Imagine a cool fall morning, hearing birds flying above, and experiencing the excitement of a chase. Vermont’s duck hunting offers all this and beyond. This guide is for both experienced and newbie waterfowl hunters. It’s full of helpful information for a successful Vermont duck hunting season in 2024-2025.
Vermont Duck Species
Dabbling Ducks:
- Mallard
- Black Duck
- Wood Duck
- Blue-Winged Teal
- Green-Winged Teal
- Northern Shoveler
Diving Ducks:
- Hooded Merganser
- Common Merganser
- Ring-Necked
- Bufflehead
Season Dates for Ducks in Vermont
The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department (VTF&W) sets rules for duck hunting annually. Look at the main dates and rules for the 2024-2025 season:
Lake Champlain Zone
- Ducks:
- Type: Split
- Length: 60 Days
- Dates:
- Oct. 5 – Oct. 13
- Nov. 9 – Dec. 29
- Daily: 6
- Possession: 18
- Scaup:
- Type: Split/Hybrid
- Length: 60 Days
- Dates:
- Oct. 5 – Oct. 13
- Nov. 9 – Nov. 19 (Daily: 2, Possession: 6)
- Nov. 20 – Dec. 29 (Daily: 1, Possession: 3)
- Mergansers:
- Type: Split
- Length: 60 Days
- Dates:
- Oct. 5 – Oct. 13
- Nov. 9 – Dec. 29
- Daily: 6
- Possession: 18
- Coots:
- Type: Split
- Length: 60 Days
- Dates:
- Oct. 5 – Oct. 13
- Nov. 9 – Dec. 29
- Daily: 15
- Possession: 45
Vermont Interior Zone
- Ducks:
- Type: Straight
- Length: 60 Days
- Dates: Oct. 5 – Dec. 3
- Daily: 6
- Possession: 18
- Scaup:
- Type: Straight
- Length: 60 Days
- Dates:
- Oct. 5 – Oct. 24 (Daily: 2, Possession: 6)
- Oct. 25 – Dec. 3 (Daily: 1, Possession: 3)
- Mergansers:
- Type: Straight
- Length: 60 Days
- Dates: Oct. 5 – Dec. 3
- Daily: 6
- Possession: 18
- Coots:
- Type: Straight
- Length: 60 Days
- Dates: Oct. 5 – Dec. 3
- Daily: 15
- Possession: 45
- Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag limit is proposed to be six, with specific species.
Vermont Waterfowl Hunting Regulations
General Requirements
- All waterfowl hunters 16 years or older must possess:
- Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Duck Stamp)
- Vermont Migratory Waterfowl Stamp
- HIP (Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program) registration
- Vermont is divided into three zones: Lake Champlain, Connecticut River, and Interior Vermont.
Season Brief and Species
- Ducks:
- Puddle ducks (mallards, wood, black, greenwing teal): October
- Diving ducks (goldeneyes, scaup, buffleheads): November-December
- Geese:
- Canada geese: September (resident goose season) and mid-October to November (migratory geese)
- Snow geese: Liberal season throughout, including spring hunt
Hunting Locations
- Champlain Valley: Public wetlands and private farmland
- Northeast Kingdom: Lake Memphremagog, tributary rivers
- Connecticut River Valley: Oxbows and agricultural fields
License Costs
The kind of license you need depends on where you live and how old you are. Let’s outline the different licenses along with their costs, but remember, these can change:
| Hunting License Type | Resident | Non-Resident |
| 1-Year | $28.00 | $102.00 |
| 5-Year | $134.00 | $504.00 |
| Youth (17 & under) | $8.00 | $25.00 |
| Combination Hunting/Fishing License | $47.00 | $143.00 |
| Mentored | $10.00 |
Top Duck Game Locations in Vermont
Vermont is known for its variety of landscapes. We can consider a few great spots:
Lake Champlain:
- Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge (Swanton): It boasts 6,000 acres. It’s great for catching sight of puddle ducks, including mallards, black, and wood ducks.
- Shorelands Access Areas: These spots on the eastern shore of Lake Champlain are perfect for getting your boat in the water and hunting by the water. Places people like are North Hero State Park, Alburgh Springs Wildlife Management Area, and Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area.
Interior Vermont:
- Lake Bomoseen, located in Castleton, is a large body of water with surrounding wetlands. It draws in various ducks such as mallards, teal, and wood ducks. You can take advantage of the public boat launches at Bomoseen State Park or Castleton Landing State Park.
- Dutton Pond WMA, based in Marshfield, spans 1,200 acres and is fantastic for puddle ducks and divers like the scaup and buffleheads.
- Several Green Mountain Wildlife Management Areas exist throughout Vermont. Well-liked ones are the Waterbury WMA, Lutterloch WMA in Wallingford, and Metcalfe WMA in Jeffersonville.
Connecticut River:
- Wilder Dam State Park (Wilder): A park which leads to the Connecticut River and its offshoots. It’s well-liked by diverse waterfowl.
- Moore Reservoir (North Clarendon): This reservoir is surrounded by marshes and is frequented by a variety of the species. There is a public boat access.
- Connecticut River Floodplain Wildlife Management Areas: The Connecticut River floodplain is dotted with several WMAs, known for their duck hunting spots. Noteworthy places are Ball Mountain WMA (Dummerston), Rockingham WMA (Bellows Falls), and Westminster WMA.
Important Considerations:
- Public or Private Ground: Before stepping foot in any area, always ensure who owns the land, even in the places listed above that allow public hunting.
- Scouting: Paying a visit to your selected area before season opens, lets you get the lay of the land, find possible game spots and watch the waterfowl habits.
- Respect the Land and Wildlife: It’s crucial to always uphold honorable hunting principles. Carry out all garbage, respect the allowed quantity of catches, and ensure the health of the surroundings and wildlife are top priority.
Jacob Ross, an avid outdoorsman, is a seasoned bird hunter, particularly skilled in turkeys, doves, and snipes. With years of field experience and a deep understanding of bird behavior, Jacob shares his expertise through compelling content on DoveHunting.us. As the driving force behind various esteemed websites, Jacob's insights and practical advice cater to hunters of all levels, enriching their dove hunting adventures and nurturing a profound connection with the wilderness.