{"id":7572,"date":"2026-08-06T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-06T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/?p=7572"},"modified":"2026-08-06T08:25:15","modified_gmt":"2026-08-06T08:25:15","slug":"vermont-black-bear-hunting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/vermont-black-bear-hunting\/","title":{"rendered":"Vermont Black Bear Season Guide for 2026: Dates, Tags &amp; Land Access"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Vermont&#8217;s black bear population has roughly doubled in six years \u2014 from an estimated 4,000 to 6,000 bears in 2018 to somewhere between 6,500 and 8,000 as of 2024, nearly twice the state&#8217;s management objective, according to&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/animalofthings.com\/when-do-bears-come-out-of-hibernation-in-vermont\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">growing bear population<\/a>&nbsp;data. If you&#8217;ve been considering a bear hunt in Vermont, this is one of the better windows in a generation to do it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This Vermont black bear guide pulls together official Vermont Fish &amp; Wildlife regulations so you don&#8217;t have to piece together dates and fees from a dozen sources. Every date, fee, and access option is in one place, including where to&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\">gear up for your Vermont bear hunt<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What&#8217;s covered:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Season dates &amp; bag limits<\/strong>&nbsp;by hunting method for 2026<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Licenses, tags &amp; permit costs<\/strong>&nbsp;for residents and non-residents<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Where to hunt<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2014 public WMAs, private leases, and guided options<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"572\" src=\"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/f15168dc-08d4-49b0-9b50-aa2b0a434ff5.jpeg\" alt=\"Vermont black bear\" class=\"wp-image-7579\" srcset=\"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/f15168dc-08d4-49b0-9b50-aa2b0a434ff5.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/f15168dc-08d4-49b0-9b50-aa2b0a434ff5-300x168.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/f15168dc-08d4-49b0-9b50-aa2b0a434ff5-768x429.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Quick Overview: 2026 Vermont Black Bear Season at a Glance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Two rules govern everything below: baiting is prohibited statewide, and every hunter is limited to one bear per calendar year regardless of method or season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<table id=\"tablepress-582\" class=\"tablepress tablepress-id-582\">\n<thead>\n<tr class=\"row-1\">\n\t<th class=\"column-1\">Season \/ Method<\/th><th class=\"column-2\">2026 Dates<\/th><th class=\"column-3\">Who It&#8217;s For<\/th><th class=\"column-4\">Tag \/ Requirement<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody class=\"row-striping row-hover\">\n<tr class=\"row-2\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Early Season<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Sept 1 \u2013 Nov 13, 2026<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">All hunters<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">Early Season Bear Tag + general license<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-3\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Resident Dogs Permit Season<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Sept 1 \u2013 Nov 22, 2026<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Resident hound hunters<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">Bear dog permit + license + tag<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-4\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Nonresident Dogs Permit Season<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Sept 15 \u2013 Nov 22, 2026<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Non-resident hound hunters<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">Bear dog permit + license + tag<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-5\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Late Season<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Nov 14 \u2013 Nov 22, 2026 (first nine days of regular Nov deer season)<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">All hunters<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">Late Season tag (included with license)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<!-- #tablepress-582 from cache -->\n\n\n<p><strong>Bag Limit<\/strong>: One bear per calendar year \u00b7&nbsp;<strong>Baiting<\/strong>: Strictly prohibited \u00b7&nbsp;<strong>Hounds<\/strong>: Maximum 6 dogs, bear dog permit required<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Confirm final dates with Vermont Fish &amp; Wildlife before your hunt. Vermont statute governs the exact framework behind every date and fee listed here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Paperwork to have squared away before you head afield:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Valid Vermont hunting license<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2014 required base credential for all bear hunting<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Early Season Bear Tag<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2014 purchased separately ($5 resident \/ $15 non-resident)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Late Season tag<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2014 included with the general hunting license<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Bear dog permit<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2014 required to hunt with hounds<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Bow\/crossbow certification<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2014 archery bear hunters need a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.eregulations.com\/vermont\/hunting\/bear-hunting\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">bow hunter education requirement<\/a>&nbsp;or proof of a bow hunter education course<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Vermont Black Bear Hunting Seasons<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Vermont splits its bear season into three windows: an early general season, hound-specific permit seasons, and a late season that overlaps deer season. Which one you&#8217;re hunting determines your tag and your cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"572\" src=\"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/0643d7d0-0840-461f-b002-23ca597bb59f.jpeg\" alt=\"Vermont black bear\" class=\"wp-image-7580\" srcset=\"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/0643d7d0-0840-461f-b002-23ca597bb59f.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/0643d7d0-0840-461f-b002-23ca597bb59f-300x168.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/0643d7d0-0840-461f-b002-23ca597bb59f-768x429.