2018 Antlerless Harvest and Youth Season Recommendation

Transcription

1 2018 Antlerless Harvest and Youth Season Recommendation to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department Agency of Natural Resources 1 National Life Drive Davis 2 Montpelier, VT

2 Summary of Key Points Following 2017 antlerless harvests and a moderate winter in 2018, the deer population is expected to remain stable, increasing about 1%, to a statewide total of around 155,000 deer. Recent data and analyses show that yearling antler beam diameters, fawn weights, and other physical condition metrics are declining or are below optimal levels, indicating that deer have exceeded the carrying capacity of their habitat. Reduced physical condition is more evident in some regions than others, but there are concerns in all regions. Deer populations in 11 WMUs are projected to be above their respective upper population objectives in The recommended permit allocation is intended to reduce deer populations in these WMUs (84% of permits would be in these units). Populations in all other WMUs will be within their respective population objectives and the recommended permit allocations are intended to stabilize populations and provide increased antlerless harvest opportunities. The recommended permit allocations are expected to result in the harvest of 3,914 antlerless deer during the muzzleloader season. This would result in an estimated total harvest from all seasons of approximately 7,464 antlerless deer.

3 Executive Summary The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department estimates there will be approximately 155,000 white-tailed deer on the Vermont landscape prior to the start of the 2018 deer hunting seasons. This represents an increase of 1 percent from the 2017 pre-hunt estimate, after incorporating the harvest data. Deer populations in 11 Wildlife Management Units (WMU) are expected to be above the upper population objectives established in the Big Game Management Plan, and some antlerless deer harvest, beyond those taken during youth and archery seasons, will be necessary to stabilize populations in nearly all remaining WMUs. The 2018 pre-hunt population estimates are calculated from deer population trends, analysis of herd demographic data, hunter effort data, 2018 winter severity information, and 2017 estimated deer populations at the WMU level. Deer are not evenly distributed across Vermont. As a result, harvest management strategies that account for regional differences in deer density are essential to the health and proper management of Vermont s deer herd. For deer to be healthy and productive, deer populations must be kept below the carrying capacity of the habitat through the regulated harvest of antlerless deer. Biological information collected annually by the Department, including reproductive data, fawn and yearling body weights, and yearling antler size, indicate that deer populations have exceeded the carrying capacity of the habitat in some parts of Vermont. Consecutive mild winters in 2016 and 2017, and a moderate winter in 2018 have allowed for deer population growth throughout the state. To achieve established density objectives, the Department recommends the harvest of 6,213 adult female deer during the 2018 hunting seasons. After accounting for expected archery and youth season harvests, the Department recommends that 3,327 adult does be harvested during the muzzleloader season. The total recommended antlerless harvest during muzzleloader season is 3,914, expecting that 15 percent (587 deer) will be fawns. Achieving this harvest requires the issuance of 27,000 WMUspecific antlerless permits distributed among 18 of Vermont s 21 WMUs. The recommendation of 27,000 permits is 2,500 (10%) more than were allotted in 2017 (24,500); however, the expected total adult doe harvest in all seasons will be nearly identical. The majority of these permits (22,600; 84%) are recommended for the 11 WMUs that will be above their respective upper population objectives. Permit recommendations in these WMUs are intended to reduce deer densities. The Department recommends that antlerless harvest be authorized during the archery and youth seasons in all WMUs to provide additional harvest opportunity and so hunters are available to address localized areas of high deer numbers. Additionally, the Department recommends that the youth season bag limit continue as one deer of either sex, regardless of antler characteristics, in all WMUs. Youth season is important for the recruitment of young hunters and the harvest provides critically important biological data on the entire deer population, including a representative sample of all yearling bucks. Three public hearings were held in Montpelier, Windsor, and Orleans from March 19-22, 2018 to gather hunter s comments on the deer herd and hunting regulations. A summary of comments is provided in Appendix A. Two additional public hearings will be held May 8 in Rutland and May 10 in South Burlington.

