Deer

V.S.A. tit. 10, ch. 113, subch. 2

in effect

10 V.S.A. § 4742a Youth deer hunting weekend

4742a. Youth deer hunting weekend (a) The Board shall designate by rule a youth deer hunting weekend prior to opening day of the regular deer season. (b) A person who is 15 years of age or under on the weekend of the hunt and who has successfully completed a hunter safety course may take one wild deer during youth deer hunting weekend in accordance with the rules of the Board. In order to hunt under this section, a young person shall also hold a valid hunting license under section 4255 of this title, hold a youth deer hunting tag, and be accompanied by an unarmed adult who holds a valid Vermont hunting license and who is over 18 years of age. An adult accompanying a youth under this section shall accompany not more than two young people at one time. (c) Each year, the Board shall determine whether antlerless deer may be taken under this section in any deer management unit or units. A determination under this subsection shall be made by rule, shall be based on the game management study conducted pursuant to section 4081 of this title, and, notwithstanding subsection (g) of that section, may allow taking of antlerless deer. (d) No person shall hunt under this section on privately owned land without first obtaining the permission of the owner or occupant. (e) Before the first youth deer hunting weekend and after each fall hunting season, the Department shall collect information on youth deer hunting weekend during the regional public hearings held pursuant to subsection 4081(f) of this title. Information relative to the public’s knowledge and concerns about the deer herd shall be gathered. The Board shall administer youth deer hunting weekend, by deer management unit, based on public input and scientific information. (f) The scheduled amount of a fine under section 4555 of this title shall be doubled for a violation of this section, and the fine shall be assessed against the licensed adult who is accompanying the youth pursuant to subsection (b) of this section and who has the youth hunter in his or her charge. (g) As used in this section, “accompany,” “accompanied,” or “accompanying” means direct control and supervision, including the ability to see and communicate with the youth hunter without the aid of artificial devices such as radios or binoculars, except for medically necessary devices such as hearing aids or eyeglasses. While hunting, an individual who holds a valid hunting license under subsection 4254(b) of this title shall accompany no more than two youth hunters at a time. Added 2001, No. 4, § 1, eff. April 4, 2001; amended 2009, No. 11, § 2; 2009, No. 122 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 2013, No. 116 (Adj. Sess.), § 7, eff. Jan. 1, 2015; 2019, No. 50, § 13.

10 V.S.A. § 4745 Taking big game out of season prohibited; time

4745. Taking big game out of season prohibited; time A person shall not take big game except during the seasons provided by law under part 4 of this title or the rules of the Board, and then only between one-half hour before sunrise and one-half hour after sunset. However, this section shall not be construed to prohibit the taking of big game under section 4826 or 4827 of this title and provisions in the rules of the Board relating to wildlife doing damage. Added 1961, No. 119, § 1, eff. May 9, 1961; amended 1961, No. 161, § 4, eff. June 8, 1961; 1967, No. 4, eff. Feb. 17, 1967; 1967, No. 315 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; 1973, No. 178 (Adj. Sess.), § 5; 2015, No. 145 (Adj. Sess.), § 13.

10 V.S.A. § 4747 Big game taken by illegal means

4747. Big game taken by illegal means A person shall not take or possess big game by the aid of a snare, trap, salt lick, jack, or other light or use these devices to entrap or ensnare big game. A person shall not use a dog of any breed or sex at any time for the purpose of hunting any big game except black bear and wild turkey as provided in fish and wildlife rules, nor shall he or she harbor or have in his or her possession a dog for this purpose. A person other than the owner or a person designated by the owner shall not take a confined fallow deer or a confined red deer. Added 1961, No. 119, § 1, eff. May 9, 1961; amended 1983, No. 234 (Adj. Sess.), § 4; 1985, No. 92, § 6; 1993, No. 236 (Adj. Sess.), § 3.

10 V.S.A. § 4748 Dogs pursuing deer or moose

4748. Dogs pursuing deer or moose (a) A dog that has been found to hunt or pursue deer or moose and whose owner or keeper has had notice to that effect shall not run at large unaccompanied by the owner or keeper. (b) A State game warden, deputy warden, sheriff, deputy sheriff, constable, police officer, or State Police may kill by shooting with firearms dogs, whether licensed or unlicensed, when in such close pursuit as to endanger the life of a deer or moose or found in the act of wounding, maiming, or killing deer or moose. Provisions of this section shall be subject to limitations set forth in section 4710 of this title. A warden or other person authorized under this subsection who does not kill a dog under the provisions of this subsection shall, if possible, locate the owner or keeper of the dog and shall issue a warning that the dog was in violation of this section and each future violation shall result in the owner or keeper being fined not more than $200.00 nor less than $50.00. (c) When a licensed dog is killed pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, the game warden, deputy game warden, sheriff, deputy sheriff, constable, police officer, or State Police shall forthwith report the same to the owner of said licensed dog. (d) No person shall have a cause of action against any of the designated wardens, sheriff, deputy sheriff, constable, police officer, or State Police exercising the authority herein granted. Added 1961, No. 119, § 1, eff. May 9, 1961; amended 1969, No. 163 (Adj. Sess.), eff. Feb. 4, 1970; 1977, No. 132 (Adj. Sess.); 1979, No. 163 (Adj. Sess.); 1981, No. 63; 1995, No. 1, § 1.

10 V.S.A. § 4749 Injured deer, killing

4749. Injured deer, killing (a) Any game warden, deputy game warden, sheriff, deputy sheriff, constable, police officer, State Police, or selectboard member may kill a deer that has been so injured that its chance for recovery is remote. (b) The official by whom such a deer is killed shall forthwith report the same to the Commissioner or a game warden and such deer shall be disposed of as provided in section 4513 of this title. Added 1961, No. 119, § 1, eff. May 9, 1961.

10 V.S.A. § 4751 Swimming deer

4751. Swimming deer A person shall not take a deer that is swimming in any lake, pond, river, or other body of water. Added 1973, No. 178 (Adj. Sess.), § 8.

Source: Vermont General Assembly (legislature.vermont.gov)URL: https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/chapter/10/113Fetched: 10/21/2026