Young Hunters Encouraged to Participate (and Report) in Youth Deer Hunt November 4 and 5

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is urging young deer hunters to help scientific management of Vermont’s deer population by bringing the deer they take during the state’s November 4 and 5 youth deer hunt to a biological reporting station. “We encourage young hunters to bring their deer to a biological reporting station to get the deer weighed, aged and examined by a state wildlife biologist,” said Vermont’s deer biologist Nick Fortin. “Examining deer during youth deer hunting weekend is our best opportunity to assess the deer herd because young hunters are allowed to harvest any deer on that weekend, including spike bucks.” “The information collected will help biologists assess the physical condition of Vermont’s deer, and the age, weight and antler development data will help guide future deer management decisions.” Anyone, resident or nonresident, who is 15 years old or younger on the weekend of the hunt and who has successfully completed a hunter education course may purchase a hunting license and obtain a free youth deer hunting tag. The requirements apply to all interested young hunters, including the children of landowners. The young hunter must be accompanied by an unarmed adult who is over 18 years of age and who holds a Vermont hunting license. The adult may accompany up to two young hunters. The law requires the adult to have direct control and supervision of the young hunters, including the ability to see and communicate without the aid of artificial devices such as radios or binoculars. Landowner permission is required in order to hunt on private land during the youth deer hunt weekend, and youth are encouraged to secure permission well in advance. The youth hunter may take one deer of either sex on youth deer weekend, and the antler restriction that applies in other deer seasons does not apply during youth deer weekend. Violation of the youth deer hunting law can result in a doubled fine that is assessed against the adult who accompanies the youth. Fish & Wildlife will have personnel at the 25 biological reporting stations listed below between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m., unless the store closes earlier, for youth weekend, November 4 and 5. Along with having their deer examined and aged by a biologist, youth hunters visiting a biological reporting station will receive a 2017 Vermont Hunter Cooperator Patch.

Vermont’s 2017 Deer Hunting Guide, with regulations and other helpful information, is on Fish & Wildlife’s website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com).

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