Antlerless Deer Proposal, Hearings May 8 and 10

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The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Board voted on the Fish & Wildlife Department’s 2018 antlerless deer hunting proposal on April 25.  Public hearings will be held May 8 in Rutland and May 10 in South Burlington to recap the results of the 2017 deer seasons and review the antlerless proposal.  The December muzzleloader season would have 27,000 antlerless permits, which would result in about 3,914 antlerless deer being taken. 
 
The hearings are scheduled for 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. as follows:
Tuesday, May 8 – Rutland High School, 22 Stratton Rd., Rutland, VT 05701
Thursday, May 10 – South Burlington High School, 550 Dorset St., South Burlington, VT 05403

Previous hearings reviewing the 2017 deer hunting seasons were held in Montpelier, Windsor and Orleans. 

“We are recommending an antlerless deer harvest this year that is very similar to what was recommended in 2017,” said Nick Fortin, deer project leader for the Fish & Wildlife Department.  “Three consecutive mild to moderate winters have allowed for deer population growth throughout Vermont, and deer populations in some areas now exceed established objectives.  The recommendation is intended to reduce deer numbers in those areas while stabilizing populations in other areas.”

The department’s annual recommendation is based on population estimates, biological data, winter severity data, and deer sighting rates reported by hunters, as well as input from game wardens, foresters and the public. 

“We expect the statewide deer population to be about 155,000 prior to the start of the 2018 deer seasons,” said Fortin. 

Hunting for antlerless deer is proposed statewide for the October 67-November 2 and December 1-9 archery season.  Last year, hunters took 2,649 antlerless deer during the archery season. 
 
One deer of either sex would be allowed for youths during the November 3-4 youth weekend hunt.  Youths took 866 antlerless deer during the 2017 youth weekend hunt.

The December 1-9 muzzleloader season would have 27,000 antlerless permits distributed in 18 of Vermont’s 21 Wildlife management Units (WMU), which is estimated to result in 3,914 antlerless deer being taken. 
 
The antlerless deer hunting proposal for 2018 and the Fish & Wildlife Board’s recommended permits by each WMU are on Vermont Fish & Wildlife’s website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com) under “Board Rules.”  Public comments on the proposal may be emailed to ANR.FWPublicComment@Vermont.Gov  by May 22, 2018. 
 
 
For Immediate Release:  April 26, 2018
Media Contacts:  Nick Fortin, 802-786-3860; Mark Scott, 802-777-4217


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