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Hunters Anglers Trappers Association of Vermont |
              
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VERMONT AGENCY OF NATURAL RESOURCES PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: August 26, 2010 Media Contacts: Mike Wichrowski – 802-241-3447, Susan Bulmer – 802-476-0181
Public Meeting Set to Discuss Boat Access at Lake Groton
WATERBURY, VT – A public meeting has been set for Friday, September 3rd, at 3 p.m. to discuss the Agency of Natural Resources’ plans to create a public boat access on Lake Groton . The meeting is open to the general public and will be held at the Groton Nature Center on Boulder Beach Road in Groton State Forest .
There will be a short presentation on possible locations for the access, followed by a public comment period. The project will be a cooperative effort between the Vermont Departments of Forest , Parks, and Recreation and Fish and Wildlife.
VERMONT AGENCY OF NATURAL RESOURCES PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: August 24, 2010 Contact: Bill Crenshaw, 802-878-1564
Vermont’s Migratory Bird Hunting Seasons Are Announced
Waterbury, VT – Vermont ’s 2010 migratory bird hunting season dates, including waterfowl and woodcock seasons, are posted on the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com). You can print your own copy of the regulation sheet from a file on the website.
A larger printed version will be available from license agents throughout Vermont in early September.
The hunting season dates, bag limits and related regulations are set annually in August within a framework established by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in coordination with New York and New Hampshire .
Waterfowl season dates and bag limits are set in three zones: Lake Champlain, Interior Vermont, and Connecticut River . The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department sets the season dates and bag limits for the Connecticut River Zone.
Duck season opens on October 6 in the Lake Champlain and Interior Vermont Zones and on October 5 in the Connecticut River Zone. The Lake Champlain Zone has a split season (October 6-10; October 23-December 16); the Interior Vermont Zone is a straight season (October 6-December 4); and the Connecticut River Zone is a split season (October 5-November 7; November 24-December 19).
A statewide Vermont open hunting season for Canada geese will occur September 7-25. The daily bag limit is five Canada geese except in that portion of the Lake Champlain Zone within Addison County north of Route 125, where the limit will be two per day. The purpose of the September season is to help control Vermont ’s resident Canada goose population prior to the arrival of Canada geese migrating south from Canada .
A second Canada goose hunting season, which targets both resident and migrant birds, will be held Oct. 20 – Dec. 3 with a daily bag limit of three Canada geese in the Lake Champlain and Interior Vermont Zones. In the Connecticut River Zone the Canada goose season will run at the same time as the duck season (October 5-November 7; November 24-December 19) with a daily bag limit of two Canada geese.
Vermont ’s youth waterfowl hunting weekend will be September 25-26. Resident and nonresident hunters under age 16 may hunt ducks and geese statewide during this season while accompanied by an adult 18 or older. Both must have Vermont hunting licenses. The adult may not hunt or carry a firearm. The youth and the adult are not required to hold state or federal duck stamps on this weekend.
Woodcock hunting season is Oct. 9 - Nov. 5 and November 8-9, statewide with a three-bird bag limit.
A waterfowl hunter 16 or older must carry signed current federal and Vermont duck stamps in order to hunt waterfowl in Vermont . In addition, all migratory game bird hunters must be registered with the Harvest Information Program (H.I.P.). You can register on Vermont Fish and Wildlife’s website (vtfishandwildlife.com) or call, toll free, 1-877-306-7091. After providing some basic information, you will receive your annual H.I.P. registration number, which you then need to record in the H.I.P. section of your hunting license.
Vermont Antlerless Deer Hunt Application Deadline is Aug. 26
Waterbury, VT – The deadline to apply for a Vermont antlerless deer hunting permit is August 26, according to a reminder from the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department.
Vermont's antlerless deer hunting lottery applications for the muzzleloader season are available on the Fish & Wildlife Department’s website, at Fish & Wildlife district offices, and at license agents statewide.
Applications may be submitted on-line with a credit or debit card payment, or printed, filled out, and mailed in with a check. On-line applications are found at (www.vtfishandwildlife.com). Go to “Hunting and Trapping” and click on Lottery Applications.
The permits are only for "antlerless deer," which is defined as deer without antlers or with antlers less than three inches long. A hunter who wins an antlerless deer permit in the lottery may use it to take one antlerless deer by muzzleloader during the December 4-12, 2010 muzzleloader season in the wildlife management unit (WMU) designated on the permit. “We appreciate that most hunters are supportive of scientific deer herd management,” said Dr. Shawn Haskell, Vermont ’s deer biologist. “They realize a certain number of antlerless deer must be removed in some areas of the state in order to keep the deer population in balance with its habitat. Wildlife biologists make recommendations annually, based on winter severity, habitat conditions, deer population goals, and harvest objectives.” All of Vermont ’s wildlife management units (WMUs) are proposed to have muzzleloader antlerless permits this year except WMUs E, O1 and P. The 25,600 muzzleloader antlerless permits proposed will help slow the growth of the deer population in these units and are expected to net a harvest of about 4,500 deer. The numbers of permits to be issued and WMUs to be open will be determined by the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Board at a later date. Six WMUs on the western side of the state (A-F1-F2-K1-K2-N) had permits last year that were unallocated after the lottery drawing because not enough people applied. Applications must be postmarked no later than August 26, 2010, or delivered that day in the Waterbury Fish & Wildlife office by 4:30 p.m. On-line applications will be accepted until midnight of August 26, 2010. The cost to apply is $10 for residents and $25 for nonresidents. A person may submit only one application. VERMONT AGENCY OF NATURAL RESOURCES PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: August 2, 2010 Media Contact: Bill Crenshaw, 802-879-5699; Mark Scott, 802-241-3700
September Canada Goose and Youth Waterfowl Hunts Set
Waterbury, VT – September dates for Vermont ’s resident Canada goose hunting season and the youth waterfowl hunt weekend have been set by the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board.
