vermont outdoor news

Vermont Fishing/Hunting Licenses

8/7/14
Antlerless Deer Permit Application Deadline, Aug. 15
The deadline to apply for a Vermont muzzleloader antlerless deer hunting permit is fast approaching – August 15

8/6/14
First-Time Hunter Seminars
Are you a brand new hunter or archer with no mentor to guide you in your first hunting experience?

8/5/14
Peregrine Falcon Nesting Cliffs Reopened for Hikers
Vermont Fish & Wildlife has reopened the cliffs closed to hiking and access earlier this spring to protect nesting peregrine falcons.

7/28/14
Seminars Announced for First-Time Hunters
Are you a brand new hunter or archer with no mentor to guide you in your first hunting experience? Do you lack the skills to properly field dress and process your first deer?

7/22/14
NRA Youth Hunter Education Day, Sat., Aug. 23
Vermont’s annual NRA Youth Hunter Education Day will be held 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 23, at the Buck Lake Conservation Camp in Woodbury, VT.

7/21/14
Vermont Turkey Brood Survey Starts Aug. 1
Wild turkeys are found throughout most of Vermont, but their reproductive success is monitored annually by the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department with a little help from “citizen scientists” who report the number and size of turkey families they see during August.

7/8/14
Hammond Cove Range Closed July 16
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department says the Hammond Cove Shooting Range in Hartland, Vermont will be closed on Wednesday, July 16, for facility improvement planning. It will re-open July 17.

7/3/14
Vermont’s Moose Lottery Drawing – July 17, at the Statehouse
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department and Governor Peter Shumlin will hold the annual lottery drawing for moose hunting permits Thursday, July 17, at the Statehouse in Montpelier.

6/24/14
Vermont Wildlife Course for Educators, July 13-18
Vermont’s popular fish and wildlife summer course for teachers and other educators will be held July 13-18, 2014.

6/19/14
Vermont’s Moose Hunt Auction is Open
Vermont’s lottery for moose hunting permits closed June 17, but there’s one more opportunity to get a permit for this fall’s moose hunt

6/16/14
Hunter Education Instructor Training Course Taking Place July 18-19
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is offering a New Instructor Training Course for people interested in volunteering to teach Hunter Education, Trapping Education or Bowhunter Education courses in Vermont.

6/12/14
Hunter-Bowhunter Education Course, June 20
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is offering a combination hunter education and bowhunter education class geared toward women on Friday, June 20 and Saturday, June 21 at Mountain Deer Taxidermy in Northfield.

6/10/14
Media invite -- Grand Isle Fishing Festival
Free Fishing Day and Grand Isle Fishing Festival, Grand Isle, VT
Anyone, residents and nonresidents, may fish without a license on Free Fishing Day

6/5/14
Free Fishing Day Events Being Held Saturday, June 14
If you’ve been looking for a good excuse to give fishing a try, or something to do outdoors with family that they’ll really enjoy, here it is! Saturday, June 14, is Vermont’s Free Fishing Day -- the one day in the summer when anyone may go fishing in the Green Mountain State without a fishing license.

6/3/14
Muzzleloader Antlerless Deer Permit Applications Available
Vermont’s muzzleloader antlerless deer hunting permit applications are now available on the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department’s website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com).

6/2/14
Fawns are Arriving
The Vermont Fish &Wildlife Department says deer fawns are being born now and asks that people avoid disturbing or picking them up.

6/2/14
Conservation Camp Openings Available
If you are 12 to 14 years old and want to learn about Vermont's wildlife while gaining outdoor skills, consider attending one of the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department's Green Mountain Conservation Camps this summer.

6/2/14
Wildlife Officials Seek Help Tracking Tagged Bear
A young black bear has been getting into birdfeeders and garbage cans in southeastern Vermont and the Fish & Wildlife Department is asking for help from local residents.

6/2/14
VT Moose Hunting Application Deadline Extended to June 17
Vermont’s lottery application deadline for a moose hunting permit has been extended from June 10 to June 17, and the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is urging hunters who plan on entering to do so now online.

5/28/14
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department and Trout Unlimited have partnered to improve trout habitat in the Nulhegan River watershed in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom.
The team, led by Jud Kratzer, fisheries biologist for the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department, and Joe Norton, Project Manager for Trout Unlimited’s Upper Connecticut Home Rivers Initiative, has been updating culverts under roads to improve upstream passage for trout so that they can access spawning habitat and find cooler water in the heat of summer.

5/22/14
New Record Carp Caught in Lake Champlain, Vermont
Darren Ouelette was bow-fishing for carp with Taylor Patterson in a backwater area of southern Lake Champlain when Darren spotted a very large carp cruising just below the surface in some flooded trees.

5/20/14
Disabled Veterans’ Hunting and Fishing Benefits Improve
More of Vermont’s disabled veterans now have increased hunting and fishing license benefits thanks to legislation signed into law by Governor Peter Shumlin on May 5, 2014.

5/15/14
VT Moose Permit Lottery Application Deadline is June 10/Auction Now Open
Vermont’s moose hunting permit lottery application deadline is June 10, and the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is urging hunters who plan on entering to do so now online.

5/8/14
Experience Outdoor Fun at Annual Family Camping Weekend
The deadline for the 17th annual “Becoming an Outdoor Family Weekend,” is May 15. The program gives families an opportunity to reconnect as they explore the outdoors and sample new activities such as geocaching, orienteering, canoeing or nature photography.

5/6/14
Vermont’s Trophy Trout Stocking for 2014
Vermont’s “Trophy Trout” stocking program for 2014 includes eight river sections and 15 lakes and ponds receiving the two-year old trout, some over 18 inches long.

5/5/14
Trophy Trout Program Expanded to the Walloomsac River
A section of the Walloomsac River in Bennington has been added to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department’s “Trophy Trout” stocking program on eight river sections and 15 lakes and ponds that receive two-year old trout, some over 18 inches long.

5/1/14
Kids’ Fishing Events Being Held This Spring
Here’s a great opportunity for young people to give fishing a try. The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department has released a list of upcoming fishing events, most of them intended just for kids.

5/1/14
Vermont’s Free Fishing Day is Saturday, June 14
If you’ve been looking for a good excuse to give fishing a try, here it is! Saturday, June 14, is Vermont’s open-water Free Fishing Day -- the one day in the summer when residents and nonresidents may go fishing in the Green Mountain State without a fishing license.

5/1/14
Young Wildlife Belong in the Wild
Watching wildlife is enjoyable, especially when young animals appear in the spring. But it’s best to keep your distance

4/29/14
Three Milton Men Cited in Deer Poaching Case
Three Milton, Vermont men have been cited by Vermont state game wardens in a deer poaching case that allegedly resulted in at least 12 deer being taken illegally.

4/28/14
Cliff Tops and Overlooks Closed to Protect Nesting Peregrines
Hiking Vermont’s hillsides is a great way to enjoy a spring day, but the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department and Audubon Vermont recommend you check to see if the area you’re planning to hike or climb is open.

4/25/14
Antlerless Deer Proposal Voted by F&W Board
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Board voted to accept the Fish & Wildlife Department’s recommendation for 2014 antlerless deer hunting, which was presented at the Board’s monthly meeting on April 23 in Montpelier.

4/24/14
Be Alert to Avoid Moose on the Highway
Drivers need to be alert and cautious because moose are on the move, according to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department. Moose are more likely to be crossing roadways at this time of year, especially after dark or early in the morning as they move from wintering areas to spring feeding locations.

4/24/14
Knapp Brook Wildlife Area Public Meeting May 12
The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources is amending its Long Range Management Plan for the state-owned 1,272-acre Knapp Brook Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Cavendish and Reading to incorporate a new section of the WMA.

4/23/14
Green Mountain Conservation Camp Opens Additional Week
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is now accepting applications for one additional week at Green Mountain Conservation Camp. The additional week is available due to the cancellation of Military Week, a result of federal budget sequestration cuts.

4/21/14
Reptiles and Amphibians Are on the Move
You may have already heard the spring peepers or wood frogs calling in your backyard. Or perhaps you’ve noticed salamanders crawling over rocks in a nearby stream.

4/21/14
Living with Black Bears
People love to see the black bear in its natural surroundings. But when bears venture into human territory, problems can occur. Often, bears pay the price.

4/15/14
Boaters Reminded to Wear Flotation Vests
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is reminding Lake Champlain anglers and boaters that New York State boating law requires all persons aboard motorboats, canoes, kayaks, rowboats, and sailboats less than 21 feet in length to wear a personal flotation device (PFD) while on New York waters from November 1 to May 1.

4/14/14
Vermont’s Walleye Fishing Starts May 3
The best walleye fishing in New England will begin soon in several Vermont rivers and lakes, according to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department. The department is reminding anglers that walleye fishing season starts in much of the state on the first Saturday in May and that regulations vary, depending on the water you are fishing.

4/14/14
Herrick’s Cove Wildlife Festival on May 4
If you’re a wildlife enthusiast itching for spring then be sure to check out the 15th annual Herrick’s Cove Wildlife Festival on Sunday, May 4, 2014 in Rockingham, Vermont.

4/8/14
Vermont’s Spring Turkey Hunting Starts Soon
Hunters are gearing up for Vermont’s spring youth turkey hunting weekend later this month and getting ready for the regular spring turkey hunting season that starts May 1.

4/8/14
Hunt Safely in Turkey Season
Hunting safely during turkey season is easy if you follow tips issued by the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department.

4/3/14
Deer Hearings Set for May 7 and 8
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department will host the final two of five annual public deer hearings on May 7 in Castleton and May 8 in Montpelier.

4/3/14
Vermont Moose Hunting Applications Are Available
Vermont moose hunting permit applications are now available on the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department’s website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com). Printed applications will be available from Vermont license agents in early May.

4/3/14
Delayed Spring Weather Changes Options for Vt Anglers
The late return of spring weather and persistent ice may alter the plans of some anglers this year. While the winter weather extends opportunities for ice fishing on some water bodies, it can also delay anglers’ access to open water for the start of trout season.

4/3/14
Vermont’s Wildlife Responds to Delayed Spring
Vermont’s human residents are not the only ones coping with the continued wintery conditions this year. The state’s wildlife are also searching for ways to deal with the deep snow and ice that may remain late into spring.

4/3/14
Marten Population Continues to Expand in Vermont
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department believes there is an expanding population of American marten in Vermont. Marten are small carnivores in the weasel family.

4/3/14
Sign Up Now for Governor’s Youth Turkey Hunt Event
In an effort to promote youth hunting in Vermont, youth hunters are encouraged to sign up for the Second Annual Governor’s Youth Turkey Hunt this spring.

4/1/14
Vermont’s Spring Trout Fishing Opens April 12
Vermont’s traditional trout fishing season opens Saturday, April 12 this year, and anglers are looking forward to spring fishing for brook, brown and rainbow trout in the Green Mountain State’s lakes and streams.

