MONTPELIER, Vt. -- Vermont's muzzleloader season antlerless deer hunting permit applications are now available on the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department's website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com). A quick-link to the information and application is provided on the home page.

"Applying online is a really swift, easy process that ensures your entry is immediately entered into the lottery," said wildlife director Mark Scott. "Plus, it saves you postage. We encourage you to use the online application because it is more efficient for you and for us. Be sure to apply before the August 28 deadline."

The Fish and Wildlife Board met on May 27 and approved the number of December muzzleloader season antlerless permits at 9,650 distributed in 10 of Vermont's 21 Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) and to allow antlerless hunting during the archery season in 19 of 21 WMUs with WMUs E1 and E2 closed to the taking of antlerless during the archery and muzzleloader seasons. Youth hunters may take one deer of either sex during the youth deer hunting weekend on November 7-8, 2015.

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

"The number of muzzleloader season antlerless deer permits was reduced from the 17,050 issued last year due to a decline in deer numbers caused by two severe winters in 2014 and 2015," said Scott. "The department's recommendation for antlerless deer hunting is based on population growth estimates, biological data, deer sighting rates reported by hunters, and winter severity data, as well as input from game wardens, foresters and the public."

"We expect the statewide deer population to be 115,000 to 120,000 prior to the start of the 2015 deer seasons," said Scott.


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