Hunters who harvest a deer during Vermont’s October 21 and 22 youth and novice deer hunting weekend are encouraged to bring their deer to one of 19 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 resident or nonresident 15 years old or younger on the weekend of the hunt and who has successfully completed a hunter education course 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 resident or nonresident 16 years old or older on the weekend of the hunt who previously completed a hunter education course and who has purchased their first ever hunting license within the 12 months prior to the novice weekend 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 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 October 21 and 22 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 October 21 and 22:
Business Name ADDRESS TOWN
R&L Archery 70 Smith Street Barre
Buck Stop Mini Mart 7373 Main Street Bennington
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
Fletcher General Store 110 School Road Fletcher
Emmon’s Supermarket 193 US Route 2 Grand Isle
Smith’s Grocery 759 North Main Greensboro Bend
Guilford Country Store 475 Coolidge Highway Guilford
Bob’s Quick Stop 6196 VT Route 14 Irasburg
Lead & Tackle 31 Middle Street Lyndonville
Crossman’s General Store 8 East Street Middletown Springs
Rack N Reel 5343 Ethan Allen Highway New Haven
Buxton’s Country Store 499 Main Street Orwell
Keith’s Country Store 4085 US Route7 Pittsford
Maplefields 8132 US Route 2 Plainfield
Back Country Sports 751A Sheldon Road St. Albans
Erin’s General Store 8 Beanville Road West Fairlee
Windsor Fire Department 29 Union Street Windsor
Vermont’s 2023 Deer Hunting Guide summarizing deer hunting rules is available on Fish and Wildlife’s website.