Hunting in Vermont: 4 Animals To Hunt in the Winter

Winter hunting in Vermont can be a challenge thanks to cold temperatures and heavy snowfall, but plenty of eligible animals have open seasons for hunters who are willing to brave the cold.

Here are four animals legal for hunting in Vermont during the winter months.

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1. Raccoon
Hunters can go after raccoons until the last day of the year typically, which means holiday raccoon hunting can be on the agenda during winter break, according to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. Dogs can be used for hunting raccoon as long as the hunter purchases the correct permit. Hunters also are allowed to use lights to illuminate and shoot raccoon after its been treed by a hunting dog. Also, don’t worry about bringing a watch on your hunt – raccoons can be hunted at any time of the day during their open season.

2. Red and Gray Fox
White winter snow may help interested hunters spot the red and gray foxes that live in Vermont. The open season for these foxes lasts from the end of October until early February, and hunters have the opportunity to both hunt and trap gray and red foxes during specified dates during open furbearing animals seasons, the Fish and Wildlife Department said.

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3. Furbearer Trapping
This open season applies to a variety of animals, including minks, coyotes, opossums and weasels. This multi-species open season starts in late October and lasts until around the end of December.

4. Ruffed Grouse
With an open season that starts in the fall around the end of September, the winter part of grouse hunting season ends on or around New Year’s Eve. Although few hunters venture out in deep winter, the ones who do are often rewarded with takes since it’s easier to spot grouse in the winter, according to The New York Times.

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

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