Photo courtesy of RPM Outdoors
Senate Bill No. 258 entitled “An act relating to the management of fish and wildlife”
Vermont Outdoor Guide Association While communities are struggling with funding for education and citizens are left hanging with exorbitant property taxes, some elected officials are spending their time attempting to bring down a wildlife management system that has benefited all Vermonters.
When I think of Vermont, I think about the wildlife that we have the good fortune to experience. From non-game to game species, from our fisheries to forests that are homes to a wide variety of wildlife we are truly fortunate. This abundance of wildlife has not come about by accident.
Sportsmen and women have been involved in planning and funding wildlife management programs for decades.
The Pittman-Robertson (P-R) Act, passed in 1937, is now known as Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration. It is an act that imposes a tax on firearms, ammunition, and archery equipment and distributes the proceeds to state governments for wildlife projects. Management and administration of all WMAs is primarily funded through the sale of hunting and trapping licenses, and from the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration (Pittman-Robertson) Fund.
An excise tax on fishing equipment was established by the Dingell-Johnson Act in 1950. The revenue raised by this tax is collected by the federal government, allocated to the Wildlife Restoration Fund and the Sportfish Restoration Fund, then handed over to the states’ conservation programs.
Established in 2000, State Wildlife Grants provide money to states, territories, commonwealths, and D.C. to address wildlife conservation needs such as research, surveys and species and habitat management. Projects focus on wildlife species of greatest conservation need identified in State Wildlife Action Plans.
Sportsmen and women also pay annual fees for fishing, hunting, trapping licenses and motorboat registration.
Fish and Wildlife Department's biologists and the Fish and Wildlife Board should be congratulated for a job well done. Instead, the Senate Bill No. 258 proposes to disrupt this system by placing anti-hunting individuals on the F&W Board and stripping the board of its rulemaking authority and instead make it an advisory body to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department.
Non-consumptive individuals should be thanking the folks who pay into the system that provides the public with outdoor recreation and wildlife viewing opportunities instead of trying to dismantle our wildlife management process.
S. 258 is currently in the House Committee on Environment and Energy and you can view the agenda at: https://legislature.vermont.gov/committee/agenda/2024/7177
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If you have the time, I'd love to hear your thoughts on the state of outdoor recreation industry today, how changes in the industry are affecting your business.
Email: [email protected]
Have fun and be safe out there,
Gray
Graydon B Stevens
Executive Director
Vermont Outdoor Guide Association (VOGA)
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What's Happening in Vermont's Outdoor Recreation Industry
Recreation Job Openings - https://www.voga.org/recreation-jobs.html
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Outdoor Education Events - https://www.voga.org/outdoor-education-events.html
Women's Outdoor Events - https://www.voga.org/womens-outdoor-programs.html
Recreation Industry News - https://www.voga.org/recreation-industry-news.html
Get the best liability insurance for your lodging, retail shop, association, guide or outfitter business for the lowest price in the US.
Financial services for avid outdoorsmen and women through New York Life. Financial Professional to assist with: Life Insurance, Long Term Care, Investments and Annuities.
Join VOGA and get referrals from our Outdoor Recreation Directory.
Who's Joining VOGA?
Explore Vermont on your own time and schedule with GOGO Charters. Reserve a private charter bus, minibus or shuttle to get around the state with your group. Plan day trips, outdoor hiking adventures or even impromptu group picnics and arrive on time in a sanitized bus rental.
St. Albans, VT
Walk and Wade, Drift Boat, Groups
Come join us for a fully equipped guided fly fishing trip on some of northern Vermont's top trout waters. Fly-fishing clinics. and lessons. Uncle Jammer's has been offering high quality youth programs since 1999.
Northeast Kingdom
Biking, Birding, Moose & Nature Watching, Canoeing & Kayaking, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Fishing, Hunting, Climbing
Averill, VT
Nestled in the heart of Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom sits a family resort with more than 100 years of bringing generations together, a place called Quimby’s.
Petra Cliffs Climbing Center and Mountaineering School
Burlington, VT.
Alpine Mountaineering, Ice and Rock Climbing
Offering the Finest in Rock, Ice and Mountain Climbing Instruction in New England and the Adirondacks.