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Early Season (Sept 1 \u2013 Nov 13, 2026)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This is Vermont&#8217;s longest window, and it requires a separately purchased Early Season Bear Tag in addition to your general hunting license. Since baiting isn&#8217;t an option, success comes down to reading bear behavior and finding where bears are actually feeding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Early on, bears key in on berries, cherries, and standing corn. As those food sources thin out, bears shift toward apples, beechnuts, and acorns, so your scouting priorities should shift with them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Resident &amp; Nonresident Dogs Permit Seasons<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you run hounds, mark your calendar carefully. The Resident Dogs Permit Season runs Sept 1 \u2013 Nov 22, 2026. The Nonresident Dogs Permit Season doesn&#8217;t open until Sept 15 and runs through Nov 22, 2026 \u2014 non-resident hound hunters cannot legally run dogs before that date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Core rules governing hound hunting for bear in Vermont:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Pack size is capped at six dogs<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2014&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/law.justia.com\/codes\/vermont\/2017\/title-10-appendix\/chapter-1\/section-7-d2\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Vermont&#8217;s six-dog pack rule<\/a>&nbsp;defines a legal pack as one to six dogs acting as a unit, and dogs may be added mid-hunt up to that total<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>A bear dog permit is mandatory<\/strong>&nbsp;for anyone hunting, pursuing, or taking a bear with dogs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>GPS and telemetry collars are legal<\/strong>&nbsp;for locating and controlling your dogs during the pursuit<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Running trail cameras ahead of the season can help you pattern bear movement before you turn a dog loose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Late Season (Nov 14 \u2013 Nov 22, 2026)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The late season overlaps the first nine days of the regular November deer season. Unlike the early season, the late-season bear tag is included with your general hunting license \u2014 no separate purchase required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Because this window lines up with the opening of deer season, many hunters end up chasing both species at once. If deer are part of your plan too, it&#8217;s worth reviewing the overlapping deer season before finalizing your strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Vermont&#8217;s&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/stateoutdoors.org\/hunting\/seasons\/vermont\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">blaze orange requirement<\/a>&nbsp;calls for 200 square inches of fluorescent orange during firearm big game seasons, which applies to this late-season window.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Vermont Black Bear Licenses and Permits<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Here&#8217;s what you need and what it costs before you set foot in the woods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Vermont Hunting Licenses<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>License costs differ by residency, and the early-season tag is where most confusion happens:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<table id=\"tablepress-583\" class=\"tablepress tablepress-id-583\">\n<thead>\n<tr class=\"row-1\">\n\t<th class=\"column-1\">Item<\/th><th class=\"column-2\">Resident<\/th><th class=\"column-3\">Non-Resident<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody class=\"row-striping row-hover\">\n<tr class=\"row-2\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">General hunting license<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Required base license<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Approx. $90 (confirm current rate)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-3\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Early Season Bear Tag<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">$5.00<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">$15<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-4\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Late Season tag<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Included with license<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Included with license<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<!-- #tablepress-583 from cache -->\n\n\n<p>Early-season hunters need that separately purchased&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/aol.com\/bear-hunting-season-start-vermont-090959544.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">bear tag<\/a>; it&#8217;s bundled into the license price only for the late season. One exception: lifetime or permanent license holders don&#8217;t need to buy a separate early season tag.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;ve never completed a hunter education course and have never held a hunting license anywhere, Vermont offers a mentored license option, but exact requirements vary by license type \u2014 confirm your specific situation with Vermont Fish &amp; Wildlife before buying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"572\" src=\"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/bda49c8e-6f0c-43be-a664-a72c6d2063a7.jpeg\" alt=\"Vermont black bear\" class=\"wp-image-7581\" srcset=\"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/bda49c8e-6f0c-43be-a664-a72c6d2063a7.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/bda49c8e-6f0c-43be-a664-a72c6d2063a7-300x168.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/bda49c8e-6f0c-43be-a664-a72c6d2063a7-768x429.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Vermont Bear Permits<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If hounds are part of your plan, the bear dog permit is non-negotiable. It&#8217;s issued by the Commissioner, caps your pack at six dogs, and applies to residents and non-residents alike \u2014 remember, non-residents can&#8217;t legally start until September 15.