3/25/14
2,760 Acres of Habitat Improved on State Wildlife Areas in 2013
Vermont’s state Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) are increasingly important in providing a place for people to enjoy wildlife-associated recreation as more of the state is developed.

3/20/14
Vermont Hunters Took More than 14,000 Deer in 2013
Hunters took 14,107 deer during Vermont’s four deer hunting seasons in 2013, according to a report on last year’s hunting success just released by the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department.

3/18/14
Deer, Moose Hearings March 25-26-27, Two More to Come in Early May
Hunters, landowners and anyone else interested in Vermont’s deer and moose herds should plan on attending one of three public hearings scheduled for March 25 in Springfield, March 26 in Orleans and March 27 in Middlebury

3/17/14
A Reminder from F&W-- Ice Shanties Must Be Removed
Vermont state law requires that ice fishing shanties must be removed from the ice before the ice becomes unsafe or ice loses its ability to support the shanty out of the water, or before the last Sunday in March (the 30th this year), whichever comes first.

3/17/14
Outdoor Journal Special Discusses Vermont Deer Herd
Join us on Vermont Public Television Tuesday, March 18 at 8 p.m., as Lawrence Pyne hosts another live Outdoor Journal special – discussing Vermont’s new Comprehensive Deer Management Review Plan.

3/6/14
Biologists Race Against Time to Save Bats
Although Vermont’s populations of cave-dwelling bat species continue to drastically shrink in number every year, the rate of decline may be slowing down. Biologists with the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department are working to determine if some individuals that remain are naturally resistant to the syndrome that has killed millions of bats to date.

3/6/14
Cleaning Bird Feeders Can Prevent Spread of Disease
Feeding birds in the winter is a lot of fun, but it can also cause diseases to spread quickly among wild birds, which is why the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department says it is important to clean your birdfeeders regularly.

3/3/14
Public Meeting on Proposed Amendment to Posting Guidelines
Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department will be holding a public meeting on Wednesday, March 19, 2014, in Montpelier on a proposed amended rule that provides an additional option for landowners to allow hunting, fishing or trapping by permission only

2/27/14
Turkey Hunting 101 on April 13
Never tried turkey hunting but want to learn how? Here’s your chance to get started at a First-Time Turkey Hunting Seminar being held Sunday, April 13 in Northfield.

2/27/14
Fish & Wildlife Board Sets Permit Numbers for 2014 Moose Hunt
A total of 285 regular firearms moose season permits and 50 archery moose season permits will be issued for Vermont’s 22nd annual October moose hunt under a proposed regulation approved by the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board at their February 26 monthly meeting in Montpelier.

2/20/14
Newbury Man Arrested for Cruelty to Animals, Illegal
A Newbury man was arrested for allegedly illegally setting a trap within which he captured and then shot a neighbor’s dog.

2/20/14
Fish & Wildlife Looking for ‘Let’s Go Fishing’ Instructors
The Fish & Wildlife Department is seeking volunteers who would like to pass on the tradition of fishing to the next generation of Vermonters.

2/19/14
 Ice Shanties Must Be Removed Before Ice Weakens
Vermont state law requires that ice fishing shanties must be removed from the ice before the ice becomes unsafe or ice loses its ability to support the shanty out of the water, or before the last Sunday in March (the 30th this year), whichever comes first.

2/13/14
Three of Vermont’s Largest Fish of 2013 Are New State Records
Anglers have been entering impressive catches in Vermont’s record fish program every year since records were first kept by the Fish & Wildlife Department in 1969, and 2013 was no exception.

2/6/14
Fish & Wildlife Urges Public to Be Bear Aware This Winter
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is reminding Vermonters that variable winter conditions such as lack of snow and winter rain may cause black bears to abandon their dens.

2/5/14
Fish & Wildlife Makes Grant Money Available to Shooting Ranges
A Fish & Wildlife Department grant program creating more access to safe places to shoot is continuing in 2014

2/4/14
Conservation Camp Applications Are Available
If you are 12 to 14 years old and want to learn about Vermont's wildlife and gain outdoor skills next summer, consider attending one of the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department's Green Mountain Conservation Camps

2/3/14
Special Snow Goose Harvest Opportunity
Since 2009 hunters have had the opportunity to pursue snow geese during the spring as a result of a special management action referred to as a “Conservation Order” allowed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and adopted by the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board

1/30/14
Icefishing Events Coming Up
It doesn’t matter whether you are experienced at icefishing or not, you can have a lot of fun and always learn more about icefishing by attending one of the hard water fishing derbies being held on many Vermont lakes during the next few weeks.

1/21/14
VT Fraternal Order of Eagles Grant Expands Fishing Program in State Parks
The Vermont chapter of the Fraternal Order of Eagles has given a grant to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department to greatly expand the popular Let’s Go Fishing program in Vermont’s State Parks

12/31/13
Vermont Bear Hunters Had a Successful and Safe Season in 2013
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department reports that bear hunters in Vermont had a safe and successful hunting season in 2013

12/18/13
Vermont’s New Free Ice Fishing Day
Always wanted to go ice fishing but couldn’t find a good excuse to get away? The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department has found that excuse for you: a “free ice fishing day” on the fourth Saturday in January.

12/18/13
Fish and Wildlife Department Holds Free Trapping Seminar
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department will hold a free seminar entitled “Trapping Through the Ice” at the Edward Kehoe Education Center in Castleton, on January 11, 2014.

12/16/13
East Barre Woman Wins Lifetime License
An avid angler and hunter from East Barre, Vermont is the lucky winner of a Vermont lifetime hunting and fishing license. Kathy Robinson, 51, won the license from a drawing of 2,149 lottery tickets

12/12/13
Ice Fishing Safety Tips from F&W
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department has some ice safety tips for those of you who will be going ice fishing this winter.

12/12/13
Vermont Birders Join Annual Christmas Bird Count
This holiday season marks the 114th annual Christmas Bird Count, a favorite tradition among Vermont’s birding community. Starting December 14, birdwatchers across the state will be participating in the count.

12/5/13
2014 Hunting, Fishing and Trapping Licenses Available Dec. 16
Vermont hunting, fishing and trapping licenses for the new year will be available on the Fish & Wildlife Department’s website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com) on December 16.

11/26/13
Muzzleloader and 2nd Archery Deer Seasons, Dec. 7-15
Vermont’s hunters will get one final chance for a deer this year during the muzzleloader deer season and the second part of the archery deer season. The two seasons run at the same time -- December 7-15.

11/20/13
New Fishing Opportunities in 2014
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department says anglers will have several new fishing opportunities in Vermont beginning in January when a recently enacted regulation goes into effect.

11/18/13
The Wild Turkey Contributed to Thanksgiving
One of our native wildlife species historically played an important role on Thanksgiving Day. North America’s native wild turkeys were the ancestors of the Thanksgiving turkey on our dinner table.

11/13/13
Rain or Shine, Campers Have a Blast at Green Mountain Conservation Camps
It was another great year for the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department’s Green Mountain Conservation Camps (GMCC), Buck Lake in Woodbury and Edward F. Kehoe in Castleton.

11/8/13
Fish & Wildlife Seeks Bear Teeth from Hunters
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is reminding successful bear hunters to submit a bear tooth so wildlife managers can collect information on Vermont’s bear population. The late bear season begins on November 16, when many hunters will be out in the woods pursuing white-tailed deer.

11/7/13
Vermont Moose Hunters Had a Successful Season
Vermont moose hunters had a successful hunting season according to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department. An archery moose hunt was held October 1-7, and the regular moose hunting season was October 19-24.

11/7/13
Exotic Fish Species Found in North Montpelier Pond
An East Montpelier man discovered something unusual while fishing outside of Montpelier last week. An exotic fish species known as a clown knifefish, native to Southeast Asia, was found dead near the boat ramp.

11/6/13
Hunters Spend $292 Million in Vermont
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department reports that hunters contribute significantly to the state’s economy and spend more than $292 million in Vermont annually, according to a recent survey by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Census Bureau.

11/5/13
Rifle Deer Season Starts Saturday, Nov. 16
Hunters are gearing up for the start of Vermont’s statewide traditionally popular 16-day rifle deer season that begins November 16 and ends Sunday, December 1.

11/5/13
Game Wardens Looking for Tips on Suspicious Activities
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is reminding Vermonters to be on the alert for activities that may represent poaching or the illegal take of game animals.

10/31/13
Youth Hunting Memories Contest Callout
The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is seeking submissions for the seventh annual Youth Hunting Memories Contest. This year’s contest has been updated to include a variety of entry types including a drawing, painting, photograph or video.

10/30/13
Vermont Youth Deer Hunt Weekend is Nov. 9-10
A youngster’s first hunt can mark the beginning of a lifelong passion for the outdoors and a commitment to wildlife conservation. There is no finer time to begin this journey than during Vermont’s upcoming youth deer hunting weekend on November 9 and 10, the Saturday and Sunday before the rifle deer season opens.

10/29/13
Reptile and Amphibians Presentation at Kehoe Education Center by Jim Andrew
Have you ever wondered what species of frogs are chorusing in your back yard every spring or the name of that colorful salamander you find near your local creek? Where in Vermont can you see newts or even timber rattlesnakes?

10/25/13
Boaters Reminded to Wear Flotation Vests
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is reminding Lake Champlain anglers and boaters that New York State boating laws require all persons aboard motorboats, canoes, kayaks, rowboats, and sailboats less than 21 feet in length to wear a personal flotation device (PFD) while on New York waters from November 1 to May 1.

10/23/13
The Case for Hunter Access
Well into autumn, a season that is synonymous with hunting for countless Vermonters, it is important to reflect on the value of hunting for both cultural and ecological reasons—and how we can keep this tradition strong.

10/22/13
Help Keep Vermont’s Flawless Hunter Safety Record: Wear Hunter Orange
Last year was the safest year ever for Vermont hunters. There were no hunting-related shootings of any kind in any of Vermont’s hunting seasons. So far, 2013 is also accident-free and smart hunters can help keep this new hunting tradition going by choosing to wear hunter orange.

10/17/13
Fish & Wildlife Calendar is Available
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department and Vermont Life Magazine are announcing the release of the colorful 2014 Fish & Wildlife calendar. The new edition of the calendar is larger in size and includes inset images, matching the format of Vermont Life’s other popular calendars.

10/16/13
Vermont’s Shotgun and Archery Fall Turkey Hunting Starts Oct. 26
Vermont’s popular shotgun and archery fall turkey hunting starts Saturday, October 26 in selected wildlife management areas (WMUs).

10/15/13
Vermont Youth Deer Hunt Weekend is Nov. 9-10
Vermont’s youth deer hunting weekend is November 9 and 10 this year, the Saturday and Sunday before the rifle deer season opens.

10/15/13
Biological Check Stations on Youth Deer Hunting Weekend
Youth deer hunters who get a deer on the November 9 and 10 youth deer hunting weekend can help Vermont’s deer management program by reporting their deer at one of 23 biological check stations around the state.

