Read from Fish and Wildlife Department on August 20, 2026.
Seasons and limits change, and corrections are issued mid-season. Confirm with Fish and Wildlife Department before you hunt.
Open the official Vermont regulationsHunting Vermont this season? Keep these dates and bag limits in your pocket — free in the BlindBook app.
Vermont is part of the Atlantic Flyway, one of four major migratory bird corridors in North America. The 2026–2027 waterfowl season runs from September 1 through March 10, 2027, with 42 distinct season segments covering ducks, geese, coots, and other migratory game birds. Season dates and bag limits are set annually by the Fish and Wildlife Department within frameworks established by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
Season dates, bag limits, shooting hours, and other regulatory information are provided for convenience only, may be inaccurate or out of date, and do not constitute legal advice. You are solely responsible for verifying current regulations with your state or provincial wildlife agency before every hunt.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut River Zone1,2 | Oct 13 – Nov 11 First Split | 6 No harlequin; ≤4 mallards (2 hens max); ≤2 black ducks; ≤3 wood ducks; ≤3 pintail; ≤2 canvasbacks; ≤2 redheads; ≤1 scaup; ≤4 sea ducks (≤3 scoters, ≤3 eiders [1 hen max], ≤3 long-tailed ducks). CT River Zone managed under NH Inland Zone rules. | 18 |
| Nov 25 – Dec 24 Second Split | 6 No harlequin; ≤4 mallards (2 hens max); ≤2 black ducks; ≤3 wood ducks; ≤3 pintail; ≤2 canvasbacks; ≤2 redheads; ≤1 scaup; ≤4 sea ducks (≤3 scoters, ≤3 eiders [1 hen max], ≤3 long-tailed ducks). CT River Zone managed under NH Inland Zone rules. | 18 | |
| Lake Champlain Zone3,4,5,6 | Oct 10 – Nov 1 First Split | 6 No harlequin; ≤4 mallards (2 hens max); ≤2 black ducks; ≤3 wood ducks; ≤3 pintail; ≤2 canvasbacks; ≤2 redheads; ≤1 scaup (Oct 10–Nov 1); ≤4 sea ducks (≤3 scoters, ≤3 eiders [1 hen max], ≤3 long-tailed ducks) | 18 |
| Nov 21 – Dec 27 Second Split | 6 No harlequin; ≤4 mallards (2 hens max); ≤2 black ducks; ≤3 wood ducks; ≤3 pintail; ≤2 canvasbacks; ≤2 redheads; ≤1 scaup Nov 21–Dec 7 then ≤2 scaup Dec 8–Dec 27; ≤4 sea ducks (≤3 scoters, ≤3 eiders [1 hen max], ≤3 long-tailed ducks) | 18 | |
| Interior Vermont Zone7,8 | Oct 10 – Dec 8 | 6 No harlequin; ≤4 mallards (2 hens max); ≤2 black ducks; ≤3 wood ducks; ≤3 pintail; ≤2 canvasbacks; ≤2 redheads; ≤1 scaup Oct 10–Nov 18 then ≤2 scaup Nov 19–Dec 8; ≤4 sea ducks (≤3 scoters, ≤3 eiders [1 hen max], ≤3 long-tailed ducks) | 18 |
| Species | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|
| Mallard No more than 2 hens | 4 | 12 |
| Black Duck | 2 | 6 |
| Wood Duck | 3 | 9 |
| Pintail (Northern) | 3 | 9 |
| Canvasback | 2 | 6 |
| Redhead | 2 | 6 |
| Lesser Scaup Lake Champlain Zone | 1 | 3 |
| Lesser Scaup Connecticut River Zone · Scaup limit 1/day Nov 25–Dec 24 | 1 | 3 |
| Lesser Scaup Connecticut River Zone · Scaup limit 1/day Oct 13–Nov 11 | 1 | 3 |
| Lesser Scaup Interior Vermont Zone · Oct 10–Nov 18 | 1 | 3 |
| Lesser Scaup Interior Vermont Zone · Nov 19–Dec 8 | 2 | 6 |
| Lesser Scaup Lake Champlain Zone · Nov 21–Dec 7 | 1 | 3 |
| Lesser Scaup Lake Champlain Zone · Dec 8–Dec 27 | 2 | 6 |
| Sea Ducks (general) ≤3 scoters, ≤3 eiders (1 hen max), ≤3 long-tailed ducks | 4 | 12 |
1No harlequin; ≤4 mallards (2 hens max); ≤2 black ducks; ≤3 wood ducks; ≤3 pintail; ≤2 canvasbacks; ≤2 redheads; ≤1 scaup; ≤4 sea ducks (≤3 scoters, ≤3 eiders [1 hen max], ≤3 long-tailed ducks). CT River Zone managed under NH Inland Zone rules.
