Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact Bill H.53 Introduced in VT

H.53 An act relating to the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact sponsored by retired Warden Rep. Robert Lewis has been introduced in the VT House. This bill should be supported by all hunters, anglers and trappers in Vermont.


Below is my post from Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact

I feel it is time Vermont and other states that are not part of this compact get on-board. There is no excuse for not presenting a united front against poaching. Suspensions of the right to hunt and fish has always been our best deterrent to those tempted to violate. But with neighboring states close by our repeat violators have no problem "legally" hunting will waiting out their Vermont suspensions. We could also easily become a destination state for out of state violators as more states clamp down an sign the compact.

The following comes from The Outdoor Wire:

Pennsylvania Game Commission Praises Enactment Of Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact Bill

Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe praised Gov. Edward G. Rendell for signing Senate Bill 1200 into law, which clears the way for Pennsylvania to join the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact (IWVC). 

"We are one step closer to banding with 37 other states in a united front against convicted poachers, who steal from all citizens, most especially, law-abiding hunters," Roe said. "Once we complete the administrative step to join the compact, someone who has lost his or her hunting license privileges in one state for a poaching conviction will lose those hunting license privileges in Pennsylvania, as well as in all states that are members of the compact.

"In addition, individuals convicted of poaching here in Pennsylvania will lose their ability to lawfully hunt in the 37 other states who are members of the IWVC."| For More...

Executive Director Nuse Tapped to Advise on Hiring New VT Fish and Wildlife Commissioner

Newly appointed Secretary of the Agency of Natural Resources, Deb Markowitz,  asked me to help identify the most important atributes for a new Commissioner of the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department and to assist in the hiring process. Today, along with former commissioner and NWF regional representative, Steve Wright, we went over the resumes' with Secretary Markowitz and narrowed the field to three. She will now interview the finalist and make her recommendation to Governor Elect Shumlin.
I was honored to be asked to assist and heartened by the openness of the process. It was also clear that comptience, experience, knowledge of the science and the people served by the Department was important. Politics was not on the list.
I have a very good feeling that the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Dept will be under excellent management come January and they will be well supported by Governor Shumlin and Secretary Markowitz.

Democratic Hunting under Attack in VT

From the Calidonian Record:

Vermont Lawmakers Save 'Pete The Moose'

Robin Smith
Staff Writer

Local lawmakers believe they have saved Peter the Moose, his "girlfriend" and all the other wild deer and moose in Doug Nelson's elk hunting preserve in Irasburg.

Sen. Bobby Starr, D-Essex-Orleans, announced Wednesday the House and Senate conference committees have approved the budget bill that addresses the status of the preserve and the wild animals in the 700-acre enclosure, including Pete.

Even if the budget itself is vetoed by Gov. James Douglas over conflicts with the Democratic legislative leaders on capital gains taxes, the language about the preserve isn't part of the conflict, Starr said, and it will stay intact.

"We are good to go," Starr said.

Preserve Has New Status

Pete and other moose and deer that are in the elk preserve were illegal because the preserve fell afoul of new Fish and Wildlife laws governing hunting facilities.

The law required Nelson to get a permit for elk hunting on the nine-year-old preserve, which was created before such laws existed.

However, the permit would not allow native animals such as moose and deer inside the enclosure for fear they would catch tuberculosis and chronic wasting disease from the elk and spread the diseases to the native wild deer and moose population.

Now, under the language in the budget bill, the elk preserve will no longer be under Fish and Wildlife jurisdiction but under the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets, which already supervises captive deer herds. The hunting preserve becomes a game farm.


Read more


Here is my comment on the story:


Wild animals are held in the public trust by our state government. 250 years of case law and 500 years of common law have been subverted by this change in the law. This legislation has given our deer and moose to Mr Nelson to shoot, market or sell for his own personal gain. The state gets nothing. Although the cynic in me suspects the politicians will get some good campaign donations.
This is the greatest attack on democratic hunting since we fought the British.  


Here is the full section that was put in the Appropriations bill in the last days of the session. Sources tell me that Fish and Wildlife was not consulted about the content or language.

Sec. E.702.1 TRANSFER OF REGULATORY OVERSIGHT AND

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR FACILITY AND HERD

MANAGEMENT

(a) The general assembly finds and declares that:

(1) Vermont has long recognized that the protection and management of

the state’s native cervidae population is in the interest of the public welfare.

 (2) An abundant, healthy deer herd is a primary goal of wildlife

management, and hunting is a time-honored Vermont tradition.

(3) Vermont’s captive cervidae herds are regulated as game farms under

authority of the secretary of agriculture, food and markets under chapter 102 of

Title 6 and the agency of agriculture, food and markets’ rules governing

captive cervidae.

(4) Captive cervidae herds provide economic benefit to Vermont in the

same manner as farms producing cattle, sheep, pigs, and other amenable

livestock.

