Waterfowl hunters who did not remove their hunting blinds from the waters of the state earlier must do so beforeFebruary 15on Lake Champlain orMay 15on inland waters according to a reminder from the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department.State law requires removal of the blinds before these deadlines in order to protect natural areas and to prevent boating accidents after the ice melts.
"Removal of the blinds and any posts that may be below the surface of the ice is important because of the danger they present when boaters are on the water in the spring," said State Game Warden Colonel Jason Batchelder.Batchelder says wardens have recorded names and addresses of blind owners and will follow up with inspections.
Barton Man Fined in Poaching Case
A Barton, Vermont man will pay more than $1,000 in fines and court fees and lose his hunting, fishing and trapping privileges for three years. Kenneth Bacon, Jr. of Barton pled "no contest" on January 7, 2015 in Orleans District Court to taking deer in closed season and reckless endangerment.
Bacon shot from a vehicle on a Craftsbury public road on November 30, 2013 and then fled as Vermont Fish & Wildlife wardens attempted to apprehend him, putting one warden in danger of serious injury.
Wardens were in Craftsbury at the time conducting an operation in response to several complaints of illegal road hunting and poaching activity in the area.
On December 7, 2013 Bacon was apprehended in Barton and issued tickets and citations for possessing a loaded rifle in a motor vehicle, shooting from a motor vehicle, attempting to elude a game warden, taking deer in closed season, and reckless endangerment.
Further investigation revealed that Bacon had already shot and reported a deer earlier in the season. The legal limit for deer during the November rifle season is one.
Bacon will be required to successfully complete Vermont Fish & Wildlife’s “Remedial Outdoor Ethics Course” before his licenses can be reinstated.
Vermont wardens continue to rely heavily on confidential information provided by the public. If you witness illegal activity, please alert a Vermont State Game Warden immediately by calling your local State Police Barracks. You can also contact Operation Game Thief at 1-800-75ALERT (1-800-752-5378) or online at (www.vtfishandwildlife.com/laws_thief.cfm). Rewards are paid for information leading to an arrest.
Vt Fish & Wildlife at the Yankee Show,Jan. 16-18
The annual Yankee Sportsman's Classic show will be heldJanuary 16, 17 and 18 at the Champlain Valley Expo in Essex Junction, and the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Departmentis inviting you to visit their exhibits and attend their seminars at the show.
Fish & Wildlife is also sponsoring three seminars onSaturday, January 17- on Vermont Deer at12:00, Women Hunters Q&A at1:00, and Whole Deer Processing at3:00. The seminars will cover the current status of the deer herd, tips for women interested in or just beginning to learn about hunting, and techniques for preparing delicious local venison for meals.
Hunters, anglers and trappers will be able to buy their 2015 licenses and be entered into a raffle to win an L.L. Bean fishing kayak or a new shotgun. They will also be able to purchase a 2015 Vermont Fish & Wildlife Calendar and the new Landowners Guide to Habitat Management.
Show hours areNoon to 7 p.m. on Friday,9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, and9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
Learn more about the showby clicking here...
2015VermontHunting, Fishing, Trapping Lawbook is Available
If you are going ice fishing soon, planning a family fishing trip next summer, or expect to go rabbit hunting this winter - you will want to get a copy of the 2015VermontHunting, Fishing and Trapping Laws and Guide, available where licenses are sold.
Also known as the "lawbook," it has all of the new laws, 2015 season dates, two free fishing days, a state map showing Wildlife Management Units, the species offishfound in lakes and rivers, and a list ofFish& Wildlife personnel with their phone numbers, as well as loads of additional information.
A digital version can be found on theVermontFish& Wildlife website byclicking here...
Source: Fish & Wilflife 1.14.2015