A statewide open hunting season for Canada geese will occur September 7-25, 2010. The daily bag limit will be five Canada geese except in that portion of the Lake Champlain Zone within Addison County north of Route 125, where the limit will be two per day. The purpose of the season, which is held earlier than the regular waterfowl hunting seasons, is to help control Vermont’s resident Canada goose population prior to the arrival of Canada geese migrating south from northern Canada.
“This September goose season is prescribed for resident Canada geese that have built up a sizeable breeding population here in Vermont ,” said State Wildlife Biologist William Crenshaw.
Vermont’s youth waterfowl hunting weekend will be held September 25-26, 2010. Hunters 15 years of age or younger on that date may hunt ducks and geese statewide during this season while accompanied by an adult 18 or older. Both must have Vermont hunting licenses. The adult may not hunt or carry a firearm. Neither the youth nor the adult is required to hold a state or federal duck stamp on this weekend.
This year, as in 2004, the September Canada goose season and the Youth Waterfowl Hunting Weekend overlap by one day, Saturday, September 25. On this day the daily bag limit for Canada geese will be the same as the September Canada Goose Season. On Sunday, September 26, the daily bag limit will be the same as the late (October-November) Canada goose season. VERMONT AGENCY OF NATURAL RESOURCES PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release: July 30, 2010Media Contacts: Vermont - Bill Crenshaw (802) 878-1564; New York - John O’Connor (518) 897-1291 Waterfowl Meetings -- Aug. 10, Whitehall , NY -- Aug. 11, Burlington , VTWATERBURY, VT – Public meetings on the status of waterfowl populations and waterfowl hunting seasons for Lake Champlain in New York and Vermont will be held Tuesday, August 10, in Whitehall , New York , and Wednesday, August 11, in Burlington , Vermont . The annual meetings are being held by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department.
The August 10th meeting will be held at the Skenesborough Rescue Squad building in Whitehall , New York . The August 11th meeting will be held at the University of Vermont ’s Billings Lecture Hall. Both meetings will run from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. Those attending the Burlington , Vermont meeting should park off Colchester Avenue .
Vermont and New York waterfowl hunters are encouraged to attend one of these meetings and share their recommendations and opinions with other waterfowl hunters and Vermont and New York wildlife personnel.
The current Lake Champlain Waterfowl Zone, established in 1988, includes all of Lake Champlain and an additional narrow strip land in both Vermont and New York . Under Federal regulations, waterfowl seasons, bag limits, and shooting hours in the Lake Champlain Zone must be uniform throughout the entire zone. Therefore, waterfowl seasons in New York ’s portion of the Lake Champlain Zone must be identical to the waterfowl season in Vermont ’s portion of the Zone.
Comments received at the August meetings, as well as input and recommendations from the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department and the New York Department of Environmental Conservation will be reviewed by the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board. The Board will set the migratory game bird seasons at their August 18 meeting. VERMONT AGENCY OF NATURAL RESOURCES PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: July 20, 2010 Media Contacts: Tom Decker, 802-241-3700
Special Opportunity Moose Hunt
WATERBURY , VT – Special opportunity moose hunts for as many as three people under 21 years old who have a life threatening disease or illness are being offered by Vermont this year.
All applicants must be sponsored by a charitable organization with 501(c)(3) status. The deadline to apply to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is September 9, 2010, and there is no cost to apply and no cost for the permit. Anyone who held a Vermont moose hunting permit in 2007, 2008 or 2009 is not eligible to apply.
Those who are selected to receive a special opportunity moose hunting permit must purchase a Vermont hunting license before going hunting. In order to purchase the license, the person must have passed a hunter education course or have held a hunting license previously.
Each recipient of one of these hunting permits may take one moose of either sex during the October 16 -21, 2010 moose hunting season. The permittee may designate up to five support personnel who may accompany the permittee on the moose hunt, one of whom may be a second shooter with a Vermont hunting license.
Information and a special application are available from the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, 103 South Main Street , Waterbury , VT 05671-0501 . Tel. 802-241-3695. Email: fwinformation@state.vt.us
VERMONT AGENCY OF NATURAL RESOURCES PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: June 24, 2010 Media Contact: Shawn Haskell, 802-751-2647, Mark Scott, 802-241-3700
Vermont Antlerless Deer Hunt Applications Available
Waterbury, VT – Vermont 's antlerless deer hunting lottery applications for the muzzleloader season are now available on the Fish & Wildlife Department’s website, at Fish & Wildlife district offices, and at license agents statewide.
