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7/30/10

Waterfowl Meetings -- Aug. 10, Whitehall, NY -- Aug. 11, Burlington, VT

Public meetings on the status of waterfowl populations and waterfowl hunting seasons for Lake Champlain in New York and Vermont will be held Tuesday, August 10, in Whitehall, New York, and Wednesday, August 11, in Burlington, Vermont. The annual meetings are being held by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department.
Story


7/30/10

Peregrine Falcon Nesting Cliffs Reopened for Hikers

Hiking trails near peregrine falcon nesting cliffs are open to public access starting August 1, according to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. The areas were closed to protect the birds from human disturbance during the nesting period.
Story


7/22/10

Vermont Turkey Brood Survey Online

The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department’s fourth annual on-line wild turkey brood survey with input from the public begins on August 1.
Story


7/20/10

Special Opportunity Moose Hunt

Special opportunity moose hunts for as many as three people under 21 years old who have a life threatening disease or illness are being offered by Vermont this year.
Story


7/19/10

Turtles and Other Wildlife are Not Pets

Wild animals do not make good pets. Some are dangerous when they reach maturity, almost all do not adjust well to captivity, and many populations of reptiles and amphibians, including turtles, are being threatened by people illegally collecting them in the wild.
Story


7/19/10

Vermont Fish and Wildlife Offers Lead Workshop for Firearm Range Operators

In another new initiative to enhance the future of hunting and strengthen firearm range opportunities in Vermont, the Fish and Wildlife Department is hosting a special seminar on managing lead at shooting ranges on Saturday, September 11at the Barre Fish and Game Club in Barre.
Story


7/12/10

Braintree Man Charged for Shooting Songbirds

On June 17, 2010, Jeffrey Vinton, 53, of Braintree, Vermont was charged with shooting eight songbirds that he claimed were raiding his strawberry patch.
Story


7/9/10

Vermont Moose Hunting Permit Winners Are Drawn

The winners of Vermont’s 2010 moose hunting permits were determined July 09 at a lottery drawing in Waterbury.
Story


7/8/10

Bald Eagles Return to Vermont

The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department reports that five young bald eagles are being raised in Vermont by their parents and that if all goes well they should be leaving their nests sometime in July.
Story


7/1/10

Vermont Master Angler Program Announced

The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department recently unveiled a new angler incentive program to encourage fishing participation among children and adults as well as gather information on big fish caught in Vermont. The new “Master Angler Program” recognizes the accomplishments of anglers who catch trophy-sized fish from Vermont waters and celebrates that these fish have survived and grown to such large size.
Story


7/1/10

Greensboro Man Charged for Violations on State Property

On the afternoon of June 22, State Game Warden Dennis Amsden received a report of a Jeep “mudding” on the Steam Mill Brook Wildlife Management Area near Coles Pond, in Walden, Vermont.
Story

6/28/10

Kids, what are you doing next week?

It’s a holiday weekend! Time to enjoy a nice BBQ, fireworks and spend time with family, but what do you have planned after this weekend? Do you have an interest in conservation, fish and wildlife management and the outdoors? If so, come spend a week with conservation professionals such as game wardens, state foresters and state biologists at a Green Mountain Conservation Camp.
Story


6/24/10

Vermont Antlerless Deer Hunt Applications Available

Vermont's antlerless deer hunting lottery applications for the muzzleloader season are now available on the Fish & Wildlife Department’s website, at Fish & Wildlife district offices, and at license agents statewide.
Story


6/15/10

Conservation Camp Openings Available

If you are 12 to 14 years old and want to learn about Vermont's wildlife and gain outdoor skills, consider attending one of the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department's Green Mountain Conservation Camps. The department says there are still plenty of openings for students this summer. The one-week camp program is held at two locations -- Lake Bomoseen in Castleton and Buck Lake in Woodbury.
Story


6/15/10

Vermont’s 2010 Deer Management Proposal and Hearing

Vermont’s deer herd is currently healthy according to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. The department’s annual proposal for a regulated deer harvest, based on scientific information and public input, was presented to the Fish and Wildlife Board on April 21. The Board amended the proposal to include antlerless permits for WMU I and WMU L and then approved the amended proposal on the first of three votes necessary to make it law.
Story


