2021 VERMONT BLACK BEAR SEASONS
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2021 VERMONT BLACK BEAR
SEASONS
2021 BEAR SEASONS
Vermont’s bear population, less than 1,500 fifty
years ago, is now at approximately 5,000 – a
successful, planned result of hunting regulation
changes. The 2020-2030 Big Game Management Plan
population objective is 3,500-5,500 bears. Incidents
of bear damage and bear-human interactions have
increased, especially in areas where few bears
existed earlier. The ‘early season’ bear hunting
regulation changes are intended to help stabilize the
bear population while providing the Fish & Wildlife
Department with information that is important in
improving Vermont’s bear management program.
EARLY SEASON: September 1, 2021 through
November 12, 2021.
Requires a separate early season bear tag – residents
$5, nonresidents $15.
LATE SEASON: November 13, 2021 through
November 21, 2021.
The “late season” bear tag is included on each hunting
license except the nonresident small game license. at no additional cost, which is valid during the first
nine days of the November deer rifle season.
HUNTING HOURS: Hunting hours are one-half
hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. The additional tag will enable the department to
gather essential information about hunter effort and
LIMIT: The annual limit for bears has not changed. A success, as well as an idea of overall bear hunter
hunter may harvest only one bear per calendar year. numbers. The early season tag gives department
biologists a better understanding of how many
Wild Game Processors hunters are actively pursuing bears before the
November rifle season.
LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
Hunters who hunt with a permanent license
There is a separate “early season bear tag” required (licenses for resident hunters 66 and older) do not
for those hunters who want to hunt bear prior to the need to buy an early season bear tag no matter when
beginning of the November deer rifle season. It costs their license was bought, and they will not be
$5 for residents and $15 for nonresidents. Hunters charged for an early season bear tag. Their tag is
will continue to get a “late season” bear tag along valid for both early and late bear seasons every year
with their deer tag on their general hunting license in perpetuity.
Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department www.vtfishandwildlife.com Page 1 of 10
Hunters who purchased a lifetime license before scientific bear management program. A pre-molar
January 1, 2013 also do not need to buy an early tooth is now required by regulation to be submitted
season bear tag. Their tag is valid for both early and by the hunter from every bear harvested in
late bear seasons every year in perpetuity. This Vermont.
includes hunters whose license was purchased
before 2013 but whose license will not be activated A person who takes a bear shall collect a
until they take a hunter’s education course, such as premolar tooth from the bear and submit it
a license purchased for a young child. to a game warden, official Fish & Wildlife
Department Reporting Station, or to a person
However, hunters who purchased a lifetime license designated by the commissioner to receive it within
on or after January 1, 2013 must purchase an early 30 days of taking the bear.
season bear tag to hunt bear prior to the November
deer rifle season. No bear carcass shall be transported out of state
without first being reported.
A bear hunter using a bow or crossbow must have
either a bow license or a certificate showing A hunter must take a warden to the kill site of a bear
completion of the bow hunter education course in if requested to do so by a warden.
addition to a hunting license.
Bears must be field dressed prior to reporting.
Purchase a License Hunting Black Bear
Removing the bear’s pre-molar tooth is easy and
Online FAQs
does not affect the mounting quality of the bear.
Please ask the reporting station operator for a white
LIFETIME AND PERMANENT LICENSE RENEWAL bear tooth envelope so you can remove the tooth
and seal it in the envelope and deposit it in the green
If you intend to hunt, fish, or trap in 2020, you must
tooth bucket at any reporting station. Remember to
update your lifetime, permanent disability, or
clearly print your name and Conservation ID
permanent license regardless of whether or not
number on the envelope. If you don’t put it in the
you used your tags. This is a statutory requirement
reporting station bucket, you must give it to a
which was put in place to allow the department to
warden within 30 days. Every tooth we receive from
collect accurate harvest and licensing information
hunters helps the bear project.
for lifetime license holders.
This updated license will include current year tags.
