MONTPELIER — Vermont’s muzzleloader season antlerless deer hunting permit applications are now available on Vermont Fish & Wildlife’s website, vtfishandwildlife.com. A link to the information and online applications is on the home page.
The Fish and Wildlife Board met on May 23 and set antlerless deer hunting permit numbers and procedures for the fall deer hunting seasons.
Hunting for antlerless deer will be statewide for the Oct. 6-Nov. 2 and Dec. 1-9 archery season. Last year, hunters took 2,649 antlerless deer during the archery season.
One deer of either sex would be allowed for youths during the November 3-4 youth weekend hunt. Youths took 866 antlerless deer during the 2017 youth weekend hunt.
The December 1-9 muzzleloader season would have 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 landowner priority muzzleloader antlerless deer permit. They are eligible to apply in the regular lottery for an antlerless deer hunting permit.
“The number of muzzleloader season antlerless deer permits was increased slightly this year to reduce deer populations in some parts of Vermont,” said Nick Fortin, deer project leader for the Fish & Wildlife Department.  “Consecutive mild winters in 2016 and 2017 and a moderate winter in 2018 have allowed for deer population growth throughout the state.”
“We expect the statewide deer population to be about 155,000 prior to the start of the 2018 deer seasons,” said Fortin.
The deadline to apply for a muzzleloader antlerless deer permit is Aug. 29.