10/14/13
Fish & Wildlife Seeks Volunteers for Turtle Nest Site Cleanup Day
The annual spiny softshell turtle beach cleanup day is on Saturday, October 26, and Vermont Fish & Wildlife is looking for volunteers to help. Participants are asked to arrive at North Hero State Park between 10 and 11 a.m.

10/14/13
Halloween Wildlife Festival and Jack-O’-Lantern Hike at Kehoe Conservation
Looking for a “wild” family-based adventure for Halloween this year? The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is inviting families to attend the second annual Halloween Wildlife Festival and Jack-o’Lantern Hike at the Education Center of the Edward F. Kehoe Green Mountain Conservation Camp on Point of Pine Road in Castleton.

10/8/13
Antlerless Deer Permits to be Sent in Late October
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department says it will be mailing out Vermont antlerless hunting permits for the December muzzleloader season late in October.

10/4/13
Bowhunters Reminded That Handguns May Not be Used to Take Game
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is reminding hunters that handguns may not be used to take game while archery deer hunting. Following the Sportsman Act of 2013, archery deer hunters in Vermont are permitted to carry a pistol or revolver.

10/3/13
Vermont Offers Several Deer Hunting Opportunities
“Vermont’s deer herd has benefitted from two relatively mild winters in a row,” said Murkowski. “Mild winter weather coupled with a healthy and robust deer population mean herd growth is expected in many regions of the state this year, and hunters can choose between several different deer hunting opportunities starting in October and continuing into December.”

10/3/13
Leashed Tracking Dogs for Recovery of Game
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is providing the following list of certified leashed tracking dog owners who will help locate deer, bear or moose that have been shot during hunting season but not yet recovered.

10/1/13
Fall Fishing Opportunities Heat Up as Waters Cool
Autumn provides some of the year’s best fishing opportunities in Vermont’s streams, rivers, and lakes, and you may just have the water all to yourself.

9/30/13
Dead Creek Wildlife Day is this Saturday
Here’s a reminder from the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department that Dead Creek Wildlife Day in Addison, VT is this Saturday, October 5.

9/27/13
New Hunting Rules in Effect
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department points out that three new hunting rules passed by legislature are now in effect.

9/25/13
Fish & Wildlife Dept. Seeks Bear Teeth from Hunters
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is reminding successful bear hunters to submit a bear tooth so that wildlife managers can collect information on Vermont’s bear population.

9/24/13
Big Game Reporting Stations Designated for 2013
Hunters who take a bear, deer or turkey during the Vermont hunting seasons must bring the animal within 48 hours to the nearest game warden or to the nearest Vermont Fish & Wildlife reporting station. Below is a list of wardens and reporting stations for 2013. The list also appears on Fish & Wildlife’s website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com).

7/23/13
VTrans, Fish & Wildlife Partner to Improve Wildlife Crossings

7/17/13
Vermont’s 2013 Moose Auction is Open for Bids

Always wanted a moose hunting permit but never won one in a state lottery? Here’s your opportunity to bid on a permit and potentially win a hunt for Vermont’s largest big game animal

7/17/13
F&W License Services are at National Life, Montpelier

 The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department’s main license services office is now located in the Dewey Building adjacent to the National Life Building in Montpelier

7/15/13
Waterfowl Meetings -- Aug. 6, Whitehall, NY -- Aug. 7, Burlington, VT
Public meetings on the status of waterfowl populations and waterfowl hunting seasons for the State of Vermont and Lake Champlain zone in New York will be held Tuesday, August 6, in Whitehall, New York, and Wednesday, August 7, in Burlington, Vermont. The annual meetings are being held by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department

7/2/13
Agency of Natural Resources Encourages Public Comments on West Mountain WMA
The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources is updating the management plan for West Mountain Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Essex County. The agency will rely on input from the public to help guide this process and encourages all who may be interested in these lands to attend a meeting or provide written comments

7/1/13
Public Meeting Set Regarding Proposed Stocking of Walleye in Moore Reservoir

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department and Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department will hold a public informational meeting at 6 p.m. on July 22, 2013 at the Littleton Opera House, 2 Union Street, Littleton, N.H. to discuss the proposed stocking of walleye into Moore Reservoir. Moore Reservoir is an impoundment on the Connecticut River in the communities of Littleton and Dalton, N.H., and Waterford and Concord, Vt

7/1/13
Fish and Wildlife Department Holds Bear Hunting Seminar

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department will hold a free seminar entitled “Getting Started in Bear Hunting” in St. Johnsbury on August 17, 2013. The department hopes to increase interest in bear hunting and to teach bear hunters how to become more successful

6/26/13
Muzzleloader Antlerless Deer Permit Applications Available

Vermont’s muzzleloader antlerless deer hunting permit applications are now available on the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department’s website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com). A quick-link to the information and application is provided on the home page

6/26/13
Vermont Moose Hunting Application Deadline is July 5

 The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department reminds hunters that July 5 is the deadline to apply in the lottery for a moose hunting permit

6/25/13
Fishing Regulation Changes Voted by F&W Board
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Board voted June 19 in Montpelier on a proposed regulation to increase trout and bass fishing opportunities for anglers.

6/19/13
Public Meeting June 25 on Potential Test Water Designation for Stiles Pond
A special fishing Test Water designation at Stiles Pond in Waterford is being considered by the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department. A public meeting on the potential change is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 25 in the gymnasium at the Waterford Elementary School on Duck Pond Rd. Fish & Wildlife staff will be available to explain the proposal and answer questions

6/14/13
Gov. Shumlin Signs Sportsmen’s Act of 2013
Joined today by sportsmen and women at the Barre Fish and Game Club, Gov. Peter Shumlin signed the Sportsmen’s Act of 2013, legislation spearheaded by the Fish & Wildlife Department in coordination with members of the Legislature and many hunting, fishing, trapping, and other traditional interest groups

6/13/13
Vermont Fish & Wildlife Course for Educators, July 14-19
The hands-on field course that gets educators out into Vermont’s streams, forests and wetlands with some of the state’s leading experts takes place at the Buck Lake Conservation Camp in Woodbury. Now in its 28th year, “Fish and Wildlife Management for Educators,” is a one-week, three-credit graduate course taught by Vermont Fish & Wildlife and other Agency of Natural Resources staff through the University of Vermont

6/11/13
Fish & Wildlife Dept Works to Recover Vermont’s Timber Rattlesnakes
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department has been working with researchers at The Nature Conservancy and the Orianne Society to conserve a piece of Vermont’s unique natural heritage, the timber rattlesnake. They have captured rattlesnakes from the wild and implanted radio transmitters under their skin as part of a two-year study of timber rattlesnake habitat and movements in western Rutland County

6/10/13
Conservation and Historic Preservation at New Turner Hill WMA
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department, The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Vermont Electric Power Company (VELCO), and the Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development are celebrating the opening of the Turner Hill Wildlife Management Area, located in Athens and Grafton, on Sunday, June 23, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m

6/4/13
New State Law to Address Bear Problems
A new state law goes into effect on July 1 intended to help reduce the problems that occur when bears are attracted to foods provided by people

6/3/13
Moose Permit Lottery Deadline is July 5, Auction Now Open
Vermont’s moose hunting permit lottery application deadline is July 5, and the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is urging hunters who plan on entering to do so online

5/29/13
Saturday, June 8 Marks the Start of Vermont’s Bass Season
Vermont’s amazing bass fishing, once a well-kept secret among anglers, shifts gears with the start of the traditional bass season on Saturday, June 8, which also happens to be Free Fishing Day in Vermont

5/23/13
Fish & Wildlife Dept, VEC Partner on Osprey Recovery

5/20/13
VT Departments of Corrections, Fish & Wildlife Partner for Bat Conservation
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department has partnered with the Southeast State Correctional Facility in Windsor to help save Vermont’s bats. Inmates involved in a work crew program recently built 50 bat houses that state biologists are using to provide daytime roosting sites for bats. The bat houses were given away at this year’s Herrick’s Cove Wildlife Festival to attendees who regularly observe bats near their home

5/16/13
Cliff Tops and Overlooks Closed to Protect Nesting Peregrines

5/15/13
Trout, Bass Fishing Rule Changes Proposed -- Hearings May 28, 29, 30
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Board is holding three public hearings May 28, 29, and 30 on proposed regulation changes that would increase trout and bass fishing opportunities for anglers and reduce the daily brook trout limit

5/14/13
Vermont’s Free Fishing Day is Saturday, June
If you’ve been looking for a good excuse to give fishing a try, here it is! Saturday, June 8, is Vermont’s Free Fishing Day -- the one day in the summer when residents and nonresidents may go fishing in the Green Mountain State without a fishing license

5/9/13
Lake Elmore Access Area to be Renamed in Dedication Ceremony

5/8/13
Sign Up Now for Youth Hunter Education Challenge

5/7/13
Young Wildlife Belong in the Wild
Watching wildlife is enjoyable, especially when young animals appear in the spring. But it’s best to keep your distance. Picking up young wildlife can do more harm than good, according to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department. It’s also against the law

5/2/13
Fish & Wildlife Department Promotes Native Fisheries in Vermont
To many Vermonters, there are few activities more enjoyable than catching a big walleye from Lake Champlain or hooking a colorful brook trout on a small stream in the mountains. In order to ensure that these opportunities will be available for future generations of Vermonters, the Fish & Wildlife Department is working to promote the state’s native fish species, from captive breeding programs to enhancing aquatic habitat

4/10/13
Vermont Bats Spend Winter in Maine Bunker in Study to Fight White-Nose Synd
In an experiment aimed at investigating alternative strategies to save Vermont’s bats, biologists collected 30 hibernating little brown bats from caves in Vermont and New York and transported them to a former military bunker on Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge in Maine

4/9/13
Boaters Reminded to Wear Flotation Vests

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is reminding Lake Champlain anglers and boaters that New York State boating law requires all persons aboard motorboats, canoes, kayaks, rowboats, and sailboats less than 21 feet in length to wear a personal flotation device (PFD) while on New York waters from November 1 to May 1

4/9/13
Vermont’s Spring Turkey Hunting Starts Soon

Vermont offers some of the best turkey hunting in New England according to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department. In 2012, Hunters took 4,714 turkeys in both the youth weekend and regular May 1-31 seasons, and 1,365 turkeys in the fall season.

4/9/13
VTF&W Recommends these Turkey Hunting Safety Tips

Vermont’s youth turkey hunting weekend is April 27-28, and the regular spring season is May 1-31. The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department points out that while spring turkey hunting-related shootings are rare (last year’s season was incident-free) precautions are needed.

4/8/13
Vermont Public Television Invites Deer Management Discussion April 11

 On Thursday, April 11, at 8 p.m. on Vermont Public Television, Lawrence Pyne will host “Deer Herd Management: An Outdoor Journal Special.”