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you&#8217;ve tagged a bear, a few required steps kick in:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Tag the bear immediately<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2014 the tag must be displayed on the carcass in a clear, visible location<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Report the harvest within 48 hours<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2014&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.vermont.gov\/statutes\/section\/10appendix\/001\/00007\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">48-hour harvest reporting<\/a>&nbsp;requires you to report to a game warden, an official Fish &amp; Wildlife reporting station, or a person designated by the Commissioner<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Submit a premolar tooth<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2014 this must be turned in within 30 days of taking the bear<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Missing any of these steps can turn a successful hunt into a legal headache, so build them into your post-harvest plan now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where to Hunt Black Bear in Vermont<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Bears are found statewide except for the Champlain Islands. If you want to improve your odds, look at the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.divebombindustries.com\/blogs\/news\/black-bear-hunting-in-vermont-tag-requirements-and-tips\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Green Mountains and Northeast Kingdom<\/a>, where bear concentrations run higher than the rest of the state. If land access is your main concern,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/leases\/state\/vermont\/\">browse Vermont bear leases<\/a>&nbsp;to see what&#8217;s available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Best Public Lands<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Vermont&#8217;s Wildlife Management Areas, the Green Mountain National Forest, and state forest lands offer free public access across bear country \u2014 a good starting point if you&#8217;re new to bear hunting or don&#8217;t want to pay for a lease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs)<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2014 state-managed land open to public hunting statewide, concentrated in bear-heavy regions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Green Mountain National Forest<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2014 vast public acreage running through the state&#8217;s highest-concentration bear country<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>State forests<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2014 additional free access, often overlooked by hunters who default to WMAs alone<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Habitat cues to look for<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2014 forest openings, oak and beech stands, old orchards, and power-line edges all hold bears feeding on natural food sources<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>For beginners, public land is the accessible, no-cost entry point into bear hunting; it just requires putting in the scouting time these areas demand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"572\" src=\"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/b8febddf-662f-4234-8feb-6f29bcb15210.jpeg\" alt=\"Vermont black bear\" class=\"wp-image-7582\" srcset=\"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/b8febddf-662f-4234-8feb-6f29bcb15210.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/b8febddf-662f-4234-8feb-6f29bcb15210-300x168.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/b8febddf-662f-4234-8feb-6f29bcb15210-768x429.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Private Land Hunting with Hunting Locator<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Losing a lease, or showing up in an unfamiliar state with nowhere solid to hunt, is one of the bigger stressors a bear hunter can face, especially when traveling in from out of state. Public land works, but it comes with pressure from other hunters and less control over food-source scouting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Private access changes that. Whether you lease land for the season or buy hunting property outright, private ground typically means less competition, more control over your approach, and the ability to build a long-term relationship with the land you hunt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That&#8217;s where Hunting Locator comes in. It&#8217;s a marketplace connecting hunters directly with landowners who are ready to lease or sell \u2014 listings are vetted and searchable by state and acreage, with no middleman slowing things down. You get direct access to real opportunities instead of chasing dead-end leads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With opening day September 1 approaching, now&#8217;s the time to secure your spot, especially if you&#8217;re scouting remotely from out of state.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/leases\/state\/vermont\/\">Browse Vermont bear leases<\/a>&nbsp;before the good ground gets claimed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Guided Hunts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Guided hunts can shorten the learning curve significantly, especially if you&#8217;re new to bear hunting or unfamiliar with the terrain. One legal note worth flagging: Vermont doesn&#8217;t allow commercial guiding with bear dogs, so hound hunts aren&#8217;t something you can hire out. Guided still-hunts and spot-and-stalk trips over natural food sources are the viable option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When evaluating a guide, keep a few things in mind:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Local knowledge matters<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2014 a guide who knows the food-source patterns in your specific area will save you days of blind scouting<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Access is everything<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2014 some guides operate on leased or private ground, which is another reason connecting with landowners directly through a lease marketplace can be just as valuable as hiring a guide<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If a fully guided hunt isn&#8217;t the right fit, securing your own private access might get you most of the same benefit \u2014 better ground, less competition \u2014 without the added cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Vermont Black Bear Hunting Tips<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>With bears this abundant, it&#8217;s a strong opportunity for hunters who have never chased bear before. Here are the fundamentals that separate a successful, ethical Vermont bear hunt from a frustrating one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Scout natural food sources<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2014 bears key on berries and standing corn early in the season, shifting to apples, beechnuts, and acorns as fall progresses. Pattern the food, and you&#8217;ll pattern the bear.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Run trail cameras<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2014 legal scouting is your best tool for patterning bear movement before opening day, especially in forest openings and old orchards.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Identify before you shoot<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2014&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vtfishandwildlife.com\/hunt\/hunting-and-trapping-opportunities\/black-bear\/bear-hunting-tips-and-techniques\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">avoid harvesting sows with cubs<\/a>&nbsp;by choosing a stand with wide visibility so you can confirm a bear is alone before you take the shot.