6/11/10

Conservation Camps Partner With Summer Food Service Program

Vermont Fish & Wildlife’s Green Mountain Conservation Camps is participating in the Summer Food Service Program for Children. Funded by the United States Department of Agriculture, the program is designed to ensure that children who rely on free or reduced price meals during the school year continue to have adequate nutrition throughout the summer.
Story


6/3/10

Burlington, VT is One of America’s Bass Fishing Capitals

Vermont can’t keep it quiet any longer. For decades, Vermont anglers had Lake Champlain’s bass fishing pretty much to themselves. But Outdoor Life Magazine now rates Burlington, Vermont as one of America’s top three “Bass Capitals” due to its closeness to Lake Champlain, which is recognized among professional bass anglers as one of the premier largemouth and smallmouth bass fisheries in North America.
Story

5/28/10

F&W Board Votes on Moose, Turkey Regulations

Two hunting regulations for moose and turkey received second votes at the May 26 Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board meeting in Waterbury. Each will be voted on one more time and then be considered by the Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules before becoming law.
Story


5/26/10

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.
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5/26/10

Lake St. Catherine Fishing Access Area – Ramp Repairs Delayed

The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department’s proposed boat ramp improvements for the Lake St. Catherine Fishing Access Area in Poultney have been delayed. Construction work on the boat ramp was previously scheduled to occur this spring.
Story


5/26/10

Fish and Wildlife Department Installs New Docks

Going fishing and boating in Vermont just got a little easier. The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department has been working with a variety of partners to design and construct courtesy docks for fishing access areas around the state.
Story


5/26/10

“Becoming an Outdoor Family” Weekend Still Has Openings

If you would like to learn about the out-of-doors and have fun doing it with your family, here's your opportunity. Vermont's popular “Becoming an Outdoor Family” Weekend being held June 4-6, 2010 offers outdoor educational experiences for the whole family at Stillwater State Park in Groton State Forest, and there are still openings for families to sign up.
Story


5/20/10

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 and Wildlife Department.
Story


5/20/10

Vermont’s 2010 Deer Management Proposal and Hearing

Vermont’s deer herd is currently healthy according to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. The department’s annual proposal for a regulated deer harvest, based on scientific information and public input, was presented to the Fish and Wildlife Board on April 21. The Board amended the proposal to include antlerless permits for WMU I and WMU L and then approved the amended proposal on the first of three votes necessary to make it law.
Story


5/19/10

Vermont Moose Hunting Application Deadline is June 1

Applications are available at license agents statewide. Those applications must be postmarked no later than June 1, or delivered by 4:30 p.m. on that day to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department in Waterbury.
Story


5/17/10

Wildlife Field Course for College Students, May 16-29

The Wildlife Field Course, a two-week, three-credit course through Castleton State College, will be held at the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department’s Kehoe Conservation Camp in Castleton. Taught by fish and wildlife professionals, this course enables college students who are interested in this field of work to learn first hand what goes on in the day-to-day profession of a wildlife biologist.
Story


5/13/10

John Pellegrini is VT F&W’s Hunter Education Training Coordinator

John Pellegrini of Orange, VT is the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department’s new Hunter Education Training Coordinator.
Story


5/11/10

Learn the Benefits of Removing the Swanton Dam, Saturday, May 22

Learn the Benefits of Removing the Swanton Dam, Saturday, May 22
By Vermont Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Wayne Laroche
Story


5/11/10

Conservation Camp Openings Available

If you are 12 to 14 years old and want to learn about Vermont's wildlife and gain outdoor skills, consider attending one of the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department's Green Mountain Conservation Camps. The department says there are still plenty of openings for students this summer.
Story


5/3/10

Greg Eckhardt is Vermont’s Warden of the Year

Greg Eckhardt of Poultney is Vermont's State Game Warden of the Year. A State Game Warden for 12 years, Eckhardt was given the award by Governor Jim Douglas in recognition of his excellent service on April 30, in Montpelier.
Story


5/3/10

Vermont’s Trophy Trout Stocking for 2010

Vermont’s “Trophy Trout” stocking program for 2010 will include seven river sections and 33 lakes and ponds receiving the two-year old trout, some over 18 inches long.
Story

4/28/10

Conservation Camp Spring Cleanup Weekend is May 15th and 16th

Volunteers play a vital role each year by helping Vermont Fish and Wildlife staff perform spring cleanup and work projects at both the Buck Lake and Edward Kehoe Conservation Camps.
Story