(5) Tuberculosis is a transmissible disease that can infect species of both

the cervidae and bovidae families and is zoonotic. The family bovidae

includes cattle. The family cervidae include white-tailed deer, moose, and elk.

(6) Chronic wasting disease is a transmissible spongiform

encephalopathy that has been identified in both free-ranging and captive

cervidae populations in other parts of the United States, including New York

state.

(7) Tuberculosis can be transmitted in cervidae and bovidae by nose-tonose

contact and through the sharing of watering and feeding troughs. It is not

known exactly how chronic wasting disease is transmitted, but the most likely

route of transmission is nose-to-nose contact. The agency of agriculture, food

and markets’ rules governing captive cervidae contain provisions both for

managing herds that may be susceptible to chronic wasting disease and for

testing cervidae to monitor for the control of zoonotic diseases contagious to

livestock, including tuberculosis.

(8) The captive cervidae facility located in Irasburg manages a specialpurpose

herd established in 1994 within a 700-acre enclosure. At the time of

the enclosure, the 700 acres contained a small population of native cervidae

that currently falls outside the jurisdiction of the agency of agriculture, food

and markets.

(9) In order to align state regulatory oversight of the facility and balance

the state’s responsibility to protect and manage its native cervidae populations

with the economic benefit contributed by the 700-acre captive cervidae facility,

it is necessary to transfer to the agency of agriculture, food and markets full

jurisdiction and authority for regulatory oversight of the Irasburg facility and

full authority for herd management of the facility and all cervidae currently

contained within the 700-acre enclosure.

(b) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, for the purposes of this

section, the term “cervidae” shall include all white-tailed deer and moose

currently entrapped in the Irasburg captive cervidae facility that contains a

special-purpose herd, as “special-purpose herd” is defined in the agency of

agriculture, food and markets’ rules governing captive cervidae.

(c) The Irasburg captive cervidae facility that contains a special-purpose

herd shall:

(1) Erect a secondary-perimeter fence inside the existing, primaryperimeter

fence sufficient to reduce the possibility of contact between native

cervidae and any cervidae within the facility. The secondary fencing shall be

approved by the secretary of agriculture, food and markets and shall be erected

no later October 1, 2010.

(2) Submit a written herd management plan for all cervidae, including

entrapped native cervidae, within the facility to the secretary of agriculture,

food and markets for approval. The plan shall:

(A) contain a specific disease surveillance component, acceptable to

the secretary of agriculture, food and markets, that presents at least 30 mature

native cervidae to the secretary of agriculture, food and markets for

tuberculosis and chronic wasting disease testing per year. For purposes of this

subdivision, “mature” means an animal older than 16 months of age;

(B) provide for the culling of antlerless native cervidae at a rate that

prevents the herd size from overpopulating the enclosed area. The culling

program shall include a provision to allow members of the Vermont National

Guard who did not participate in the Vermont regular deer or moose hunting

seasons and who were awarded or are eligible to receive a campaign ribbon for

Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom to assist with the

cull; and

(C) be filed with the secretary of agriculture, food and markets no

later than August 1, 2010.

(3) Comply with all disease testing protocols established and required

by the secretary of agriculture, food and markets.

(4) Demonstrate by no later than September 1, 2010, substantial

compliance with the agency of agriculture, food and markets’ rules governing

captive cervidae.

(5) Remain in good regulatory standing with the secretary of agriculture,

food and markets.

(d) The secretary of agriculture, food and markets may grant a variance

from the agency of agriculture, food and markets’ rules for the design and

construction of the secondary-perimeter fence required under subdivision

(c)(1) of this section if the fence design proposed by the owner of the Irasburg

facility serves the underlying purpose of reducing the possibility of contact

between free-ranging native cervidae and any cervidae enclosed within the

facility. The secretary of agriculture, food and markets may grant variances to

other provisions of the agency of agriculture, food and markets’ rules

governing captive cervidae provided that the health and welfare of free-ranging

native cervidae are not compromised or put at risk.

(e) In order to ensure that the appropriate number of native cervidae are

provided to the secretary of agriculture, food and markets for disease

surveillance as required under subdivision (c)(2)(A) of this section and that the

facility is able to meet the cull rate required under subdivision (c)(2)(B) of this

section, the facility may harvest cervidae during a special season, if necessary.

Any special harvest shall be approved in advance by the secretary of

agriculture, food and markets after consultation with the commissioner of fish

and wildlife. Notice of approval for a special season shall be posted at least 10

days in advance of the season in the office of the town clerk of Irasburg.

(f) Any native cervidae discovered between the primary and secondary

fences at the Irasburg captive cervidae facility or any cervidae carcass

discovered within the Irasburg facility shall be immediately presented to the

secretary of agriculture, food and markets for disease surveillance.

