How to Hike During Hunting Season in Vermont
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Are you a die-hard November hiker, or do you relinquish the woods to deer hunters when rifle season in Vermont comes around?
As someone who didn’t grow up near the woods or hunters, it took me a really long time to feel comfortable hiking during hunting season.
Each October, I would look up the rifle season dates in Vermont and mark them on my calendar, and for several weeks during hunting season, I would only hike in busy public parks — listening to the distant crack of rifles as happy deer hunters reclaimed the forest.
It doesn’t have to be this way.
If you enjoy hiking in Vermont, you can still get outside during hunting season. You just have to take some precautions to keep yourself safe.
Can You Hike During Hunting Season in Vermont?
The short answer is yes, with caution.
Hiking During Vermont Hunting Season at a Glance
- Can you hike? Yes. Wear blaze orange, skip dawn and dusk, and stick to busy trails.
- Deer rifle season November 14 to 29, 2026
- Hunting hours A half hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset
- Hunting on hiking trails? Allowed on the Long Trail, in the Green Mountain National Forest, and in state parks after they close for the season
- Hunter-free trails Wiessner Woods in Stowe, Hubbard Park in Montpelier, and Burlington city parks (no firearms)
- Dog-friendly?As long as dogs are leashed and wearing blaze orange, trails are generally safe.
Last checked by Tara: October 2026
Hunting season is a gorgeous time to be in the Vermont woods. The bugs are gone, the air is crisp, and the leaves on the ground are still full of crunch. The more I fall in love with the forest trails near my house in Vermont, the more impossible it is for me to stay out of them.
Even during hunting season.
I have a healthy respect for most hunters, and our mutual love of the forest has made us conservation allies. Vermont hunters are often staunch protectors of the environment, and without them, our beloved hiking trails and national forests may not even exist.
The hunters that I’ve met love being outdoors, will fight to protect wildlife, and know a lot about the outdoors.
If you are a hunter, please understand that I get it. You love being in the woods, too. It’s just that running into people with guns on the trail is a little unnerving, especially for someone who hikes solo.
Stick season is such a fabulous time to hike, though, so I urge you to learn to hike safely when hunters are out and about.
Here are some tips to help you make the most of the November forest.
In other words, everything you need to know about hiking during hunting season.
2026 Vermont Hunting Season Dates Hikers Should Know
It seems like it’s always open season for one species or another in Vermont. Archery deer season alone runs from October 1 to December 15 this year. Here are the 2026 fall dates that matter most to hikers, from Vermont Fish & Wildlife.
| 2026 dates | Season | What hikers should know |
|---|---|---|
| Sept. 1 to Nov. 13 | Black bear, early season | Bear hunters can be in the woods all fall, some with dogs by permit. |
| Sept. 15 to 30 | Deer, expanded archery | Designated zones only. |
| Oct. 1 to 7 | Moose, archery only | Only if permits are issued. |
| Oct. 1 to Nov. 13 | Turkey, fall archery | Statewide. |
| Oct. 1 to Dec. 15 | Deer, archery | Bowhunters are quiet and easy to miss. Wear orange all fall. |
| Oct. 17 to 25 | Moose, regular season | Only if permits are issued. |
| Oct. 24 to Nov. 1 or Nov. 8 | Turkey, shotgun or archery | End date depends on the wildlife management unit. |
| Oct. 29 to Nov. 1 | Deer, October muzzleloader | Antlerless, by permit only. |
| Nov. 7 to 8 | Deer, youth and novice weekend | Young and new hunters, often with a mentor. |
| Nov. 14 to 22 | Black bear, late season | Overlaps with rifle season. |
| Nov. 14 to 29 | Deer, regular (rifle) season | The busiest stretch of the year. Orange, head to toe. |
| Nov. 30 to Dec. 13 | Deer, December muzzleloader | Starts the day after rifle season ends. |
I still write important hunting season dates on my calendar to avoid unpleasant surprises while hiking in the November woods. Being proactive is the best way to stay safe while hiking year-round.
Tip #1: Hike Where Hunters Aren’t Allowed
If you’re feeling uncomfortable about sharing the woods with hunters, I totally understand: in Vermont, hunting is allowed almost everywhere. Under the state constitution, unposted private land is open to hunting, and hunters are welcome on the Long Trail and Appalachian Trail corridors, in the Green Mountain National Forest, in wildlife management areas, and in Vermont State Parks once they close for the season.
Town forests and conserved land are a toss-up, too. Hinesburg Town Forest, for example, welcomes hunters and closes most of its trails to other users in late fall. Check the trailhead kiosk or the town’s website before you go.
