State News

Deadline for antlerless deer application nears

The deadline to apply for an antlerless deer permit to be used during Vermont’s December 1-9 muzzleloader deer season is Thursday, Aug. 29.

Antlerless deer hunting permit applications are on Vermont Fish & Wildlife’s website (vtfishandwildlife.com), and printed applications are available from license agents statewide.

Hunters applying online for an antlerless permit will do so through the online license sales system as if they were purchasing a license or a tag using their conservation ID number, or CID#. Landowners who do not have a Conservation ID number will need to create a profile through the online license sales system to apply for a landowner application even if they do not intend to purchase a hunting license.

The Dec. 1-9 muzzleloader season has 27,000 antlerless permits distributed in 18 of Vermont’s 21 WMUs, which is estimated to result in 3,914 antlerless deer being taken.

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

“Consecutive mild winters in 2016 and 2017 and a moderate winter in 2018 have allowed for deer population growth throughout the state,” said Nick Fortin, deer project leader for Fish & Wildlife. “The number of muzzleloader season antlerless deer permits was increased slightly this year to reduce deer populations in some parts of Vermont and to provide additional harvest opportunities.”

Mountain Times Newsletter

Sign up below to receive the weekly newsletter, which also includes top trending stories and what all the locals are talking about!