4/23/10

Public Hearing on Turkey and Moose Regulations, May 19

The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board will hold a public hearing in Montpelier on Wednesday, May 19, to receive public comment on changes to turkey and moose hunting regulations. The proposed turkey hunting regulation will be discussed from 6:00-7:00 p.m., and the proposed moose hunting regulation will be discussed from 7:00-8:00 p.m. The hearing will be held at the Pavilion Auditorium, 109 State Street in Montpelier.
Story


4/23/10

Herricks Cove Wildlife Festival Celebrates Wildlife and Spring May 2

Anyone interested in wildlife or itching to get out and enjoy a spring day should make plans to attend the 11th annual Herricks Cove Wildlife Festival in Rockingham on Sunday, May 2.
Story


4/23/10

Walleye Regulation Reminder

With walleye fishing season starting Saturday, May 1 in much of Vermont, the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is reminding anglers of a minimum length and daily limit set by regulation.
Story


4/22/10

Vermont Days, June 12th and 13th, Offer Low Cost Fun and Learning

Vermont Days on June 12 and 13, offer a low cost opportunity for fun and great learning experiences with Vermont’s excellent fishing, state parks, and historic resources.
Story


4/8/10

Mark Scott is Vermont’s New Wildlife Director

Mark Scott, 53, of South Barre, Vt is the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department’s new Director of Wildlife.
Story


4/8/10

Two Face Charges for Poaching Northern Pike

Two men were arrested on April 1 for illegal possession and transportation of northern pike while fishing at a tributary of Lake Champlain.
Story


4/2/10

VPT’s Outdoor Journal’ Call-In on Game Wardens April 8

Vermont Public Television’s “Outdoor Journal” will present a live call-in show Thursday, April 8, at 8 p.m. Outdoorsman, writer and “Outdoor Journal” host Lawrence Pyne will lead a discussion of the role of today's game wardens and the challenges they face relating to fish and wildlife conservation and fish and wildlife law enforcement. Pyne’s guests will include Vermont's Chief Game Warden, Col. David LeCours, Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Wayne Laroche and Fish and Wildlife Operations Chief Thomas Decker.
Story


4/1/10

Kids’ Fishing Events Being Held This Spring

Here’s a great opportunity for young people to give fishing a try. The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department has released a list of more than 60 upcoming fishing events, most of them intended just for kids.
Story


4/1/10

Let’s Go Fishing Instructor Training A Success

The Fish and Wildlife Department hosted its annual 2010 Let’s Go Fishing Instructor Training on Saturday, March 13th at the Education Center at the Edward F. Kehoe Conservation Camp in Castleton, VT.
Story

3/31/10

Get To Class Before Youth Turkey Hunting Weekend

Hunt turkeys -- don’t be one! Get your son or daughter to a hunter education class now, so they don’t miss the youth turkey hunting weekend on April 24th and 25th.
Story


3/30/10

Rochester Man Convicted of Deer Poaching and Marijuana Possession

A Rochester, Vermont man was convicted on February 10, 2010 of poaching the deer he reported as a legally killed 8-point buck in the 2008 rifle season and possession of marijuana.
Story


3/30/10

VT F&W Offers Turkey Hunting Safety Tips

Vermont’s 15,000 turkey hunters need to start patterning their turkey guns, checking their calls and thinking about turkey hunting safety.
Story


3/29/10

Catch & Release Fishing to Start at Dog River

Vermont Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Wayne Laroche has taken action designed to conserve the wild trout population in the Dog River.
Story


3/29/10

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. Vermont hunters have established new spring turkey harvest records in nine of the last twelve years. In 2009, Hunters took a record 6,107 turkeys in both the youth weekend and regular May 1-31 seasons.
Story

3/11/10

Remove Bird Feeders to Avoid Tempting Bears

Vermont's black bears are emerging from their winter dens and looking for springtime food sources. If you have been feeding birds, you can help prevent the bears from getting into trouble by taking down your bird feeders according to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department.
Story


3/9/10

Bart Jacob Memorial Turkey Calling Contest, April 17

If you are 7 to 15 years old 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 5th Annual Bart Jacob Memorial Youth Turkey Calling Contest in Pawlet, Vermont on Saturday, April 17.
Story