You may update your license at no cost on-line at our
website. If you are unable to go on-line, you may go
to any authorized license agent or Fish & Wildlife
Office and request to have your license updated. You
can also call us at 802-828-1190 to be updated. A
license agent may charge you up to $1.50 for a reprint.
Update a Permanent License The age of your bear will be available on the
department’s website in the spring after it is
returned from the lab.
BEAR TOOTH COLLECTION IS REQUIRED
The Fish & Wildlife Department needs your help. Bear Tooth Removal Check the Ages of Black
Knowing the age of the bears that are harvested by Instruction Video Bears You’ve Harvested
hunters is a very important part of Vermont’s
Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department www.vtfishandwildlife.com Page 2 of 10
PRE-HUNT PLANNING help it be a positive experience by emphasizing
ethics and making a clean kill.
Bear hunting is a physically demanding activity,
especially removing a harvested bear from the To be ethical, all hunters need to be proficient with
woods. Pre-hunt planning is very important to a their firearm or bow, understand their personal
successful and rewarding bear hunting experience. effective range, and have an understanding of basic
bear anatomy for lethal shot placement. This will
Long before harvesting a bear, the hunter must help lead to a quick and effective kill and minimize
decide how the meat will be processed and how the the chance for wounding the bear.
hide will be used. Hunters should arrange to have
help available for all aspects of handling a harvested Planning the Shot. The following are some general
bear and have plans made ahead of time to ensure tips to help ensure correct shot placement:
that the meat and hide are properly processed.
Hunters must understand that bears are built
Bears have a tremendous amount of fat and a thick differently than deer and other big game
hide that provide great insulation. Both the meat animals. The chest of a bear is compressed
and the hide can spoil quickly especially at compared to that of a deer when looking at it
temperatures above freezing. A dead bear can be from the side.
large and cumbersome. Skinning, processing, and If you make a poor shot, a wounded bear can run
transporting a bear can be a difficult task and may for considerable distances before dying. Heavy
be physically demanding without assistance. bones, hides, and fat layers may prevent quick-
clotting blood from dripping and leaving a good
As a result, it is imperative that the hide be removed trail, making an injured bear hard to track.
as soon as possible to prevent meat spoilage. In
temperatures above freezing, if there is going to be a KNOW YOUR CAPABILITIES AND KNOW
delay in getting your harvested bear to a cooler, you YOUR SHOT!
should consider quartering it to allow the heavier A bear’s most vital area is an 8” circle behind the
portions to cool more quickly. To help with the front shoulder.
cooling process pack bags of ice in the body cavity or
The best shot opportunity is a broadside shot or
around the quarters. You may dismember the carcass
“quartering away” for penetration into the vital
to pack it out of the place of kill as long as the identity
organs.
of the sex is not destroyed.
To take your shot, wait for the bear to step
Know Your Capabilities. To help ensure the future forward with the near side leg exposing the
of bear hunting, and all hunting, it is important to heart/lung area.
instill respect for the outdoors and acceptable
Shots directly in the shoulder bone are not
hunting ethics for all hunters. Making a clean kill as
recommended. Bears have massive, muscular
humanely as possible is a fundamental component
shoulders and heavy bones. A hunter who
of ethical hunting. Incorrect shot placement on a
shoots ahead of the front shoulder may miss or
black bear can lead to unnecessary suffering,
injure the animal.
wounding, and failure to retrieve the animal.
A head shot is not recommended since a bear
Making a clean kill should be the top priority for skull is very dense. The blunt, rounded shape
hunters who decide to shoot a bear. An animal that may cause bullets or arrows to glance off or
is harvested humanely shows more character in a become lodged in the skull without penetrating.
hunter than just a lucky shot. Especially if you are
Frontal shots or shots from directly overhead
taking a youth or apprentice hunter bear hunting,
(like might occur from a tree stand) are not
Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department www.vtfishandwildlife.com Page 3 of 10
recommended because they offer little CROSSBOWS
opportunity for penetration of the vital organs
(especially with archery equipment). A crossbow may be used as a means of take by any
person during any hunting season that permits the
NEVER take a shot you are unsure of, at a bear
use of bow and arrow.