2Seasons and rules for CT River Zone announced by NH Fish & Game under Inland Zone rules
3No harlequin; ≤4 mallards (2 hens max); ≤2 black ducks; ≤3 wood ducks; ≤3 pintail; ≤2 canvasbacks; ≤2 redheads; ≤1 scaup (Oct 10–Nov 1); ≤4 sea ducks (≤3 scoters, ≤3 eiders [1 hen max], ≤3 long-tailed ducks)
4Split season; first split Oct 10 - Nov 1.
5No harlequin; ≤4 mallards (2 hens max); ≤2 black ducks; ≤3 wood ducks; ≤3 pintail; ≤2 canvasbacks; ≤2 redheads; ≤1 scaup Nov 21–Dec 7 then ≤2 scaup Dec 8–Dec 27; ≤4 sea ducks (≤3 scoters, ≤3 eiders [1 hen max], ≤3 long-tailed ducks)
6Scaup limit is 1 from Nov. 21 - Dec. 7, increases to 2 from Dec. 8 - Dec. 27
7No harlequin; ≤4 mallards (2 hens max); ≤2 black ducks; ≤3 wood ducks; ≤3 pintail; ≤2 canvasbacks; ≤2 redheads; ≤1 scaup Oct 10–Nov 18 then ≤2 scaup Nov 19–Dec 8; ≤4 sea ducks (≤3 scoters, ≤3 eiders [1 hen max], ≤3 long-tailed ducks)
8Continuous season, no split.
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| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut River Zone1,2,3,4,5 | Sep 1 – Sep 25 September Season | 5 White-fronted geese may be taken as part of the Canada goose daily bag and possession limits. Season and rules announced by NH Fish & Game under Inland Zone rules. | 15 |
| Oct 13 – Nov 11 October-November Season | 2 White-fronted geese may be taken as part of the Canada goose daily bag and possession limits. Season and rules announced by NH Fish & Game under Inland Zone rules. | 6 | |
| Nov 25 – Dec 24 November-December Season | 2 White-fronted geese may be taken as part of the Canada goose daily bag and possession limits | 6 | |
| Dec 25 – Jan 4 December-January Season (land only) | 5 Applies to land only, not CT River waters. White-fronted geese may be taken as part of the Canada goose daily bag and possession limits. | 15 | |
| Interior Vermont Zone2,6 | Sep 1 – Sep 25 September Season | 8 White-fronted geese may be taken as part of the Canada goose daily bag and possession limits | 24 |
| Oct 10 – Nov 23 October-November Season | 3 White-fronted geese may be taken as part of the Canada goose daily bag and possession limits | 9 | |
| Dec 1 – Jan 4 December-January Season | 5 White-fronted geese may be taken as part of the Canada goose daily bag and possession limits | 15 | |
| Lake Champlain Zone2,3 | Sep 1 – Sep 25 September Season | 8 White-fronted geese may be taken as part of the Canada goose daily bag and possession limits | 24 |
| Oct 10 – Nov 23 October-November Season | 3 White-fronted geese may be taken as part of the Canada goose daily bag and possession limits | 9 | |
| Dec 1 – Jan 4 December-January Season | 5 White-fronted geese may be taken as part of the Canada goose daily bag and possession limits | 15 |
1White-fronted geese may be taken as part of the Canada goose daily bag and possession limits. Season and rules announced by NH Fish & Game under Inland Zone rules.
