WMU J2, Vermont

Rolling hardwood and mixed forest hills in east-central Vermont, Windsor County. Elevations range from valley bottoms around 500 ft along the White River and Second Branch drainages to ridge tops above 2,000 ft. Dominated by second-growth northern hardwoods (maple, beech, birch) with softwood pockets in drainages. Agricultural clearings and old fields along valley floors provide browse edges. The eastern boundary of the Green Mountains transitions here from higher alpine terrain to gentler rolling ridgelines characteristic of the Connecticut River watershed.

moderate

WMU J2 antlerless deer permits are available by lottery for the muzzleloader season and, as of the 2026 rule change, can also be used during the regular November rifle season. The Board allocates permits annually based on herd surveys; J2 has historically had some antlerless permit availability but allocations are not as generous as the high-density Champlain Valley units (G, L, N). Legal buck in J2 requires at least one antler with two or more points of 1 inch or longer. Hunters may hold up to two antlerless permits valid in different WMUs.

DEER: Archery season Oct 1 - Dec 15; Youth/Novice weekend Nov 7-8; Regular rifle Nov 15-30; Muzzleloader Dec 6-14; Antlerless muzzleloader Oct 30 - Nov 2 where permits issued. Antlerless permits now valid during regular rifle season (new 2026). Legal buck requires 2+ points of 1+ inch on at least one antler. BEAR: Early season tag available Sept 1 through day before rifle season opener (purchased separately); late-season bear tag included with license valid opening of rifle season through second Sunday of regular November season. No baiting permitted; dogs allowed with permit but no commercial guiding. One bear per calendar year. TURKEY: Spring season statewide, legal hours half-hour before sunrise to half-hour after sunset, shotgun or archery, one tom or jake. Fall season in WMU J: shotgun or archery Oct 24 - Nov 1; archery-only statewide Oct 1 - Nov 13; one turkey of either sex. No rifles, no dogs in spring, no electronic calls. MOOSE: Moose are present in Vermont but WMU J2 is at the southern fringe of reliable moose range; the Northeast Kingdom (WMUs A-D) holds the bulk of the population. Moose permits are allocated by WMU via lottery and J2 sees very limited if any permit allocation most years; occasional moose sightings occur but do not plan a trip around moose hunting here.

Solid mixed-bag destination with deer, bear, and turkey all available in the same landscape. Green Mountain National Forest and unposted private land provide good access. The 2026 antlerless permit reform (usable in rifle season) improves meat-hunting potential. Bear density is respectable for a southern Vermont WMU. Spring turkey hunting is productive in the valley-edge agricultural zones. Moderate pressure compared to more accessible units closer to population centers.