Applications may be submitted on-line with a credit or debit card payment, or printed, filled out, and mailed in with a check. On-line applications are found at (www.vtfishandwildlife.com). Go to “Hunting and Trapping” and click on Lottery Applications.
The permits are only for "antlerless deer," which is defined as deer without antlers or with antlers less than three inches long. A hunter who wins an antlerless deer permit in the lottery may use it to take one antlerless deer by muzzleloader during the December 4-12, 2010 muzzleloader season in the wildlife management unit (WMU) designated on the permit. “We appreciate that most hunters are supportive of scientific deer herd management,” said Dr. Shawn Haskell, Vermont ’s deer biologist. “They realize a certain number of antlerless deer must be removed in some areas of the state in order to keep the deer population in balance with its habitat. Wildlife biologists make recommendations annually, based on winter severity, habitat conditions, deer population goals, and harvest objectives.” All of Vermont ’s wildlife management units (WMUs) are proposed to have muzzleloader antlerless permits this year except WMUs E, O1 and P. The 25,600 muzzleloader antlerless permits proposed will help slow the growth of the deer population in these units and are expected to net a harvest of about 4,500 deer. The numbers of permits to be issued and WMUs to be open will be determined by the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Board at a later date. Six WMUs on the western side of the state (A-F1-F2-K1-K2-N) had permits last year that were unallocated after the lottery drawing because not enough people applied. Applications must be postmarked no later than August 26, 2010, or delivered that day in the Waterbury Fish & Wildlife office by 4:30 p.m. On-line applications will be accepted until midnight of August 26, 2010. The cost to apply is $10 for residents and $25 for nonresidents. A person may submit only one application.
VERMONT AGENCY OF NATURAL RESOURCES PRESS RELEASE
Vermont’s 2010 Deer Management Proposal and Hearing WATERBURY, VT – Vermont ’s deer herd is currently healthy according to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. The department’s annual proposal for a regulated deer harvest, based on scientific information and public input, was presented to the Fish and Wildlife Board on April 21. The Board amended the proposal to include antlerless permits for WMU I and WMU L and then approved the amended proposal on the first of three votes necessary to make it law. The Fish and Wildlife Board will hold a public hearing on the proposed regulation Tuesday, June 22, at 6:30 p.m. in the Pavilion Auditorium, 109 State Street in Montpelier . The proposal calls for a harvest of about 8,200 antlerless deer through a combination of either-sex hunting during the split archery season, an either-sex youth weekend hunt, and by issuing 25,600 muzzleloader season antlerless permits. According to the proposal, 23 of Vermont ’s 24 Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) would be open to the taking of antlerless deer during the archery season. WMU-E in northeastern Vermont would remain closed to antlerless deer hunting during archery season. Two deer would be allowed during archery season with two archery licenses. One legal buck would be allowed anywhere in the state during archery season. In WMUs open to antlerless deer hunting, both deer taken during the archery season could be antlerless deer. Youth deer weekend on November 6-7 is proposed to be an either-sex season statewide. Any buck could be taken during this season, regardless of antler length or points. Muzzleloader season antlerless permits are proposed for 21 of the 24 WMUs. Higher numbers of permits are proposed for WMUs with the highest deer densities with consideration for the size of the Unit as well. The proposed regulation governing the taking of antlerless deer in 2010 is posted on the Fish and Wildlife Department’s website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com). Under “About Us,” click on “Fish and Wildlife Board.” A link at the end of the regulation will take you to the department’s Antlerless and Youth Deer Recommendation.
VERMONT AGENCY OF NATURAL RESOURCES PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: May 28, 2010 Media Contact: Mark Scott, 802-241-3700; Scott Darling, 802-786-3862
F&W Board Votes on Moose , Turkey Regulations
WATERBURY , VT – Two hunting regulations for moose and turkey received second votes at the May 26 Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board meeting in Waterbury . Each will be voted on one more time and then be considered by the Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules before becoming law.
Moose
Turkey The proposed fall turkey hunting season would include:
WMUs B, D1, D2, and H1 would be new additions to this season.
You can read the two proposed regulations in their entirety on the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department’s website (vtfishandwildlife.com). Under “About Us,” click on Fish and Wildlife Board.