The good news? There are still places where hunting is off the table. My favorites are town parks close to home and the walking trails at Shelburne Farms, which make a lovely November stroll. Leave the dogs home for that one, though, because Shelburne Farms doesn’t allow them. Here are a few more:
| Place | Town | Hunting? | Dogs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wiessner Woods | Stowe | Not allowed | Dog walking allowed |
| Hubbard Park | Montpelier | No discharge of weapons at any time | Allowed; leash if not under voice control |
| City parks and trails | Burlington | No firearm discharge in city limits | On-leash |
| Vermont State Parks | Statewide | Allowed once parks close for the season; hunters stay 500 feet from park buildings | On-leash |
| Long Trail and Appalachian Trail | Statewide | Allowed | Allowed, but GMC suggests leaving dogs home in hunting season |
| Green Mountain National Forest | Southern and central Vermont | Allowed | Allowed |
| Town forests | Varies | Varies. Hinesburg Town Forest welcomes hunters. | Varies |
Tip #2: Wear Blaze Orange or Another Bright Color
You can keep yourself safe and make a fall fashion statement by sporting your blaze orange hat, vest, and coat during hunting season.
If you are hiking during hunting season, this is really your best line of defense. Seriously! Bright orange isn’t exactly my color, but a few years ago I watched the video below and was totally convinced it was the safest way to hike.
This video was actually created for hunters, but it really helped me realize how important it is to be seen while hiking during hunting season!
If you don’t have blaze orange attire, bright red or another bright color is better than nothing. Please do not hike during hunting season in brown, grey, or green — you’re just asking for trouble.
What to Wear Hiking During Hunting Season
- Bright orange mid-weight hoodie from Carhartt The perfect weight for fall hiking: See it on Amazon
- Orange down puffer jacketLightweight and warmer than a hoodie, but won’t keep you dry! See it on Amazon
- Orange cable-knit beanie by C.C Make a fashion statement and be seen by hunters at the same time. See it on Amazon
- Affordable, high-visibility orange vest Keep one in your car. See it on Amazon
- Orange dog coat Now you’ll both be safe, and you’ll match! See it on Amazon
Tip #3: Hiking with Dogs During Hunting Season
My dogs are my all-time favorite hiking companions, but hiking with them during hunting season can be quite risky, especially if they are off-leash.
No matter how well-behaved your dog is, please keep them on a leash during hunting season.
Vermont law prohibits letting your dog run deer or moose and provides that a State Game Warden or other law enforcement officer may shoot a dog running deer. A dog owner may also be fined up to $200 for letting their dog(s) chase deer.
I also recommend dressing your pup up in blaze orange when you hike. Now you’ll both be safe, and you’ll match!
These days, Malinda and our new puppy, Ron, both wear orange vests without complaint, which is more than I can say for myself the first year I tried to pull off blaze orange.
Tip #4: Make Some Noise
As much as I love tiptoeing through the woods looking for birds and other wildlife, it’s better to call attention to yourself when hiking during hunting season. I spend a lot of time talking to my dog, singing, and whistling.
If you don’t want to talk to yourself or your dog while hiking in hunting season, how about rounding up some friends for a late autumn hike?
Hunters may not appreciate your revelry, but at least everyone will stay safe.
Tip #5: Stay Out of the Woods When Deer and Hunters Are Most Active
Deer are most active during dawn and dusk, and so are hunters.
Try to plan your hiking excursions during the middle of the day, and you will be much less likely to run into hunters in the woods.
Deer aren’t exactly weekend warriors, but you’ll find fewer hunters in the woods during the workweek. If you can get outside on your hikes from Monday through Friday, you’ll be much better off.
Most hunters will try to avoid hikers during hunting season, not only for safety reasons but also because hikers tend to scare away their prey.
Follow the tips above, and you can continue to enjoy the woods throughout November.
The two weekends I skip the woods entirely are youth weekend (November 7 and 8 this year) and opening weekend of rifle season (November 14 and 15). Those are the busiest days of the year for hunters, so Malinda, Ron, and I stick to leash walks through the neighborhood instead.
If you’re looking for something to do on those weekends, here are my favorite ways to enjoy Vermont in November.
Find a Busy Trail for Rifle Season
While I generally try to avoid crowds, during hunting season, I actually look for well-traveled trails, the ones hunters try to avoid. AllTrails is great for finding new trails and reading real reviews before setting out. My link gets you 30% off AllTrails Plus.
Hiking During Hunting Season in Vermont FAQ
Is it safe to hike in Vermont during hunting season?
Yes, if you take a few precautions. Wear blaze orange on your head and torso, hike in the middle of the day, and stick to popular trails, where hunters tend not to set up.
Can you hunt on hiking trails in Vermont?
Yes. Hunting is allowed along the Long Trail and Appalachian Trail corridors, in the Green Mountain National Forest, and in Vermont State Parks during the off-season. Hunters on state land must stay at least 500 feet from park buildings.
Do hunters have to wear orange in Vermont?
No. Vermont Fish & Wildlife strongly recommends a fluorescent orange hat and vest, but state law doesn’t require it. That’s why hikers shouldn’t count on seeing hunters first.
When is deer rifle season in Vermont in 2026?
The 16-day regular deer season runs from November 14 to 29, 2026. The December muzzleloader season runs from November 30 to December 13, and archery season continues through December 15.
Can I bring my dog hiking during hunting season?
Yes, but keep your dog leashed and dressed in orange. Vermont law allows a game warden to shoot a dog chasing deer, and owners can be fined up to $200.
Tara’s take
These days I dress like a traffic cone, leash the dogs, and hike at noon. Stick season is too good to hand over to hunters for three weeks.
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