of gobblers, according to the Fish and Wildlife Department. The spring season often nets six times that of the haul pulled in during the fall, and the only legal method of taking a turkey is with a bow and arrow or a shotgun. No rifles or handguns are permitted to be used or brought along on any spring turkey hunting expedition. Hunters are permitted to shoot during the period between 30 minutes before sunrise until noon throughout the season.

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2. Muskrat
Hunters can squeeze in a few weeks of muskrat hunting in the spring before the season ends at the end of March. Muskrats can only be trapped during this time, and trappers are encouraged by the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife to help control the muskrat population since an abundance of the animals is harmful in many ways, including damaging crops and spreading disease.

3. Hare and Rabbit
As winter turns to spring, hare and rabbit hunters are wrapping up their seasons in Vermont. Hare hunting is popular in the Groton area of Vermont, where a rare black hare was taken in 2012, according to WCAX-TV. The bag limits for these animals are a daily bag limit of three with a possession limit of six, according to the Department of Fish and Wildlife. Also, keep in mind that the selling of your rabbit or hare kills – as well as gray squirrel or wild bird – is illegal in Vermont year-round.

This article is for information only. Please check current regulations before hunting.

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