MONTPELIER, Vt. -- Vermont's muzzleloader season antlerless deer hunting permit applications are now available on Vermont Fish & Wildlife's website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com). A quick-link to the information and online applications is on the home page. Applying online automatically enters you to win one of ten $50 Cabela's gift cards.

The Fish and Wildlife Board met on May 25 and set antlerless deer hunting rules for the fall deer hunting seasons.

Hunting for antlerless deer will be statewide for the October 1-28 and December 3-11 archery season. Last year, hunters took 2,618 antlerless deer during the archery season.

One deer of either sex would be allowed for youths during the November 5-6 youth weekend hunt. Youths took 761 antlerless deer during the 2015 youth weekend hunt.

The December 3-11 muzzleloader season would have 18,950 antlerless permits distributed in 16 of Vermont's 21 WMUs, which is estimated to result in 2,700 antlerless deer being taken.

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

"The number of muzzleloader season antlerless deer permits was increased to account for the expected increase in the deer population following the exceptionally mild winter of 2016," said Nick Fortin, deer project leader for the Fish & Wildlife Department. "The recommendation is intended to allow moderate population growth in most of the state while stabilizing or reducing deer densities in a few areas."

"We expect the statewide deer population to be 140,000 to 145,000 prior to the start of the 2016 deer seasons," said Fortin.

The deadline to apply for a muzzleloader antlerless deer permit is August 26.



Contacts: Nick Fortin 802-786-3860; Mark Scott, 802-777-4217; Scott Darling, 802-786-3862