The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board is proposing allowing antlerless deer (does) to be taken during the regular November season.
According to a recent Fish & Wildlife press statement, other proposed changes affect moose, turkey, and the transportation of wild game meat from out of state.
The proposed revisions to deer hunting regulations are the most significant of the four, following an update five years ago. White-tailed deer remain the most popular game species in Vermont, attracting around 60,000 resident hunters and 7,500 out-of-state hunters each fall. Vermont’s deer population is closely tied to the state’s ecology and hunting culture, and the proposed changes are aimed at ensuring the health of both the deer herd and local habitats.
“Deer hunting is an integral part of Vermont’s culture, and it’s vital to maintain a balance between deer populations and the available habitat,” said Andrea Shortsleeve, Interim Commissioner of Fish and Wildlife. “Our biologists’ recommendations aim to help hunters sustain Vermont’s deer herd while adapting to changing environmental conditions, such as warmer winters and shifts in land use.”
Proposed Deer Hunting Changes
Several key changes to the deer hunting regulations include:
- Antlerless Deer Hunting During November: Hunters who obtain antlerless permits would be allowed to harvest antlerless deer during the regular November season, which is currently limited to antlered (buck) deer.
- Extended Archery Season: The archery season would run from October 1 to December 15, including during the November season, which currently closes for archery hunters during that time.
- New Archery Zones: Special additional archery hunting zones would be established, opening as early as September 15 in regions with high deer numbers.
- Multiple Antlerless Permits: Hunters would be allowed to hold antlerless permits for different Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) simultaneously, instead of the current restriction to one.
- Second Legal Buck: A second buck would be permitted for hunters who have already harvested one buck with at least three points on one antler, in addition to one or more antlerless deer.
- Antler Point Restriction in WMU D1: This restriction would be reinstated in WMU D1, where mature buck numbers are currently low.
- Youth Deer Hunting Weekend: The youth deer hunting weekend would return to the Saturday and Sunday prior to the start of the regular November season.
“These changes are specifically designed to help balance the deer herd in areas where deer numbers are exceeding what the habitat can support, like in the Champlain Valley,” explained Shortsleeve. “By encouraging the harvest of more does, we can help reduce deer populations in these overpopulated regions and protect our forests.”
Proposed Changes to Moose and Turkey Seasons
In addition to the deer hunting proposals, the Board is also seeking input on moose and turkey hunting regulations:
- Moose Season: The moose hunting season would be extended from six to nine days, with expanded use of firearms for a select group of hunters.
- Turkey Season: The fall archery turkey season would be expanded to start on October 1.
- Game Meat Transport Regulations: The current regulations restricting the transport of wild game meat from out of state would be expanded to include moose and other species in the deer family, such as elk.
Timeline and Public Involvement
The proposed changes would take effect in 2026, with the moose regulations possibly starting between fall 2025 and 2026, if approved. The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is inviting public comment through May 25, 2025. Comments can be submitted via email to ANR.FWPublicComment@vermont.gov.
To ensure broad public engagement, the Fish and Wildlife Board will hold public hearings at 6:30 p.m. on the following dates and locations:
- March 17 – Mt. Anthony Union High School, 301 Park St., Bennington, VT 05201
- March 18 – Lakes Region High School, 317 Lakes Region Rd., Orleans, VT 05860
- March 20 – Union 32 Middle & High School, 930 Gallison Hill Rd., Montpelier, VT 05602
- May 6 – Winooski Middle & High School, 60 Normand St., Winooski, VT 05404
A fifth public hearing in southern Vermont will be scheduled for early May. Details will be posted on the board’s website.