that is not clearly visible, or one that is
positioned in such a way that you cannot cleanly Unless otherwise provided, any game which may be
hit the vital area. taken by shooting may be taken by use of bow and
The National Bowhunter Education Foundation has arrow or crossbow.
created an excellent document called Advanced Black
Bear Anatomy and Shot Placement Guide for both archery All arrows, including crossbow arrows, must have
and firearm hunters (including muzzleloaders); the an arrowhead of at least 7/8 of an inch wide and at
following photos have been adapted from the NBEF least two cutting sides.
publication.
A crossbow may not be transported cocked in a
motor vehicle.
Any person wishing to hunt turkey, bear, or deer
with a bow and arrow or crossbow must hold proof
of having held an archery license or a certificate of
satisfactory completion of a bowhunter education
course from Vermont or another state or province in
Canada.
Hunter Education
CROSSBOW SAFETY
Keep these tips in mind when using a crossbow to
ensure a safe and enjoyable hunt.
USING A CROSSBOW:
Keep the string waxed and lubricate the rail
Best shot placement for gun or bow. periodically.
Make sure your fingers are well away (below
rail) from the path of the string and cables.
Never dry-fire a crossbow.
Make sure the limbs are free of obstructions
before firing; be particularly careful if you are
hunting from a ground blind.
Never use a cocking device to uncock unless you
Shoulder and leg bones protect the heart and lungs when have a model that is specifically designed to do
the near front leg is behind during stride. Wait until the so. Most are not.
near front leg is in front or ahead during stride.
Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department www.vtfishandwildlife.com Page 4 of 10
To uncock, shoot a specially-designed unloading TAGGING BEAR
point or a field tip into soft ground; or shoot a
field tip into a target. Bear must be tagged immediately when taken. The
tag must be placed on the carcass open to view and
Practice often and avoid shots at game that are remain there until the carcass is cut up for
beyond your effective range, generally less than consumption.
40 yards.
VERMONT OUTDOORS – MOBILE APP
TREE STANDS AND CROSSBOWS:
Vermont Outdoors, our new mobile
Always cock the crossbow without a bolt on the
application, will connect you with
ground before climbing into the stand.
department lands, fish and wildlife
Once seated and secured, pull up your unloaded regulations, and up to date COVID
crossbow with a haul line. guidance. The app will help new
and existing recreationalists find
Do not place bolt on the crossbow until you are opportunities to hunt, fish, trap, or
safely secured in your stand. view wildlife on public lands and
waters. Additionally, you will have
ARCHERY HUNTING easy access to fish and wildlife law digests, bait fish
In addition to a hunting license, a bear hunter using dealers, department news and current events, and
reporting fish or wildlife violations.
a bow or crossbow must have a previous or current
bow license or a certificate providing completion of
The app can be downloaded at the Apple App store
a bow hunter education course.
for iPhones and Google Play for Android phones.
PROHIBITIONS
OPTIONAL VERMONT BIG GAME TAG
An early season tag is required from September 1
Optional Vermont Big Game
through the day before the first day of the
Tags are available free from
November rifle deer.
license agents as durable
A hunter may take only one black bear in a alternatives to the paper tags
calendar year. on licenses. Optional tags
Bears may not be taken alive. may be used to tag deer, bear,
turkeys, or moose. Record
Bears may not be trapped. your CONSERVATION ID
Hunters may not use bait or a baited area to take number (top left corner of
a bear. A “baited area” is defined as an area your license) on the Optional
where any animal, vegetable, fruit, mineral Big Game Tag. A qualifying
matter, honey, or other substance capable of landowner may use the tag
luring or attracting bear has been placed or by writing “landowner” in the same space.
deposited.