4/8/13
‘VPT’s Outdoor Journal’  Season Opener April 16
Creatures great and small, young and adult -- humans included -- appear throughout the 11th season of Vermont Public Television’s “Outdoor Journal.” Launching six new weekly magazine-style programs on Tuesday, April 16, at 7:30 p.m., the series sticks to its roots in hunting, fishing and conservation while adding new outdoor experiences to the mix.

4/5/13
Lake Elmore Access Area to be Renamed after Morrisville Native

Boaters and anglers on Lake Elmore in Elmore, Vermont, will see a new name on the access area sign starting in May, according to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department. The Lake Elmore – Vaughn M. Douglass Access Area will be renamed in honor of the Morrisville native and Lake Elmore camp owner who passed away in September.

4/5/13
Test Waters Designation for Jobs and Martins Ponds Now in Effect
A special Test Waters designation intended to enhance fishing for large, wild brook trout at Jobs Pond in Westmore and Martins Pond in Peacham goes into effect with the start of trout season on April 13.

4/4/13
Upcoming Events Celebrate Youth Hunting in Vermont

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is co-sponsoring several events specifically for young hunters and their families this spring.

4/3/13
F&W License Services Move to Montpelier

3/29/13
Vermont’s Spring Trout Stocking to Start Soon
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department reports that as warmer weather approaches and anglers prepare for spring and summer fishing, its five state fish culture stations are gearing up as well.

3/27/13
Conservation Camp Applicants are Registering Online
The Vermont Fish &Wildlife Department started taking applications for its Green Mountain Conservation Camp program online for the first time this year, and with the number of applications that are coming in, it looks like the change is successful. On March 27, the department had reserved 569 out of 988 openings for student campers.

3/26/13
Department Continues to Battle White-Nose Syndrome in Bats
Surveys performed this winter by researchers at the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department indicate that populations of several species of bats in Vermont continue to shrink due to the devastating effects of white-nose syndrome, a fungal disease affecting cave-hibernating bats.

3/25/13
Vermont’s 2012 Deer Harvest Report is Online

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department’s report on the 2012 deer hunting seasons is available on the department’s website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com). The report is produced each year after information is received from more than 120 agents statewide and all the data are reviewed for accuracy and trends.

3/25/13
Vermont’s Wildlife Responds to Unpredictable Winter Weather
Following a spell of warm, spring-like weather, biologists at the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department observed black bears out of their dens early in March. In recent years, mild weather has frequently driven bears to enter their dens later and to emerge earlier.

3/20/13
Three New Vermont State Record Fish Caught in 2012

Vermont’s lakes and streams continue to produce amazing numbers of big fish year after year. In 2012, three new state records were established for burbot, channel catfish and pumpkinseed sunfish.

3/20/13
Montpelier Deer Hearing March 27, Moved to the State House
The Fish & Wildlife Department announced that the public hearing on deer management formerly scheduled for Montpelier High School on Wednesday, March 27, is now going to be held that night in Room 11 at the State House, 115 State Street in Montpelier.

3/19/13
Vermont’s Spring Trout Fishing Opens April 13
Vermont’s traditional trout fishing season opens Saturday, April 13 this year, and anglers are looking forward to spring fishing for brook, brown and rainbow trout in the Green Mountain State’s lakes and streams. Until then, eager anglers can capitalize on year-round catch-and-release trout fishing opportunities on nine river sections.

3/13/13
It’s Time to Remove Bird Feeders to Avoid Tempting Bears

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is urging people to take down their bird feeders to avoid attracting bears that are emerging from their winter dens and looking for food.

3/13/13
Natural Resources Training Session Offered for Development Professionals
Real estate professionals, engineers and site technicians will shape future development in Vermont. Now they have the opportunity to learn more about how to incorporate natural resource planning into their work at a half-day training session offered through the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department and the Vermont Natural Resources Council.

3/12/13
Governor Shumlin Hosts Governor’s Youth Turkey Hunt Event
In an effort to promote youth hunting in Vermont, Governor Shumlin is hosting a Governor’s Youth Turkey Hunt this spring. The governor is scheduled to attend a luncheon on Sunday, April 21, at the Waterbury Fish & Game Club, where he plans to lead a discussion on the importance of the hunting tradition in Vermont.

3/11/13
Deer Hearings Set for Late March
The Fish & Wildlife Department will host the first three of five annual deer management public hearings beginning on March 25. The hearings will cover last year’s harvest results and the prospects for the 2013 season. Two more hearings will be held in the northeast and southwest regions of the state in May.

3/7/13
Governor Shumlin Appoints Members to Fish & Wildlife Board
Governor Peter Shumlin has appointed a new member to the Fish & Wildlife Board, and has reappointed two members and the board chair.

3/4/13
Waterfowl Information Session at Camp Kehoe
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department will host a waterfowl information session entitled “Boats, Blinds, and Buddies; The Waterfowl Experience” at Green Mountain Conservation Camp Kehoe in Castleton, VT on Friday, March 22 from 6:00-8:00 p.m.

2/27/13
Nongame Wildlife Benefits from Vermonters’ Generous Support
Whether it’s the sight of a soaring osprey, the laugh of a common loon, or the thrilling beauty of a peregrine falcon, Vermont leads the nation in wildlife watching for good reason: we have wonderful wildlife all around us. Through the generosity of thousands of citizens at tax time and the efforts of Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department staff and partners, these extraordinary species have rebounded from their former threatened or endangered status in Vermont.

2/25/13
Fish & Wildlife Looking for ‘Let’s Go Fishing’ Instructors

The Fish & Wildlife Department is seeking volunteers who would like to pass on the tradition of fishing to the next generation of Vermonters. The department will be hosting two one-day training sessions for ‘Let’s Go Fishing’ instructors on Saturday, March 23 at the Kehoe Education Center in Castleton, VT and on Saturday, April 6 at the Fish & Wildlife regional office in Essex Junction, VT.

2/22/13
Fish & Wildlife Seeks Deer Hunters for Regional Working Groups
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is encouraging deer hunters to apply for one of three regional working groups currently being formed throughout the state. The goal of the working groups is to bring together hunters to discuss deer management strategies and regulations as part of the department’s comprehensive deer management review process.

2/21/13
Fish & Wildlife Board Sets Permit Numbers for 2013 Moose Hunt
A total of 355 permits will be issued for Vermont’s 21st annual October moose season under a proposal the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board gave preliminary approval to on Wednesday.

2/19/13
Public Meeting on Potential Test Waters Designation for Jobs and Martins Pond

A special Test Waters designation intended to improve fishing for large, wild brook trout at Jobs Pond in Westmore and Martins Pond in Peacham is being considered by the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department. A public meeting on the potential change is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 12 at the Caledonia Forest and Stream Club in St. Johnsbury.

2/19/13
Outdoor Cats Pose a Threat to Vermont’s Wildlife
A new study from scientists at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service raises concerns about the welfare of Vermont’s wildlife populations. The study found that cats are the single greatest cause of human-caused mortality to birds and mammals, killing an estimated average of 2.4 billion birds and 12.3 billion mammals each year in the United States.

2/13/13
Ice Shanties Must Be Removed Before Ice Weakens
Vermont state law requires that ice fishing shanties must be removed from the ice before the ice becomes unsafe or ice loses its ability to support the shanty out of the water, or before the last Sunday in March (the 31st this year), whichever comes first.

2/6/13
New Deer Management Plan Survey Online

2/5/13
Vermont Joins Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact
Anyone contemplating violating Vermont’s fish and wildlife laws now needs to keep in mind that they can no longer just hunt, fish or trap in another state if their licenses are revoked here. Vermont is now the 39th member of the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact (IWVC), which recognizes license suspensions of member states.

2/1/13
Conservation Camp Applications Are Available

1/30/13
Special Snow Goose Harvest Opportunity
Since 2009 hunters have had the opportunity to pursue snow geese during the spring as a result of a special management action referred to as a “Conservation Order” allowed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and adopted by the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board.

1/29/13
Stamford Man Shoots Huge Buck -- One Day Late

1/25/13
A New Bear Management Strategy
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is unveiling a new strategy to manage Vermont’s growing black bear population. The strategy involves extending the bear hunting season and implementing a low-cost early season bear tag to collect additional data on bear harvest success rates and hunter effort.

1/22/13
Baitfish Rule Changes to go into Effect February 2
On January 17, the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Board voted to approve changes to the baitfish regulations, allowing anglers more flexibility on transporting baitfish and more options for the fish species they can use as bait. The modifications, which go into effect on February 2, 2013, will not significantly reduce the regulation’s protection of Vermont’s fish populations.

1/17/13
Vermont Hunters Harvested 13,850 Deer in 2012
Vermont deer hunters had successful deer hunting seasons in 2012. The archery, youth, rifle, and muzzleloader deer hunting seasons’ harvest totals were all within management objectives set by the Fish & Wildlife Department.

1/15/13
Game Cooking Seminar Returning to Sportsman’s Classic
If you are more successful in the field than in the kitchen, join the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department at the 21st Annual Yankee Sportsman's Classic in Essex Junction this Saturday.

1/14/13
Hunters Had Safe and Successful Hunting in 2012
It was a good year to be a big game hunter in Vermont in 2012. In particular, populations of wild turkeys and black bears are at very high levels, offering hunters of those species excellent opportunities. The whitetail harvest also saw several positive trends in 2012, with the totals for all hunting seasons within the statewide management goals. Perhaps of greater note, 2012 marked the first year in which there were no hunting-related shooting incidents in Vermont.

1/11/13
Public Events Announced for New Comprehensive Deer Management Plan
Hunters interested in Vermont’s deer herd should plan on attending one of three public events scheduled for January 19th, 30th and 31st.

1/9/13
2012 Youth Hunting Memories Contest Deadline is Jan. 31

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department extended its deadline for submissions to its annual Youth Hunting Memories Contest to January 31.

1/9/13
$40,000 in Grant Money Remains Available for Shooting Ranges
A Vermont Fish & Wildlife grant program that’s creating more access to safe places to shoot still has money available this fiscal year.

1/8/13
Green Mountain Conservation Camp Kehoe Hosts Winter Survival Event
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department will host a winter survival demonstration at Green Mountain Conservation Camp (GMCC) Kehoe in Castleton, VT this Saturday from 10:00 a.m. - noon.

1/4/13
Fairlee Captive Hunt Facility Charged in Sting Operation
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department brought charges today against Steven Hill, 51, and Chiaki Ito, 21, both of Fairlee,VT who were each indicted on seven counts of operating an unlicensed captive hunting facility. The pair faces charges of up to $1,000 for each count and stand to lose their hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses for up to three years.

12/20/12
Poacher Kills Large Buck after Close of Season
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department says a poacher was apprehended in Morrisville late at night on December 14, after illegally killing a mature antlered buck. Skylar Poleio of Hyde Park, age 22, was arrested at around 11:15 p.m. after he and another male returned to retrieve the buck Poleio had killed.

