Fall turkey season in Vermont offers hunters the chance to pursue wild turkeys during the autumn months. There are specific dates regulations and locations that dictate when, where, and how you can hunt turkeys in the fall season.
Overview of Fall Turkey Season
Vermont has both a spring and fall turkey hunting season The spring season focuses on bearded turkeys only. The fall season allows you to hunt turkeys of either sex
There are three segments to the fall turkey season in Vermont:
- Archery only – October 5 – 25, 2024 statewide
- Archery or shotgun – October 26 – November 3, 2024 in WMUs B, D, G, H, I, J, L, M, O, P, and Q
- Archery or shotgun – October 26 – November 10, 2024 in WMUs F, K, and N
Fall turkey hunting is allowed in most parts of the state. The three seasons give hunters flexibility in terms of timing and methods. Archery hunting is allowed during the entire fall season statewide. Shotgun hunting is limited to certain wildlife management units (WMUs) and dates.
The fall turkey limit is one turkey of either sex. This turkey does not count towards your spring limit of two bearded birds.
Dates and Locations
Here are the key details on the dates and locations for fall turkey hunting in Vermont:
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Archery Only Season: October 5 – 25, 2024 statewide. Hunting during this period is limited to bows and crossbows only. All WMUs are open.
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Archery or Shotgun Season: October 26 – November 3, 2024 in WMUs B, D, G, H, I, J, L, M, O, P, and Q. Hunting during this period can be done with either bow/crossbow or shotgun.
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Archery or Shotgun Season: October 26 – November 10, 2024 in WMUs F, K, and N. Again, either archery equipment or shotguns are allowed.
WMUs refer to Wildlife Management Units. Vermont uses these units to manage hunting opportunities and regulations. WMUs are geographic regions defined by the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department.
A map of the WMU boundaries is available on the department’s website and printed guides. Be sure to check which one you plan to hunt in to determine what seasons apply.
License and Regulations
To hunt turkeys in Vermont’s fall season you need:
- A valid Vermont hunting or combination license
- A current turkey license with tag
- Any required bow/archery license if using archery equipment
Only shotguns, bows, and crossbows may be used. There are restrictions on shot size and broadhead width. Electronic calling devices and baiting are prohibited.
The fall turkey must be tagged immediately upon harvest just like in the spring season. You also must report your fall turkey within 48 hours, online or in-person.
Tips for Hunting Fall Turkeys
Here are some tips to improve your odds of bagging a fall turkey in Vermont:
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Scout areas ahead of the season to locate flocks. Gravel roads early am can be productive.
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Focus on areas with good feeding habitat like agricultural fields, mast crops, and berry patches.
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Use hen calls and avoid calls that mimic gobblers during fall.
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Sit against tree trunks or rocks wider than your body to avoid pellets from other hunters.
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Take a shotgun you’ve patterned recently and know your effective range.
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Use blaze orange when moving between setups.
Summary
In Vermont, fall turkey season takes place in the months of October and early November. There are three segments – archery only, archery/shotgun, and a split archery/shotgun season depending on the WMU. Be sure to consult the regulations for your hunting zone. With smart scouting and preparation, you can have an excellent chance at bagging a fall bird in the Green Mountain State.
Legal Methods of Taking
Only a shotgun, bow and arrow or crossbow may be used to take turkeys.
Only number 2 and smaller shot shall be used or possessed, and an arrowhead must be at least 7/8 of an inch in width and have two or more cutting edges.
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. Never stalk a gobbling turkey â your chances of getting close are poor and you may be sneaking up on another hunter.
Wear blaze orange when walking in and out of your hunting site, and wrap any turkeys you bag in blaze orange. Use only hen calls to avoid potentially attracting another hunter with a gobbler call. Sit with your back against a tree in a spot with a good field of vision, and avoid sitting in the potential line of fire should another hunter mistakenly shoot at your decoy.
A person taking turkey shall within 48 hours report the taking and exhibit the carcass to the nearest game warden, official Fish & Wildlife Department Reporting Station, or to a person designated by the commissioner to receive the reports. 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 â
(concurrent with Youth Turkey Weekend)
Novice: A person who has purchased their first hunting license within the past 12 months and is 16 years of age or older.
To participate in the novice season, a qualified person must have a valid Vermont hunting license, turkey license and a novice turkey hunting tag and follow the requirements of the youth turkey hunting weekend.
The novice hunter must be accompanied by an unarmed adult who holds a valid Vermont hunting license and who is 18 years of age or older. An adult accompanying a novice shall accompany no more than two novice hunters at one time. âAccompany,” “accompanied,” or âaccompanyingâ means direct control and supervision, including the ability to see and communicate with the novice hunter without the aid of artificial devices such as radios or binoculars, except for medically necessary devices such as hearing aids or eyeglasses.
No novice hunter shall hunt on privately owned land without first obtaining the permission of the owner or occupant.
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.
Vermont Fall Turkey Hunt 2019
FAQ
Can you shoot two turkeys in one day in Vermont?
Where is the best place to hunt turkeys in Vermont?
What is the best time to hunt turkeys in the fall?
What size shot can you take a turkey in Vermont?
When is Vermont’s Youth turkey hunting weekend?
Vermont’s Youth Turkey Hunting Weekend is held on the Saturday and Sunday prior to opening day of the spring turkey hunting season. Any resident or nonresident youth, 15 years of age or younger on the weekend of the hunt, who has successfully completed a hunter education course may obtain a free youth turkey hunting tag.
When do turkey hunting hours start in Vermont?
Shooting hours in Vermont’s fall turkey season start half an hour before daybreak and last until half an hour after dusk. Jacob Ross is a passionate outdoor enthusiast and skilled turkey hunter who is committed to sharing his love of the outdoors via interesting writing and helpful advice.
Can you hunt bearded turkeys 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.
When is Vermont turkey hunting weekend 2023?
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.