Hiking, Fly Fishing, Paddle Sports, Winter Sports
Chittenden, VT
More than a stay, it’s an experience you will never forget with lots of activities around the Inn—hiking, kayaking, fishing, skiing (Alpine and Cross-Country), nature and more.
Barre VT. Gear for Archery, Firearms, Fishing, Hunting, Camping, Kayaking, Prospecting, Paintball, Trapping
Lazy D and Me Fishing Charters
Hudson River and Lake Champlain
Captain Dan Lussier
Charter boat fishing for Striped Bass and Lake Trout at it’s best with Capt. Dan Lussier aboard his 25 foot Baha Cruiser,250 Sport Fisherman.
Matthew Trombley
U.S.C.G Master Captain.
Third Alarm Charters offers Trolling Charters & Drift Boat trips for Lakes Champlain and Ontario King Salmon, Trout, Salmon, Bass & Pike and Hudson River Stripers as well as Salmon River Drift boat trips.
Located in Chazy, NY along the shores of Lake Champlain, just a few miles from Quebec, Canada. With over 35 years of waterfowl experience, Capt. Matt Martin brings you some of the best Snow goose, Canada goose and duck hunting the Northeast has to offer. New York spring turkey hunts and fall deer hunting services are also available.
Marketing and Networking Opportunities in 2024
April 27 - 28, 2024, The Boston Outdoor Expo
If you love hiking, climbing, water sports, camping, mountain biking, trail running or just being outside, then join our Outdoor enthusiast community for top tips, advice, event tickets, special offers and discounts. The NEW expo offers a full weekend of inspiration for outdoor enthusiasts, like you. See 30 speakers, take part in activities, and shop the latest gear, tech, nutrition and advice. It is a one stop shop to prepare you for your next adventure. https://thebostonoutdoorexpo.com/
May 3, 2024, Vermont Trails and Greenways Council Annual Meeting
10 am - 3:30 pm at: North Branch Nature Center, Montpelier, VT. We're kicking off the trail season with our annual member meeting. Network with trail managers from around the state, hear the latest VTGC news, and enjoy a hearty lunch. https://vermonttgc.org/
May 3-4, 2024, Northeastern Forest Products Equipment Expo
Champlain Valley Exposition, Essex Junction, Vermont - The Loggers' Expo location rotates between Bangor, Maine and Essex Junction, VT. The show typically features 200-250 exhibiting companies and attracts a range of 5,000 to 7,000 attendees – comprised mainly of active industry decision-makers. The Expo has become the place where serious business is accomplished between buyers and sellers of forest industry equipment, supplies and services. It features a mix of live demonstrations and static displays – with both inside and outside displays. https://www.northernlogger.com/loggers-expo-2024/
May 8-10, 2024, The 39th Annual Vermont Tourism Summit
Mount Snow Grand Summit Resort in West Dover, Vermont. Save these dates and make plans now to participate! Building on the success of our last 38 Summits, the 2024 event is expected to draw over 200 attendees and will feature ample networking opportunities, 16 educational workshops, 3 general sessions, a robust silent auction, and lots of fun. https://www.vttourismsummit.org/
May 14-15, 2024, Northern Forest Outdoor Recreation Symposium
We hope you’ll join with leaders from across the region as we learn, strategize, and build capacity for an outdoor recreation sector that delivers sustainable economic and community benefits across the Northern Forest region of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York. The two-day event will be held on May 14-15, 2024 at the Omni Mount Washington Hotel in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire. https://donorbox.org/events/543752
May 24 - 25, 2024, Sport & Fitness Expo
South Burlington, VT - The Sport & Fitness Expo includes sponsor and exhibitor booths, race packet pick-up, race shirt pick-up, and an information booth. Don't miss this opportunity to generate leads and meet potential customers face to face. https://www.runvermont.org/expo/
June 18 - 20, 2024, New England Summer Expo
Manchester, NH - Make vital connections to the outdoor industry, see and experience the latest gear, and grow your career—all in one place! Show is located in the Expo Hall, Armory and Ballroom of the Doubletree. This is an open-booth format, and tends to be an appointment driven show (please contact your Sales Rep for an appointment); however, we highly encourage leaving some open time for walking the show to discover new product lines. https://360adventurecollective.org/event/new-england-summer-expo/
July 24 - 28, 2024, The OM Festival