VERMONT AGENCY OF NATURAL RESOURCES PRESS RELEASE
Vermont’s 2010 Deer Management Proposal and Hearing WATERBURY, VT – Vermont ’s deer herd is currently healthy according to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. The department’s annual proposal for a regulated deer harvest, based on scientific information and public input, was presented to the Fish and Wildlife Board on April 21. The Board amended the proposal to include antlerless permits for WMU I and WMU L and then approved the amended proposal on the first of three votes necessary to make it law. The Fish and Wildlife Board will hold a public hearing on the proposed regulation Tuesday, June 22, at 6:30 p.m. in the Pavilion Auditorium, 109 State Street in Montpelier . The proposal calls for a harvest of about 8,200 antlerless deer through a combination of either-sex hunting during the split archery season, an either-sex youth weekend hunt, and by issuing 25,600 muzzleloader season antlerless permits. According to the proposal, 23 of Vermont ’s 24 Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) would be open to the taking of antlerless deer during the archery season. WMU-E in northeastern Vermont would remain closed to antlerless deer hunting during archery season. Two deer would be allowed during archery season with two archery licenses. One legal buck would be allowed anywhere in the state during archery season. In WMUs open to antlerless deer hunting, both deer taken during the archery season could be antlerless deer. Youth deer weekend on November 6-7 is proposed to be an either-sex season statewide. Any buck could be taken during this season, regardless of antler length or points. Muzzleloader season antlerless permits are proposed for 21 of the 24 WMUs. Higher numbers of permits are proposed for WMUs with the highest deer densities with consideration for the size of the Unit as well. The department’s deer biologist, Dr. Shawn Haskell, points out that Vermont ’s deer population is healthy with heavy fawns and yearling bucks, and good reproductive potential. After a mild winter statewide, more antlerless deer permits are needed to keep the population from growing and becoming overabundant. Haskell says Vermont ’s deer have not only increased in number since 2005 but also in size. Fawns taken in the 2009 hunting season weighed an average five pounds heavier than they did ten years ago. He also reports that the antler regulation change that began in 2005 is contributing to more older bucks being in the population and increased hunter satisfaction. The definition of a “legal buck” will remain any white-tailed deer with at least one antler having two or more points one inch or longer. The proposed regulation governing the taking of antlerless deer in 2010 is posted on the Fish and Wildlife Department’s website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com). Under “Law Enforcement,” click on Rules and Proposed Rules. A link at the end of the regulation will take you to the department’s Antlerless and Youth Deer Recommendation. Antlerless permit applications should be available in late June or early July on Fish & Wildlife’s website and at license agents. The deadline to apply will be August 26. In WMUs that have permits unallocated after the initial lottery, there will be opportunity for hunters to purchase a permit if they do not have one, or they may purchase a permit after having filled one. The annual 3-deer bag limit still applies. VERMONT AGENCY OF NATURAL RESOURCES PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release: May 3, 2010 Media Contacts: Rich Kirn, 802-485-7566; Eric Palmer, 802-241-3700
Vermont’s Trophy Trout
Stocking for 2010
WATERBURY, VT – Vermont’s “Trophy Trout” stocking program for 2010 will include seven river sections and 33 lakes and ponds receiving the two-year old trout, some over 18 inches long.
“The trophy rainbow and brown trout stocked in the Black, Winooski and Lamoille Rivers as well as Otter Creek have provided exciting fishing for many anglers of all ages and skill levels for many years,” said Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Wayne Laroche. “We recently added trophy trout in sections of East Creek in Rutland , the Missisquoi River in Enosburg and Sheldon, and the Passumpsic River in St Johnsbury. Two-year old brook trout as well as some large rainbows also will be stocked in selected lakes and ponds to provide excellent fishing opportunities.”
Trout fishing in the trophy trout rivers is open from April 10 through October 31 this year in the river sections listed below. There is no length limit. The daily creel limit is two trout.
Stocking of the river sections began the last week of April and will continue into May with additional stockings occurring at one or two week intervals. Due to weather and other unforeseen complications, stocking dates can change, so anglers should check Vermont Fish and Wildlife’s website to see if a stocking has occurred (www.vtfishandwildlife.com). Click on “Fishing” and then “Stocking Schedule.” Black River: along Rt. 131 in Weathersfield and Cavendish, from Downers covered bridge upstream, approximately four miles, to the next bridge across the river, the Howard Hill Bridge . Lamoille River: from the downstream edge of the bridge on Route 104 in the Village of Fairfax upstream, approximately 1.6 miles, to the top of the Fairfax Falls Dam in Fairfax . Otter Creek: in Danby and Mt. Tabor - From the Vermont Railway Bridge north of the fishing access upstream, approximately 2 miles, to the Danby-Mt. Tabor Forest Rd. Bridge ( Forest Road # 10). East Creek: in Rutland City – from the confluence with Otter Creek upstream, approximately 2.7 miles, to the top of the Patch Dam in Rutland City .
Missisquoi River : in Enosburg and Sheldon, from the downstream edge of Kane Road (TH-3) bridge upstream, approximately 5.7 miles, to the top of the Enosburg Falls Dam in Enosburg Falls .
Passumpsic River: in St. Johnsbury, from the top of the Gage Dam upstream to the top of the Arnold Falls Dam. This section includes the Moose River from its confluence with the Passumpsic River upstream to the Concord Avenue bridge.
Winooski River : in Duxbury and Waterbury , from the top of Bolton Dam upstream to the Route 2 Bridge east of Waterbury Village . This section includes the Little River: from its confluence with the Winooski River upstream to the Route 2 bridge.