2White-fronted geese may be taken as part of the Canada goose daily bag and possession limits
3Canada Geese; white-fronted geese counted within Canada goose bag
4Applies to land only, not CT River waters. White-fronted geese may be taken as part of the Canada goose daily bag and possession limits.
5Dec. 25 - Jan. 4 applies to land, not CT River waters
6Canada Geese September Season. White-fronted geese counted within Canada goose bag.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interior Vermont Zone | Oct 10 – Nov 8 | 1 | 3 |
| Lake Champlain Zone | Oct 10 – Nov 8 | 1 | 3 |
| Connecticut River Zone1 | Oct 13 – Nov 11 | 1 | 3 |
1Connecticut River Zone follows NH Fish & Game Dept 'Inland Zone' rules.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interior Vermont Zone1,2,3 | Oct 1 – Dec 31 Regular Season | 25 Includes blue geese. Possession limit: no limit. | – |
| Feb 26 – Mar 10 Late Season | 25 Includes blue geese. Possession limit: no limit. | – | |
| Lake Champlain Zone4,5 | Oct 1 – Dec 31 Fall Season | 25 Includes blue geese; possession limit: no limit | – |
| Feb 26 – Mar 10 Spring Season | 25 Includes blue geese; possession limit: no limit | – | |
| Connecticut River Zone5,6 | Oct 13 – Nov 11 First Split | 25 Includes blue geese; possession limit: no limit. Season and rules announced by NH Fish & Game under Inland Zone rules. | – |
| Nov 25 – Dec 24 Second Split | 25 Includes blue geese; possession limit: no limit. Season and rules announced by NH Fish & Game under Inland Zone rules. | – |
1Includes blue geese. Possession limit: no limit.
2Snow Geese (includes blue geese). Possession limit: No limit.
3Snow Geese (includes blue geese) late season. Possession limit: No limit.
4Includes blue geese; possession limit: no limit
5Snow Geese possession limit is no limit per BAG LIMIT CHART
6Includes blue geese; possession limit: no limit. Season and rules announced by NH Fish & Game under Inland Zone rules.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Champlain Zone1,2 | Oct 10 – Nov 1 First Split | 15 | 45 |
| Nov 21 – Dec 27 Second Split | 15 | 45 | |
| Connecticut River Zone3,4 | Oct 13 – Nov 11 First Split | 15 | 45 |
| Nov 25 – Dec 24 Second Split | 15 | 45 | |
| Interior Vermont Zone5 | Oct 10 – Dec 8 | 15 | 45 |
1Coots listed concurrently with Ducks and Mergansers in season table; dates inherited from Lake Champlain Zone first split
2Coots listed concurrently with Ducks and Mergansers in season table; dates inherited from Lake Champlain Zone second split
3Coots listed concurrently with Ducks and Mergansers in season table; dates inherited from Connecticut River Zone first split
4Coots listed concurrently with Ducks and Mergansers in season table; dates inherited from Connecticut River Zone second split
5Concurrent with duck season (listed together as 'Ducks, Coots and Mergansers'). Bag limit from BAG LIMIT CHART: Coot 15/45.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interior Vermont Zone1 | Oct 10 – Dec 8 | 5 | 15 |
| Lake Champlain Zone2,3 | Oct 10 – Nov 1 First Split | 5 | 15 |
| Nov 21 – Dec 27 Second Split | 5 | 15 | |
| Connecticut River Zone4,5 | Oct 13 – Nov 11 First Split | 5 | 15 |
| Nov 25 – Dec 24 Second Split | 5 | 15 |
1Concurrent with duck season (listed together as 'Ducks, Coots and Mergansers'). Bag limit from BAG LIMIT CHART: Mergansers 5/15.