3/9/10

Learn Apple Tree Pruning March 20th in Dummerston

Apple trees provide food for a wide variety of wildlife, but the trees need pruning to maintain their productivity. You can learn about apple tree pruning at a free workshop on Saturday, March 20.
Story


3/3/10

Anglers are Gearing Up for Vermont’s Spring Trout Fishing

Vermont’s opening day of trout fishing is a day that many anglers look forward to each spring. This year trout fishing begins Saturday, April 10; anglers are already gearing up for another year of great brook, brown and rainbow trout fishing.
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3/1/10

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 aquatic and terrestrial species.
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2/26/10

Ice Fishing is Good But Be Cautious

Ice fishing has been excellent in recent weeks, but the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is urging anyone venturing onto the ice to use caution.
Story


2/23/10

Feeding Deer Can Kill With Kindness

There are right ways and wrong ways to feed deer. In Vermont, the right ways are legal, and the wrong ways are illegal. In mid-late winter, many deer enthusiasts become concerned that deer are suffering from winter stress and low food supplies. Some people may be inclined to start feeding deer foods such as bagged corn or grain, which is illegal.
Story


2/23/10

March 15 is Application Deadline for Shooting Range Grants

Shooting clubs, sportsmen’s groups and municipalities involved in the improvement or maintenance of shooting ranges, including archery ranges, are reminded they have until 4:30 p.m. on March 15, 2010 to submit their applications for new funding grant from the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department.
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2/12/10

Special Snow Goose Harvest Opportunity

Hunters will once again have the opportunity to pursue snow geese this 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.
Story


2/11/10

Deer Meetings Begin March 23rd

If you have an interest in Vermont's white-tailed deer you will want to attend one of the five annual public meetings being held in March by the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department to discuss the deer herd. The meetings begin March 23rd in Springfield and Orleans.
Story


2/11/10

Angler Catches New Record Walleye in Vermont

Vermont has the best walleye fishing in New England, and Richard Levesque’s latest entry in Vermont’s fish record program underscores that point. Levesque shattered the previous state record for walleye on February 10, when he caught a walleye weighing 14.55 lbs. through the ice on Lake Champlain.
Story


2/10/10

Let’s Go Fishing Instructor Training

The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department’s Let’s Go Fishing program is hosting its annual day-long Instructor Training Workshop on Saturday, March 13, 2010. This year’s workshop will be at the Edward F. Kehoe Conservation Camp in Castleton. The day’s events begin with coffee and registration at 8:30 a.m.
Story


2/5/10

Chronic Wasting Disease Remains a Threat to VT Deer

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) remains a serious threat to Vermont’s deer population, according to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. CWD is a contagious neurological disease affecting deer, elk and moose. It causes a characteristic spongy degeneration of the brains of infected animals resulting in emaciation, abnormal behavior, loss of bodily functions and death.
Story


2/4/10

Vermont Moose Hunting Applications Are Available

Vermont moose hunting permit applications are available on the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department’s website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com) and at license agents statewide. Fish and Wildlife now has an online application that makes it easy to apply.
Story


2/2/10

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.
Story


2/1/10

Wildlife Officials Advise Residents of Bat Activity

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is once again advising people who live near caves and mines to expect unusual levels of bat activity as a result of the White Nose Syndrome (WNS) that is afflicting hibernating bats. Department officials say reports of sick bats have been coming in most recently from residents in Johnson, Vermont.
Story

1/28/10

State launches new support for shooting ranges

A new grant program dedicated to Vermont’s shooting ranges may mean that hunters and recreational shooters will soon have more access to safe places to shoot.
Story


1/26/10

Worcesters-to-Kingdom linkage conservation project launches

Spearheaded by the Northeast Regional Center of the National Wildlife Federation and the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department, a conservation project designed to provide wildlife habitat protection for an important area of northern Vermont kicked off Jan. 20 in Greensboro.  More than a dozen diverse stakeholders attended the launch of the “Staying Connected – Worcesters-to-Northeast Kingdom” project – a 30-town initiative designed to safeguard key wildlife habitats within a large area of land inhabited by creatures big and small, from moose and black bear to warblers and salamanders.
Story