The existing paper tag that comes with a license may
It is illegal to shoot a bear that is visiting a bird also be used. Optional Big Game Tags may only be
feeder. used by a person who has purchased the appropriate
It is illegal to feed bears, even when not hunting license and tag for the species they are hunting.
for them.
Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department www.vtfishandwildlife.com Page 5 of 10
REPORTING A BEAR PERMIT REQUIRED: Hunters may use dogs to take
bear only when the person in control of the dogs has a
A person taking bear shall within 48 hours report the bear-dog permit available from the Vermont Fish &
taking and exhibit the carcass to the nearest game Wildlife Department. The permit is required to pursue
warden, official Fish & Wildlife Department black bear with the aid of dogs for training purposes
Reporting Station, or to a person designated by the or for hunting and taking a bear. It is unlawful to shoot
commissioner to receive the reports. a bear that was pursued by dogs without a permit.
Non-residents possessing a hound permit can only
It is now mandatory that the hunter provide a pre- train their dogs in Vermont during the time period
molar tooth from the bear. Tooth envelopes for bear when the training season is open in their home state.
are white in color and are available at all check
stations as well as green buckets for the envelopes A person shall not advertise, barter, exchange goods
that contain teeth. No bear carcass shall be or services, expose or otherwise sell the use of a dog
transported out of state without first being reported. or dogs for the purpose of taking black bear. It is
unlawful to take a bear that is being pursued by
A hunter must take a warden to the kill site of a bear
hounds if you are not a permit or sub-permit holder.
if requested to do so by a warden.
Non-resident bear hound hunters may not hunt in
Bears must be field dressed prior to reporting.
Vermont until September 15th.
It is also legal to skin the bear and cut it up in order
to carry it out of the woods. Although the bear must Additional changes to Vermont’s bear hound
be reported within 48 hours, Fish & Wildlife urges hunting laws have been made and will be included
doing so quickly to cool the meat. with information provided in a bear hound hunter’s
permit.
Online Harvest Reporting and Big Game
Reporting Stations Bear-Dog Permit Bear-Dog Permit
Application Form Application Form
TRANSPORTING (Resident) (Non-Resident)
Bear Management Rule
A tagged bear may be transported only during the
open season and for 20 days thereafter. RESEARCH PROJECT STUDY BEARS
USE OF DOGS TO HUNT BEAR Hunters in the towns of Readsboro, Searsburg,
Woodford, Stamford, Pownal, and Whitingham
Any person hunting, pursuing, harvesting, or in any
may encounter bears wearing radio collars or yellow
manner involved in the taking of a black bear with the
plastic ear tags. These marked bears are an
use of dogs must hold a Vermont Big Game Hunting
important part of the Deerfield Wind Project Study.
License, use only Department Registered Dogs and
It is not illegal to take a collared bear; however, if
have purchased a valid bear tag. In addition, the
a bear wearing a collar is harvested, it is crucial that
person hunting, pursuing, harvesting, or in any
the collar be turned in to the Fish & Wildlife
manner involved in the taking of a black bear with the
Department (802-289-0613) so data can be retrieved
use of dogs must hold a valid bear dog permit or
from it. If a bear is harvested and has ear tags, then
accompany a bear dog permit holder. The permit shall
the numbers on the ear tags should also be reported.
be carried at all times by the permittee while hunting
with dogs or taking black bear and exhibited to a game
warden, landowner, or law enforcement officer upon Green Mountain National Forest Bear Study
demand. FAQs
Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department www.vtfishandwildlife.com Page 6 of 10BEAR HUNTING SAFETY TIPS designated ports (Boston is the nearest), or through
another port under special permit (for a fee) from
Although wearing fluorescent orange clothing is not the same office. You do not need export permits and
mandatory for hunting in Vermont, hunters and declarations to sell to domestic or foreign buyers
others are urged to wear a fluorescent orange vest within Vermont or the rest of the United States, or to
and hat while in the woods. Use caution in sell through brokers who possess the necessary
identifying your target as anyone hunting deer permits.
during archery season, waterfowl, or turkeys will
normally wear camouflage clothing. WHERE CAN I HUNT IN VERMONT?
