Canada goose and waterfowl hunting seasons have begun
Regulated goose hunting seasons benefit their populations and local ecosystems.
Vermont’s resident Canada goose hunting season is open through Friday, September 25, to help control Vermont’s resident Canada goose population prior to the arrival of Canada geese migrating south from Canada, according to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department (VTFW).
The season is open statewide, with a daily bag limit of five Canada geese in the Connecticut River Zone and eight in the rest of Vermont.
A second Canada goose hunting season for resident and migrant birds will be held Saturday, October 10 through Monday, November 23, with a daily bag limit of three Canada geese in the Lake Champlain Zone and Interior Vermont Zone.
In the Connecticut River Zone, additional Canada goose seasons are Tuesday, October 13 through Wednesday, November 11; and Wednesday, November 25 through Thursday, December 24, with a daily bag limit of two Canada geese.
For a fourth year, a late Canada goose season will be held targeting resident birds. Within the Lake Champlain and Interior zones, the season will be held from Tuesday, December 1 to Monday, January 4, with a five-bird daily bag limit. The season will run from Friday, December 25 to January 4 in the Connecticut River zone and applies only to the lands of the zone, not Connecticut River waters.
A hunting license is required, and waterfowl hunters 16 or older must carry current federal and Vermont duck stamps. Federal stamps are sold at post offices, federal refuges, and on the US Fish and Wildlife Service website. Vermont does not sell electronic federal duck stamps, but they can purchased from any state that sells them.
Vermont duck stamps can be added to an individual’s hunting license on the VTFW website and through license agents. The hunter must sign the federal duck stamp.
All migratory game bird hunters must also be registered with the Harvest Information Program (HIP). This can be done on the VTFW website or by calling (877) 306-7091. After providing some basic information, hunters will receive an annual HIP registration number, which then must be recorded on the hunting license.
A printable copy of migratory bird hunting regulations can be downloaded from the VTFW website under “Hunt” – “Waterfowl.” A printed version is available from license agents and post offices.
For more information go to the VTFW website at https://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/.
