No specific Vermont law explicitly bans “bear wrestling” as a standalone activity. The phrase often appears in lists of quirky or outdated U.S. laws, but it stems from broader animal cruelty statutes rather than a targeted prohibition on human-bear matches.​
Animal Cruelty Laws
Vermont’s anti-cruelty laws under Title 13, Chapter 41 prohibit causing unnecessary suffering to animals, including bears, through fighting or baiting. Bear baiting for hunting is regulated separately, with fines up to $4,000 for violations like using certain lures, but no mention of wrestling exists in current statutes.​
Other Prohibited Activities
Lists of “weird Vermont laws” cite unverified claims like needing spousal permission for dentures (a debunked relic) or restrictions on selling bear parts like bile or paws, enacted in recent years to curb wildlife trafficking. Prohibited acts also include unregulated mixed martial arts or boxing without licensing, impounding feral swine, and pari-mutuel betting on dog/horse races. These reflect public safety and animal welfare priorities, not sensational bans.
SOURCES
[1](https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/fullchapter/26/109)
[2](https://www.animallaw.info/statutes/us/vermont)
[3](https://people.howstuffworks.com/weird-laws.htm)
[4](https://www.reddit.com/r/todayilearned/comments/6n9rue/til_humans_used_to_hold_wrestling_matches_with/)
[5](https://www.facebook.com/groups/3623312684642776/posts/3952664151707626/)
