The second part of Vermont’s archery season for deer begins Saturday, and state wildlife officials say hunters are seeing more big, older bucks thanks to antler restrictions begun four years ago.
Muzzleloader deer season also begins Saturday.
To be taken legally, a buck must have at least one antler with two or more points that are one inch tall or longer. The main antler beam counts as one point.
Hunters can take up to three deer in a calendar year, the annual limit achieved in any combination of seasons – archery, youth weekend, November rifle season, December muzzleloader – but only two may be legal bucks, and only one buck is allowed per season.