How to Hike During Hunting Season in Vermont
Note: Advertising is how we keep this site free for you to enjoy, and we earn a commission from affiliate links that may be included in this post. Thank you for supporting Vermont Explored!
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.
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.
First, Know the Hunting Season Dates in Your State
It seems like it’s always open season for one species or another, but the most popular hunting season is definitely deer season. Here are the dates for big game hunting in Vermont for 2025.
The chart is from the Vermont Fish & Wildlife website. Click on the links within the chart for more information.
| Season Dates | Species |
|---|---|
| April 26 – April 27, 2025 | Turkey: Youth & Novice Weekend |
| May 1 – May 31, 2025 | Turkey: Spring Season |
| September 1 – November 14, 2025 | Black Bear: Early Season |
| September 1 – November 23, 2025 | Black Bear: Resident Black Bear Hunters with use of dogs by permit |
| September 15 – November 23, 2025 | Black Bear: Nonresident Black Bear Hunters with use of dogs by permit |
| Black Bear: Resident Black Bear Hunters with the use of dogs by permit | Deer: Archery |
| October 4 – October 24, 2025 | Turkey: Fall Archery- Statewide |
| October 25 – November 2, 2025 | Turkey: Shotgun or Archery only for WMUs: B, D, G, H, I, J, L, M, O, P, Q |
| October 25 – November 09, 2025 | Turkey: Shotgun or Archery only for WMUs: F, K, N |
| October 25 – October 26, 2025 | Deer: Youth Weekend and Novice Weekend |
| October 30 – November 2, 2025 | Deer: Muzzleloader Antlerless – in select WMUs if antlerless permits are issued |
| November 15 – November 23, 2025 | Black Bear: Late Season |
| November 15 – November 30, 2025 | Deer: Regular Season |
| December 6 – December 14, 2025 | Deer: Muzzleloader |
| October 1 – October 7, if permits are issued | Moose: Archery Only |
| October 18 – October 23, if permits are issued | Moose: Regular Season |
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 fields and forests with hunters, it’s not too hard to find places where hunting is forbidden.
Town and city parks, conservation areas, and town forests more to hikers than hunters, and with a few exceptions, you won’t find hunters in these areas.
If you want to steer clear of hunters altogether, avoid national forest trails, wildlife management areas, and trails that cross private property.
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.
Blaze Orange Fashion Trends for Hiking During Hunting Season
You can be both stylish and safe while hiking during hunting season. Here are a few of our favorite things to throw on before heading into the November woods.
- Bright orange mid-weight hoodie from Carhartt
- Orange down puffer jacket
- Orange cable-knit beanie by C.C
- Affordable, high-visibility orange vest (keep one in your car)
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. In addition, a dog owner may be fined up to $200 for allowing their dog(s) to 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!
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. Happy trails!
Follow us on social media for more Vermont inspiration!