12/18/12
Williamstown Man Wins License Lottery
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department held its annual License of a “Lifetime Lottery” at the December 13th meeting of the Fish and Wildlife Board in Montpelier. A lifetime hunting and fishing license is awarded to one person per year. Dan Hegarty won the license in a drawing of 329 lottery tickets.

12/18/12
Owl Survives Harrowing Collision with Truck Grill
Biologist David Sausville, of the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department, rescued a barred owl lodged in the grill of a pickup truck in Addison County early on the morning of Tuesday, December 11.

12/17/12
Winooski River Fishing Access Repairs Completed

Early season bear tags and licenses good for five years are new options available to Vermont’s hunters, anglers and trappers.

12/14/12
2013 Hunting, Fishing and Trapping Licenses Available
Vermont hunting, fishing and trapping licenses for the New Year are now available online at the Fish & Wildlife Department’s website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com).

12/13/12
Last Call for 2013 Fish & Wildlife Calendars

A small number of 2013 Vermont Fish & Wildlife calendars are still available from the Fish & Wildlife Department if you act fast.

12/11/12
Waitsfield Elementary School Students Raise Money for Bat Conservation

11/28/12
Vermont Muzzleloader and 2nd Archery Deer Seasons, Dec. 1-9

One of our native wildlife species historically played an important role on Thanksgiving Day. North America’s native wild turkeys were the ancestors of the Thanksgiving turkey on our dinner table.

11/19/12
Call for Entries in the 2012 Youth Hunting Memories Contest

 An 18-year old and a 17-year old were arrested Sunday night, November 11, in Springfield by Vermont State Game Warden Stephen Majeski as they attempted to drag a four-point buck out of a field.

11/7/12
Public Shooting Range Opens in Hartland

 Vermont’s preliminary archery deer hunting season results are up compared to the previous three-year average, and that could be good news for hunters during the November rifle deer season.

11/2/12
Winooski Fishing Access Closed for Repairs
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department has closed its fishing access area off Windemere Way in Colchester near the mouth of the Winooski River in order to remove heavy deposits of silt at the boat ramp.

10/31/12
Vermont’s Stream Sections Open to Catch & Release Trout Fishing
Vermont’s regular trout fishing season in streams ended October 31, but if you would like to enjoy excellent fall trout fishing until cold weather interrupts, here’s your opportunity.

10/30/12
Poultney Man Charged with Deer Poaching

Vermont State Game Warden Robert Sterling and Fair Haven Police Officer Ken Jones were patrolling for deer poaching activity on the evening of Friday October, 19. At approximately 11:00 p.m. they observed a vehicle shining a light into fields along Swamp Road in Fair Haven. The vehicle’s driver was then observed firing a 30.06 rifle at a deer in a field.

10/29/12
Starksboro Man Charged with Taking Moose Out of Season
Vermont State Game Warden Robert Currier and State Game Warden Sgt. George Scribner responded on October 5 to a report of a moose found dead on Guthrie Road in Lincoln, VT. The wardens determined the moose had been illegally shot. Vermont’s firearms moose hunting season was October 20-25 this year.

10/29/12
Hunting from a Tree Stand?

 The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department says antlerless deer hunting permits for the December 1-9 muzzleloader deer season will be mailed to recipients in early November. The department cautions, however, that the permits are in the form of a postcard -- so if you receive one, but sure to put it in a safe place until December.

10/23/12
Youth Hunters Encouraged to Visit Biological Check Stations Nov. 3 & 4
Youth deer hunters who get a deer on the November 3 and 4 youth deer hunting weekend can help Vermont’s deer management program by reporting their deer at one of 23 biological check stations around the state.

10/23/12
Boaters Reminded to Wear Flotation Vests

 The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is reminding Lake Champlain anglers and boaters that New York State boating law requires all persons aboard motorboats, canoes, kayaks, rowboats, and sailboats less than 21 feet in length to wear a personal flotation device (PFD) while on NY waters from November 1 to May 1.

10/16/12
Vermont’s Shotgun and Archery Fall Turkey Hunting Starts Oct. 20

10/15/12
Tips for Mentors on Youth Deer Weekend

Vermont State Game Wardens conducted a decoy deer operation in Royalton that evening. At approximately 10:47 p.m. shots were fired at the decoy deer. Warden Keith Gallant pursued and stopped a vehicle containing Mikel Brady of Randolph and Joshua Hill of Bethel, both 23, and a 15-year old juvenile.

10/9/12
Hunt smart--Hunt safe--Wear orange
Smart hunters choose fluorescent hunter orange. They know they are safer and understand it helps preserve Vermont’s hunting heritage because no matter how rare, each hunting-related shooting reinforces the mistaken perception that hunting is dangerous.

10/4/12
Big Game Reporting Stations Designated for 2012
Hunters who take a bear, deer, turkey, or moose during the Vermont hunting seasons must, by law, bring the animal, within 48 hours, to the nearest game warden or to the nearest Vermont Fish & Wildlife reporting station. Below is a list, by county, of wardens and reporting stations for the 2012. The list also appears on Fish & Wildlife’s website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com).

10/4/12
Hunters and Landowners Can Connect on F&W Website
Vermont owners of forest lands who are concerned about keeping deer numbers managed can now connect with hunters who register their interest to hunt in the area by using a new feature on the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department’s website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com).

10/3/12
Muzzleloader Antlerless Deer Permit Winners Announced
The winners of Vermont’s muzzleloader season antlerless deer permits are listed on the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department’s website: www.vtfishandwildlife.com.

10/3/12
Vermont’s Bald Eagles Nested More Successfully
Our national symbol, the bald eagle, is staging a dramatic comeback in the Green Mountain State. The Vermont Fish &Wildlife Department reports that bald eagles had a very successful nesting season this year with 15 nests documented in the state and 23 eaglets fledged -- leaving the nest to be on their own.

10/3/12
Dead Creek Wildlife Day is this Sat., Oct. 6
Dead Creek Wildlife Day has been listed as one of Vermont’s “Top 10 Fall Events,” and with good reason. Activities at Dead Creek Wildlife Day are especially for people who enjoy hunting, fishing, birdwatching, or learning about Vermont’s diverse wildlife. The event will be held at the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department’s Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area (WMA) on Route 17 west of Route 22A.

10/3/12
Baitfish Rule Changes, Public Hearing Dates Set
Anglers will have the opportunity to comment on proposed changes to Vermont’s existing baitfish regulation at three Fish and Wildlife Board public hearings in October.

10/1/12
Halloween Wildlife Festival and Jack-O’-Lantern Hike at Kehoe Education Center
Are you looking for a fun and educational place to celebrate Halloween and for your kids to try-out their costumes? The Edward F. Kehoe Education Center in Castleton, VT is the perfect place to be on Saturday, October 27, from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. Visitors will enjoy a campfire program about wildlife, a jack-o’-lantern – lit hike through the woods, wildlife-related activities, face painting, and a photo booth. Snacks will include apple cider, caramel apples and other seasonal treats.

10/1/12
Hunters Reminded of Rules on Importing Deer, Elk
Hunters traveling outside Vermont to hunt deer or elk need to keep in mind that the regulation designed to protect Vermont's wild deer from chronic wasting disease remains in effect, according to a reminder from the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department.

9/26/12
Vermont Deer Biologist Optimistic for Hunting Seasons
According to Vermont deer biologist Adam Murkowski hunters should feel upbeat about the state’s deer hunting seasons this year. Prior to moving to Vermont earlier this year Murkowski contributed to deer research and management programs in Arkansas, Colorado, North Carolina, and Wisconsin.

9/24/12
Vermont’s Fish and Wildlife are Important Recreationally & Economically
Fish and wildlife resources are important to all Vermonters who hunt, fish or watch wildlife, but these resources also contribute greatly to our economy according to the 2011 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation conducted by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and U.S. Census Bureau.

9/13/12
National Hunting & Fishing Day, Sept. 22, Marks the 75th Anniversary
National Hunting and Fishing Day on September 22 is a perfect day to celebrate that 2012 is the 75th anniversary of America’s Sportfish & Wildlife Restoration Program.

9/13/12
Living with Black Bears – Sat., Sept. 22 in Chester
Vermont now has more black bears than in many decades, and increasingly bears are attracted to bird feeders, bee hives, garbage containers, pet food left outside, and back yard chickens.

9/11/12
Two Men Charged for Mining on State Wildlife Area
On August 26, Vermont State Game Wardens Robert Sterling and Justin Stedman found Robert J. LaPorte of Shaftsbury, Vermont and Philip G. Yerke of Waterford, New York digging and extracting quartz crystal rock material from an area on Bird Mountain Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in the towns of Ira, Castleton and Poultney.

9/11/12
Enjoy Dead Creek Wildlife Day on Sat., Oct. 6
If you enjoy wildlife be sure to make plans to attend the annual Dead Creek Wildlife Day in Addison, Vermont on Saturday, October 6.

9/11/12
Hunters Looking Forward to Start of Archery Season
Hunters are enthusiastic about Vermont’s upcoming October 6-28 and December 1-9 archery deer hunting season, according to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department.

9/7/12
Special Opportunity Moose Hunt, Sept. 13 Deadline
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, but the deadline to apply is Thursday, September 13.

9/4/12
Grouse Season is Sept. 29 - Dec. 31; Woodcock Oct. 1- Nov. 14
A quiet walk down a hidden woods road, bright fall foliage coloring the canopy overhead and the crisp, cool air of an early morning -- these are just some of the elements of a great Vermont upland gamebird hunting experience. Hoping to see the dramatic flush of a grouse or woodcock is, of course, another reason hunters try to get out into Vermont woodlands every chance they get during October and November.

8/31/12
Vermont Antlerless Deer Permit Deadline, Sept. 5
Vermont’s deadline to apply for a muzzleloader antlerless deer hunting permit is Wednesday, September 5. The permits are for hunters using muzzleloader firearms during the December 1-9 muzzleloader deer hunting season.

8/31/12
Missisquoi River Muskie Restoration Gets a Boost
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department gave its recently-established Lake Champlain muskellunge restoration effort a boost when it stocked 8,800 five-month old fish in the Missisquoi River and Missisquoi Bay in August.

8/27/12
Vermont Moose Hunt Auction Results
Vermont’s sixth annual auction of five moose hunting permits closed on August 21, with $22,094.05 taken in to help fund Fish & Wildlife Department educational programs, such as the Green Mountain Conservation Camps for 12 to 16 year old youths.

8/27/12
Guidebook to WMAs Offered at Hunter Education Class
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department wants to ensure new hunters learn about state wildlife management areas (WMAs) that offer prime hunting opportunities throughout Vermont. The department is offering the next 1,000 hunter, bowhunter and trapper education grads free copies of the department’s Guide to Vermont’s Wildlife Management Areas. The promotion begins September 1 and will continue until the supply is gone.

8/27/12
Controlled Waterfowl Hunt Application Deadline is Sept. 17
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 17, 2012.