(g) The secretary of agriculture, food and markets may enforce a failure to

comply with the requirements of this section under chapter 1 or 102 of Title 6.

(h) It shall be a violation of chapter 103 or 113 of Title 10 if a person

knowingly or intentionally entraps or allows a person to knowingly or

intentionally entrap a native cervidae within the Irasburg captive cervidae

facility.

VT Fish and Wildlife Positions Saved

From the VT State Employees Assn, a bit of god news from this year's legislature :

Fish and Wildlife Positions Saved

Despite their positions being almost 75% federally funded, VSEA members in Fish and Wildlife were surprised to hear their positions were being eliminated to balance the Department’s budget. Thanks to our friends at the Vermont Natural Resources Council (who testified several times on this issue) the Appropriations Committees added a section to the budget that would preserve their jobs with the Landowner Incentive and Community Wildlife programs:

“It is the intent of the general assembly that the fiscal year 2011 budget provides funding to fill five (5) game warden positions that are vacant as of January 1, 2010, and funds two (2) limited service Fish and Wildlife Scientist II positions (position numbers 640148 and 640150). The Scientist II positions shall continue to implement the Landowner Incentive Program and Community Wildlife Program.”

The Department also just filled my old position with Hunter Education. This should be good news for hunter education instructors and new hunters.

"Challenges for Change" and the VT Fish and Wildlife Dept

This morning I attended a meeting of Lamoille County Legislators including Speaker of the House, Chap Smith. The focus was on the "Challenges for Change" report that is being hotly debated in the Legislature. As Chap explained it, they are looking to reduce the state general fund budget by 30 million this year through structural improvements while improving outcomes now and in the future. Vt Fish and Wildlife has been tapped to be a first wave charter unit. See below copied from the report for what that means:

We have identified seven “first wave” charter units:
• Tax Department
• Department of Information and Innovation
• Fish and Wildlife Department
• Department of Liquor Control
• Department of Labor
• Department of Forest, Parks and Recreation
• Buildings and General Services

Each Charter Unit offers Vermonters the benefits of a “better deal.” These along with the
individual legislation requirements of each charter unit are listed below. More charter
units may be added prior to the next quarterly report; these will not be dependent on new
legislation.

The Secretary of Administration will grant appropriate administrative flexibility to each
charter unit to allow that unit to more effectively achieve its goals. These flexibilities
may include but are not limited to relief from bulletin 3.5 (contracting procedures),
flexibility in part time and seasonal hires, exceptions from requirements to use certain
BGS services, and latitude in website and marketing material development. Where
flexibilities prove effective, they may be extended to other units; where appropriate,
flexibility can also be withdrawn.

Some of the General Fund relief from charter units will actually come from an increase in
entrepreneurial revenue; examples are more paid visits to state campsites and better
collection of taxes owed.


Department of Fish and Wildlife
Vermonters will get:
• Additional revenues into the state’s economy based on increased outdoor
opportunities for families and people of all ages, as measured by license sales
and the National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated
Recreation.
• Improved public safety as measured by the number of shooting-related deaths
and injuries.
• Improved shooting and hunter education as measured by number of graduates
from hunter education and conservation camp programs.
• Improved access to and safety of public and private shooting facilities as
measured by the number of publicly accessible shooting ranges in the state.
• Better licensing, registration, and permitting services, as measured by reduced
turnaround times and applicant satisfaction as measured by surveys.

The primary initiatives the Agency will undertake:
• Develop a more effective, streamlined process for selling Department licenses
and permits
• Generate additional revenues by promoting the sale of Department
merchandise such as t-shirts, mugs, hats, books, posters, patches and stamps
• Reduce fee-for-space costs
• If feasible, collaborate with VT Lottery Commission to develop new mutually
beneficial products

Legislation required:
• Allow permanent licenses to be sold by Point of Sale license agents [Title 10,
Chapter 105, Section 4255 ( c )]
• Change the amount a Point of Sale license agent can charge for a lost license
to $1.50 [Title 10, Chapter 105, Section 4261 (a) and (b)]

My take is this looks pretty good - if they can pull it off. Unfortunately the Department does not have a great record of listening to it's people in the field. Many are burnt out form endless committees and planning efforts that don't get implemented. I suggested to Speaker Smith that key house committee chairs pull in a select group of lower level workers and 1st line supervisors and work with them on recommendations for improvements. That way the ideas get to the decision makers before they are filtered and watered down. Still give the upper management a chance to comment. The premise is the closer to the work you are the better you know what works and what doesn't work.
The 2011/12 budget deficit is a crisis. The Chinese symbols for crisis are danger and opportunity. Let's hope the opportunity to improve our fish, wildlife, and habitat is realized and the danger is dodged.