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Wear your blaze orange<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2014 200 square inches is required during firearm big game seasons, and it&#8217;s a safety must regardless of your specific setup.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Skip the bait<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2014 baiting is prohibited across the board, so lean on woodsmanship, natural sign, and food-source knowledge instead.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Gear up right<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2014 quality boots, sharp optics, scent control, and a rifle in an adequate caliber all matter when the moment comes. Find the right bear hunting gear to outfit your season without guesswork.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">More Resources from Hunting Locator<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Bear season is just one piece of Vermont&#8217;s fall hunting calendar. Here&#8217;s where to go next:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/vermont-black-bear-hunting-season\">Vermont black bear hunting season<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;\u2014 our companion Vermont black bear hunting page for deeper species-specific detail.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/vermont-hunting-season-guide\">Vermont hunting season guide<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;\u2014 the full Vermont hunting season overview, and the logical parent guide for all species.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/vermont-deer-hunting-season\">Vermont deer hunting season<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;\u2014 Vermont deer season dates, which overlap the late bear season.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/vermont-turkey-hunting-season\">Vermont turkey hunting season<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;\u2014 fall turkey season for multi-species hunters.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/vermont-small-game-hunting-season\">Vermont small game hunting season<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;\u2014 small game seasons to round out your fall.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/vermont-waterfowl-hunting-season\">Vermont waterfowl hunting season<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;\u2014 Vermont duck and goose season details.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/vermont-predator-hunting-season\">Vermont predator hunting season<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;\u2014 coyote and predator hunting opportunities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are the 2026 Vermont black bear season dates?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The Early Season runs Sept 1 \u2013 Nov 13, 2026. The Resident Dogs Permit Season runs Sept 1 \u2013 Nov 22, 2026, while the Nonresident Dogs Permit Season runs Sept 15 \u2013 Nov 22, 2026. The Late Season runs Nov 14 \u2013 Nov 22, 2026. Confirm final dates with Vermont Fish &amp; Wildlife before your hunt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How much does a non-resident bear tag cost in Vermont?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The Early Season Bear Tag costs $15 for non-residents ($5 for residents), purchased in addition to your general hunting license. The late-season tag comes included with the general hunting license at no extra cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Do you need a permit to hunt bear with dogs in Vermont?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes. A bear dog permit is required for anyone hunting bear with hounds, packs are capped at six dogs, and non-residents cannot legally run hounds until September 15.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is bear baiting legal in Vermont?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>No. Baiting is strictly prohibited for all hunters, including placing bait to help dogs strike a scent. Focus instead on scouting natural food sources like berries, standing corn, apples, beechnuts, and acorns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is the bag limit for black bear in Vermont?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>One bear per calendar year, per hunter, regardless of season or method. Once you harvest a bear, tag it immediately and report the harvest within 48 hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How do non-residents find land to hunt bear in Vermont?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Public WMAs are open statewide and free to hunt, but the fastest way to secure guaranteed access is through&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/leases\/state\/vermont\/\">Vermont hunting leases<\/a>&nbsp;on Hunting Locator&#8217;s marketplace, which connects you directly with landowners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Final Shot<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Vermont&#8217;s bear population is thriving, and 2026 offers one of the stronger windows in years to plan a successful hunt, whether you&#8217;re chasing hounds through the Northeast Kingdom or stalking beech stands solo on a crisp October afternoon. Know your dates and tags, meet your license and permit requirements, and lock down your land access early.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Before opening day, run through this sequence: confirm your dates directly with Vermont Fish &amp; Wildlife, buy your license and appropriate tag, and secure your hunting ground. When you&#8217;re ready, gear up for the season and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/leases\/state\/vermont\/\">find your Vermont bear spot<\/a>&nbsp;before the best ground is gone. Verify final regulations with Vermont Fish &amp; Wildlife before you head afield.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This Vermont black bear guide pulls together every date, fee, and access option is in one place.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":7577,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[93,216,68,10,16],"class_list":["post-7572","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-hunting-seasons","tag-bear","tag-black-bear","tag-hunting","tag-hunting-seasons","tag-season-dates"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7572","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7572"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7572\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7584,"href":"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7572\/revisions\/7584"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7577"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7572"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7572"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7572"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}