Vermont’s rifle deer hunting season has started. The 16-day season runs from Saturday through Sunday, Nov. 27.
Vermont’s deer population is about 123,000 this year, which is about 10 percent fewer than last year.
Officials say deer have more food to prepare for winter this year so hunters may see fewer of them.
The Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife is urging deer hunters to wear orange in the woods.
Vermont Hunter Education coordinator Chris Saunders says that in the past 10 years, almost half of the state’s hunting accidents might have been prevented with hunter orange.