8/22/12
Vermont Fish & Wildlife Offers New Workshop for Firearm Ranger operators
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department urges Fish & Game club officers and anyone with responsibility for an outdoor shooting range to attend the upcoming Shooting Range Operations and Management seminar on Saturday, September 15, 2012 at the Barre Fish and Game Club.

8/20/12
Vermont Bear Season is Sept 1–Nov 14
Vermont’s bear population is now estimated at slightly more than 6,000 black bears, according to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. The number of bears has increased during the last two decades and is now higher than the objective of 4,500-6,000 bears listed in Vermont’s Big Game Management Plan for 2010-2020.

7/27/12
Celebration of Johnson Farm and new wildlife management area in Canaan and Le
The Johnson Farm in Canaan, Vermont, has been a mainstay of the local farming community for more than 30 years. When Bill and Ursula Johnson were looking to retire, they approached the Vermont Land Trust and The Nature Conservancy to explore options to protect the 849 acres of farmland and natural area along the Connecticut River.

7/26/12
Eagle Point Wildlife Area Dedication Set for Aug. 10
On Friday, August 10, 2012, a public celebration and dedication of the Eagle Point Wildlife Management Area at Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) will be held in Derby. The event will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Eagle Point property at 2 Woodlawn Avenue, Derby, Vermont (“Dunn Farm Road” on Google Maps)

7/26/12
Vermont’s Online Turkey Brood Survey Starts Aug. 1
Here’s a chance to help Vermont’s wildlife conservation efforts. The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is asking for your help in monitoring the wild turkey population by providing information about turkey families you see in Vermont during August

7/18/12
Bear Hunting Seminar Scheduled for Aug. 18
Experienced hunters know that bear hunting is very difficult, and that it usually takes many hours, and sometimes years, of dedicated hunting effort just to see a bear. Often, success comes only after a hunter thoroughly learns all they can about bears. Personnel at the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department are hoping a special course on bear hunting will improve the knowledge of first-time bear hunters

7/11/12
Vermont’s 2012 Moose Auction is Open for Bids
Aways wanted a moose hunting permit but never won one in a state lottery? Here’s your opportunity to bid on a permit and potentially win a hunt for Vermont’s largest big game animal. Vermont’s auction for five moose hunting permits is open until August 21. Sealed bids must be received by Vermont Fish & Wildlife by 4:30 p.m. that day

7/10/12
Waterfowl Meetings -- Aug. 7, Whitehall, NY -- Aug. 8, Burlington, VT
Public meetings on the status of waterfowl populations and waterfowl hunting seasons for the State of Vermont and Lake Champlain zone in New York will be held Tuesday, August 7, in Whitehall, New York, and Wednesday, August 8, in Burlington, Vermont. The annual meetings are being held by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department

6/27/12
July 15-20 Fish & Wildlife for Educators Has Openings
If you are a Vermont educator and you’ve been looking for subjects that will really interest your students, here’s an opportunity that will help. Vermont’s fish and wildlife summer course for teachers and other educators will be held July 15-20, and there is still room for attendees

6/26/12
Last Chance for Vermont Moose Hunting Lottery
This is your last chance to enter Vermont’s 2012 moose hunting permit lottery. The deadline is July 5, and the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is urging hunters who plan on entering to do so now online

6/22/12
New Rule Proposed for use of VTF&W Lands
A proposed rule to regulate public activities on lands owned by the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department was approved with the first of three votes by the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Board at its June meeting. The proposed rule would apply to public activities on more than 133,000 acres managed by the department for the conservation of fish and wildlife and to provide many public benefits and activities

6/22/12
Hunter Education Instructor Training Offered
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department Hunter Education program is holding a New Hunter Education Instructor Training on Friday, June 29, and Saturday, June 30. Instructors will receive certification in both Bowhunter and Basic Firearm Education. The training will be held at The Buck Lake Green Mountain Conservation Camp in Woodbury from 7:00 p.m. Friday to 4:00 p.m. Saturday. Food and lodging will be provided

6/18/12
Muzzleloader Antlerless Deer Permit Applications Available
Vermont’s muzzleloader antlerless deer hunting permit applications are now available on the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department’s website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com). A quick-link to the information and application is provided on the home page.

6/14/12
Vermont Moose Hunting Application Deadline is July 5 / Permit Auction Open
Vermont’s moose hunting permit lottery application deadline is July 5, and the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is urging hunters who plan on entering to do so now online

6/13/12
Hammond’s Cove Shooting Range Informational Meeting, June 20
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is hosting an informational meeting to discuss improvements to the Hammond’s Cove Shooting Range located in Hartland, VT on Wednesday, June 20, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. The meeting will be held in the basement of the Hartland Recreation Center, 19 Rte 12, in Hartland, Vermont

6/11/12
Grand Isle Fishing Festival has Record Attendance
An all-time record 695 participants were at the annual Grand Isle Fishing Festival, hosted by the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department at its Grand Isle Fish Culture Station in Grand Isle, VT. on Saturday, June 9. Fish & Wildlife staff, individual sportsmen and women, and members of organized sporting groups worked together to teach kids the basics about fishing in Vermont

6/7/12
Eagle Point Wildlife Area Scoping Public Meeting
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will hold a scoping meeting with the public to discuss activities proposed for the Eagle Point Wildlife Management Area in Derby on Wednesday, June 20.

6/6/12
Berlin Pond Bass are Protected by a New Fishing Restriction
A recent Vermont Supreme Court decision regarding Berlin Pond clarified that fishing is currently allowed on the pond, after being restricted for decades. Much of the shoreline around the pond is posted against trespass, so would-be anglers must access the pond only where allowed

5/30/12
Vermont’s Free Fishing Day is Sat., June 9th
If you’ve been looking for a good excuse to give fishing a try, here it is! Saturday, June 9, is Vermont’s Free Fishing Day -- the one day in the year when residents and nonresidents may go fishing in the Green Mountain State without a fishing license

5/25/12
Hunter Education Instructor Training Offered
There is no more powerful way to give back to what you love than with a gift of your time. If you love to hunt in Vermont, there’s few better ways of giving your time than becoming a volunteer hunter education instructor.

5/22/12
Bats and Fashion? 8th Annual Montpelier Fashion Show
What do bats and fashion have in common? Quite a bit once the Montpelier Fashion Show teamed up with the Nongame Wildflife Fund!

5/22/12
Vermont Moose Hunting Applications Are Available Statewide
Vermont moose hunting permit applications have been available on the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department’s website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com) since early May, but printed applications are now at Vermont license agents statewide.

5/18/12
Cliff Tops and Overlooks Closed to Protect Nesting Peregrines
Hiking Vermont’s hillsides is a great way to enjoy a warm spring day, but the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department recommends you check to see if the area you’re planning to hike or climb is open. Eleven cliff areas are currently closed to protect nesting peregrine falcons

5/16/12
Be Alert to Avoid Moose on the Highway
Drivers need to be alert and cautious because moose are on the move, according to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department. Moose are more likely to be crossing roadways at this time, especially after dark or early in the morning as they move from wintering areas to spring feeding locations.

5/16/12
Public Hearings May 22 & 23 on Proposed Bear Hunting Regulation
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Board will hold two public hearings to discuss a proposed bear hunting regulation designed to increase bear hunting opportunities, stabilize Vermont’s growing bear population and provide Fish & Wildlife Department biologists with additional data to better manage black bears in Vermont.

5/16/12
VT Fish & Wildlife and Lake Champlain Islands Chamber Celebrate New Project
South Hero at the Causeway has gained two major improvements to benefit the angling community as well as visitors travelling through the Islands. On Tuesday, May 22nd, at 1 p.m. there will be a ribbon-cutting to celebrate VT Fish & Wildlife’s acquisition of the new John Guilmette Fishing Access Area, as well as the Chamber‘s new Portalet shelter building with visitor information and ADA-compliant parking and Portalets. Fish & Wildlife Commissioner Patrick Berry, Grand Isle Senator Dick Mazza and Program Manager for State Byways John LaBarge will attend the celebration

5/11/12
William Crenshaw Receives 2012 Canute Dalmasse Award
A state wildlife biologist widely known for his dedication to excellent scientific work and good service to the public has received this year’s2012 Canute Dalmasse Award for Environmental Excellence. Vermont Agency of Natural Resources Secretary Deb Markowitz presented the award in Montpelier on April 27th to William Crenshaw, a 38-year employee of the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department.

5/10/12
Tralee House at Gale Meadows Taken Down
The Tralee House at Gale Meadows Wildlife Management Area (WMA) was taken down on Friday, March 30. The 125-year old house had been bequeathed to Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department as part of the estate of Henry and Alice Green in 1996, completing a legacy that included conservation of 707 acres of land and public ownership of 95 percent of shore land around the third-largest water body in southern Vermont.

5/10/12
Sign Up Now for Youth Hunter Education Challenge
Youths still have a chance to join the fun at the upcoming Youth Hunter Education Challenge on May 19th.

5/10/12
Young Wildlife Belong in the Wild
We all enjoy watching wildlife, especially at this time of year when young animals are appearing. But, the temptation to pick up young wildlife that seem to be abandoned can do more harm than good, according to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department.

5/9/12
Routine Investigation Results in Wardens Seizing 107 Pot Plants in Morrisvi
Vermont State Game Warden Jason Batchelder investigated a Fish and Wildlife complaint in April that involved visiting a house on Almeron Drive in Morrisville. While there, he could smell what he believed to be marijuana coming from a window of the house. Warden Batchelder and Officer Mike Glodgett and his K9 "Atos" from the Hardwick Police Department confirmed the odor of the illegal drugs, and a warrant was obtained to search the residence.

5/7/12
'VPT's Outdoor Journal' Visits Burr Pond, Fairlee Marsh and Lamprey Control
On Tuesday, May 15, at 7:30 p.m., “VPT's Outdoor Journal” finds that fisheries biologist Shawn Good of Pittsford likes to spend a day off practicing his favorite hobby -- fishing. "Outdoor Journal" joins him on Burr Pond in Sudbury, Vt. Good works for the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife

5/4/12
Vermont Moose Hunting Applications Are Available
Vermont moose hunting permit applications are available on the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department’s website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com), and printed applications will be at Vermont license agents statewide in June.

5/4/12
Justin Stedman is Vermont’s Warden of the Year
Justin Stedman of Pawlet is Vermont's State Game Warden of the Year. A State Game Warden for nine years, Stedman was given the award by Governor Peter Shumlin in recognition of his excellent service on May 4, in Montpelier.

5/2/12
Vermont’s Free Fishing Day is Sat., June 9th
Saturday, June 9, 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.

5/1/12
‘VPT’s Outdoor Journal’ Begins Season 10 May 1; Airs Call-In on Post-Irene
The next best thing to being outdoors in Vermont is being inspired to get outdoors and discover what the state has to offer for exploring nature, hunting and fishing. Tonight, May 1, at 7:30 p.m., Vermont Public Television’s “Outdoor Journal” begins its 10th season showing viewers the many ways to enjoy and conserve wildlife and natural habitats.