A portion of the annual stocking of trout in these waters will also be trophy trout: Adams Reservoir (Woodford), Amherst Lake (Plymouth), Baker Pond (Brookfield), Bean Pond (Sutton), Beck Pond (Newark), Black Pond (Hubbardton), Brown Pond (Westmore), Colby Pond (Plymouth), Colton Pond (Sherburne), Echo Lake (Plymouth), Goshen Dam (Goshen), Kent Pond (Sherburne), Knapp Pond #1 and Knapp Pond # 2 (Reading-Cavendish), Lake Paran (Bennington-Shaftsbury), Lefferts Pond (Chittenden), May Pond (Barton), McIntosh Pond (Royalton), Mill Pond (Windsor), Miller Pond (Strafford), Osmore Pond (Peacham), Lake Raponda (Wilmington), Lake Rescue (Ludlow), Rood Pond (Williamstown-Brookfield), Searsburg Reservoir (Searsburg), Lake Shaftsbury (Shaftsbury), Smith Pond (Pittsford), Stoughton Pond (Weathersfield), Sunset Lake (Brookfield), Townshend Reservoir (Townshend), Wheeler Pond (Barton), Zack Woods Pond and Perch Pond (Hyde Park-Wolcott).
Standard fishing regulations apply to these lakes and ponds. For details, see the “2010 Guide to Hunting, Fishing & Trapping,” available where licenses are sold.
Vermont fishing licenses are available statewide at more than 350 agents and on Fish and Wildlife’s website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com).
VERMONT AGENCY OF NATURAL RESOURCES PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: April 23, 2010 Media Contacts: Forrest Hammond, 802-885-8832; Mark Scott, 802-241-3700
Public Hearing on Turkey and Moose Regulations, May 19
WATERBURY, VT – The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board will hold a public hearing in Montpelier on Wednesday, May 19, to receive public comment on changes to turkey and moose hunting regulations. The proposed turkey hunting regulation will be discussed from 6:00-7:00 p.m., and the proposed moose hunting regulation will be discussed from 7:00-8:00 p.m. The hearing will be held at the Pavilion Auditorium, 109 State Street in Montpelier .
Several of the changes that appear in this year’s proposed regulations for turkey and moose hunting were derived from Vermont ’s newly-adopted Big Game Management Plan.
The proposed fall turkey hunting season would include:
WMUs B, D1, D2, and H1 would be new additions to this season.
The proposed 2010 moose hunting season would include:
You can read the two proposed regulations in their entirety on the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department’s website (vtfishandwildlife.com). Under Law Enforcement, click on Rules and Proposed Rules.
VERMONT AGENCY OF NATURAL RESOURCES PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: April 1, 2010 Media Contact: Eric Palmer, 802-241-3700
Kids’ Fishing Events Being Held This Spring
WATERBURY , VT -- Here’s a great opportunity for young people to give fishing a try. The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department has released a list of more than 60 upcoming fishing events, most of them intended just for kids.
The department has a “Children’s Fishing Program,” which provides kids with the opportunity for a successful fishing experience at locally organized fishing events. The program provides free trout to the children of the state. Organizers of these events often are charitable, community, or non-profit groups such as fire departments, fish and game clubs, Rotary, Lions, town recreation committees, 4-H clubs, and scouts.
Most kids’ fishing events are open to the public, although they may be restricted to town residents or to a particular group of individuals. The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department provides about 20,000 eight-to-ten inch trout for the program, each event receiving 150 to 300 fish.
Kids’ fishing events generally start in late April and continue through June. A list of the events, which is periodically updated, appears on Fish & Wildlife’s website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com). Click on “Fishing” and then on “Kids Fishing Events.”
Vermont Fish & Wildlife also has a “Let’s Go Fishing” Program where trained volunteers teach and encourage young people and their families how to fish. The volunteer instructors teach fishing skills, how to use different types of tackle, the importance of good aquatic habitat, fishing ethics, and fishing regulations. Clinics are planned throughout the state during the spring and summer months. Check your local newspapers and bait shops for clinics in your area. You can learn more about “Let’s Go Fishing” on Fish & Wildlife’s website (vtfishandwildlife.com) under Fishing or Youth Pages.
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[Editors: The list of events on our website also is provided below.]
2010 Children’s Fishing Events
VERMONT AGENCY OF NATURAL RESOURCES PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: April 8, 2010 Media Contacts: Mark Scott, Thomas Decker, 802-241-3700
Mark Scott is Vermont ’s New Wildlife Director
WATERBURY, Vt – Mark Scott, 53, of South Barre , Vt is the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department’s new Director of Wildlife.
Scott has worked in the department’s Outreach Division since 1982 where he managed its educational programs, including two Green Mountain Conservation Camps, the one-week course “Fish and Wildlife Management for Educators,” the state’s mandatory Hunter Education program, Let’s Go Fishing, and Project WILD. He also represents the Agency of Natural Resources on Vermont ’s Environmental Literacy Steering Committee and the Vermont Envirothon Steering Committee. Recently, he chaired the department’s Shooting Range Safety Review Team.
Scott has a Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife Management from the University of Maine and a Master of Science degree in Wildlife Biology from the University of Vermont . He also graduated from the Vermont Agency of Natural Resource’s Leadership and Management Training Program.
