Hunters took 14,107 deer during Vermont’s four deer hunting seasons in 2013, according to a report on last year’s hunting success just released by the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department.

The number of legal bucks with at least two points on one antler totaled 8,831, up 8 percent from the year before.

“We estimated there would be an increase in the deer population in 2013 due to two consecutive mild winters,” said state deer biologist Adam Murkowski. “The number of antlerless deer permits was increased last year by 16 percent in response to these mild winters and we maintained or reduced antlerless deer permits in other regions to promote population growth.”

Abundant apples, acorns and beechnuts that were available to deer last fall may have resulted in deer being more dispersed than in some previous years. However, cold temperatures and snow in the November rifle season likely increased the ability of hunters to find, see and take deer.

Hunters took 3,212 deer in the archery season, 1,718 on youth weekend, 6,725 in the November rifle season, and 2,452 deer during the December muzzleloader season.

The full report on deer hunting results of 2013 can be downloaded from Vermont Fish & Wildlife’s website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com).

Three public hearings on deer will be held this month 7pm-9pm at the following locations:

– March 25: Springfield — Riverside Junior High School Cafeteria, 13 Fairground Road, Springfield

– March 26: Orleans – Lake Region Union High School Cafeteria, 317 Lake Region Rd, Barton

– March 27: Middlebury – Middlebury Union High School Cafeteria, 73 Charles Avenue, Middlebury

The hearings will include results of Vermont’s 2013 deer and moose seasons and prospects for deer and moose hunting next fall as well as an opportunity for hunters to provide their observations and opinions about the current status of the deer herd.

Additional hearings will be announced and held in May.