WMU O, Vermont

Central Vermont mixed landscape dominated by northern hardwood forest (maple, beech, yellow birch) transitioning to softwood on higher ridges, interspersed with farm fields, river valleys, and wetlands typical of Washington County. Elevation ranges from roughly 600 feet along the Winooski River corridor near Montpelier up to 3,000+ feet on the Worcester Range. The varied edge habitat between farm fields and forest supports good deer and turkey numbers. Remote interior ridgelines and steep hollows provide bear habitat.

moderate

Legal buck in WMU O requires at least one antler with two or more points one inch or longer. Antlerless permits are allocated annually by the Fish and Wildlife Board; WMU O has historically received lottery antlerless permits and has at times had unallocated permits available for direct purchase. Starting in 2026, antlerless permits may be used during the regular November rifle season as well as muzzleloader. Hunters may hold up to two antlerless permits simultaneously if for different WMUs. The new 2026 earn-a-buck provision allows a second buck if a doe is also harvested.

DEER: Archery season Oct 1 - Dec 15 (expanded archery Sept 15-30 in designated developed zones, antlerless only until Oct 1); Youth/Novice Weekend Nov 7-8; Regular Rifle season November (16-day season); Muzzleloader season begins Monday after rifle closes for 14 days. Antlerless permits via summer lottery; some unallocated permits may be available OTC. BEAR: Statewide fair-chase bear season, no hounds or bait; bears present throughout forested uplands of WMU O except Champlain Islands; season typically runs in conjunction with archery and rifle deer seasons. No WMU-specific bear zones for WMU O - unit-wide access applies. TURKEY: Spring season May 1-31 (two bearded birds); Youth/Novice Weekend April 26-27 (one bird); Fall archery Oct 1 - Nov 13 statewide, fall shotgun/archery Oct 24 - Nov 1 in WMU O (one turkey, either sex). MOOSE: Moose permits in Vermont are extremely limited and concentrated in WMU E (Northeast Kingdom); WMU O may hold occasional moose but no permit allocation for this unit in recent years - incidental sightings possible in the more remote northern portions of the unit bordering Lamoille County.

Groton State Forest and the Worcester Range provide large roadless hunting blocks ideal for mature buck hunting with reduced competition. The mix of farm edges and forested ridges holds deer well into late season. Spring turkey hunting is excellent along the Winooski and North Branch river valley agricultural corridors. Bear hunting opportunity is present across the forested uplands. The default-open private land law makes access scouting straightforward for ethical hunters who knock on doors.