4 2018 Muzzleloader Antlerless Harvest Recommendation Pursuant to 10 V.S.A. 4081, 4082 and 4084, and Appendix Chapter 1 2c, hereafter is the Department s 2018 antlerless deer and youth season recommendation. Based on population estimates and public input, a harvest of 3,914 antlerless deer is recommended during the December muzzleloader deer hunting season, by permit, in 18 of 21 WMUs. Adult females are typically 85% of the muzzleloader antlerless deer harvest, so this number of antlerless deer would yield approximately 3,327 adult does. Population Status The 2017 deer hunting seasons saw a buck harvest 8 percent higher than the previous 3-year average and the third-highest in the past 15 years (see 2016 Vermont White-tailed Deer Harvest Report for more information). The mild winters of 2016 and 2017 allowed for population growth throughout the state, and 10 WMUs had retrospective population estimates in 2017 that exceeded their respective upper population objectives. Increased antlerless harvests in 2017 helped to limit further growth in many of these WMUs, but were insufficient to reduce deer densities when winters are mild or moderate. Winter Severity 2018 The Department has long recognized the influence that winter weather can have on Vermont s deer herd, and has been collecting winter severity data since Between December 1st and April 15th, volunteers record one winter severity index (WSI) point for each day with at least 18 inches of snow on the ground, and one point for each day the temperature reaches 0 F or below. These data have proven useful to describe deer population dynamics; however, how well deer survive winter depends largely on three factors: 1) body condition of deer during late-autumn as winter begins, 2) availability of quality deer wintering habitats, and 3) the timing of snow in the fall and snowmelt in spring. Snow cover that remains late into spring can cause significant negative impacts by delaying spring green up and, consequently, reducing fawn survival. The winter of 2018 was moderate with a state-wide average WSI of 38 points (Figure 1). This was slightly lower than the 30-year average of 44. A prolonged cold snap in late December and early January produced many below zero nights, but that was followed by relatively mild conditions later in the month. Similarly, conditions were relatively normal in early February, but warm weather later in the month greatly reduced snow depths across much of the state. March brought several substantial snow events, particularly in southern Vermont, but that snow was mostly gone by early April. While deep snow in late winter can have a disproportionate impact on deer survival, the fact that deer were able to spend much of the winter outside of traditional wintering areas meant they entered March in relatively good condition. Deer appeared to be in good condition (fat) entering the winter of 2018, aided by excellent mast production in Deer wintering areas in much of Vermont saw limited use in 2016 and 2017, so browse availability should have been good in As a result, overwinter mortality was likely normal or slightly below normal. We must now ensure that there are not more deer on the landscape than these habitats can support.

5 Winter Severity Index Figure 1. Statewide winter severity index (WSI), The horizontal line shows the 30-year average WSI of year Average Figure 2. Regional winter severity index in 2018 and the 30-year average.

6 Population Health Vermont s deer remain productive and their health is generally good. However, biological information collected annually by the Department, including reproductive data, fawn and yearling body weights, and yearling antler size, indicate that deer populations have exceeded the carrying capacity of the habitat in some parts of Vermont. (Figures 3, 4 and 5). Population estimates have only recently exceeded upper population objectives, but this does not appear to be a new problem. Instead, this appears to be a subtle but chronic problem that may have occurred for decades in some areas but has only recently been detected through increased or improved data collection and analyses. Further, declines in measures like yearling antler beam diameter have been slow (Figure 3), and therefore it takes many years of data to separate the trend from normal annual variation. Health concerns are most pronounced in the East Central region, but are evident in all regions except possibly the Northeast (Figure 5; see regional discussions for more detail). In most cases, the Department believes the primary driver of declining physical condition is not a recent increase in deer abundance, but rather a slow, steady decline in the quality of deer habitat. Deer abundance has been relatively stable over the past 15 years, and arguably the past 30 years. However, Vermont s forests are aging and the amount of young forest (less than 20 years old), which provides critical forage for deer, is declining. Other factors, including hunter access to private land, proliferation of invasive plants, and climate change are also important, and make the problem and any solutions more complex. The simple result, however, is that the habitat cannot support the number of deer it used to, and it is likely that carrying capacity will continue to decline Antler Beam Diameter (mm) Figure 3. Antler beam diameter of yearling bucks in Vermont, Data are from deer examined at biological check stations.

7 Female Male 75 Field-dressed Weight (lbs) Figure 4. Male and female fawn field-dressed weight, Data are from deer examined at biological check stations during Youth Season. Error bars show 95% confidence intervals Antler Beam Diameter (mm) LP WF MT NE EC EF Figure 5. Yearling antler beam diameter, by deer management region, Error bars show standard error. Yearling antler beam diameters in neighboring states over this time period range from 17.7 to 18.5 millimeters.