Stop VT FWD position cuts & Support H.243 Hunter Apprentice Bill

The following is copy of an email I just sent out to 150 sportsmen and women in Vermont:

Call for Action:

1) The House Appropriations committee is taking up the Fish and Wildlife Department's budget this week. I contains cuts to two positions. Neither position will save the State General fund any money. It appears at least in part the Department is being a good soldier for the Governors push to reduce the number of state employees. Although I have no interest in taking away the Commissioners authority to manage his Department, this appears to be beyond that.
Please read the below reasons and if you agree contact your local representative and the chair of the appropriations committee and urge them to restore these two critical positions.

Two positions slated to be cut: 1) Conservation Planning Biologist (Jens
Hilke) - works with dozens of towns and hundreds of municipal officials
on fish and wildlife issues; and 2) Landowner Incentive Program
Coordinator (Jane Lazorchak) - works with hundreds of willing landowners
on habitat acquisitions to protect wildlife and enhance public access to
the outdoors.

* Sportsmen and conservationists work closely with the department as a
partner on a number of fish and wildlife projects designed to implement
the department's many wildlife plans - big game, non-game, and the State
Wildlife Action Plan. Mr. Hilke is the project lead on may of these
projects and the loss of this position will have a negative impact on
the department's ability to carry out its core functions.

* The department has a rich history of wildlife habitat conservation
through acquisition of priority parcels from willing sellers. Ms.
Lazorchak drives this work for the department and the loss of this
position will have a negative impact on the department’s ability to
protect Vermont’s priority wildlife habitats.

* 75% of salary and benefit costs of these positions are paid by
federal funds. 25% are paid by state funds.

* The amount of State funds involved in total is approximately $41,000
per annum.

* These cuts will not result in a savings of any general fund or other
Sate dollars. The State dollars involved are generated by the sale of
hunting, fishing, and trapping dollars. By law, these dollars must be
spent by the fish and wildlife department for purposes related to its
mission. They may not revert to the general fund nor may they be
reallocated to other departments.

* The department has several other options, including not hiring (two
to three) seasonal employees, which will save more money and not put on
going department staff, projects and programs at risk.

* If these two cuts are occur, the department will loose access to and
the ability to fully spend out specially earmarked federal monies (for
example there is $600,000 in Landowner Incentive Program funds which are
awaiting allocation and will go unspent).

* Cutting these positions will leave federal money on the table and
further hinder the department's efforts to insure that private land will
be open for public hunting and recreation access.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Heath of Westford, *Chair*



Heath, Martha, Westford, VT
(802) 893-1291
E-Mail: mpheath@aol.com



Larson of Burlington, *Vice Chair*
Helm of Castleton, *Ranking Member*
Acinapura of Brandon
Crawford of Burke
Johnson of South Hero, *Clerk*
Keenan of St. Albans City
Manwaring of Wilmington
Miller of Shaftsbury
Minter of Waterbury
Winters of Williamstown.

email and home phone numbers available here or http://www.leg.state.vt.us/lms/legdir/alpha.asp?Body=H


2) Also scheduled is a hearing on H.243 in the House Ways and Means committee. this bill is endorsed by the NRA, the Fish and Wildlife Dept and most hunting related groups in VT.
for more visit my blog:
is it time for vermont's apprentice hunting effort?
WISCONSIN'S MENTORED HUNTING LAW HITS THE TARGET

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

8:30 AM H. 243 - An act relating to the creation of an apprentice hunting license

Michael O'Grady, Legislative Counsel, Legislative Council
Rep. Michael J. Obuchowski, Chair obie@leg.state.vt.us
Rep. Janet Ancel, Vice Chair
Rep. Carolyn Whitney Branagan, Ranking Member
Rep. Alison H. Clarkson, Clerk
Rep. Jim Condon
Rep. Adam Greshin
Rep. Steve Howard
Rep. William F. Johnson
Rep. Jim Masland
Rep. Dave Sharpe
Rep. David Zuckerman

It is critical for both of these bills that you contact the committee chairs. Send and email or call the Sargent of Arms (802- 828-2228) and leave a short message saying in the case of H243 that you support and for the FWD budget you oppose the position cuts. Please call or email today as the cross over deadline is this Friday.

Thanks for caring,

Eric Nuse

Ron Reagan Selected as Executive Director of AFWA

This news is from the Outdoor Wire. Ron started his career in Vermont as a game biologist, rising to Commissioner before heading to DC to work for AFWA. He is an excellent choice and a strong supporter of ethical hunting.

 

Reagan Selected as Executive Director of AFWA

Acting Executive Director and Resource Director Ron Regan has been selected as the new Executive Director of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. Regan replaces Matt Hogan who became the Assistant Regional Director for Migratory Birds and State Programs with the USFWS. | For More...