In his new capacity, Scott will be responsible for all of the department’s Wildlife Division programs and more than 30 personnel in the division. He will work out of the department’s main office in Waterbury .
“I am excited to be given this opportunity, especially given our department has incredibly talented scientists, wardens, educators and support staff, combined with more than 80,000 passionate hunters and another 300,000 Vermonters who care about wildlife,” said Scott. “At the same time, I know I will miss my responsibilities in our State’s wildlife education programs. However, our work often revolves around people and their behavior more than the critters themselves.”
VERMONT AGENCY OF NATURAL RESOURCES PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: April 8, 2010 Media Contact: Col. David LeCours, 802-241-3700
Two Face Charges for Poaching Northern Pike
WATERBURY, VT – Two men were arrested on April 1 for illegal possession and transportation of northern pike while fishing at a tributary of Lake Champlain .
State Game Wardens Dale Whitlock and Lt. Donald Isabelle apprehended the two men who had been fishing below a dam on Dead Creek in Panton. One had 14 trophy-sized northern pike in the back of his truck, 9 over the daily limit.
Justin M. Bushey, 31, of Addison was charged for having over the limit of northern pike. If convicted, his fines and restitution cost could be $452 and he would lose his hunting, fishing and trapping licenses for one year.
Dwayne Christian 42, of Shoreham was charged with illegal transportation of fish. If convicted, he could be fined $256 and also lose his hunting, fishing and trapping licenses for one year.
This time of year many fish species are traveling up rivers and streams to spawn. When fish encounter a barrier such as dams or culverts, they are often found in large numbers and therefore are highly vulnerable to predators and poachers.
Game wardens increase their vigilance of spawning waters during the spring in efforts to protect and conserve Vermont ’s natural fish population. In addition to surveillance by game wardens, cases such as this are often generated by a phone call from a concerned observer. If you observe a fish or wildlife violation, please make the call. Contact your local State Police Dispatcher or you may call anonymously using the Operation Game Thief Hotline by dialing 1-800-75ALERT(1-800-752-5378).
VERMONT AGENCY OF NATURAL
RESOURCES
PRESS RELEASE
For
Immediate Release:
January 28, 2010
Media
Contacts:
Mark Scott, Education Mgr.,
Chris Saunders, Hunter Education Coord, (802)241-3700
State
launches new support for shooting ranges
Grant
money can be used for lead mitigation, other improvements
Waterbury,Vt.
– A new grant program dedicated to Vermont’s shooting ranges may mean that
hunters and recreational shooters will soon have more access to safe
places to shoot.
Shooting clubs, sportsmen’s
groups and government agencies involved in operation, improvement or
maintenance of shooting ranges, including archery ranges, have until 4:30
p.m. on March 15, 2010 to submit applications for grants from the Vermont
Fish and Wildlife Department.
The
department recently developed a Shooting Range Improvement Grant Program
designed to encourage the improvement of shooting ranges and to enhance
their safety and operation. The
Vermont Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service assisted in development of the program.
Grant money can be used for
lead mitigation. This could include funding for recycling the accumulated
lead in berms, reducing range floor surface drainage, or even liming range
property.
Other examples of projects
that could be eligible for funds include shooting range re-development,
construction of noise abatement structures and safety berms, installation
of shooting pads and stations, and construction or improvement of access
roads and parking lots.
“This program
could be a real help to fish and game clubs looking to improve their
facilities,” said Commissioner Wayne Laroche, “while hunters and shooters
may have more places to sight in their rifles and practice their shooting
skills. Increased range opportunities will encourage hunters to become
more proficient with firearms and thus promote safe and responsible gun
handling and shooting proficiency.”
Fish and Wildlife anticipates
providing $75,000 in federal funds for the program this year and $350,000
over the next five years.
Federal rules associated with
this funding require that a range receiving one of these grants will be
expected to provide at least 20 hours of public use per week and be open
to use by hunter education class students. Vermont nonprofit
organizations and municipalities as well as private clubs are eligible.
The first phase of this new
project will be looking for proposals that could result in work being
started on Vermont shooting ranges on July 1, 2010.
The Vermont Fish and Wildlife
Department will provide grant funds annually, as they become available.
The funds are derived from federal excise taxes on hunting and shooting
equipment and are apportioned to the states through the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service’s Wildlife Restoration Program. This is a 75 percent
reimbursement grant program and requires a 25 percent nonfederal match
from the grant recipient. This can come through “in-kind” match, such as
volunteer labor and donated equipment or cash.
During the initial year of
this program, the deadline for application submittal is March 15, 2010.
For further information or to download an application packet, visit the
Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department website at
www.vtfishandwildlife.com. Click on “Hunting and Trapping,” and then
on “Shooting Ranges in Vermont.” Or, contact Chris Saunders, Hunter
Education Coordinator at 802-241-3722.
For Immediate Release: January 15, 2010
VERMONT AGENCY OF NATURAL RESOURCES PRESS RELEASE Anglers Discover Alewife in Lake Carmi
WATERBURY , VT – North Hero anglers Mike Murdock and Dave St. Hilaire headed to Lake Carmi on New Year’s Day hoping to land a few nice walleye, but in the process they discovered something that state fisheries biologists say raises concerns about illegal fish movements in Vermont .
