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During the October portion of duck season, most hunting is for "puddle ducks" on shallow-water marshes, beaver flows, ponds and rivers. The most common species are mallards, wood ducks, black ducks and greenwing teal. As the season progresses and marshes begin to freeze in November, open-water hunting for migrating "diving ducks" on Vermont's larger lakes swings into full gear. Goldeneyes, lesser and greater scaup, and buffleheads are the most common diving ducks. Excellent hunting for goldeneyes and late-migrating mallards and black ducks can often be had from mid-November through the close of the season in December.
Both Canada geese and snow geese are frequently encountered in areas with farm fields that provide food in the form of waste grains and green grasses. Snow goose seasons are liberal, reflecting the record number of snow geese in the Atlantic Flyway. Canada goose hunting is available during September and again from late October through November.
The best waterfowl hunting opportunities are in the Champlain Valley, where numerous public wetlands and private farmland provide excellent hunting for ducks and geese. Elsewhere, good waterfowl hunting can also be had in the Northeast Kingdom on and along Lake Memphremagog and its tributary rivers.
2007 Waterfowl Stamp |
2008 Waterfowl Stamp |
2009 Waterfowl Stamp |
2010 Waterfowl Stamp |
Heather Forcier of South Burlington, VT is the winner of the Vermont’s Fish & Wildlife Department’s duck stamp photo competition. Four of Forcier’s photos of wild ducks will appear on Vermont’s State Duck Stamps from 2007 to 2010.
Forcier will market limited edition photographic prints of the winning images with matching State Duck Stamps under a contract with the State. The chosen photos are: ring-necked duck (2007), harlequin duck (2008), gadwall (2009), and wood duck (2010).
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Waterfowl hunters will find some surprisingly good hunting in Vermont. To maximize hunting opportunities, Vermont is divided into three waterfowl zones: the Lake Champlain Zone, which includes Lake Champlain and the adjoining Champlain Valley lowlands in Vermont and New York, the Connecticut River Zone which includes the Connecticut River and narrow portions of Vermont and New Hampshire and the Interior Vermont Zone, which includes the remainder of Vermont. A complete description of these zones can be found in the syllabus mentioned above. 