8 Population Projections and Management Objectives Increased antlerless harvests in 2017 and the moderate winter of 2018 have limited further population growth in most of Vermont (Figures 5 and 6). While a stable population is desirable in some areas, it means deer densities remain above upper population objectives in several WMUs. To provide healthy habitats and thereby keep deer healthy and productive, deer densities must be kept within established regional objectives (Figure 7). Maintaining a healthy deer herd is the best way to mitigate the potential effects of winter weather and provide a stable population over the long term. Antlerless harvest in areas within population objectives is important for stabilizing populations and avoiding the future consequences of an overabundant deer herd today. Total antlerless harvest in 2017 (6,505) was 12% less than recommended (7,364). This was attributable to unsold permits (-5%), lower than expected success rates during the muzzleloader season (-4%), and lower than expected antlerless harvests during the archery and youth seasons (-3%). Total antlerless harvest was below the recommended or expected number in all WMUs except D2 and P. Based on the 2017 antlerless harvests and 2018 regional WSIs, the Department expects the statewide deer population to increase 1 percent from the 2017 retrospective estimate of 154,000 deer to approximately 155,000 deer (Figure 6). Small increases in deer density are expected in the Mountains and Eastern Foothills regions, while little or no change is expected in other regions (Figure 7). Importantly, 11 WMUs will have deer densities that exceed their respective upper population objectives, and the Department s objective is to reduce deer densities in those areas (Figures 8 and 9). All other WMUs will have deer densities that are within their population objective range and the intent is to stabilize those populations at their current level. 180, , ,000 Number of Deer 120, ,000 80,000 60,000 40,000 20, Figure 6. Statewide pre-hunt deer population estimates, Population estimates are based on VT-DOEPOP, Sex-Age-Kill, MARK-removal, and roadkill-based modeling. Horizontal orange lines represent the upper and lower population objectives established in the Big Game Management Plan.

9 Lake Plains Deer/Square Mile Western Foothills Deer/Square Mile Mountains Deer/Square Mile Northeast Deer/Square Mile East Central Deer/Square Mile Eastern Foothills Deer/Square Mile Figure 7. Regional pre-hunt deer density estimates, Population estimates are based on VT-DOEPOP, Sex-Age- Kill, and MARK-removal modeling, as well as deer sighting rates reported by rifle season deer hunters. Horizontal orange lines represent the upper and lower density objectives established in the Big Game Management Plan.

10 Desired Population Change Decrease Stabilize Increase Figure 8. Deer management regions and respective deer density objectives. Deer densities are deer per square mile of habitat. Figure 9. Desired change in the deer population, by Wildlife Management Unit, to reach regional density objectives. Antlerless Harvest Recommendation Archery Season The Department believes it is appropriate to have all WMUs open to the taking of antlerless deer during the 2018 archery season. Antlerless harvest in archery season is a key component in deer population management in Vermont. Archery hunters tend to distribute their hunting effort and, as a result, harvest in areas with higher deer numbers. Therefore, archery harvest has a low impact in areas with fewer deer. Importantly, archery harvest allows hunters to better regulate local deer herds in areas with high deer densities. Given the current system for harvesting antlerless deer in Vermont, it is important to keep archers ever-present. Youth Season The Department is strongly committed to recruiting young hunters into Vermont s deer hunting heritage. Based on this commitment and the importance of harvesting an adequate number of female deer each year, the Department recommends that the youth season bag limit be one deer of either sex in all WMUs. This will continue to allow youth hunters the opportunity to help properly manage Vermont s deer herd. The Department also recommends that hunters during youth season be able to take any buck, regardless of antler characteristics. Concern has been expressed over the fact that young hunters can harvest spike-antlered bucks during this season and that it will defeat the intent of the