DON’T SHOOT SOWS WITH CUBS Vermont has more than 800,000 acres of federal and
state public land open to hunting: National Wildlife
Bears are normally solitary animals and any groups Refuges, the Green Mountain National Forest, and
of bears seen in the autumn are most likely females all state forests. State Parks are open to hunting
and their young. The department recommends not outside the operating season.
shooting sows accompanied by cubs or a bear that is
part of a group of bears as bears seen together in the Perhaps the crown jewel of hunting in Vermont is the
fall are most likely a female accompanied by her cubs. state’s system of 100 Wildlife Management Areas, or
WMAs. All WMAs are open to hunting, trapping,
SALE OR PURCHASE OF GAME fishing and other wildlife related outdoor activities.
BIG GAME: The only time it is legal to buy or sell Information about shooting ranges is available on our
big game or the meat of big game within the state is website:
during the open season and for 20 days after the
season ends. The meat of big game animals is not to Vermont Dept. of
Wildlife Management
be bought or sold to be transported out of the state. Forests, Parks &
Areas
It is illegal to buy or sell anadromous Atlantic Recreation
salmon taken in the Connecticut River Basin and/or Silvio O. Conte
to buy or sell wild turkey at any time. Missisquoi National
National Fish &
Wildlife Refuge
Wildlife Refuge
Other than the meat mentioned above, a person may
buy or sell at any time: Green Mountain Vermont Shooting
National Forest Ranges
The head, hide, and hoofs of legally taken deer Hammond Cove West Mountain
or moose; or Shooting Range Shooting Range
The head, hide, paws, and internal organs of a
legally taken black bear.
BEAR PARTS: International trade in hides, claws,
skulls, or teeth of black bear is regulated by federal
law and international treaty. If you plan to sell bear
hide or parts outside of the United States, you must
obtain an export permit (for a fee) from the Federal
Wildlife Permit Office, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service,
Office of Management Authority, 4401 N. Fairfax
Drive, Arlington, VA 22203, 1-800-358-2104. These
products must be shipped through one of eleven
Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department www.vtfishandwildlife.com Page 7 of 102020 BEAR HARVEST BY TOWN AND WMU Use our online donation form.
Hunting and Fishing License Purchase: Donate
when purchasing a hunting or fishing license by
simply including your contribution when
applying.
When you purchase a Vermont Habitat Stamp, you help
improve wildlife habitat and open land for outdoor recreation.
Please note: A stamp is not required to hunt, fish or trap, nor
do you have to buy a sporting license to donate for a stamp.
Vermont Habitat Stamp Online Donation Form
HUNT, POST, SHARE, LIKE
Vermont Fish & Wildlife suggests the following tips
to accurately reflect a positive hunting experience in
2020 Black Bear Harvest Report social media.
VERMONT HABITAT STAMP Display respect for the animal in its life and in its
death. Ask yourself if your non-hunting friends
Monies raised from sales of Vermont Habitat
would view the photo as respectful of this
Stamps go to the Species and Habitat Conservation
animal’s life.
Fund, which is used to purchase and maintain
Wildlife Management Areas. Make sure the animal looks its best. Place the
tongue back in mouth and try to minimize blood
Projects Supported by the Fund Include: in the photo to instead focus on the beauty of the
animal. Try to take a photo of a successful hunt
Purchase lands for Wildlife Management Areas
in the animal’s natural habitat. Blue sky, forest,
Improve public access to land for fish and and mountains place hunting in the context of its
wildlife-based activities such as bird-watching, natural surroundings.
hunting, fishing, enjoying wildlife or simply
Don’t just post ‘grab and grin’ photos after a
connecting with nature
successful hunt. Show all the aspects of the hunt
Protect and improve wetlands to give people a more complete picture of what
Protect and restore state-owned riparian stream hunting means to you. Post photos of a silent
banks snowy forest or quality time spent outdoors with
friends and family.
