How to Get Your 2026 Vermont Hunter Safety Course in 3 Easy Steps
Ready to hunt in Vermont this season? If you're hunting for the first time in Vermont, you must show proof of having a previous hunting license or a hunter education certification before buying your license.
What you learn through a state-approved hunter safety course helps you stay safe in the field. Through a state-approved hunter safety course, you'll learn tree stand safety, proper firearm handling, why hunters wear blaze orange for hunts, the hunting laws for your state, and more.
So, if you're planning a hunt in Vermont in 2026, keep reading to learn how to take the Vermont hunter safety course and get a hunting license.
How Do I Get My Hunter Education Card in Vermont?
If you are hunting for the first time in Vermont, you must show proof of completing a hunter education course before buying a hunting license.
The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department (VtFWD) offers two options to meet this requirement.
1. Take an Online Course (Ages 18+)
Vermont residents ages 18 and older can earn their hunter education certification completely online.
After completing the coursework and passing the final exam online, you can immediately print your hunter education certificate or request that a PDF be mailed to you.
The Hunter-ed Vermont hunter safety course is approved by the VtFWD! It's the most convenient way to meet the state's hunter education requirement.
2. Take an In-Person Class
Anyone can take an in-person class instead of the online course. Hunters under the age of 18 must complete both the online homework and attend an in-person course.
Many in-person courses will require homework to be completed before attending the class. Depending on the class you choose, the homework can be completed either online or using a physical workbook and manual.
Choose a Home Study course that works for your schedule. You'll want to complete the course a few weeks before hunting season begins, so you have plenty of time to get your hunter education card and hunting license.
3 Easy Steps to Get Your 2026 Vermont Hunting License
With your hunter certification, you're ready to get your license and hunt! Here are three easy steps to get your Vermont hunting license.
- Meet the Requirements (and Complete a Hunter Education Course)
Remember: all first-time hunters in Vermont must show proof of completing a hunter safety course.
Hunter-Ed makes it easy to do that through our course approved by the VtFWD! - Choose the Right License Type and Purchase It
Determine which hunting license you need. Choose from hunting, 5-day hunting, youth hunting, combination, trapping, and other license types. Then, purchase your license online via the VTFWDSales website or in person at an authorized license agent. - Carry Proof of Your License When Hunting
Pack your valid hunting license and any necessary tags, stamps, or permits for every hunt.
Next, let's look at these steps in more detail.
Step 1: How to Take the Vermont Hunter Safety Course
The easiest way to get your hunter safety certification in Vermont is to take the Hunter-Ed Online course!
Hunter-Ed:
- Is available anywhere you can connect to the internet using a computer or mobile device.
- Can be completed in about 3 hours.
- Includes animations, illustrations, games, videos, and quizzes to help you learn the required material. Score at least 80% on the quizzes and final exam to pass.
- Provides free access to the course study guide to help you learn the material and pass the quizzes.
- Allows you to work at your own pace and start and stop as needed.
- Gives you free access to Hunter Perks!
- Is approved by the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA) and VtFWD.
If you are under the age of 18, you must also complete an in-person session to receive your certification.
Step 2: Get Your Hunter Education Certificate
After completing the course through Hunter-Ed and passing the final exam, you've met the hunter education requirements for Vermont!
In your Hunter-Ed student portal, print your Hunter Education Certificate. You can hunt right away with your printed card.
Your Hunter Education Card is Your Proof of Certification
Your hunter safety card is a crucial document for every hunting season, so keep it safe. Always carry it when you hunt (along with your hunting license). Be prepared to show it to wildlife officials if they ask for it during a hunt.
If you lose your card, visit the VtFWD website to order a replacement card before hunting season begins.
Step 3: Where to Get Your Vermont Hunting License in 2026
Your Vermont hunter education course is now behind you. You're ready to get your hunting license and hunt!
Buy a Vermont Hunting License Online
The easiest way to get your license is to buy it online. This can be particularly convenient if you don't live close to a retail location, or you plan to hunt in Vermont while you're a resident of another state.
