WMU C, Vermont

Rolling to steep mixed-forest landscape in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom, dominated by northern hardwoods (sugar maple, beech, yellow birch) on upper slopes transitioning to spruce-fir and cedar swamps in drainages. Agricultural clearings and dairy farm edges — especially along Route 5, I-91 corridor, and the Barton/Lyndonville area — provide critical deer browse. Elevations range roughly 600–2,800 ft. Thick regenerating cuts on private timberland create ideal bear and deer bedding. The Passumpsic and Black River drainages hold productive bottomland habitat.

low-moderate

Antlerless permits are allocated annually by the Fish and Wildlife Board through a lottery (application fee $10 resident / $25 nonresident). WMU C typically receives a moderate allocation reflecting a recovering Northern Forest deer herd that is density-limited by harsh winters and predation. For 2026, the Board approved statewide distribution of ~23,400 antlerless permits and a significant rule change: antlerless permits may now be used during the regular November rifle season (previously restricted to muzzleloader-only antlerless seasons). Hunters may hold up to two antlerless permits simultaneously provided they are for different WMUs. Unallocated permits may be purchased over-the-counter after the lottery if available.

DEER: Archery Oct 1–Dec 15 (concurrent with rifle in 2026); Youth/Novice weekend Nov 7–8; Regular rifle Nov 14–29; Muzzleloader Nov 30–Dec 13; October muzzleloader antlerless-only Oct 29–Nov 1 in select WMUs by permit. Legal buck requires minimum 3-inch antler. Starting 2026 antlerless permits are valid during regular rifle season. BEAR: Statewide season typically opens in September with archery/hound concurrent option; fair-chase season runs through November. Up to 6 hounds allowed with bear-dog permit; baiting prohibited. One bear per calendar year. Northeast Kingdom including WMU C is considered prime bear range. TURKEY: Spring season May 1–31, shooting hours 30 min before sunrise to noon, limit 2 bearded birds. Fall archery-only Oct 1–Nov 13 statewide, one turkey either sex. WMU C turkey populations are good in mixed agricultural-forest edge habitat. MOOSE: Extremely limited lottery; Vermont issues moose permits for the Northeast Kingdom region (WMUs A–D). Archery moose Oct 1–7; regular season 9 consecutive days beginning the third Saturday in October. Permit odds are very long — most hunters apply for years before drawing. WMU C has confirmed resident moose.

One of Vermont's top units for black bear due to dense forests, abundant mast crops, and low hunting pressure relative to the southern Green Mountains. Moose are genuinely present and huntable — the Northeast Kingdom (WMUs A–D) holds Vermont's primary moose population and moose permits are issued here via lottery. Groton State Forest offers large-block public land deer hunting with minimal competition. Turkey populations are healthy in the agricultural-forest mosaic around Barton, Lyndonville, and Burke. The 2026 season rule change (antlerless permits valid during rifle season) meaningfully increases doe harvest opportunity for permit holders.