The deadline for public comment has expired. Contact the agency or primary contact person listed below for assistance.
Rule Details
Rule Number:
26P025
Title:
10 App. V.S.A. § 7 Bear Management Rule.
Type:
Standard
Status:
Proposed
Agency:
Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board
Legal Authority:
10 V.S.A. § 4082(a), 10 V.S.A. § 4084
Summary:
The proposed rule amendments eliminate the consecutive "early" and "late" seasons to create one bear season extending from September 1st through the last day of the regulated deer season. The proposed rule would require the purchase of a bear tag to take a bear during the season, and would allow for the taking of a second bear within specified Wildlife Management Units (WMU) upon Board approval. The rule prohibits the intentional taking of sows with cubs. Additionally, the rule clarifies bear dog permit requirements and makes technical and grammatical corrections.
Persons Affected:
Department Staff including Game Wardens and Biologists, Hunters, businesses that sell hunting equipment and provide lodging during the hunting season.
Economic Impact:
The proposed rule will create additional opportunity for bear hunting, potentially resulting in a nominal increase in sales of hunting equipment. The rule will also require every hunter who intends to hunt a bear to purchase a $5 bear tag. Currently, only hunters who intend to take a bear during the early season are required to purchase a tag. The revised tag requirement may result in an increase in tag sales, but it is not expected to be a substantial increase since the majority of hunters who intend to hunt for bear are already purchasing the early season tag. The proposed rule will also generate additional Department revenue through the sale of second bear tags, but it is not clear how many hunters may purchase a second tag.
Posting date:
Jul 22,2026
Hearing Information
Information for Hearing # 1
Hearing date:
Location:
St. Andrews Church
Address:
1265 Main Street
City:
St. Johnsbury
State:
VT
Zip:
05819
Hearing Notes:
Also virtually via MS Teams: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-teams/join-a-meeting
Meeting ID: 260 430 698 773 348 Passcode: iq37qv6y Phone conference ID: 140 142 845#
Dial in by Phone: +1 802-828-7667,,140142845# United States, Montpelier
