RUTLAND — Hunters who provided the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department with a tooth from their deer can now find out how old their deer was by visiting the department’s website.
A total of 2,672 teeth were received from successful rifle season hunters. When added to the 1,937 deer examined by biologists during the youth and rifle seasons, the department was able to get accurate ages for 4,609 deer.
“We are thankful to the thousands of hunters who were willing to support our deer management efforts by providing us with a tooth from their deer,” said Deer Project Leader Nick Fortin. “We are particularly grateful to the handful of dedicated reporting stations that collected a tooth from every deer they reported. This effort would not have been as successful without their assistance.”
Now, the department would like more information on antler size in older bucks. “Relatively few mature bucks are harvested each year, so it’s important that we collect antler data from as many of these deer as possible,” said Fortin. “This information helps us evaluate concerns related to antler development and the current antler point restriction.”
If your deer was three years old or older and wasn’t examined by a biologist at the reporting station, Fish & Wildlife would like to measure its antlers. To get your antlers measured, bring them to a Fish & Wildlife district office during the month of April. Or, send a picture (or two) to [email protected]. Pictures must clearly show all antler points. Detailed instructions are available on the Fish & Wildlife’s website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com).