Vermont Youth Hunters Urged To Report Deer To A Biological Check Station
By Gary Moore
Hunters who take a deer during Vermont’s October 25 and 26 youth and novice deer hunting weekend are encouraged to bring their deer to one of 18 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.
These area reporting stations will have a biologist present on October 25 and 26: R&L Archery, Barre; The Concord Station, Concord; Wright’s Enterprises, Derby; East Corinth General Store, East Corinth; Smith’s Grocery, Greensboro Bend; Bob’s Quick Stop, Irasburg; Lead & Tackle, Lyndonville; and The Gun Room, Thetford Center.
Stay Safe, Wear Orange
“Hunting is one of the safest outdoor activities, thanks to advances in education as well as science,” said Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Jason Batchelder.
“We should strive to be the safest we can by wearing at least a hunter orange hat and vest,” added Vermont Hunter Education Program Coordinator Nicole Meier. “Deer are most active during dawn and dusk hours when visibility is low. You can improve your chances of being seen by other hunters by wearing hunter orange, which can be seen even in low-light situations.”
“While it isn’t recommended to wear orange during waterfowl and turkey seasons, we certainly still recommend hunter orange when you are going to and from your blind, treestand or calling spot,” added Meier.
While some hunters might be concerned that deer are scared by hunter orange, in fact deer have been shown to be unaffected by the color. A deer’s vision is based on movement, patterns and color variations. Unlike humans, deer do not have multiple color receptors in their eyes. They can see color, but their spectrum is limited. This means deer must rely heavily on their ability to detect movement over the ability to interpret color variations and patterns.
I should add that New Hampshire Fish and Game has the same message for hunters and those who hike in the woods during hunting seasons.
Get The Lead Out
The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department encourages hunters to voluntarily use non-lead ammunition.
Lead bullets scatter lead fragments well beyond the point of entry as they expand. These fragments can be ingested by wildlife when they scavenge carcass remains or gut piles. Even small amounts of lead can cause health problems and death for wildlife, especially for birds such as bald eagles, crows, ravens, and vultures that feed on these remains.
Lead is also a proven human health concern, and lead particles in game meat are often too small to detect by sight, feel or taste.
“Finding non-lead ammunition used to be difficult because it was not widely manufactured,” said Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Jason Batchelderer, but non-lead big game ammunition with copper or copper alloy bullets is now produced by most ammunition companies, and it provides consistent expansion as well as excellent weight retention and penetration. It does cost a little more, but it is a healthy choice.”
Non-lead shotgun shells have been required by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for waterfowl hunting since 1991.
To learn more about switching to non-lead ammunition, visit https://www.leadfreepartnership.org/.