Vermont's early muzzleloader season for antlerless deer runs from Thursday, Oct. 29, through Sunday, Nov. 1, the Fish and Wildlife Department announced Oct. 19.
The four-day season is limited to hunters with an antlerless permit. A hunting license and a muzzleloader license are also required. A muzzleloader is a firearm loaded through the front of its barrel.
Each antlerless permit allows one deer. The department says the permit can instead be used during the Nov. 14-29 regular season or the Nov. 30-Dec. 13 muzzleloader season; using it in one season does not provide another deer in a later season.
Hunters taking a deer during a muzzleloader season must report it within 48 hours, either through the department's online system or at a big game reporting station. Online reporting requires photographs.
The department says deer must be field-dressed before reporting, and hunters must take a warden to the location where the deer was killed if requested.
The current deer rules and tagging guide set out annual limits, permit use and other restrictions. Hunters should check those rules and the unit restrictions on their permit before heading out.
Sources: Fish and Wildlife's season announcement; Current deer regulations and reporting links.