MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — Young and novice hunters taking part in their deer hunting weekend are encouraged to bring their deer to one of 17 biological reporting stations so that wildlife biologists can gather information on the health of Vermont’s deer population.

The youth and novice hunting weekend will be held on Oct. 24 and 25.

“Examining deer during this weekend is our best opportunity to assess the deer herd because hunters are allowed to harvest any deer, including spike bucks,” said Vermont Fish and Wildlife’s deer project leader Nick Fortin. “Biologists will be able to collect data on age, weight and antler development to help guide future deer management decisions.”

Hunters 15 years old or younger who have successfully completed a hunter education course must buy a hunting license and get a free youth weekend deer tag to hunt next weekend. A novice is a person who bought their first hunting license less than a year before this season and is at least 16 years old. Novice hunters must also obtain a free novice weekend deer tag.

Both novice and youth hunters must be accompanied by an unarmed adult over 18 years old who has a Vermont hunting license. The adult may accompany up to two such hunters.

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