Attn VT Waterfowl Hunters- H.I.P. registration changes

VERMONT AGENCY OF NATURAL RESOURCES

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: December 22, 2009

Media Contacts: William Crenshaw, 802-879-5699; Scott Darling, 802-786-3862



Fish & Wildlife Improves Harvest Information Program Registration



WATERBURY, VT – If you hunt migratory game birds, you must register with the Federal Harvest Information Program each year. The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is providing migratory game bird hunters with an improved registration process in effect for 2010. Vermont, like other states, will forward the required information to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to help in managing migratory game birds.



The Harvest Information Program (H.I.P.) enables the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (U.S.F.W.S.) and state fish and wildlife agencies to develop reliable estimates of the number of migratory game birds harvested throughout the country. These estimates are important in making sound decisions about setting hunting season dates, bag limits and population management for ducks, geese, coots, snipe, and woodcock. .



Vermont sends between 8,000 and 10,000 addresses of these hunters to the U.S.F.W.S. each year. The U.S.F.W.S. uses the list to randomly sample hunters for the required information.



The new H.I.P. registration process is easier and more accurate. Hunters who may go hunting for migratory game birds are required to either register on Vermont Fish & Wildlife’s website (vtfishandwildlife.com) or to 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.



Hunters who have a permanent or lifetime Vermont hunting license should print out the website response form showing the H.I.P. number and write it on the back of their hunting license. Permanent and lifetime who register by telephone between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday will receive a number over the phone for their license.



Hunters who have registered for H.I.P. and have lost their license or H.I.P. number can look up their number on Vermont Fish & Wildlife’s website.

Road Hunters really hurt all hunters

From the Rutland Herald.com

BROWNSVILLE — A Tunbridge man will face charges he endangered the lives of local business owners while deer hunting.

Saturday, Fish & Wildlife wardens cited George Akroyd, 52, for reckless endangerment, shooting from the road and driving with a suspended license.

According to Fish & Wildlife, Nov. 16, Akroyd shot and killed a deer that was standing in the yard of Carol's Hilltop Bed and Breakfast on Brownsville-Hartland Road. The owners of the bed and breakfast were walking their dog in the yard and Akroyd allegedly fired his gun in their general direction while on the road.

Three witnesses reported the incident and in recent weeks more people forward with additional information identifying Akroyd as the alleged shooter, according to Fish & Wildlife.

Hunters as Environmental Stewards

From the Burlington (VT) Free Press:


November 29, 2009
Hunters as environmental stewards
So much more than shooting
By Joel Banner Baird, Free Press Staff Writer
ADDISON — The ruffed grouse flew to safety.
Disappointment — measured by two hunters in a discussion of angles, speed, distance and reflexes —
lingered in the air for about three minutes.
Late-afternoon sun continued to warm this soggy patch of Addison along Dead Creek one Saturday
earlier this month.
One bird’s helicopter-like take-off and two shotgun blasts proved to be the day’s only dramatic
interruption to a quiet rhythm of listening, watching and catching scents.
The outing was declared a success.
“Hunting,” said Patrick Berry of East Middlebury, “is not the same as shooting.”
It’s a maxim that resonates more frequently than rifle fire during the 16-day deer season that ends today.
And it begs the question: What do hunters bring back from woods and swamps — beside a sense of
well-being — even when they return empty handed?
Criticism, both from within and without the environmental community, frames the question differently:
Why does our society indulge a hobby that celebrates the taking of another creature’s life?
Wildlife specialists respond in a nearly unanimous voice to both questions: Hunters are among
Vermont’s most effective conservationists by virtue of what they tell us about otherwise-overlooked land;
by what they spend to protect it; and yes — by what they kill.
Read More

Youth Hunting Memories Contest Reminder

Note from Eric: One of the measures of a hunt is the story. The better the story the more memorable and successful the hunt. For ethical decision making asking yourself if you would proudly tell the story to your mother or your kids (not to mention the game warden) can help folks make the right decision. Here is a great opportunity for our young hunters to tell their story...

VERMONT AGENCY OF NATURAL RESOURCES

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: December 3, 2009
Media Contacts: VT F&W – Chris Saunders or Mark Scott, 802-241-3700

Youth Hunting Memories Contest Reminder

WATERBURY, VT -- The Vermont Big Game Trophy Club and the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department remind youth hunters they are still seeking submissions for the third annual Youth Hunting Memories Contest.

Vermont is encouraging young hunters to submit a short essay and photo, if available, describing one of their hunting experiences from this year. Criteria that will be judged include: ethics, landowner relations, appreciation of wildlife, respect for our hunting heritage, and family values. The top entry from each county will win a special prize from the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department.

“With kids just coming off a very successful youth deer hunting weekend in Vermont, now would be the time for them to jot their story down and send it in to us,” said Mark Scott of the Fish and Wildlife Department. “Kids should be reminded to send in any hunting story, whether it’s about going out looking for deer or sitting in a duck hunting blind. Some of the best stories we received in the past came from youngsters who wrote more about their experiences with their family than shooting any game.”