1/26/10

Three Arrested for Big Game Violations

Vermont State Game Wardens have arrested three Northeast Kingdom people for violating big game hunting regulations.
Story


1/22/10

Governor Announces Youth Hunting Memories Contest Winners

Governor Douglas and Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Wayne Laroche recognized the winners of Vermont’s 2009 Youth Hunting Memories Contest on Sunday, January 17th at the Yankee Classic Sportsman’s Show in Essex Junction.
Story


1/21/10

2010 Vermont Angler Survey – 2nd Mailing

The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department mailed a survey to randomly selected anglers in early January and is asking those who didn’t respond to please do so.
Story


1/15/10

Anglers Discover Alewife in Lake Carmi

North Hero anglers Mike Murdock and Dave St. Hilaire headed to Lake Carmi on New Year’s Day hoping to land a few nice walleye, but in the process they discovered something that state fisheries biologists say raises concerns about illegal fish movements in Vermont.
Story


1/14/09

Fish and Wildlife Board Meeting

5:00PM until 9:00PM at Skylight conference room, 6/7 North Building, 103 South Main Street, Waterbury, VT
Story


1/14/09

3rd Annual Turkey Calling Contest

3rd Annual Bart Jacobs Memorial Turkey Calling Contest
The National Wild Turkey Federation will be putting on it’s 3rd annual Bart Jacobs Memorial Turkey Calling Contest. Contest will be held at the Yankee Sportsmen's Classic Show in Essex Jct VT, Saturday January 16 at 10:00 am. Register at the Wild Turkey Federation booth.
Story

12/28/09

Weathersfield Men Charged With Fish & Wildlife Violations

A father and son from Weathersfield, Vermont were charged on December 27, with several violations of Fish and Wildlife laws, and a third person may face charges as well.
Story


12/28/09

2010 Vermont Angler Survey Underway

The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department announced that on January 6, 2010 a questionnaire asking anglers about their fishing habits and opinions on a wide range of fisheries management issues will be mailed to 4,500 Vermont resident and 900 nonresident anglers.
Story


12/22/09

Fish & Wildlife Improves Harvest Information Program Registration

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


12/21/09

Ice Fishing Safety Reminders from VT F&W

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department has some ice fishing safety reminders for people venturing out onto the ice.
Story


12/21/09

Vermont’s Big Game Plan for 2010-2020 is Available

Vermont’s new Big Game Management Plan for 2010-2020 is now available.
Story


12/16/09

January Can Bring Great Ice Fishing Opportunities

Vermont offers great ice fishing in lakes throughout the state, and the action normally is great beginning in mid-January, depending on the weather. Vermont Fish & Wildlife recommends at least six inches of solid ice for safe ice fishing.
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12/11/09

Two Arrested in Bennington on Illegal Deer Charges

A father and son face charges in Vermont after allegedly being involved in deer poaching activities in New York, according to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department.
Story


12/3/09

Youth Hunting Memories Contest Reminder

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

11/25/09

Vermont Muzzleloader and 2nd Archery Deer Seasons, Dec. 5-13

Vermont’s muzzleloader deer season and the second part of the archery deer season are December 5-13 this year. Hunters are reporting seeing more large, older bucks due to the antler restriction that began in 2005.
Story


11/18/09

Deadline for Watershed Grants is Dec. 4

The application period is now open for the 2010 Vermont Watershed Grants Program which funds projects for the protection, restoration and enjoyment of the state's watersheds. Applications are due to the Vermont Watershed Grants office by December 4, the Friday one week after Thanksgiving.
Story


11/16/09

Chimney Point Fishing Access Area Closed Indefinitely

The Chimney Point Fishing Access Area is closed indefinitely due to safety concerns related to the Lake Champlain Bridge.
Story


11/16/09

Tinmouth Channel WMA Public Meeting Dec. 1

The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (ANR), Rutland District Stewardship Team is sponsoring an open house for the public to view and discuss the results of the natural resource inventories and assessments that have recently been completed on the Wildlife Management Area in preparation of the development of the long range management plan.
Story


11/9/09

Poaching Tip Line Helps in Wildlife Law Enforcement

Vermont State Game Wardens are constantly striving to curtail wildlife poaching, but their job is challenging because they can’t be everywhere. Wardens have five to seven towns in their own districts, and they often are covering neighboring warden districts due to work schedules. A telephone tip line called “Operation Game Thief” enables you to help if you know of a poaching incident.
Story