Protect and enhance deer wintering areas
Include posts from after the hunt too. A photo of
Implement habitat enhancement for turkeys, you enjoying a plate of tasty venison with
bears, deer, songbirds, bats, moose, aquatic friends and family will help people make the
organisms, and all of Vermont’s native wildlife
Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department www.vtfishandwildlife.com Page 8 of 10connection that wild meat is a healthy, local, RECIPES
sustainable food source.
Sweet & Sour Bear Pot Roast
If you see friends posting unethical behavior, Ingredients Directions
don’t be afraid to speak up. Please forward any 3 to 4 lb. bottom 1. Heat oven to 325F.
posts that include illegal activity to the Vermont round, rump or 2. In Dutch oven, heat oil and
Fish & Wildlife’s Facebook page so our wardens shoulder roast, brown meat on all sides,
tied if about 10 minutes, turning
can look into it.
necessary frequently.
2 large onions, 3. Remove from heat, drain,
If done properly, social media can be a great
sliced and add onions.
opportunity to show non-hunters why you are ¼ cup sugar 4. In separate bowl, combine
passionate about hunting and to inspire conservation ¼ cup honey sugar, honey, lemon juice,
and spark interest. ¼ cup lemon juice lemon peel, and clove.
½ tsp. grated 5. Pour mixture over roast and
HUNTERS, TICKS AND LYME DISEASE lemon peel onions and sprinkle with salt
¼ tsp. ground and pepper.
Lyme disease has started to become more prevalent in cloves 6. Cover tightly and roast for 1
1 tsp. salt hour, basting occasionally.
Vermont during the last 10 years. Ticks that cause Lyme
½ tsp. ground black 7. Add carrots and potatoes,
disease are still active in the fall in Vermont so hunters pepper making sure they are
that spend time in tall grass, weed, and brushes, along 1 tbsp. vegetable oil submerged into pan juices.
with successful hunters handling a deer, should follow 3 medium carrots, 8. Continue roasting for 2 to 3
a few simple tick-repelling precautions. cut into 2-inch hours until meat is cooked
pieces through and vegetables are
Treat your clothing and gear with permethrin before 1 lb. red potatoes, tender.
you hunt, making sure to follow the product cut into 2-inch 9. Serve roast with pan juices
pieces or turn pan juices into a
instructions. Tuck your pants into your socks or boots
simple gravy by whisking in
to keep ticks from crawling up your legs. After small amounts of flour until
returning from the hunt, check all over your body for desired consistency is
ticks including your hair, and shower immediately. reached.
From: https://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/pdf/bear_recipeguide.pdf
Successful hunters handling a deer should remain Bear Lard
vigilant for ticks even after they’ve returned from Ingredients Directions
the field. Place a pan of soapy water under a hanging All trimmed fat 1. Trim all fat from bear carcass
deer to kill any ticks that fall off the deer. from bear and put into crock pot.
carcass 2. Cover with cold water.
Cold water 3. Bring to a boil and then simmer
on low for 4 to 5 hours.
4. Skim off all impurities as they
rise to the top.
5. Continue simmering on low
until water has evaporated
Preventing Ticks Among and fat is rendered.
Be Tick Smart
Hunters Factsheet 6. Be careful not to burn the fat.
Great for cooking and deep frying!
Makes a delicious pie crust!
From: https://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/pdf/bear_recipeguide.pdf
More Black Bear Recipes
Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department www.vtfishandwildlife.com Page 9 of 10HUNTERS SHARING THEIR BEAR
Successful hunters willing to share their bear can do
so by donating it directly to a food shelf or meal site.
Proper processing and labeling instructions are
available at www.vtfoodbank.org.
VERMONT FISH & WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT
1 National Life Drive, Davis 2
Montpelier, VT 05620-3702
Phone: (802) 828-1000
www.vtfishandwildlife.com
www.facebook.com/vtfishandwildlife
7/14/2021
Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department www.vtfishandwildlife.com Page 10 of 10You can also read