11 antler point regulation. The youth season accounts for less than 10 percent of the total buck harvest (6% in 2017), and it is critical that spike-antlered bucks be taken during this season so the Department can track their prevalence in the population (for population modeling) and obtain important biological information (e.g., weight, antler measurements) from this portion of the yearling buck population. This is the primary reason Department biologists examine deer during youth season each year. Muzzleloader Season Antlerless permits are recommended for 18 WMUs during the 2018 muzzleloader season. The Department recommends that a total of 27,000 antlerless permits be issued (10% more than the 24,500 approved for distribution in 2017). An increase in antlerless permits is recommended for 7 WMUs (Figure 10). Reductions in permit allocation are recommended in 5 WMUs, but these are solely a reflection of limitations on the number of permits the Department has been able to distribute in those WMUs. These recommendations are intended to reduce populations in some WMUs and stabilize populations in others (Figure 9). This permit allocation is estimated to harvest an additional 3,914 antlerless deer above those harvested during archery and youth seasons. Harvesting this number of antlerless deer during muzzleloader season should yield 3,327 adult female deer (85%) Figure 10. Wildlife management units open to antlerless deer hunting during the 2017 and 2018 (proposed) archery, youth, and muzzleloader seasons and muzzleloader antlerless permit allocations. No antlerless deer may be harvested during the regular firearm season.

12 Explanation of Management Recommendations by Region Deer densities, habitat conditions, and winter severity can vary substantially from one part of Vermont to another. Additionally, these factors and the effects of historical deer densities have resulted in deer in some regions being in better physical condition than others (Figures 5, 11, 12, and 13). This results in variable deer population dynamics across the state; therefore, deer management prescriptions are made at the regional or WMU level rather than statewide. The Department is aware that deer densities (and other factors) vary within each WMU, sometimes substantially. Unfortunately, it is not currently feasible to manage at a smaller scale than a WMU given the structure of our hunting regulations and the Department s ability to collect adequate data. However, hunters generally do a good job of targeting areas of higher deer density within a WMU, as long as access is sufficient. The following is a summary of management considerations in each region. Deer density estimates and predicted antlerless harvests for each WMU are provided in Table Field-dressed Weight (lbs) LP WF MT NE EC EF Figure 11. Field-dressed body weight of yearling bucks, by deer management region, Error bars show standard error. Data are from deer examined at biological reporting stations during the youth season.

13 Field-dressed Weight (lbs) LP WF MT NE EC EF Figure 12. Field-dressed body weight of fawns, by deer management region, Error bars show standard error. Data are from deer examined at biological reporting stations during the youth season Fetuses/pregnant doe LP WF MT NE EC EF Figure 13. Fecundity of adult does (2+ years old), by deer management region, Error bars show standard error. Data are from fetus counts conducted on road-killed deer.

14 Lake Plains (WMUs A, B, F1, F2) The Lake Plains region contains some of the most productive white-tailed deer habitats in Vermont. Severe winters are uncommon in this region, and the last time the WSI was high enough to cause a population decline was in Deer in this region are in relatively good physical condition (Figures 5, 11, 12, and 13), but that may not continue if deer densities aren t reduced. Yearling antler beam diameters appear to be declining in this region (Figure 10), suggesting the deer population has negatively affected the habitat. Anecdotal evidence suggests deer browse damage to forests is widespread and occasionally substantial. Estimated deer densities in WMUs A and B continue to be greater than regional density objectives, as they have been since at least 2011 and likely long before that. Recent antlerless harvests appear to have stabilized populations, but a reduction is desirable in both WMUs. The current recommendations for WMUs A and B are the maximum number of permits the Department has been able to distribute in these WMUs, and the resulting antlerless harvest will take several years to reduce densities to target levels. Deer populations in WMUs F1 and F2 were reduced by substantial antlerless harvests from and the severe winter of 2011, but have increased substantially in recent years. The Department has established an interim population objective for WMU F1 of deer per square mile due to the limited amount of forested habitat. Regional density goals are not appropriate for WMU F1, as a density of 21 deer per square mile of habitat would equate to more than 84 deer per square mile of forest in this heavily agricultural unit. The F1 permit recommendation aims to reduce the population to 15 deer per square mile. The recommendation in F2 is intended to stabilize the population at its current level. Recommendations in both units were reduced to roughly the number of permits that were distributed in 2017, and the resulting antlerless harvest is unlikely to reduce deer densities unless next winter is relatively severe Antler Beam Diameter (mm) Figure 14. Yearling antler beam diameters in the Lake Plains region, Data are from deer examined during the youth season. Error bars show 95% confidence intervals.

