Are semiautomatic rifles permitted?

Yes you can use semiautomatice rifles to hunt deer during the general season.  Fully automatic weapons are of course illegal. I don't know if you'd need a semi-automatic rifle since a bolt action is the best to use for the reasons that it is simple, reliable, and safe. Unless you feel that a quick follow up shot is absolutely necessary I'd advise you to stick with a bolt action rifle for deer. You can make a follow up shot quick enough. Just don't hunt until you know you can consistenly hit the animal in the vital area thus making a follow up shot unnecessary.