The Fish and Wildlife Department will be assisted by members of the Vermont Big Game Trophy Club and the University of Vermont 4-H Shooting Sports program in selecting the winners. Winners will be announced at the Yankee Sportsman Classic on January 16, in Essex.

Submissions will not be returned. The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department and Vermont Big Game Trophy Club reserve the right to publish photos and essays, and omit submissions that might be offensive due to excessive amounts of blood or damage to the animal being photographed. Submissions must include the hunter’s first and last names, address, age, telephone number, and location of hunt.

The contest is open to Vermont hunters 16 and younger. Submissions must be received by 4:30 p.m. on December 30, 2009.

Email submissions to Ann.Shangraw@state.vt.us or mail to:

2009 Youth Hunting Memories Contest, Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, 103 South Main Street, Waterbury, VT 05671-0501.

Wildlife Needs Our Help

In 1971 the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department hired me and 11 other Warden Trainees. At that time there were a total of 38 wardens in the State. 2009 there are exactly 38 Wardens total working in Vermont with three retiring before the end of the year and one on deployment in Iraq.
In spite of efforts by lots of us this is the sad state of affairs with our Department and the Warden force. It truly is a thin green line standing between wildlife and poachers.
Now is the time for sportsmen to step up and do our share. I suggest the following:
1) Report all suspected violations as soon as possible. For violations in progress call 911. Get as much information as you can, critical are vehicle license numbers and descriptions of suspects. GPS coordinates of the scene are also very helpful.
2) If you hear information about violations or don't want to be directly involved for whatever reason call the Operation Game Thief hot line at 1-800-75ALERT (1-800-752-5378)or go to the Dept web site and get the information in. http://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/laws_thief.cfm
3) Support the Vermont Wildlife Partnership's initiative to get sustainable, adequate and broad based funding for the Department.Over 60 sportsman, environmental and business groups are part of this partnership. Check and see if groups you are a member of are signed on.
4) Hunt and fish responsibly yourself and insist that everyone you go out with does to.
Good luck deer hunting and don't forget to wear your hunter orange - stats from NY state clearly show you are 9 times safer with orange than without.

VT Waterfowl Permit Apps due 9/21

Controlled Waterfowl Hunt Application Deadline is Sept. 21



Waterbury, VT – Applications are available for controlled waterfowl hunting permits to be used at two Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department wildlife management areas. Interested hunters must apply by Monday, September 21, 2009.

Hunting under controlled conditions for ducks at Mud Creek in Alburgh and geese at Dead Creek in Addison has been popular since the early 1970's. Permit applications for these two areas are available from Vermont Fish & Wildlife offices in Essex Junction, Waterbury, Addison, Barre, St. Johnsbury, Springfield and Rutland. The applications are also available on Fish & Wildlife's website

Applications must be filled out correctly and postmarked no later than September 21, 2009.

A public drawing to award hunting permits will be held Friday, September 25 at 12:00 Noon at Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area headquarters off Route 17 in Addison. Attendance is not required. Successful applicants will be notified before the start of the hunting season.

Vermont Antlerless Deer Application Deadline is Thursday, Aug. 27

News Releases

8-20-2009
Vermont Antlerless Deer Application Deadline is Thursday, Aug. 27



VERMONT AGENCY OF NATURAL RESOURCES
PRESS RELEASE


For Immediate Release: August 20, 2009
Media Contact: Shawn Haskell, 802-751-2647

Vermont Antlerless Deer Application Deadline is Thursday, Aug. 27

Waterbury, VT – The deadline to apply for a Vermont antlerless deer hunting permit is Thursday, August 27. The Fish & Wildlife Department is asking hunters to help by applying on-line to keep data entry time and costs to a minimum.

Applications must be either submitted on-line by August 27, delivered to the Waterbury Fish & Wildlife office by 4:30 p.m. that day or postmarked no later than August 27. 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 take one antlerless deer by muzzleloader in the designated WMU during the December 5-13, 2009 muzzleloader season.
The WMUs proposed to have muzzleloader antlerless permits this year are A, B, C, D1, F1, F2, H1, H2, J1, J2, K1, K2, M2, N, O2, and Q. The 23,725 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 4,200 deer. Only about 20 percent of hunters with antlerless permits actually take a deer.
Applications cost $10 for residents and $25 for nonresidents. A person may submit only one application.

All Young Hunters May Participate in Vermont Youth Hunts

All you VT hunters - here as a great opportunity to reconnect with your out of state buddies and relatives. Invite their kids to a youth hunt weekend, its a great deal, a ton of fun and they can help harvest some antlerless deer to boot!

