News Briefs

Deadline for antlerless deer applications approaches

The deadline to apply for an antlerless deer permit to be used during Vermont’s Dec. 2-10 muzzleloader deer season is Thursday, Aug. 24.

Antlerless deer hunting permit applications are on Vermont Fish & Wildlife’s website, vtfishandwildlife.com. Printed applications are available from license agents statewide.

New this year, hunters applying online for an antlerless permit will do so through the online license sales system as if they were purchasing a license or a tag using their conservation ID number, or CID#. Landowners who do not have a conservation ID number will need to create a profile through the online license sales system to apply for a landowner application even if they do not intend to purchase a hunting license.

The Dec. 2-10 muzzleloader season has 24,500 antlerless permits distributed in 18 of Vermont’s 21 Wildlife Management Units (WMUs), which is estimated to result in 3,608 antlerless deer being taken.

Landowners who post their land may not apply for a muzzleloader landowner antlerless deer permit.

“We recommended an increase in muzzleloader season antlerless deer permits this year to account for the increase in the deer population following another mild winter in 2017,” said Nick Fortin, deer project leader for the department.

“Much of Vermont has experienced two consecutive very mild winters. As a result, the recommendation is intended to stabilize or reduce deer densities in some parts of the state while allowing for moderate population growth in other areas,” he added.

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