WHAT POSTING MEANS
The Vermont constitution has protected the right to hunt, fish and trap on open, private land since its drafting in 1793. Posting laws and regulations honor this commitment while also ensuring landowners have the protections they need to control their property.

Options for Posting:
The Easy Way: Safety Zone
A Safety Zone establishes a 500-foot buffer around the buildings on your property.

  • Signs must be 12 inches wide and 18 inches tall and placed at all corners of the buffer and no more than
    200 feet apart.
  • Hunting and shooting is prohibited within the buffer, unless you have given permission to do so.
  • Enforcement of a Safety Zone is backed by statute.
  • It’s free. No registration requirements. Signs are available at Fish & Wildlife Offices and from your local
    warden.
  • Safety zones leave the remainder of your property open to public use.
  • Eligibility for Landowner Antlerless Muzzleloader permit is maintained.
    Landowners always retain the right to ask anyone on their property to leave. No exceptions.
    Registering Posted Property

Putting up posted signs conveys a message to ask first or keep out.

For extra assurance, you can choose to register your posted land.

Often referred to ‘legally posted,’ it means hunting, fishing and/or trapping is
prohibited without written permission. This can be done at the Town Office, for a fee of $5. A “legally posted” land is only valid for the calendar year, January 1st – December 31st and must be renewed every year.

The landowner may maintain signs that:

  • Prohibit hunting, fishing or trapping;
  • Prohibit any combination of the three; or
  • State all or any combination of the three are allowed by Permission Only. To meet the full requirements of the law (10 V.S.A, § 5201 to 5206), the posting must be recorded annually with the town clerk for a fee of $5. (new fee effective July 1, 2019)

Signs must:

  • Signs must be dated for the current year
  • Be placed at all corners of your property (or the portion you wish to post) and spaced 400 feet or less apart
    along or near boundaries,
  • Be at least 8.5 inches wide by 11 inches tall,
  • Have lettering and background on contrasting colors,
  • Be legible, including any additional information or wording,
  • Be maintained and dated each year, and
  • Permission Only signs must include a way to contact the owner.
    Permission ONLY
    Once registered, Permission Only signs and standard Posted signs are essentially identical in meaning and
    enforcement. However, if you’ve decided to post, consider Permission Only signs when:
  • Your primary goal is to know who is using your property;
  • You welcome hunters, but have had issues with other users;
  • You’ve made the decision to post, but want to show you support hunting and use hunting as a tool on your
    property; and
  • You want to continue to allow other public access without written permission, such as hiking and cross
    country skiing.

PRIVATE LAND AND PUBLIC ACCESS

Vermont’s tradition of open access is as old as statehood, and the values that support this tradition are
fundamental to our strong sense of community. However, allowing hunting or any public use on your land is,
ultimately, a privilege only you can grant.
Vermont law may make your decision easier. It provides a number of landowner protections that support
your control, and it eases most liability concerns. This is good for you, your neighbors and your land too. Few
management tools are as cheap and effective as hunting.

Allowing public access doesn’t negate your rights. You always have the power to:

  • Address any property damage or abuse;
  • Dictate what activities are allowed or prohibited;
  • Request to see the hunting, fishing and/or trapping license of anyone on your property;
  • Request someone leave your property; and
  • Contact law enforcement if you suspect illegal activity

Open or posted, permission is always required if someone wants to:

  • Trap;
  • Erect a tree stand or ground blind;
  • Park, drive or camp on your land; or
  • Guide hunters or anglers on your property

In addition, written permission is always required to ride a snowmobile, all-terrain vehicle (ATV) or off-road
motorcycle.


Liability Protection
Vermont’s landowner liability statutes are designed to encourage public access by protecting you from
liability.
Provided that you do not charge a fee, you are generally not liable for any property damage or personal injury
to a person who uses your property for recreation.

  • Under 12 V.S.A. §5793, a landowner is not liable for property damage or personal injury for the recreational
    use of their property, unless the damage or injury is the result of the intentional, willful, or wanton
    misconduct or gross negligence on the part of the landowner.
  • Landowner liability increases if a fee or some other consideration is required for the use of the property,
    since a “higher level of care” (responsibility) is owed to recreationists.

Posting Does Not Affect Liability
The landowner is protected whether or not the land is posted.
Easements Do Not Affect Liability
Both the landowner and the party holding the easement are similarly protected, as if there were no easement.
Please be advised that this reference to the landowner liability statutes is provided for informational purposes
only and does not constitute legal advice. Landowners are encouraged to seek their own legal counsel regarding
landowner liability.