“I was jigging and caught a nice 16-inch walleye,” said Murdock. “I tossed it on the ice and saw it spit it up a small minnow.” The angler didn’t give it much thought until his fishing partner came over, glanced at the minnow and exclaimed, “Where did you get that!? That’s an alewife.”
The pair called Vermont State Game Warden Curtis Smiley who told them to take the suspected alewife to a biologist for confirmation. Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department fisheries biologists Brian Chipman and Bernie Pientka confirmed the anglers’ identification of the fish.
“We don’t know how this alewife got into Lake Carmi ,” said Chipman, “but one way or another, someone broke Vermont ’s baitfish laws.” Chipman added that it’s possible an angler illegally moved baitfish from another lake without knowing that alewives were in the bait bucket, or purposely caught alewives from another lake and illegally released them in Carmi in hopes of establishing a population there.
“The detection of a single alewife does not necessarily mean that alewives will take hold in Lake Carmi ,” said Chipman. “We’ll be watching Carmi closely during our fish surveys in the coming year to see if we find any evidence of an established alewife population. In the meantime, if any Lake Carmi anglers find what they believe to be more alewives, they can help by contacting us immediately, just like Mike and Dave did.”
Shawn Good, chair of the department’s Aquatic Nuisance Species committee said that the introduction of alewives into Lake Carmi could threaten the entire fish community by increasing competition for food, increasing predation on native larval fish or introducing fish diseases.
“Fish can carry diseases that may threaten the entire fish community of a lake,” said Good. “The baitfish regulation was designed to reduce the spread of exotic species and fish diseases, including Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia if it were to arrive in the state.”
“ Vermont anglers can help by learning and following the regulations we’ve put in place on baitfish use,” concluded Good. “This will help protect Vermont ’s great fishing for the future.”
Further information on Vermont ’s baitfish regulations can be found on the department’s website at http://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/ under FISHING à NEW BAITFISH REGULATIONS.
Anyone with information on how alewives were introduced to Lake Carmi should contact the department through the Operation Game Thief hotline at 1-800-75ALERT (1-800-752-5378), or fill out the confidential report form online at http://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/laws_thief.cfm.
2009 annual report on the deer herd that was filed with the Legislature
The Vermont Statutes Online Title 10 Appendix: Conservation and DevelopmentChapter 1: Game44. Furbearing species
§ 44. Furbearing species 1.0 Authority 1.1 This rule is promulgated pursuant to 10 V.S.A. §§ 4081, 4082, 4084, 4828, and 4861. In promulgating this rule, the fish and wildlife board is following the policy established by the general assembly that the protection, propagation, control, management, and conservation of fish, wildlife, and furbearing animals in this state is in the interest of the public welfare and that the safeguarding of these valuable resources for the people of the state requires a constant and continual vigilance. 1.2 In accordance with 10 V.S.A. §§ 4082 and 4084, this rule is designed to maintain the best health, population, and utilization levels of the regulated species. 1.3 This rule shall apply to all persons who take or attempt to take wild or furbearing animals by trapping or hunting. 2.0 Purpose The purpose of this rule is to regulate the taking of wild animals by trapping. 3.0 Permitted Activities and Restrictions 3.1 A person who traps for furbearing or other animals shall visit his/her traps at least once daily, except as provided in paragraph 3.5, and dispatch or release any animal caught therein. 3.2 A person shall not set a trap on lands other than his/her own which does not have his/her name and address permanently and legibly stamped or engraved thereon, or on a tag of rustless material securely attached thereto. 3.3 A person may take beaver, otter, and mink during the open season by means of traps only. 3.4 All traps under ice will be marked with a tag visible above the ice. 3.5 A person who sets body traps in the water or foot traps or body traps under the ice during the open season for beaver shall visit his/her traps at least once in every three days and remove any animal caught therein. 3.6 No person shall set a trap within 10 feet of the nearest point, above the water, of a beaver house or dam. 3.7 A person shall not set a body gripping trap with a jaw spread over 8 inches measured inside the jaws unless the trap is set 5 feet or more above the ground, or in the water. 3.8 From December 17 to December 31, both dates inclusive, in order to minimize incidental bobcat harvest during the remainder of the fisher season, a person shall not set a body gripping trap with a jaw spread over 6 inches measured inside the jaws unless the trap is set 5 or more feet above the ground, or in the water. 3.9 Use of toothed traps shall be illegal under any circumstances. 