Buy In Person
If you prefer to pick up a license in person, the State of Vermont has plenty of locations offering hunting licenses. Pick up a license at a license agent location, like sporting goods stores, town clerk offices, beverage stores, Wal-Marts, and other locations selling hunting and fishing equipment.
Why Hunter Education Is Important
Before you buy your tag or head into the woods, it’s worth signing up for a hunter education course. Whether you’re gearing up for your first deer season or you’ve chased whitetails through Vermont hardwoods for decades, it’s a smart way to refresh your skills and stay up to date.
Hunter education zeroes in on what matters most in the field: safe firearm handling and sound decision-making in real hunting scenarios. The training is practical and easy to follow, built around keeping you, your hunting partners, and anyone else sharing the woods out of harm’s way. At the end of the day, the goal is simple: everyone gets home safely.
You’ll also build hands-on skills you’ll actually use, like navigating thick cover, preparing for changing weather, handling basic first aid, and managing the unexpected. Just as important, the course emphasizes respect for posted land, fellow hunters, and the wildlife that makes Vermont’s seasons so special.
At its heart, hunter education is about accountability and ethical choices in the field. It’s about conserving wildlife, honoring the traditions that run deep in Vermont, and making sure those traditions remain strong for the next generation.
Why are a State-Specific Hunter Education Courses Important?
Many states recognize hunter education credentials from elsewhere, so if you’ve already earned a valid card in another state, Vermont will often accept it. That’s convenient if you travel to hunt and don’t want to repeat the same course every time you cross a state line.
An out-of-state course won’t dig into Vermont’s season structures, tagging requirements, land access norms, or state-specific safety expectations. Those aren’t small details. They’re the kind of things that matter when you’re standing in a hardwood ridge at first light or checking in a deer.
Before you rely entirely on training from another state, think about completing Vermont’s hunter education program. It’s a practical way to make sure you’re hunting legally, confidently, and in step with the traditions and standards that shape hunting in the Green Mountain State.
Hunters get more with Hunter-Ed.
You get a learn-at-your-pace online course that covers the essentials hunt safely (while meeting the VtDFW's requirements). Plus, you also get access to Hunter Perks.
Hunter Perks is an exclusive offering from Hunter-Ed, and it's completely free for students!
As soon as you purchase your course, you unlock complete access to:
- Hunting Regulations: Links to stay updated on the hunting regulations for Vermont each year.
- Discounted Digital Hunting Tools: Hunter-proven resources (including app subscriptions) to help you hunt better.
- Curated Blog and Video Content: Links to informational blogs and videos to help you keep learning about how to be a better hunter.
- Ongoing Education Opportunities: Find additional courses (also offered at a discount) to help you learn about more aspects of hunting.
Plus, your Hunter Perks include discounts on gear and contests to win free stuff, so you have everything you need for great hunts (and save money while gearing up).
Get Hunter Safety Certified in Vermont with Hunter-Ed
Don't wait for the hunting season to get here before you take the Vermont hunter education course. You won't be able to hunt without it!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
We have answers to your questions about the Vermont hunter education certification!
Q: Do I need a hunter education course to hunt in Vermont?
Yes, all first-time hunters in VT must show proof of completing a hunter education course to hunt legally.
Q: Can you take the Vermont Hunter Safety course online?
Yes, you can take the Vermont hunter safety course online as part of the state's requirements. Hunter-Ed is an approved online course! Hunters under the age of 18 must also pass an in-person session to complete the safety certification.
Q: How Soon Should I Sign Up for a Hunter Education Course?
Sign up for your hunter education course to complete it at least a few weeks before your hunting season begins.
Q: Do I Need a Certification for Every Season?
No, you don't need to recertify for hunter safety every season. Your Vermont hunter education course covers the only certification you'll need to hunt in the state after completing the course and passing the final exam. Your certification is valid for life!
Q: How Much Does it Cost to Get My Hunter Education Certification?
When taking the course through Hunter-Ed, the course is free. This includes the course and study guide, unlimited tries to pass the final exam, your hunter education card, and Hunter Perks.
Q: What happens if you hunt without hunter ed?
Hunting without the required Hunter Education certification can result in penalties, including fines. Your hunting license may also be invalid until you complete the course.