VERMONT AGENCY OF NATURAL RESOURCES

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: July 21, 2009

Media Contact: Thomas Decker, Chris Saunders, 802-241-3700

All Young Hunters May Participate in Vermont Youth Hunts

WATERBURY, VT –Nonresident young hunters may now participate in Vermont’s special youth hunt weekends for deer and turkey. Vermont’s legislative statute governing youth deer and turkey hunts was amended to include nonresidents as well as residents, effective July 1, 2009.

“Vermont’s three special youth hunting weekends are helping to ensure that young hunters get the quality training and experiences they need for lifelong participation,” said Fish & Wildlife Hunter Education Coordinator Chris Saunders. “We wanted to help make it possible for both resident and nonresident families to enjoy a Vermont hunting experience.”

Anyone under 16 years of age who has successfully completed a hunter safety course and purchased the required licenses may obtain free youth deer hunting or youth turkey hunting tags to participate in Vermont’s special youth hunts for deer and turkey.

The young hunter must be accompanied by an unarmed adult over 18 years of age who holds a Vermont hunting license. The adult may accompany up to two young hunters. Landowner permission is required in order to hunt on private land during the youth deer and turkey hunt weekends.

Vermont’s youth deer hunting weekend is November 7 and 8 this year, the weekend before the rifle season. A young hunter who has obtained a Vermont hunting license and youth deer tag may take one deer of either sex during youth deer hunting weekend. The antler restriction that applies for other Vermont deer seasons does not apply for youth deer hunting weekend.

The next youth turkey hunting weekend will be April 24 and 25, 2010, the weekend before the May 1-31 spring turkey season. Vermont’s youth waterfowl hunt weekend will occur in late September, the dates to be announced later. Youth waterfowl hunting weekend had always been open to nonresidents.

Finding a place to hunt during the youth hunting weekends is relatively easy in Vermont.

“These youth hunts are very important positive experiences, and hunting on private land requires landowner permission during the youth hunts,” said Fish & Wildlife Operations Chief Thomas Decker. “Connecting with local landowners is very important in establishing places to hunt. Vermont also has over 300,000 acres of public lands open to hunting.”

Vermont’s youth hunting licenses are $8 for residents and $25 for nonresidents. Turkey hunting licenses, required in addition to the hunting license, are $17 for residents and $25 for nonresidents.

A 2007 survey of more than 1,600 Vermont youth hunters, past youth hunters and adult hunters confirmed that these hunts are recruiting and retaining young hunters. The majority of young hunters who participate in the youth hunt weekends (77 percent) keep hunting into adulthood. Youth hunters and their mentors are having a lot of fun, and, as a result, they want to hunt more. For the majority (69 percent) of participating young hunters, a youth hunt was their first time hunting.

The survey was conducted by Responsive Management, an internationally-recognized natural resource survey firm, on behalf of the Fish & Wildlife Department. It measured current youth hunters, past youth hunters and the general hunting population to gauge the effectiveness of the youth deer, turkey and waterfowl weekends at meeting hunter recruitment and retention goals.

The results are clear: current youth hunters, past youth hunters and their mentors were highly satisfied with their experiences, and this is translating into an increased desire to hunt in the future. Perhaps most telling of these youth seasons was that for the majority (69 percent) of youth hunters, the youth hunting weekend represented their first time hunting.

In addition, the study indicates high support among all Vermont hunters for the youth hunts with 87 percent of all the hunters surveyed supported Vermont’s youth hunts, even if they thought the hunts were impacting their chance of success. However, concerns that youths are racking up the deer before they hit sixteen years-old proved unfounded. The majority (61 percent) of youth hunters hunt only one or two youth deer weekends, and most (75 percent) fail to get a deer.

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Caption for attached photo:

Photo from VT Fish & Wildlife

Research shows that the majority of young hunters who participate in Vermont’s youth hunts continue to hunt as adults.

youth hunter - Jeff Grab.JPG 996K View Download

Early VT Goose Season Dates Set

VERMONT AGENCY OF NATURAL RESOURCES

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: July 16, 2009

Media Contact: Bill Crenshaw, 802-879-5699

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 have been set by the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Board.

A statewide open hunting season for Canada geese will occur September 8-25, 2009. 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 Canada.

“This September goose season is prescribed for 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 26-27, 2009. 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. Neither the youth nor the adult is required to hold a state or federal duck stamp on this weekend.

Vermont’s Draft Big Game Plan is Announced

VERMONT AGENCY OF NATURAL RESOURCES

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: July 2, 2009

Media Contact: John Buck, 802-476-0196; Scott Darling, 802-786-3862

Vermont’s Draft Big Game Plan is Announced

Two public meetings scheduled for discussion and input

WATERBURY, VT – Vermont’s draft Big Game Management Plan for 2010-2020 is available for public review. The Plan will provide management goals and activities for the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department to follow in managing Vermont’s deer, moose, black bear, and wild turkey populations in the next decade.

