Hunters who harvest a deer during Vermont’s November 7 and 8 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 youth hunter is a resident or nonresident 15 years old or younger on the weekend of the hunt who has successfully completed a hunter education course. They 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 novice hunter is a resident or nonresident 16 years old or older on the weekend of the hunt who previously completed a hunter education course and who purchased their first ever hunting license within the 12 months prior to the novice weekend. They 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 cell phones, 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 November 7 and 8 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 November 7 and 8:
Business Name ADDRESS TOWN
R&L Archery 70 Smith Street Barre
Bennington Fish Hatchery South Stream Road Bennington
Benson General Store 2813 Route 22A Benson
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’s General Store 110 School Road Fletcher
Smith’s Grocery 759 North Main Greensboro Bend
Lead & Tackle 31 Middle Street Lyndonville
Wheelock Village Store (Sun. PM only) 1311 VT Route 122 Wheelock
Middletown Springs Country 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 (Sunday only) 52 Needmore Drive Thetford Center
Windsor Fire Department 29 Union Street Windsor
Vermont’s 2026 Deer Hunting Guide summarizing deer hunting rules is available on Fish and Wildlife’s website.