Vermont’s preliminary archery deer season results are up compared to the previous three-year average, which could be good news for the November rifle season.

As of Nov. 7, 2,420 deer were killed during the October portion of archery season, according to reports received by Vermont Fish & Wildlife from agents throughout the state. This represents nearly a 20 percent increase over the average for the past three years at this time even though there are few concentrated food sources and mast this year. A final archery total will be available after all reports are received by Fish & Wildlife.

Vermont’s traditionally popular 16-day November rifle season is Nov. 10-25. One legal buck with at least one antler having two or more points may be taken anywhere in the state.

The antler regulation for a “legal buck” was designed to recruit more bucks and older bucks into the population. Hunters may take one buck with at least one antler having two or more points 1-inch or longer. Spike-antlered deer are protected except during the youth deer weekend. A point must be 1-inch or longer from base to tip. The main beam counts as a point, regardless of length.

“Vermont’s pre-hunt deer population is estimated at approximately 125,000 animals this year with the greatest numbers of deer found in the southwest, east-central, and northwestern regions of the state,” said Deer Project Leader Adam Murkowski. “Deer populations have benefited from excellent survival during the mildest winter recorded over the last four decades and good fawning conditions during the spring and summer.”

Planning Your Hunt
The 2011 Vermont Deer Harvest Report, available from the Fish & Wildlife Department’s web site (www.vtfishandwildlife.com) has a wealth of information to help plan a hunt, including the number of deer taken in each town. Click on “Hunting and Trapping” and “Big Game” to download a copy of the report.

Vermont’s regular hunting licenses, including a November rifle season buck tag and a bear tag, still cost only $22 for residents and $100 for nonresidents. Hunters under 18 years of age get a break at $8 for residents and $25 for nonresidents. Licenses are available on Fish and Wildlife’s web site and from license agents statewide.

Contact the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department for more information. Telephone 802-241-3700 or Email fwinformation@state.vt.us.