The draft 2010-2020 Big Game Management Plan is available on Fish & Wildlife’s website (vtfishandwildlife.com).

“This is the culmination of public survey data, biological data, public input meetings, and department thinking about managing these four very important big game species for the people of Vermont,” said State Wildlife Biologist John Buck.

“It is being made available for public review so you will have a chance to offer comments and suggestions about the Plan,” he added. “It is our goal to have the plan finalized by September 30, and begin implementation on January 1, 2010.”

Two “open house” public meetings have been scheduled for discussion of the draft plan and to receive comments and suggestions. One will be Monday, July 20, at 7:00 p.m. in the Montpelier High School cafeteria. The other will be at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 22, in the Rutland High School cafeteria.

You also can provide comments and suggestions in writing by July 31, 2009, either on the department’s website, or by U.S. mail to:

John Buck -- Big Game Plan

Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department

103 South Main Street, 10 South

Waterbury, VT 05671-0501

Vermont Antlerless Deer Hunt Applications Available

Vermont Antlerless Deer Hunt Applications Available

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. | For More...

Fishing is good - free fishing in VT next Sat 6/13

Two nice rainbows taken in northern Vermont on dry flies. I needed my nephew's help with the net. The bigger one went 6 lbs and 23 1/2 inches.
We also had some luck with catch and release bass fishing, getting a bunch up to 3 lbs. Fishing is great - grab a kid and get on the water!

Vermont Days, June 13^th and 14^th ,

Offer Low Cost Fun and Learning Experiences

WATERBURY, VT – Vermont Days on June 13 and 14, offer a low cost opportunity for fun and great learning experiences with Vermont’s excellent fishing, state parks, and historic resources.

June 13 is Vermont’s Free Fishing Day -- the one day in the year when residents and nonresidents may go fishing without a fishing license. It's a great opportunity to take the family fishing and create memories to last a lifetime.

All Vermont State Park day areas, state-owned historic sites, and the Vermont Historical Society Museum in Montpelier will be open at no charge on the 13^th and 14th.

The “Grand Isle Fishing Festival” will be held between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on the 13^th at the Ed Weed Fish Culture Station in Grand Isle. Designed especially for youngsters, this event offers basic fishing instruction and the chance for kids to catch big trout in a pond next to the hatchery.

Vermont’s 284 lakes and over 7,000 miles of clear streams offer the greatest variety of high quality fresh water fishing in the Northeast.

To find out more about Vermont's great fishing opportunities and to plan your fishing trip, contact the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department, 103 South Main Street, Waterbury, VT 05671-0501 (Tel. 802-241-3700) and ask for a copy of their “Guide to Hunting, Fishing & Trapping.” You can also email them at fwinformation@state.vt.us or discover more from their website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com).

Vermont Days is a free statewide event celebrating Vermont’s natural resources, history, and talent brought to you by the Departments of Forests, Parks & Recreation, Fish & Wildlife, Tourism & Marketing, the Division of Historic Preservation, and many supportive state employees and volunteers.

Learn more and check for details at www.vermontdays.vermont.gov.

VFWD funding OK, staffing down

The VT state budget has passed and sent to the Governor for his promised veto. The question is how did the Fish and Wildlife Department fair?
It looks to me like the personnel issue was not fixed. Positions already eliminated like my old job the Hunter Ed Training Coordinator and the 5 new ones are still gone or going. This means more federal money will be left on the table in DC and much needed work such as a meaningful range program will not happen. Bad news for sportsmen and shooters.
The VT Wildlife Partnership worked hard to restore these positions but to no avail. Broad based, sustainable funding also did not emerge. We had agreement from some key lawmakers to include 1/8 of one cent on the sales tax for FWD, but as far as I can see it did not happen.
On the positive side, there is over a million dollars in general fund money in the budget for FWD. This is down from 2 years ago and about the same as what they got last year after cuts. This shows continued support by the legislature and Governor for what FWD does for non-license buyers in VT, but still underfunds them to a huge degree.
So it looks like back to the drawing board for Dept staffing and funding. We all knew it would be a long haul. I'm prediting if we keep the pressure on and keep at it we will prevail in 3 years.

From H441 (Budget bill) funding for Fish and Wildlife Department:
Sec. B.705 Fish and wildlife - support and field services
Personal services 12,337,985
Operating expenses 4,482,575
Grants 774,333
Total 17,594,893
Source of funds
General fund 1,127,419
Fish and wildlife fund 16,230,474
Interdepartmental transfers 237,000
Total 17,594,893
Sec. B.706 Fish and wildlife - watershed improvement
Grants 125,000
Source of funds
Fish and wildlife fund 125,000
To see H 441 click here