4/26/12
Many Vermont Streams are Producing Good Trout Fishing
Anglers are finding some very good trout fishing on many Vermont stream sections, including on some rivers that were hit hard by Tropical Storm Irene. The key is finding good habitat, sometimes upstream or downstream of areas that were changed during or after the storm.

4/26/12
Kids’ Fishing Events Being Held This Spring
Here’s a great opportunity for young people to give fishing a try. The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department has released a list of upcoming fishing events, most of them intended just for kids.

4/26/12
Public Hearings May 22 & 23 on Proposed Bear Hunting Regulation
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Board will hold two public hearings to discuss a proposed bear hunting regulation designed to increase bear hunting opportunities, stabilize Vermont’s growing bear population and provide Fish & Wildlife Department biologists with additional data to better manage black bears in Vermont.

4/26/12
May Deer Hearings Set for St Albans and Springfield
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department will hold two public hearings on white-tailed deer management in May to give Vermonters the opportunity to review 2011 hunting season results and discuss the details of the 2012 Antlerless Permitting and Youth Season Recommendations. One meeting will be Monday, May 14, in St. Albans and the other Tuesday, May 15, in Springfield

4/24/12
Volunteers Needed at Conservation Camp Spring Cleanup Weekends
It’s spring cleanup time for all of us at home -- and at the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Green Mountain Conservation Camps! Volunteers play a vital role each year by helping Fish and Wildlife staff do spring cleanup and work projects at the Buck Lake and Edward Kehoe Conservation Camps

4/19/12
Vermont Fish & Wildlife Acquires Two New Fishing Access Areas
Anglers and boaters now have guaranteed access at two lake sites -- one on Lake Champlain in South Hero, the other at Maidstone Lake in the Northeast Kingdom. The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department acquired the properties, adding them to the list of state-owned, free public fishing and boating access areas around the state

4/18/12
Public Hearing April 25 on Proposed Moose Hunt
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Board will hold a public hearing Wednesday, April 25, on the proposed regulation for the 2012 moose hunt. The hearing will be held at 7:30 p.m. in St. Leo’s Hall, 109 South Main Street, Waterbury.

4/18/12
Youth Hunter Education Challenge, May 19
Youths can keep their hunting skills sharp at the upcoming Youth Hunter Education Challenge on May 19th.

4/17/12
Vermont Launches “Got Bats?” Campaign
Vermont’s cave-bat species continue to struggle due to the deadly effects of White-Nose Syndrome. As a result, two species were added to the state endangered species list last July, the little brown bat and the northern long-eared bat. Little brown bats prefer to raise their young in warm attics and barns over the summer. To learn more about the size and location of colonies around the state, the Fish & Wildlife is relying on citizens to report groups of bats found in buildings this summer.

4/17/12
Vermont’s Youth Turkey Hunting Weekend, April 28-29
Youth turkey hunters must have landowner permission to hunt on private land, whether or not the land is posted. To be eligible, a resident or nonresident youth must be age 15 or under. The youth must have successfully completed a hunter education course and possess a hunting license, a turkey hunting license and a free youth turkey hunting tag. The youth also must be accompanied by an unarmed adult who holds a hunting license and is over 18 years of age. The youth may take one bearded turkey during youth weekend and two bearded turkeys in the regular May hunting season

4/16/12
VT F&W Recommends these Turkey Hunting Safety Tips
Vermont’s youth turkey hunting weekend is April 28-29, and the regular spring season is May 1-31. The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department points out that while spring turkey hunting-related shootings are rare (last year’s season was incident-free) precautions are needed.

4/16/12
Vermont Fish & Wildlife Course for Educators, July 15-20
The hands-on field course that gets educators out into Vermont’s streams, forests and wetlands with some of the state’s leading experts takes place at the Buck Lake Conservation Camp in Woodbury.
Now in its 28th year, “Fish and Wildlife Management for Educators,” is a one-week, three-credit graduate course taught by Vermont Fish & Wildlife and other Agency of Natural Resources staff through Johnson State College.

4/12/12
Bart Jacob Memorial Turkey Calling Contest, April 21
If you are young and can use a turkey call to cluck, yelp, purr, or do the Kee-Kee Run, you will have a chance to show off your turkey calling skills at the 7th Annual Bart Jacob Memorial Youth Turkey Calling Contest in Pawlet, Vermont on Saturday, April 21.

4/12/12
Herricks Cove Wildlife Festival Celebrates Wildlife and Spring
Anyone interested in wildlife or looking to get out and enjoy a spring day should make plans to attend the 13th annual Herricks Cove Wildlife Festival on the Connecticut River in Rockingham on Sunday, May 6.
The festival brings together more than 25 outdoor, wildlife, environmental and conservation groups. The Granite State Zoo will be there all day with live animals.

4/10/12
Lael Will -- New Fisheries Biologist in Springfield
Lael Will was recently hired by the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department as a fisheries biologist at the department’s southern regional office in Springfield. She will be working with fisheries biologist Ken Cox to monitor, manage and protect fisheries in Windham and southern Windsor counties, as well as the Batten Kill watershed.

3/28/12
Vermont’s Spring Trout Fishing Opens April 14th
Vermont’s traditional trout fishing season opens Saturday, April 14 this year, and anglers are looking forward to spring fishing for brook, brown and rainbow trout in the Green Mountain State’s lakes and streams. Until then, eager anglers can capitalize on year-round catch-and-release trout fishing opportunities on nine river sections.

3/27/12
Vermont’s Nongame Wildlife Fund Seeks Taxpayer Support
After years of absence, common loons, peregrine falcons and ospreys are now nesting again in Vermont, and their numbers are increasing. In fact, they have done so well, they are no longer listed as endangered or threatened in Vermont. Their successful comeback can be credited to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department which is now seeking individual taxpayer help in supporting work on other species.

3/22/12
Remove Bird Feeders to Avoid Tempting Bears
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department says it is receiving reports of black bears emerging from their winter dens and looking for food. As a result, the department is urging people to take down their bird feeders to prevent the bears from getting into trouble.

3/22/12
Board Votes to Increase Vermont’s black bear Hunting Opportunities
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Board on Wednesday gave preliminary approval to a proposal designed to stabilize the growth in Vermont’s bear population, expand hunter opportunity, and provide Fish & Wildlife Department biologists with important data to better manage black bears in Vermont.

3/21/12
Vermont’s Walleye Fishing Starts Soon
The best walleye fishing in New England will begin soon in several Vermont rivers and lakes, according to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. The department is reminding anglers that walleye fishing season starts in much of the state on the first Saturday in May, the 5th this year, and that regulations vary, depending on the water you are fishing.

3/20/12
Vermont’s 2011 Deer Season Report Available for Download
The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department announces that the “2011 Vermont White-Tailed Deer Harvest Report” is available on-line, at the department’s web page (www.vtwfishandwildlife.com).

3/15/12
VPT will Web Stream Deer Hearing
VT Public Television to host live web stream of Vermont Fish and Wildlife's Deer Hearing
on March 26th, 7pm - 8:30pm

3/1/12
Deer Hearings Begin March 26
If you have an interest in Vermont's white-tailed deer you will want to attend one of the annual public hearings being held in March and May by the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department to discuss the deer herd.

3/1/12
Watershed Grants Awarded for 2012
Seventeen watershed improvement projects were chosen to receive funding from Vermont’s 2012 Watershed Grant Program, according to an announcement today from the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department.

2/29/12
Ice Shanties Must Be Removed from Ice
Vermont state law requires that ice fishing shanties must be removed from the ice before the ice becomes unsafe or ice loses its ability to support the shanty out of the water, or before the last Sunday in March (the 25th this year), whichever comes first.

2/29/12
Want to Go Trout Fishing Before Opening Day?
Why wait for the traditional opening day of trout fishing? One of the benefits of our mild winter is that Vermont anglers can capitalize on year-round catch-and-release trout fishing opportunities available on nine river sections, and this is the year to give it a try according to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department.

2/28/12
F&W Issues Annual Report on Its 86 Wildlife Management Areas
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department has issued its annual report on the conservation practices used during 2011 at the 86 Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) around the state. The eight-page report is on the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department’s website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com) under “Items of Special Interest.”

2/21/12
Three New State Record Fish Caught in 2011
The waters of Vermont continue to prove just how productive they can be for the trophy angler. In 2011, three new state records were established for burbot, pumpkinseed sunfish and white sucker.

2/16/12
F&W Board Gives Preliminary Approval for Moose Season
A total of 385 permits will be issued for Vermont’s 20th annual regular October moose season under a proposal the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Board gave preliminary approval to on Wednesday.

2/13/12
Recovery Plan Announced for Endangered Spruce Grouse
A new “Vermont Spruce Grouse Recovery Plan” was announced Wednesday by Vermont Agency of Natural Resources Secretary Deb Markowitz. The plan to restore a self-sustaining population of the “State-Endangered” spruce grouse in Vermont is based on information collected and reviewed by state and private scientists working together over several decades.

2/9/12
Atlas Results Released Showing Status of Vermont Breeding Birds
Vermont’s second “Breeding Bird Atlas” is now available, reflecting a quarter century of change in bird species reproducing in the state according to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department and the Vermont Center for Ecostudies.

2/7/12
Special Snow Goose Harvest Opportunity
Since 2009 hunters have had the opportunity to pursue snow geese during the spring as a result of a special management action referred to as a “Conservation Order” allowed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and adopted by the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board.

2/6/12
Fishing is Hot on Lake Champlain
Super bowl Sunday is over and you’re looking for something to do? The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department reports that ice fishing in Vermont is heating up. Ice conditions have improved, and some memorable fish have been caught in recent weeks.

2/1/12
Let’s Go Fishing 2012 Instructor Training
If you love to fish and want to pass on the fishing tradition to children and their families, consider becoming a Vermont "Let’s Go Fishing" Volunteer Instructor.

1/31/12
Hunter Education Instructor Training Offered
There is no more powerful way to give back to what you love than with a gift of your time. If you love to hunt in Vermont, there are few better ways of giving your time than becoming a volunteer hunter education instructor.

1/24/12
Growing Up Wild -- connecting kids to nature
A new, national environmental education resource is now available for educators through workshops given by the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. Growing Up WILD: Exploring Nature with Young Children is an early childhood education curriculum guide focusing on wildlife education.

1/21/12
Vermont's Youth Hunting Memories Contest Winners
Lt. Governor Phil Scott and Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Patrick Berry recognized the winners of Vermont’s 2011 Youth Hunting Memories Contest on Saturday, January 21 at the Yankee Classic Sportsman’s Show in Essex Junction.

1/18/12
Conservation Camp Applications Are Available
If you are 12 to 14 years old and want to learn about Vermont's wildlife and gain outdoor skills next summer, consider attending one of the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department's Green Mountain Conservation Camps.

