Vermont § 37 - Deer Management Rule [Effective January 1, 2026] 1.0 Authority1.1 This rule is adopted pursuant to 10 V.S.A. § 4081

§ 37. Deer Management Rule [Effective January 1, 2026] 1.0 Authority1.1 This rule is adopted pursuant to 10 V.S.A. § 4081

• (b). In adopting this rule, the Fish and Wildlife Board is following the policy established
  by the General Assembly that the protection, propagation, control, management, and
  conservation of fish, wildlife and furbearing animals in this State is in the interest
  of the public welfare and that the safeguarding of this valuable resource for the
  people of the State requires a constant and continual vigilance. 1.2 In accordance with 10 V.S.A. § 4082, this rule is designed to maintain the best health, population and utilization levels
  of the deer herd. 1.3 In accordance with 10 V.S.A. § 4084, this rule establishes open seasons; establishes daily, season and possession limits;
  prescribes the manner and means of taking white-tailed deer and establishes restrictions
  on taking based on sex and antler characteristics. 2.0 Purpose. The purpose of this rule is to manage the white-tailed deer herd, implementing will
  of the General Assembly to design rules to maintain the best health, population and
  utilization levels of the deer herd. 3.0 Definitions3.1 “Antlerless Deer” are defined as those deer without antlers or with antlers less than
  three (3″) inches in length. 3.2 “Antler Point”: A “point” is an antler projection of at least 1″ measured from the
  base of the point at the main beam to the tip of the point. A broken main beam shall
  count as a point regardless of length. 3.3 “Bait”: For the purposes of this regulation, ‘bait’ is defined as any animal, vegetable,
  fruit or mineral matter placed with the intention of attracting wildlife. Natural
  and artificial scents and lures that are not prohibited under Section 14 of this regulation
  and are not designed to be consumed by eating or licking shall not be bait for the
  purposes of this rule. 3.4 “Baiting” is the use of any animal, vegetable or mineral matter, including scents
  and lures prohibited under section 14 of this regulation that has the effect of enticing
  wildlife to a certain location. 3.5 “Board”: The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board. 3.6 “Bona fide agricultural practices”: Practices that have been employed to plant, grow
  and harvest an agricultural product conducted in the usual manner. 3.7 “Crossbows”: A crossbow means a device consisting of a bow mounted to a rigid stock
  for discharging bolts or arrows and having a mechanical means to hold and release
  the drawn string, which must be fired from the shoulder. A bolt means a short projectile,
  designed for a crossbow, that resembles an arrow. No person shall hunt wild animals
  or game with a crossbow if the bolt has an arrowhead less than seven-eighths of an
  inch at its widest point and has less than two sharp cutting edges. A crossbow shall
  have a minimum pull of 125 pounds, a working mechanical safety and a stock no less
  than 23 inches in length. 3.8 “Legal Buck”: In Wildlife Management Units C, D2, E1, E2, G, I, L, M, P, and Q a legal
  buck shall be any white-tail deer with at least one antler three (3”) inches or more
  in length; and in Wildlife Management Units A, B, D1, F1, F2, H, J1, J2, K, N, and
  O a legal buck shall be any white-tailed deer with at least one antler with two or
  more antler points one inch in length or longer. 3.9 “Novice”: A person who purchased their first hunting license within the past 12 months
  and is 16 years of age or older. 3.10 “Youth”: A person who is 15 years of age or younger. 4.0 Antlerless Deer Permits4.1 An Antlerless Deer Permit is a permit issued pursuant to 10 V.S.A. § 4081