11/5/09

Vermont Moose Hunters Had a Successful Season

Vermont moose hunters had a successful hunting season according to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department.
Story

10/29/09

Vermont Bat Cave Research Assisted by Wisconsin DNR

Wildlife scientists are trying to learn more about white-nose syndrome (WNS) and how it infects bats. Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department and New York Department of Environmental Conservation biologists received help from Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources on October 27, when Wisconsin donated 79 little brown bats to be kept in two Vermont abandoned mines this winter.
Story


10/29/09

2009 New Hampshire Moose Hunt a Success

Wildlife scientists are trying to learn more about white-nose syndrome (WNS) and how it infects bats. Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department and New York Department of Environmental Conservation biologists received help from Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources on October 27, when Wisconsin donated 79 little brown bats to be kept in two Vermont abandoned mines this winter.
Story


10/28/09

Hunters are Urged to Wear Orange

Some choose to wear pink to promote breast cancer awareness. Some choose to wear red to fight HIV/AIDs. Hunters also must decide what color to wear when they go afield, but only blaze orange has a proven safety record.
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10/27/09

Hunters Reminded of Rules on Importing Deer, Elk

Hunters traveling outside Vermont to hunt deer or elk need to keep in mind the regulation designed to protect Vermont's wild deer from chronic wasting disease, according to a reminder from the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department.
Story


10/22/09

Two Men Arrested for Deer Poaching in VT and NY

Two Fair Haven, Vermont men have been arrested in Vermont and New York in connection with a two-week long deer poaching spree in West Haven, Vermont and Hampton, New York.
Story


10/21/09

326 Moose Taken in Vermont’s Moose Hunt So Far

Vermont moose hunters had reported taking 326 moose as of October 20th, according to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department.
Story


10/16/09

Deadline for Watershed Grants is Dec. 4

Applications are available for the 2010 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 4.
Story


10/15/09

Vermont’s Youth Hunting Essay Contest

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department and the Vermont Big Game Trophy Club are seeking submissions for the third annual Youth Hunting Memories Contest.
Story


10/14/09

Clean Vessel Act Grants Available

Federal grant funds are available for projects that will help improve boating sewage pump-out facilities in Vermont according to an announcement from the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department.
Story


10/14/09

Vermont Deer Hunters Look Forward to a Good Season

Vermont hunters are optimistic about the upcoming November rifle and December muzzleloader deer seasons -- and with good reason, according to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department. Vermont has more older, bigger bucks after a regulation was enacted in 2005, protecting many yearling bucks.
Story


10/14/09

Biological Deer Check Stations Open Nov. 7-8

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department will be conducting 25 biological deer check stations on Vermont’s Youth Deer Hunting Weekend, November 7 and 8, to collect information on the age and health of Vermont deer.
Story


10/8/09

Waterfowl Hunting Starts Saturday

Vermont’s regular duck hunting season starts Saturday in most of the state.
Story


10/6/09

7 Charged, 2 Pending Charges in Deer Baiting Investigation

State game wardens conducted a raid of 11 deer stands in Moretown on Sunday evening, October 4.
Story


10/6/09

Lake Champlain Water Use Advisory Lifted

The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department announces that all temporary water use restrictions associated with the Lamoille River sea lamprey control activities will be lifted for all areas of Lake Champlain surrounding the Lamoille River, effective at Noon Wednesday, October 7.
Story


10/1/09

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 (vtfishandwildlife.com).
Story

9/30/09

Lamoille River Water Use Advisory Goes Into Effect

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department announced that the Lake Champlain sea lamprey control team is scheduled to treat the Lamoille River with the lampricide, TFM, on Thursday October 1.
Story


9/30/09

Big Game Reporting Stations Listed on VT Fish &Wildlife’s Website

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department has made it easier for hunters to locate big game reporting stations by adding a map of the state and list on their website (vtfishandwildlife.com) under “Items of Special Interest.”
Story


9/29/09

Lamoille River Lamprey Control Postponed

The sea lamprey control effort planned for Wednesday, September 30, on the lower Lamoille River has been postponed due to recent rain and resulting high water, according to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department.
Story