2Mergansers listed concurrently with Ducks and Coots in season table; dates inherited from Lake Champlain Zone first split
3Mergansers listed concurrently with Ducks and Coots in season table; dates inherited from Lake Champlain Zone second split
4Mergansers listed concurrently with Ducks and Coots in season table; dates inherited from Connecticut River Zone first split
5Mergansers listed concurrently with Ducks and Coots in season table; dates inherited from Connecticut River Zone second split
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interior Vermont Zone1,2 | Sep 26 – Sep 26 Youth Waterfowl Hunting Weekend - Day 1 | 6 Hunters 17 years of age and younger; must be accompanied by licensed adult 18+; adults may not hunt or carry firearm; ages 16-17 must have state duck tag and federal duck stamp; Canada geese daily limit is 3 | 18 |
| Sep 27 – Sep 27 Youth Waterfowl Hunting Weekend - Day 2 | 6 Hunters 17 years of age and younger; must be accompanied by licensed adult 18+; adults may not hunt or carry firearm; ages 16-17 must have state duck tag and federal duck stamp; Canada geese daily limit is 3 | 18 | |
| Lake Champlain Zone1,2 | Sep 26 – Sep 26 Youth Waterfowl Hunting Weekend - Day 1 | 6 Hunters 17 years of age and younger; must be accompanied by licensed adult 18+; adults may not hunt or carry firearm; ages 16-17 must have state duck tag and federal duck stamp; Canada geese daily limit is 3 | 18 |
| Sep 27 – Sep 27 Youth Waterfowl Hunting Weekend - Day 2 | 6 Hunters 17 years of age and younger; must be accompanied by licensed adult 18+; adults may not hunt or carry firearm; ages 16-17 must have state duck tag and federal duck stamp; Canada geese daily limit is 3 | 18 | |
| Connecticut River Zone3,4 | Sep 26 – Sep 26 Youth Waterfowl Hunting Weekend - Day 1 | 6 Youths must be 15 years of age or younger to participate in the Connecticut River Zone; must be accompanied by licensed adult 18+; Canada geese daily limit is 3 | 18 |
| Sep 27 – Sep 27 Youth Waterfowl Hunting Weekend - Day 2 | 6 Youths must be 15 years of age or younger to participate in the Connecticut River Zone; must be accompanied by licensed adult 18+; Canada geese daily limit is 3 | 18 |
1Hunters 17 years of age and younger; must be accompanied by licensed adult 18+; adults may not hunt or carry firearm; ages 16-17 must have state duck tag and federal duck stamp; Canada geese daily limit is 3
2Bag limits per BAG LIMIT CHART on page 4 except Canada geese daily limit is 3
3Youths must be 15 years of age or younger to participate in the Connecticut River Zone; must be accompanied by licensed adult 18+; Canada geese daily limit is 3
4Age restriction is 15 and younger (not 17) for Connecticut River Zone. Bag limits per BAG LIMIT CHART except Canada geese daily limit is 3.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2 | Sep 26 – Nov 9 Wilson's Snipe Season | 8 | 24 |
| Sep 26 – Nov 9 Woodcock Season | 3 | 9 |
1Wilson's Snipe. Statewide season. State and federal tags not required for snipe.
2American Woodcock. Statewide season.
Spring 2027 turkey season
Not announced yet. Most states set spring dates over the winter.
Checked October 16, 2026.
Official regulations
Vermont Fish & Wildlife DepartmentZones, tags, bag limits and public-land rules.
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See the turkey hunting appOfficial regulations
Vermont Fish and Wildlife DepartmentThe state sets the deer seasons, limits and tags. Check its current regulations before you go.
Log your deer hunts free in BlindBook.
Pin spots on the map, log every hunt and see your season add up.
See the deer hunting appOfficial regulations
Vermont Fish & Wildlife DepartmentThe state sets the upland bird seasons, limits and tags. Check its current regulations before you go.
Log your upland bird hunts free in BlindBook.
Pin spots on the map, log every hunt and see your season add up.
See the upland bird hunting appSeason dates and bag limits are verified against official state wildlife agency publications and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Data shown is for the 2026-2027 season. This data was verified on August 20, 2026. Always confirm with the official regulations before hunting.
For waterfowl population trends, harvest analysis, and conservation research, see WaterfowlAI Insights.