3.10 A person shall not set a trap between December 31 and the following fourth Saturday in October unless the trap is in the water, under the ice, or on a float in the water. 3.11 A person shall not possess a living wild animal, except as provided by rules of the Board or part 4 of Title 10. 3.12 A person shall not have in his/her possession in the raw state a fur or skin of a furbearing animal unlawfully taken. 3.13 A person who takes bobcats during the shooting season shall present the pelts and carcasses to a designee of the commissioner for tagging within ten days of the close of the season. 3.14 A person who takes bobcats, otter, or fisher during the trapping season shall notify a designee of the commissioner within 48 hours of the close of the season. Pelts and carcasses shall be presented for tagging and marked in a manner prescribed by the commissioner. Such tags shall remain affixed to each skin until tanned and made into commercial fur. 3.15 All bobcat, otter, and fisher carcasses shall be surrendered to the designee of the commissioner. 3.16 No bobcat, otter, or fisher pelts or carcasses taken during these seasons shall be transported out of the state of Vermont prior to being tagged by a designee of the commissioner. 3.17 The skins of bobcat, otter, and fisher legally taken may be possessed, transported, bought and sold only when tagged and marked as hereinafter provided. 3.18 Bobcat, fisher, and otter taken in defense of property will be tagged by a designee of the commissioner. At the time of tagging, carcasses will be turned over to a designee of the commissioner. 3.19 The commissioner shall close the seasons for taking bobcat if and when the total take exceeds 100 animals. 4.0 Method of taking 4.1 A person may not take a furbearing animal by use of any poisonous mixture. 4.2 A person shall not disturb or destroy a muskrat house or place a trap therein, thereon or at the entrance thereof, or in the entrance or inside a muskrat burrow. 4.3 A person shall not take raccoons, foxes, or coyotes from holes or dens by cutting, digging, smoking, trapping, snaring, or by the use of chemicals, or any mechanical device. 4.4 A person shall not take skunks from holes or dens by cutting, digging, smoking, or by the use of chemicals. 4.5 A person shall not interfere in any manner with dams, dens, or houses of beaver except upon special permit in writing from the commissioner. 4.6 A person shall not take raccoon by shooting except with a .22 caliber rimfire or #2 shot or smaller. 4.7 Skunks may be taken with the aid of a light of not more than 9 volts. A light of not more than 9 volts may be used while locating in and taking from a tree any raccoon treed by a dog. 4.8 When trapping muskrat between March 1 and March 31, body gripping traps are restricted to 5" or less. 4.9 When trapping beaver between March 1 and March 31, the trap triggers shall: 4.9(1): for body gripping traps have a tension adjustable/parallel trigger and trigger stop. The trigger should be offset at least 8² from one side of the trap and no longer than 6 1/2². Trigger wires must be joined together. 4.9(2): include tension adjustable square-notch trigger brackets. Acceptable trigger stops include twisted wire, cable ties, wire wrap, or welded bead. Four-way and/or V-notch triggers are illegal to use. 4.9(3): Diagram one below illustrates these requirements. PLEASE SEE THE BOOK FOR THIS GRAPHIC 5.0 Seasons, Bag Limits The following seasons and bag limits are hereby established for the species listed. All shooting seasons will be with or without dogs, except as otherwise provided SEASONS BAG LIMIT 5.1 Beaver by trapping November 1 through March 31 No limit 5.2 Otter by trapping Fourth Sat. in Oct-last day of Feb. No limit 5.3 Marten No open season 5.4 Mink by trapping Fourth Sat in Oct.-Dec. 31 No limit 5.5 Raccoon By shooting 2nd Sat. in Oct.-Dec. 31 No limit By trapping Fourth Sat. in Oct.-Dec. 31 No limit 5.6 Bobcat By shooting January 10-February 7 No limit By trapping December 1-December 16 No limit 5.7 Fox (red or grey) By shooting Fourth Sat. in Oct. to the No limit second Sun. in Feb. By trapping Fourth Sat. in Oct.-Dec. 31 No limit 5.8 Skunk Fourth Sat. in Oct.-Dec. 31 No limit 5.9 Muskrat By shooting March 20-April 19, inclusive No limit By trapping Fourth Sat. in Oct.-March 31, inclusive No limit 5.10 Coyote By shooting No closed season No limit Use of dogs No closed season No limit By trapping Fourth Sat. in Oct.-Dec. 31 No limit 5.14 Fisher by trapping December 1-December 31 No limit 5.15 Weasel by trapping Fourth Sat. in Oct.-Dec. 31 No limit 5.16 Opossum Fourth Sat. in Oct.-Dec. 31 No limit 5.17 Wolf No open season 5.18 Lynx No open season (1961, No. 119, § 2, eff. May 9, 1961; amended 1966, Fish and Game Board Reg. No. -, eff. Jan. 1, 1967; 1974, Fish and Game Board Reg. No. 883, eff. Jan. 18, 1974; 1977, Fish and Game Board Reg. No. 904, § 3, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; 1977, No. 231 (Adj. Sess.); 1980, Fish and Game Board Regs. No. 917, eff. July 2, 1980; No. 925,§§ 1, 2, eff. Dec. 27, 1980; 1984, Fish and Game Board Reg. No. 949, eff. June 2, 1984; 1989, No. 36, § 2; 1995, Fish and Game Board Reg. No. 1008, eff. July 9, 1994; 2003, Fish and Wildlife Reg. No. 1008, eff. Oct. 31, 2003; 2007, Fish and Wildlife Reg. No. 1008, eff. Jan. 12, 2007.)
The Vermont Legislature Legislative Directory
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