9/25/09

Lamprey Control Scheduled for Lamoille River

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department announced today that the Lake Champlain sea lamprey control team is scheduled to begin treatment of the Lamoille River on September 30, with the lampricide, TFM.
Story


9/23/09

Vermont Hunter Education is Now Online

The Digital Age is the only age many young people have ever known, which means many potential new hunters are more comfortable with computers than books. In response, the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is pleased to offer an alternative to the hunter education manual and workbook: an online course for basic firearm education.
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9/23/09

Biologists Observing Effects of Bat Disease

Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department biologists are monitoring bat populations as they return to caves and mines this fall, and they are discovering dramatic losses in bat numbers.
Story


9/17/09

Fish & Wildlife Asks for Photos of Vermont Deer

Vermont Fish & Wildlife Commissioner Wayne Laroche is asking people who observe deer in Vermont to send in their best digital photos for posting on the Fish & Wildlife Department’s website.
Story


9/16/09

Vermont’s Archery Deer Season is Attracting More Hunters

Hunters are enthusiastic about Vermont’s upcoming October 3-25 and December 5-13 archery deer hunting season, according to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department.
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9/16/09

Eighth Annual Dead Creek Wildlife Day Is Oct. 3

If you enjoy wildlife be sure to make plans to attend the eighth annual Dead Creek Wildlife Day in Addison, Vermont on Saturday, October 3.
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9/16/09

Grouse and Woodcock Seasons Coming Soon

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.
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9/9/09

F&W Facilitates Moose Hunt for Dustin

The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department with the assistance of sportswriter Lawrence Pyne has found a legal way for Dustin, a child with a life-threatening disease, to hunt for moose in Vermont this fall.
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9/8/09

All Young Hunters May Participate in Vermont Youth Hunts

Nonresident young hunters may now participate in Vermont’s special youth hunt weekends for deer and turkey. Vermont’s legislative statute governing youth deer and turkey hunts was amended to include nonresidents as well as residents, effective July 1, 2009.
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9/1/09

Vermont Updates its List of Rare Wild Plants

The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department has updated the statewide list of rare wild plants.
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8/26/09

Controlled Waterfowl Hunt Application Deadline is Sept. 21

Applications are available for controlled waterfowl hunting permits to be used at two Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department wildlife management areas. Interested hunters must apply by Monday, September 21, 2009.
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8/26/09

Vermont’s Migratory Bird Hunting Seasons Are Announced

Vermont’s migratory bird hunting laws for 2009 are now available on Vermont Fish & Wildlife’s website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com) and from license agents throughout Vermont.
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8/20/09

Missisquoi Muskie Restoration Gets a Major Boost

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department’s Lake Champlain muskie restoration effort got a major boost Wednesday, August 19, when 10,000 six-inch long muskie were stocked in the Missisquoi River in Swanton.
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8/20/09

Vermont Antlerless Deer Application Deadline is Thursday, Aug. 27

The deadline to apply for a Vermont antlerless deer hunting permit is Thursday, August 27. The Fish & Wildlife Department is asking hunters to help by applying on-line to keep data entry time and costs to a minimum.
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8/13/09

August 21, an Evening to Learn About Bats

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is helping private landowners manage and enhance Indiana bat habitat on their lands by providing funding through the Landowner Incentive Program (LIP). One of the program’s main goals is to provide opportunities to learn about Indiana bats to the public.
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8/6/09

Vermont Moose Hunt Auction Nets Over $23,000 for Wildlife Education

Vermont’s third annual auction of five moose hunting permits closed on August 4, with more than $23,000 taken in to help fund Fish & Wildlife educational programs, such as the Green Mountain Conservation Camps for 12 to 16 year old youths.
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8/6/09

Boating Marina Grants Announced

Improvements in boating infrastructure in Vermont are possible with help from recently announced grants available through the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department. The deadline to apply for these grants is September 25, 2009.
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8/5/09

Public Meeting Aug. 19 on Proposed Management Plan for State Lands

New management plans are being developed for three parcels of state land in Holland, Norton, Warner’s Grant and Warren’s Gore. The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department and the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation are holding an “open house” public meeting on Wednesday, August 19, at the Brighton Town Hall to gather input before drafting the management plan.
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8/3/09

Take Hunter Education Now to Go Hunting this Fall

With hunting seasons just around the corner, the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is urging new hunters to sign up now for a hunter education class. Anyone who has never taken the course or had a hunting license from any state must take the course before obtaining a hunting license.
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8/3/09

