Herricks Cove Wildlife Festival Celebrates Wildlife and Spring

WATERBURY , VT – 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.

Herricks Cove is a beautiful spot on the Connecticut River and the perfect setting for this festival that celebrates the wonders of wildlife. Many species of live wildlife will be featured. Naturalist and story teller Brian “Fox” Ellis as well as author and garden designer Henry Homeyer will be giving presentations.

For the early risers, a 7:00 a.m. guided bird walk is planned. The rest of the day’s activities are scheduled from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Guided nature walks, nature presentations, live music, and workshops are some of the fun activities planned. The suggested donation is $2.00 for an individual and $5.00 for a family.

For the schedule of programs and activities visit the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department’s website (vtfishandwildlife.com) and check out Items of Special Interest, or call The Nature Museum at Grafton: 802-843-2111 or Ascutney Mountain Audubon: 802-722-3355.

Herricks Cove is located just off of Route 5 less than three miles north of Bellows Falls .

Herricks Cove Wildlife Festival is presented by Ascutney Mountain Audubon and TransCanada Hydro. It is co-sponsored by the Nature Museum,Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, Luzenac America , Ben and Jerry’s Homemade, Eagle Optics, Southeast Council on the Arts, Bellows Falls Rotary, and Vermont Country Store.

Public Hearing on Turkey and Moose Regulations, May 19

WATERBURY, VT – 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 .

Several of the changes that appear in this year’s proposed regulations for turkey and moose hunting were derived from Vermont ’s newly-adopted Big Game Management Plan.

The proposed fall turkey hunting season would include:

* bow and arrow only — to be statewide – Oct. 2-22, 2010;

* current seven-day shotgun or archery season would expand to nine days – Oct. 23-31, 2010 in WMUs B, D1, D2, G, H1, H2, I, J1, J2, L, M1, M2, O1, O2, P, Q

WMUs B, D1, D2, and H1 would be new additions to this season.

* shotgun or archery season would be for 16 days – Oct. 23-Nov. 7, 2010 in WMUs F1, F2 ,K1, K2 , N.

The proposed 2010 moose hunting season would include:

* an Oct. 2-9 archery only season with 50 hunting permits;
* an Oct. 16-21 regular season with 765 hunting permits;
* 5 regular season hunting permits for auction;
* 5 regular season hunting permits for a lottery among Vermont residents who have received or are eligible to receive a campaign ribbon for Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom.

You can read the two proposed regulations in their entirety on the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department’s website (vtfishandwildlife.com). Under Law Enforcement, click on Rules and Proposed Rules.