15 Western Foothills (WMUs K, N) The Western Foothills region is one of the most productive white-tailed deer habitat regions in Vermont. Severe winters are uncommon in this region, and although the winter of 2018 had an average WSI here, it is not expected to substantially effect the population. Antlerless harvests have been insufficient to reduce deer densities in this region, and both WMUs remain above long-term density objectives. It appears that poor fawn recruitment may be the primary reason deer populations have remained relatively stable in this region despite inadequate antlerless harvests. This is supported by modeling as well as low body weights of fawns and yearling bucks (Figures 11 and 12), and is presumably related to the chronic overabundance of deer dating back to the 1960s. Fecundity of adult does is still good (Figure 13), but is likely influenced by mild winters and abundant hard mast (primarily oak). If fawn recruitment was typical of the rest of Vermont, the deer population in this region would increase by about 5 percent annually given current antlerless harvests. Permit recommendations are the maximum number of permits the Department optimistically hopes to distribute in these WMUs (in 2017, the Department only sold 2,505 permits in K and 1,588 in N; Table 2). The antlerless harvest resulting from this number of permits (if all permits are sold) will not reduce deer densities unless next winter has a WSI of at least 40. That has only occurred 3 times in the past 25 years. Alternative antlerless harvest strategies will be necessary to achieve density objectives in this region. Mountains (WMUs C, G, I, L, P) WMU C will be near the upper regional density objective of 18 deer per square mile, and the recommendation of 800 permits is intended to stabilize the population at or below that level. Deer densities in this unit are much higher along its western edge, primarily in the towns of Enosburg and Bakersfield. As a result, most antlerless harvest also tends to be concentrated in those areas and limited in higher elevation areas with lower deer densities. WMUs G, I, and L are within regional deer density objectives, so a few antlerless permits are recommended to allow additional antlerless harvest in valley locations along the edges of these units. These recommendations are intended to stabilize populations at current levels, assuming average WSIs in future winters. No permits are recommended for WMU P as further population growth is not expected due to more severe winters in this high elevation unit. Deer densities in these WMUs are somewhat limited by winter weather, particularly at higher elevations, but they are also strongly limited by the availability of young forest habitat. These units are heavily forested with limited open land and agriculture; therefore, the productivity of forest habitats has a substantial influence on the number of deer that can be supported. Antler size, body weights, and productivity indicate that deer in these units are somewhat limited by forage availability (Figures 5, 11, 12, and 13). The habitat may not be able to support more deer than have been in these WMUs over the past 15 years, and current densities may exceed that limit (Figure 7). Northeast (WMUs D1, D2, E1, E2) Deer densities vary considerably within this region. Therefore, the Department uses interim deer density objectives for 3 of the 4 WMUs that differ from the regional objective. WMU D1, with abundant farmland and easier winters than the rest of this region, can sustain more than 15 deer per square mile and the Department has established an interim deer density objective of deer per square mile. Conversely, WMUs E1 and E2 regularly experience severe winters that limit deer densities to less than

16 10 deer per square mile. These WMUs are also the state s core moose range, and in recognition of the negative effect deer can have on moose through the increased prevalence of brainworm, the Department believes it is important to maintain deer densities in these WMUs at less than 10 deer per square mile. As usual, the winter of 2018 was more severe in this region than elsewhere in the state, but the WSI was still below the long-term averages (Figure 2). Deer densities in WMUs D1 and D2 will again be above their respective upper population objectives. The permit recommendations in D1 and D2 are intended to reduce the populations. Deer in this region do not currently show the health concerns evident in other regions, but if densities are allowed to remain at or above upper objectives health will begin to decline. This is already evident in deer from Derby, where deer densities appear to be highest. Yearling bucks from Derby are 6lbs lighter and have smaller antlers than those from other towns in the WMU. Further, overabundant deer can quickly damage deer wintering habitats, which will exacerbate winter mortality and reduce the number of deer that can be supported in future years. Frequent severe winters and the relatively poor condition of deer wintering habitats limits deer densities in WMUs E1 and E2 to less than 10 deer per square mile and, as such, no antlerless permits are recommended. The Department does recommend allowing antlerless harvest during the archery season in these WMUs. Archery antlerless harvest was minimal (25 deer) in 2017 and occurred primarily near villages and along the edges of the WMUs where deer densities are somewhat higher. East-central (WMUs H, J1, J2) Yearling antler beam diameters, body weights, and reproductive data indicate that deer in this region are in relatively poor physical condition compared to other parts of the state (Figures 5, 11, 12 and 13). This does not appear to be a recent issue, and presumably stems from habitat degradation caused by chronic, historic overabundance of deer. Population reduction will be necessary to improve the physical condition of the regional deer population. Permit recommendations in WMUs J1 and J2 are intended to reduce the deer populations, while the recommendation in H is intended to stabilize the population at current levels. Barring a severe winter in 2019, the population reductions resulting from this permit allocation will not be substantial. Continued higher permit allocations will be necessary, regardless of winter severity, to further reduce deer densities in coming years. The department recognizes that deer densities can vary substantially within these WMUs. For example, deer densities are much lower on the western side of WMU J1 than on the eastern side. Similarly, in WMU H deer densities are much higher near Montpelier and Barre than the higher elevation parts of the WMU. While this poses some additional challenges for deer management, it does not negate the need to immediately address overabundance and reduced physical condition. Eastern Foothills (WMUs M, O, Q) Density objectives in this region are relatively low to address issues of chronic deer browse damage to forest regeneration. Maintaining regional deer densities at these lower levels has resulted in improved physical condition and relatively good reproductive rates, but physical condition metrics are still lower than other regions of the state and continued improvement is desired. Low antlerless harvests from

