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Hunters who harvest a deer during Vermont’s October 25 and 26 youth and novice deer hunting weekend are encouraged to bring their deer to one of 18 biological reporting stations to help state wildlife biologists gather data on the health of Vermont’s deer population.
“We encourage youth and novice hunters to bring their deer to one of these biological reporting stations so they can directly contribute to deer management in Vermont,” said the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department’s deer project leader Nick Fortin. “Examining deer during this weekend is our best opportunity to assess the deer herd because hunters are allowed to harvest any deer, including spike bucks. Biologists will be collecting data on age, weight and antler development to help guide future deer management decisions.”
Hunters are required to report deer in person at a big game reporting station during youth and novice weekend. Online reporting will not be available. This requirement allows biologists to collect important information from as many deer as possible over the weekend.
A resident or nonresident 15 years old or younger on the weekend of the hunt and who has successfully completed a hunter education course must purchase a hunting license and obtain a free youth weekend deer tag. The requirements apply to all interested young hunters, including the children of landowners.
A resident or nonresident 16 years old or older on the weekend of the hunt who previously completed a hunter education course and who has purchased their first ever hunting license within the 12 months prior to the novice weekend must obtain a free novice weekend deer tag. The requirements apply to all participating novice hunters, including novice hunters who are also landowners.
In both cases, the hunter must be accompanied by an unarmed adult over 18 years of age who holds a Vermont hunting license. The adult may accompany up to two youth or novice hunters. The law requires the accompanying adult to have direct control and supervision of the hunters, including the ability to see and communicate without the aid of artificial devices such as radios or binoculars.
Landowner permission is required to hunt on private land during the youth and novice deer hunt weekend, and the hunters are encouraged to secure permission well in advance. Youth and novice hunters and their mentors are strongly encouraged to wear hunter orange.
A youth or novice hunter may take one deer of either sex on the October 25 and 26 weekend, and the antler restrictions that apply in other deer seasons do not apply. Violation of the youth and novice deer hunting rules can result in a doubled fine that is assessed against the accompanying adult.
The reporting stations below will have a biologist present on October 25 and 26:
Business Name & Address
R&L Archery
70 Smith Street
Barre
Bennington Fish Hatchery
South Stream Road
Bennington
G&L General Store
2813 Route 22A
Benson
The Concord Station
167 Main Street
Concord
Wright’s Enterprises
48 Community Drive
Derby
East Corinth General Store
8392 VT Route 25
East Corinth
West Enosburg Country Store
2394 West Enosburg Road
Enosburg Falls
Russin General Store
110 School Road
Fletcher
Smith’s Grocery
759 North Main
Greensboro Bend
Bob’s Quick Stop
6196 VT Route 14
Irasburg
Lead & Tackle
31 Middle Street
Lyndonville
Crossman’s General Store
8 East Street
Middletown Springs
Rack N Reel
5343 Ethan Allen Highway
New Haven
Keith’s Country Store
4085 US Route7
Pittsford
Maplefields
8132 US Route 2
Plainfield
Back Country Sports
751A Sheldon Road
St. Albans
The Gun Room
52 Needmore Drive
Thetford Center
Windsor Fire Department
29 Union Street
Windsor
Vermont’s 2025 Deer Hunting Guide summarizing deer hunting rules is available on Fish and Wildlife’s website.