1/17/12
Wildlife & Sportfish Restoration Programs' 75th Anniversary
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) joins the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA), and other partners at the 2012 SHOT-SHOW to announce the start of a yearlong celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program (WSFR), one of the most significant and successful partnership approaches to fish and wildlife conservation in U.S. history

1/11/12
Ice Fishing Opportunities are Great Where Ice is Safe
Vermont offers great ice fishing on lakes throughout the state when ice conditions are safe. Vermont Fish and Wildlife recommends at least six inches of solid ice for safe ice fishing.

1/9/12
Two Plead Guilty to Taking Endangered Sturgeon
Two Burlington men pled no contest on December 23rd to taking an endangered species of fish in Addison County.

12/29/11
Ice Fishing Caution and Safety Reminders
The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department has some ice fishing safety reminders, but the department cautions there are few areas in late December where ice is safe enough to support fishing.

12/21/11
Virginia Man Wins Vermont's Lifetime License Lottery
A 41-year old sportsman from Virginia is the lucky winner of a Vermont lifetime hunting and fishing license.
The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department held its annual License of a “Lifetime Lottery” at the December 14th meeting of the Fish and Wildlife Board in Montpelier. A lifetime hunting and fishing license is awarded to one person per year.

12/21/11
Deer and Forestland Advisory Group to Have Recommendations in January
Too many deer in Vermont? Deer so numerous they are causing damage to their habitat? These are concepts many hunters would take exception to after the close of the 2011 deer hunting season because they were not successful in filling their freezers with venison.

12/19/11
2012 Hunting, Fishing and Trapping Licenses Now Online
Vermont hunting, fishing and trapping licenses for the New Year are now available online at the Fish and Wildlife Department's website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com).

12/15/11
Get Your Youth Hunting Memories Contest Entries in by Dec. 31
The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is asking young hunters to get their entries for the 2011 Youth Hunting Memories Contest in by the December 31 deadline. Young hunters need only submit a short essay, or artwork, describing their time in the field on a hunt.

12/7/11
2012 Vermont Fish and Wildlife Calendar is Available
It’s back by popular demand – a colorful 2012 Vermont Fish and Wildlife calendar is available that includes beautiful photographs of Vermont’s diverse wildlife resources and people enjoying them as well as hunting, fishing and trapping season dates listed for each month.

11/30/11
Chittenden Man Pleads Guilty on Bear Poaching Charge
Jake Duprey, 27, of Chittenden pled guilty on November 14, 2011 in Rutland Superior Court Criminal Division to attempting to take a black bear by illegal means.

11/23/11
The Wild Turkey Contributed to Thanksgiving
One of our native wildlife species historically played an important role on Thanksgiving Day. North America’s native wild turkeys were the ancestors of the Thanksgiving turkey on our dinner table.

11/23/11
Five Men Charged after Night of Poaching
Vermont State Game Wardens have charged five men in connection with a deer poaching spree that occurred on the evening of Saturday, October 22nd and continued into the early morning of Sunday the 23rd.

11/22/11
Deadline for Watershed Grants is December 9
Applications are available for the 2012 Vermont Watershed Grants Program to fund projects that help Vermonters protect, restore and enjoy the state's watersheds. Applications are due to the Vermont Watershed Grants office by Friday, December 9.

11/22/11
Vermont Muzzleloader and 2nd Archery Deer Seasons, Dec. 3-11
Hunters have good reason to be excited about Vermont’s muzzleloader deer season and the second part of the archery deer season, both occurring December 3-11 this year. The later season offers the likelihood of colder temperatures and the prospects for snow – factors that can improve hunter success.

11/18/11
Champlain Salmon Fishing Heats Up as Waters Cool
If you are an angler who enjoys exciting fishing opportunities even in cool weather, give Lake Champlain a try for landlocked salmon before the lake ices over.

11/16/11
Fish and Wildlife Announces Youth Hunting Memories Contest
The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department announces it is seeking submissions for the fifth annual Youth Hunting Memories Contest. Young hunters need only to submit a short essay, or artwork, describing his or her time in the field on a hunt.

11/10/11
Hunters Urged to Wear Orange
Jackets and vests are ‘in’ this year, but hunters don’t need to keep up with the fashion blogs to know there is just one ‘in’ color for the woods: blaze orange.

11/9/11
Rifle Deer Season Starts Saturday, Nov. 12
Vermont hunters are looking forward to opening day of rifle deer season this Saturday, November 12 -- and with good reason, according to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. Vermont has more older, bigger bucks after a regulation was enacted in 2005, protecting many yearling bucks.

11/3/11
Biological Deer Check Stations are Open This Weekend
The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department will be collecting information on the age and health of deer at 24 biological deer check stations during Vermont’s youth deer hunt this weekend, November 5 and 6.

10/27/11
Deadline for Watershed Grants is December 9
Applications are available for the 2012 Vermont Watershed Grants Program to fund projects that help Vermonters protect, restore and enjoy the state's watersheds. Applications are due to the Vermont Watershed Grants office by Friday, December 9.

10/27/11
Tips from Vt F&W for Hunting Mentors
A youngster’s first deer hunt can mark the beginning of a lifelong passion for the outdoors and a commitment to wildlife conservation.

10/27/11
Youth Deer Hunt Weekend is Nov. 5-6
Vermont’s youth deer hunting weekend is November 5-6 this year, the Saturday and Sunday before the rifle season opens.

10/27/11
Hinesburg Man Convicted of Baiting Bears
A Vermont commercial hunting guide has been convicted of baiting bears for his hunting clients.

10/26/11
Pitch Pines Being Restored on Colchester Sandplains
Pitch pines, once a common tree species on the sandplains of Colchester, Vermont, have declined and exist mainly as isolated individuals amidst a fragmented landscape. But thanks to a cooperative effort by the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, Green Mountain Power and the Vermont Army National Guard, they may again become a more common component of Vermont’s sandplain natural community

10/25/11
Vermont Moose Hunters Had a Successful Season
Vermont moose hunters had a successful hunting season according to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. A new archery moose hunt was held October 1-7, and the regular moose hunting season was October 15-20

10/19/11
Deer Hunters Look Forward to November, December Deer Seasons
Vermont hunters are looking forward to deer seasons coming in November and December -- and with good reason, according to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. Vermont has more older, bigger bucks after a regulation was enacted in 2005, protecting many yearling bucks.

10/19/11
Hunters Spend $189 Million in Vermont
The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department reports that hunters spend more than $189 million in Vermont annually according to a survey by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Census Bureau

10/14/11
Biological Deer Check Stations Open Nov. 5-6
The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department will be collecting information on the age and health of Vermont deer at 24 biological deer check stations on Vermont’s Youth Deer Hunting Weekend, November 5 and 6.

10/14/11
Statement by Commissioner Patrick Berry
Statement by Commissioner Patrick Berry on the Death of the Moose Known as “Pete”

10/13/11
Cooler Water Temperatures Mean Hot Bass Fishing
Rake the leaves? Mow the lawn one last time? If you do, you may miss out on some of the best bass fishing of the year, according to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department.

10/13/11
Vermont Youth Deer Hunt Weekend is Nov. 5-6
Vermont’s youth deer hunting weekend is November 5-6 this year, the Saturday and Sunday before the rifle season opens.

9/30/11
Migratory Game Bird Hunters Must Register With H.I.P.
All Vermont migratory game bird hunters, including youth, permanent and lifetime license holders, must register with the Federal Harvest Information Program each year in each state that you hunt. The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department provides migratory game bird hunters with a registration process online and by phone

9/28/11
Muzzleloader Antlerless Deer Permit Winners Announced
The winners of Vermont’s muzzleloader season antlerless deer permits are listed on the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department’s website (vtfishandwildlife.com).

9/27/11
Big Game Reporting Stations Listed on Vt Fish &Wildlife’s Website
The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department reminds hunters it is easy to locate a big game reporting station by checking the map and list on their website (vtfishandwildlife.com) under “Hunting and Trapping.”

9/27/11
Dead Creek Wildlife Day is this Saturday, Oct. 1
If you enjoy wildlife be sure to attend the tenth annual Dead Creek Wildlife Day in Addison, Vermont this Saturday, October 1.

9/23/11
Vermont Offers Spectacular Fall Foliage and Great Fishing Opportunities
Looking for a good location to escape to for enjoyable outdoor fun in a quiet, colorful setting? Vermont has spectacular fall foliage coupled with great fishing opportunities, and it’s easy to plan a trip to sample both using Vermont websites.

9/21/11
Hunters and Outdoor Enthusiasts --NEK Road Conditions Phone
Moose hunters and others who are planning to spend some enjoyable time outdoors in the remote areas of the Northeast Kingdom this fall can check the condition of back roads in the Conte National Wildlife Refuge, Wenlock Wildlife Management Area, West Mountain Wildlife Management Area, and Plum Creek Timber Company lands by calling a toll-free telephone number – 877-811-5222

9/20/11
Missisquoi Muskie Restoration Continues
The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department’s Lake Champlain muskie restoration program got a boost in August when more than 5,000 six-inch long muskie were stocked in the Missisquoi River and Missisquoi Bay in Swanton

9/14/11
Tips on Using Tree Stands
Taking a stand, political or otherwise, can be dangerous, but no more so when that stand is up a tree.

9/13/11
VT F&G Urges Hunters to Help Keep Deer Healthy
The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is asking hunters to help protect Vermont deer and moose by avoiding the use of urine-based attractant scents.

9/12/11
Hunters Looking Forward to Start of Archery Deer Season Oct 1
Hunters are enthusiastic about Vermont’s upcoming October 1-23 and December 3-11 archery deer hunting season, according to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department.

9/9/11
Hunters Urged to Wear Orange
Jackets and vests are ‘in’ this year, but hunters don’t need to keep up with the fashion blogs to know there is just one ‘in’ color for the woods: blaze orange.

9/9/11
Tenth Annual Dead Creek Wildlife Day is Oct 1
If you enjoy wildlife be sure to make plans to attend the tenth annual Dead Creek Wildlife Day in Addison, Vermont on Saturday, October 1, voted one of Vermont Chamber of Commerce’s “Top 10 Fall Events” in 2010.

9/8/11
Warden and his Canine Recover Man in Groton, VT
Vermont State Game Wardens often respond when a person is missing in a remote location.

9/8/11
Controlled Waterfowl Hunt Application Deadline is Sept 19
Applications are available for controlled waterfowl hunting permits to be used at two Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department wildlife management areas. Interested hunters must apply by Monday, September 19, 2011.

9/6/11
Seminar on Rabbit Hunting with Beagles Sept 18
Vermont’s longest hunting season is for snowshoe hare and cottontail rabbits. It starts the last Saturday in September and ends the second Sunday in March. If you would like to learn more about it, plan on attending a seminar offered by the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department’s Hunter Education Program and Joel Perrigo of Northfield on Sunday, September 18, in Hardwick