17 2011 to 2015 (Table 2) have allowed populations to increase, particularly in WMUs O and Q, and both WMUs will again be above objective in Therefore, permit recommendations are intended to reduce the population in both WMUs. The recommendation for WMU Q was reduced from 2017 solely to reflect the maximum number of permits the Department believes it can distribute (only 692 permits were sold in 2016). While higher density objectives may eventually be appropriate for WMU O (and possibly Q), allowing the populations to remain at higher densities now could quickly eliminate any gains made in recent years. The low yearling antler beam diameter observed in this region in 2017 (14.9mm; Figure 15) is concerning, particularly considering how easy the winter of 2017 was. It is likely that deer densities will need to be held at lower levels for several years to produce lasting improvement in physical condition. Deer density in WMU M is near the upper population objective, and the permit recommendation is intended to stabilize the population and provide increased antlerless harvest opportunity. The antlerless harvest during archery and youth seasons is quite low in this WMU, so the overall antlerless harvest will still be relatively low with this permit allocation (Table 1) Antler Beam Diameter (mm) Figure 15. Yearling antler beam diameters in the Eastern Foothills region, Data are from deer examined during the youth season. Error bars show 95% confidence intervals.

18 Table 1. Estimated deer densities, predicted antlerless deer harvest during the 2018 archery, youth, and muzzleloader seasons, and actual 2017 antlerless harvest by wildlife management unit. Deer per mi 2 Early Antlerless Muzzleloader Antlerless 2018 Total Doe 2017 Total Adult Harvest Actual WMU Objective Archery Youth Permits Fill Rate Harvest Antlerless Does a per mi 2 b AFR c Antlerless A % B % C % D % D % E1 < E2 < F % F % G % H % I % J % J % K % L % M % N % O % P Q % STATE % a Adult does (1+ year old) are typically 85% of the archery and muzzleloader antlerless harvest and 70% of the youth season antlerless harvest. b Total adult doe harvest per square mile of deer habitat. c Adult female ratio. The ratio of adult females to adult males in the harvest.

19 Table 2. Muzzleloader antlerless permit history by WMU, , and recommended permit allocation for Numbers in parentheses are the number actually distributed. WMU A (1023) B 5700 (5699) (999) (843) C D1 a D2 a E a F (1775) (917) F (1297) G H b I J J2 c K d (4087) (3672) (4403) (3569) (2505) L M e N (1988) (2159) (2030) (2123) (1835) (1588) O f P Q a (692) 700 STATE a WMU boundary changed in b Permit totals prior to 2014 are for former WMU H1. c Permit totals prior to 2014 are for former WMUs H2 and J2. d Permit totals prior to 2014 are for former WMUs K1 and K2. e Permit totals prior to 2014 are for former WMUs M1 and O1 f Permit totals prior to 2014 are for former WMUs M2 and O2. A portion of WMU Q was also added to this unit in 2014.