Peregrine Falcon Nesting Cliffs Reopened for Hikers

Vermont Fish & Wildlife has reopened the nine cliff tops and overlooks previously closed to hiking to protect nesting peregrine falcons.
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8/3/09

Public Meeting Aug. 6 – Restoring the Missisquoi River

Restoring the Missisquoi River to a natural flow by removing the no longer used Swanton Dam would improve the resident fishery and be an economic benefit to the local community, according to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department.
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8/3/09

Volunteers Needed for Turkey Brood Survey

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is again seeking help in determining this spring’s turkey nesting success by asking volunteers to record wild turkey sightings during August using the department’s web-based survey.
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7/31/09

Illegal Camp on State Land Leads to Arrest for Marijuana Cultivation

State Game Wardens arrested a Duxbury woman and her 33-year old son Monday after an investigation stemming from a state land trespassing complaint.
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7/30/09

Lake St. Catherine Access Ramp Improvements Rescheduled

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department’s proposed ramp improvements for the Lake St. Catherine Fishing Access Area have been rescheduled for April 2010.
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7/27/09

Two Arrested in Rochester for Deer Poaching and Marijuana Growing

State Game Wardens arrested a man and woman in Rochester Sunday, July 26, in what started as a deer poaching investigation, but resulted in a search warrant being executed and marijuana growing operation being discovered.
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7/24/09

Lake St. Catherine Fishing Access to be Closed for Repairs

The Fish & Wildlife Department’s Lake St. Catherine Access Area will be closed for repairs to the boat ramp starting August 3rd.
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7/22/09

Lake Champlain FIsh and Wildlife Management Cooperative

The Strategic Plan, which was prepared by the Cooperative’s Fisheries Technical Committee, provides a framework for implementing the Cooperative’s coordinated fisheries management programs. It outlines fish community goals and objectives and describes the role of each of the agencies. University of Vermont Professor Ellen Marsden, Ph.D., led the Lake Champlain Cooperative's Technical Committee in developing the new Strategic Plan. According to Dr. Marsden, “this plan outlines the guiding principles for the management of Lake Champlain's fishery resources, and establishes priorities for protection and restoration of fish populations and their habitat".
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7/21/09

All Young Hunters May Participate in Vermont Youth Hunts

Nonresident young hunters may now participate in Vermont’s special youth hunt weekends for deer and turkey. Vermont’s legislative statute governing youth deer and turkey hunts was amended to include nonresidents as well as residents, effective July 1, 2009.
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7/20/09

Waterfowl Meetings -- Aug. 4, Whitehall, NY -- Aug. 5, Burlington, VT

Public meetings on the status of waterfowl populations and waterfowl hunting seasons for Lake Champlain in New York and Vermont will be held Tuesday, August 4, in Whitehall, New York, and Wednesday, August 5, in Burlington, Vermont. The annual meetings are being held by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department.
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7/17/09

Proposed Clyde River Fishing Regulation Changes to be Discussed July 29

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department will hold a public information meeting to present a proposal for fishing regulation changes on the Clyde River with a goal of benefitting landlocked salmon.
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7/16/09

September Canada Goose and Youth Waterfowl Hunts Set

September dates for Vermont’s resident Canada goose hunting season and the youth waterfowl hunt have been set by the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Board.
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7/15/09

Public Meetings on Draft Big Game Plan, July 20 and 22

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department reminds us that it is holding two public meetings to discuss the Draft Big Game Plan on Monday, July 20 in Montpelier and Wednesday, July 22 in Rutland.
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7/14/09

Warden Rescues Stranded Boaters on Lake Champlain

A 911 call for help at 10:30 p.m. on July 10th resulted in Vermont State Game Warden Robert Sterling responding to a group of four people stranded in their boat that had run aground on southern Lake Champlain.
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7/9/09

Vermont Moose Hunting Permit Winners Are Drawn

The winners of Vermont’s 2009 moose hunting permits were determined July 09 at a lottery drawing in Montpelier. Governor Jim Douglas started the computer-generated selection process that randomly picked 1,230 winners among more than 14,000 people who applied this year.
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7/2/09

Vermont’s Draft Big Game Plan is Announced

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