Arlington, VT - The OM Festival is a transformational festival experience. You don’t want to miss everything we have to offer at this Vermont Yoga Festival. Early bird tier one tickets have DROPPED! Hurry as this is the best price of the year at only $199 for the entire 5 day festival. Join Us for 5 Magical Days in Vermont! General Admission tickets is your all access pass to the festival. Includes all classes, workshops and nightly entertainment. Camping and Parking are NOT included. For more information and to purchase your early bird tickets please go to http://www.theomfestival.com
July 26 - 28, 2024, Mountain Bike Festival
Ascutney, Vermont - https://flowstatemtbfestival.com/
September 13 – 29, 2024, The Big E
W. Springfield, MA - "New England's Great State Fair". The largest fair on the eastern seaboard with an attendance of 1.5 million. https://www.thebige.com/
September 25 - 26, 2024, Vermont Conference on Recreation & Trails Symposium
We are excited to welcome parks and recreation professionals from around Vermont at the 81st VT Conference on Recreation! We are thrilled to be partnering with Vermont Trails & Greenways Council (VTGC) to offer a Trails Symposium in tandem with our long-running conference. The Trails Symposium adds an outdoor recreation angle to the traditional municipal parks and recreation focus of the conference. VRPA's event is a great place for networking, sharing ideas, learning about current trends, and getting a pulse on what is happening throughout the state. https://www.vrpa.org/Conference-Overview
Save the Date!!
Fall Doe Camp Returns to Jackson's Lodge, Canaan, VT
on Sept 13-15, 2024
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Plans are under way to revive almost 30 years of annual Doe Camp retreats along with supporting and promoting other outdoor programming for women.
Doe Camp Pre-Registration Form
Doe Camp Nation is a 501-C3 public charity and rapidly growing community of active women dedicated to creating new friendships and adventures while learning new outdoor skills supported by instructors, volunteers, sponsors and businesses helping all women expand their horizons by pursuing their dreams in the great outdoors.
Learn more about us at:
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You are invited to join Doe Camp Nation, a private Facebook group of adventurous women.
If you'd like to sponsor, volunteer or participate in our programs, we'd love to hear from you.
Contact [email protected]
Women's Outdoor Survival Classes
with
"Alone" Season 9 Participant
and
MasterClass Wilderness Survival Instructor, Jessie Krebs
We are pleased to announce the return of nationally known survival instructor, Jessie Krebs who will be teaching women's outdoor survival skills for 2 weekends in June, 2024.
June 15, 2024, Women's Evasion Basics Class
Monkton, VT - Knowing how to disappear can come in handy on occasion! There have been times when I didn’t want an animal (including the two-legged kind!) to know I’m around so I “vanish” and they go on their way none the wiser. If you like getting closer to birds and wildlife for any reason, or you want to feel safer while out solo hiking or even walking downtown, this class will give you some good pointers.
June 16, One Day Women's Survival Course
Monkton, VT - This “crash course” in basic outdoor survival principles is excellent for those who are short on time, yet want to feel more confident in the outdoors. This is the perfect course for an introduction to core concepts that will help keep you centered and making healthy decisions if things get hairy. It's mostly lecture-style with some hands-on training on topics such as staying warm, building fires, signaling for help, navigation concepts, knife sharpening, building emergency shelters, and more. Young, old, injured or otherwise are welcome! Class cost: $150.00.
June 21 - 23 - Women's Weekend Survival Course
Monkton, VT - This stand-alone course is for those that would like more hands-on practice and coaching. The weekend is spent diving into the five basic needs of a survivor in an outdoor base camp. Staying warm and protected using clothing and gear, shelter, and fire skills; health concepts and techniques; what to do if you are lost/disoriented; finding and consuming food and water; and most importantly, how to get FOUND ASAP! It includes lectures, demonstrations, and student practices in a friendly, supportive learning environment. Evenings are spent cooking and eating dinner around the fire, followed by more discussion and lessons, including night navigation techniques. Smore's and dinners are included! Class cost: $520.00.
Gift Certificates are available.
Questions regarding these classes can be directed to Jessie at: [email protected]
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Vermont Outdoor Guide Association | P.O. Box 10, North Ferrisburgh, VT 05473