20 Table 3. Muzzleloader antlerless permit fill rate by WMU, WMU Yr Avg A 13% 15% 12% 14% 11% 10% 11% 9% 10% 12% 10% B 16% 16% 16% 16% 13% 13% 14% 12% 15% 13% 13% C 29% 28% 26% 22% 20% 29% 19% 22% D1* 27% 24% 27% 22% 26% 22% 10% 25% 28% 21% D2* 23% 21% 18% 18% 18% E* F1 11% 11% 11% 18% 13% 12% 13% 15% 11% 13% F2 19% 13% 11% 12% 15% 13% 12% 14% 11% 13% G 30% 35% 16% 7% 20% 16% 17% H* 19% 22% 19% 24% 20% 18% 19% 12% 16% 17% 16% I 20% 24% 11% 11% J1 20% 21% 16% 23% 16% 22% 12% 23% 19% 21% J2* 21% 25% 18% 19% 16% 22% 22% 16% 20% 16% 18% K 17% 17% 14% 16% 10% 11% 10% 10% 13% 12% 11% L 16% 23% 14% 14% M 15% 18% 15% 16% N 17% 17% 14% 13% 11% 11% 11% 9% 13% 12% 11% O* 20% 18% 13% 19% 15% 16% 23% 15% 15% 15% 15% P Q* 12% 11% 8% 14% 12% 11% 12% 11% STATE 17% 17% 16% 16% 15% 18% 16% 11% 15% 14% 14% *WMU boundary changed in Public Meeting Comments Department staff conducted 3 of the 5 required public deer hearings to interact with hunters, receive public comment on the status of the deer herd, and to satisfy statute and Board regulation. Hearings were held in the towns of Montpelier, Windsor, and Orleans during March 19-22, The remaining hearings will be held May 8 in Rutland and May 10 in South Burlington. Attendance at the March hearings ranged from 49 in Orleans to 74 in Windsor. Most attendees expressed general satisfaction with the current abundance of deer, and were encouraged about prospects for Many suggestions were offered regarding ways to improve our deer hunting regulations and/or the hunting season structure. Attendees were grateful for the opportunity to interact with Department staff and Board members. A compilation of the comments recorded at each of the meetings is provided in Appendix A.

21 Appendix A. Public comments recorded by group facilitators at deer hearings March 19-22, Deer Meeting Montpelier March 19, 2018 VFWD Staff: Nick Fortin, Scott Darling, Mark Scott, Louis Porter, Cedric Alexander, Katy Geider, Tom Rogers, Wardens Sean Fowler and Chad Barrett F&W Board Members: Kevin Lawrence, Theresa Elmer, Bill Pickens, Brian Wiles, Cheryl Frank Sullivan, Pete Allard Public Attendees: What are your comments on the status and health of Vermont s deer herd and prospects for the 2018 deer seasons? Include any specific comments the department should consider when preparing the 2018 antlerless harvest and youth season recommendation. (numbers in parentheses indicate the number of times a comment was recorded) Antler beam diameter shrinking is very concerning, mixed with mild and hard winters, deer will damage habitat. Increase harvest # of areas in WMA s Pleased with the herd Harvest of spikes = get rid of inferior genetics Do we need to control predators if deer # s are high -naturally decrease the deer Advertising state land (WMA s) and promoting opportunity for management 2 antler deer per yr (2) Density population is too high as presented Winter feed - cut more on private land Concerned that the message of too many deer will promote poaching activity Consider a possible 3-point rule Point re works out very well Get rid of APR s and more logging Don t change increase APR s because it may decrease access to land Exempt youth from $5 early season bear tag (youth weekend) Antlerless increase in harvest- more permits to increase 2 doe tag muzzle Hold hunting license to apply for permit Reduce buck rutting for a doe to be killed after bred Buck wasting a lot of energy If didn t get first choice of antlerless permit, what notification for other options Youth season happy (3) Youth hunting age is too high Youth should follow the same rules (ie no spikes) No special weekend

22 Youth ok, but 1 and done as youth Population is high but forest is sustaining it Not too worried about current snow load, specific to south VT (Rutland County) Hunt (Island Pond, NE) area, seeing a lot of bucks on camera, sign is good Yes, so far, seems healthy, seen lots of deer, good to see logging No, not many deer, no habitat Gun laws scaring folks, to teach values Mixed (dep on region) habitat to blame Move muzzleloader to before bow (2) Don t shoot pregnant does that feed additional time better feed Take does earlier to leave feed for other deer Time of year is tough after long seasons Better identification of the animal if there were doe and buck tag only permit Balance opportunities w/crossbow Good to talk to different perspectives J1 - herd looks good (lots of cutting going on) H - hunted 40 yrs and deer pop steady Continue to balance the herd with doe season How do they really come up with the deer numbers G does not see deer as in the past, but looking better B- high population around circ hyw

23 Deer Focus Questions Windsor March 21, 2018 VFWD Staff: Nick Fortin, Scott Darling, Louis Porter, Forrest Hammond, Susan Warner, Wardens Jeff Whipple and Will Seegers F&W Board Members: Kevin Lawrence, Theresa Elmer, Tim Beibel, Brian Wiles, Dennis Mewes Public Attendees: What are your comments on the status and health of Vermont s deer herd and prospects for the 2018 deer seasons? Include any specific comments the department should consider when preparing the 2018 antlerless harvest and youth season recommendation. (numbers in parentheses indicate the number of times a comment was recorded) Collect harvest info by private land parcel and use value Questions on use value parameters harvest every 10 yrs, etc Ares of over browse Access on use value properties Hard to find good area to hunt Statewide population is pointless, but matters by WMU, local volunteers Beam diameters matter Liked when M was M1 and M2, now is O Youth is good 2 days is good, allowing to shoot spikes is good get the biological data from this In GA they have early youth, might be good to encourage w/out kids getting discouraged from the cold Where do you get the population estimate? (3) How do we get pop # s? In M deer herd is declining population, as observed while grooming snow Overall health = good wt and antler growth Private land is not used well, public = fewer Perception = bigger deer, wt Herd in good shape, good health (9) More hunters in NEK rather than more deer (appeal of big woods + big bucks) Maybe more hunters in the area leads to more deer being killed Look at an early m/l season, Oct season (6) Like youth season, to keep them included (2) Would like to address a min age to take hunter safety 2 nd home tax break for hunting No limit youth season, all rifle season Does during rifle season Zone management regional Get rid of APR

24 Spike should be considered a doe no Apr for over 60+ more forestry management (Act 171) Windsor WMA deer on on posted land, hard to get them out of big woods incentives for landowners lack of access logging has helped federal lands should be managed for deer youth hunters up to 18 reduce poaching in Windsor educate land owners when will we talk spike horns again limit youth to doe only what effect do crossbows have on antlerless harvest happy with youth season (4) like to see youth use crossbows likes 2-3 NH doe days posted land, landowner fear of liability a lot of posted land so numbers are skewed, less huntable land. Hunters concentrated in ewer areas shifted to trophy. Sees a lot of deer in Vt (Norwich area) seeing significant numbers of deer now. Seeing more in Canaan

25 Deer Focus Questions Orleans March 22, 2018 VFWD Staff: Nick Fortin, Cedric Alexander, Mark Scott, Jason Batchelder, Wardens Jason Dukette and Mike Scott F&W Board Members: Kevin Lawrence, Theresa Elmer, Johanna Laggis, Craig Nolan, Bill Pickens, Pete Allard, David Robillard, Cheryl Frank Sullivan Public Attendees: What are your comments on the status and health of Vermont s deer herd and prospects for the 2017 deer seasons? Include any specific comments the department should consider when preparing the 2017 antlerless harvest and youth season recommendation. (numbers in parentheses indicate the number of times a comment was recorded) Overall deer herd is doing well (10) Down somewhat since early 2000 s Doe tags are ok as long as people are hunting where they should be Why shoot pregnant does in Dec (2) M/L season in Oct (4) Coyote control (2) Likes APR(3) Way too many deer in D1 + D2 Never see bucks Dept population estimation way off, too high Current use!! posted land (3) Need incentives to protect deer habitat More antlerless permits Regional management (2) Good except E1 + E2 No antlerless harvest in E1+ E2 including youth Enjoy December muzzleloader doe hunt Like youth season increase participation please (3) Encourage youth with liberal seasons Antlers are not getting points genetics Regulate E1 + E2 Discourse of hunters indicates general satisfaction w/hunts Youth no fawns, and limit # of deer during their time as youth limit 2 deer per season one buck antlerless permit should include spike horns season for seniors not enough bucks if not legally posted, shouldn t get kicked off

26 3 tags to fill until of age (2 antlerless, 1 either sex) 5 no comments Don t like they have to get permission to hunt on private land, should be able to hunt like rest of adult Why hunter numbers down 50% How will we handle no hunters in future What are we going to do about funding