Muzzleloader Antlerless Deer Permit Winners Announced

WATERBURY, VT – The winners of Vermont ’s muzzleloader season antlerless deer permits are listed on the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department’s website (vtfishandwildlife.com).

“Hunters who applied for muzzleloader antlerless deer permits and will be participating in the October 2-24 and December 4-12 archery season may want to check our website to find out if they will be receiving a muzzleloader season antlerless permit,” said Fish and Wildlife’s Chief of Operations Thomas Decker. “Knowing the answer will help them in planning their hunt.”

“More than 6,000 muzzleloader antlerless deer permits are still available across nine Wildlife Management Units,” said Decker. “They are being made available in order to meet deer management goals and keep the deer population in balance with its habitat.”

Hunters are able to purchase these un-allocated permits until they are gone on a first-come-first serve basis on the department’s website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com) at $10 for residents and $25 for nonresidents.

“Hunters who do not have internet access at home may want to use a friend’s computer or go to a nearby library to get online,” said Decker. “We also will provide internet access here at our Waterbury office for those who want to travel to apply in person. If you must travel to Waterbury , you should call Fish and Wildlife at 802-241-1271 to verify which, if any, permits are still available.”

Antlerless deer permits were still available in the following WMUs on September 24: A-B-F1-F2-K1-K2-M1-M2-N.

Vermont’s Duck Stamp Program to Change

WATERBURY, VT — This is the last year that collectors, hunters and other conservationists will be able to obtain a Vermont “duck stamp” with an image of a waterfowl species on it. Vermont’s highly successful Migratory Waterfowl Stamp Program has raised more than $3.5 million and helped conserve almost 8,500 acres of wildlife habitat, but beginning in 2011, the stamp will be in the form of a validation sticker, similar to current hunting and fishing license validation stickers.

The change is being made to facilitate the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department’s move toward electronic licensing and to reduce costs associated with administering the duck stamp and print program, which will allow more duck stamp monies to be used on wetland conservation projects in future years. The 2010 stamp features a dramatic photo of a drake wood duck and represents the last chance for conservation-minded collectors to purchase state duck stamps.

Vermont became the 37th state to have a state duck stamp program in 1986 when it issued its first stamp, which is required of all duck, goose and other migratory waterfowl hunters age 16 and older. Each year since, a new stamp and a limited number of collectable prints of the stamp images were created, and the monies raised from their sale are dedicated to conserving critical wetland habitats in Vermont .

Vermont ’s Waterfowl Fund was established with receipts from the sale of the stamps and prints. Interest earned from the Fund is earmarked for wetland acquisition and enhancement projects. To date, over $3.5 million has been raised in receipts and interest.

The Fund is overseen by the Waterfowl Advisory Committee, which consists of private individuals from the waterfowling community. Since the Fund began, $1,053,533 of interest has been spent on conservation projects and $118,252 on expenses associated with the stamp and print program. To date, 70 projects have been completed with 8,469 acres of wetlands and adjacent uplands conserved or enhanced, which has benefitted scores of wildlife species that depend on wetland habitats.

Most of the revenue generated came in the early years of the program when the prints were avidly sought by collectors. Thanks to the vision of early Waterfowl Advisory Committee members Maurice Harvey, Ned Spear, Red Hooper, Carl Pagel and Mike Billig, Vermont was able to maximize its return on the nationwide interest in “first-of-state” duck stamps and prints by issuing its first stamp as part of a four-year series that highlighted the four seasons in Vermont. Since then, the market for duck stamps and prints has steadily declined in Vermont and across the country. Many other states have already discontinued issuing a paper duck stamp.

“We’re indebted to the original Waterfowl Advisory Committee members and former state waterfowl project leader Tom Myers for their foresight in creating such a successful program,” said state wildlife biologist Bill Crenshaw. “It’s to their credit that we currently have $2.3 million in the Waterfowl Fund, the interest from which will continue to conserve important wetland habitats for years to come.”

The 2010 Vermont duck stamp is available from Vermont hunting and fishing license agents statewide and the Fish and Wildlife Department. Beginning in 2011, duck stamp validation stickers will be available at license agents and on-line at vtfishandwildlife.com. The sticker will not have an image of a waterfowl species on it. It will be valid for the calendar year, and waterfowl hunters will no longer be required to sign their name on the stamp.

“Northwoods Outdoor Adventures” and Vermont Bear Camp 2010

A Hunting Camp Spotlight by Blaine Cardilli

The Lodge & Accommodations

Many sportsmen today crave that true “hunting camp” experience and surprisingly it’s never usually that far from home…if you know where to look. I often try to get out and venture to various hunting camps looking for good deals and a good time, showcasing them, and this month “NORTHWOODS OUTDOOR ADVENTURES” in Washington, Vermont, is one of those places.

Nestled deep in the majestic Green Mountain Range of upstate central Vermont, the lodge, which sits on 1,500 base acres, resembles something out of an old Louis L’Amour novel. Rustic and nostalgic, it’s a fair sized genuine log-cabin building yet at the same time so cozy and welcoming you’ll never want to leave it’s warmth and charm. Read more

Controlled Waterfowl Hunt Application Deadline is Sept. 20

Waterbury, VT – 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 20, 2010.

Hunting under controlled conditions for ducks at Mud Creek in Alburgh and geese at Dead Creek in Addison has been popular since the early 1970′s. Permit applications for these two areas are available on Fish and Wildlife’s website (vtfishandwildlife.com). Printed applications will also be available September 7, at Vermont Fish and Wildlife offices in Essex Junction, Waterbury , Addison, Barre, St. Johnsbury, Springfield and Rutland .

Applications must be filled out correctly and postmarked no later than September 20, 2010. There is no fee to apply.

A public drawing to award hunting permits will be held Friday, September 24 at 12:00 Noon at Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area headquarters off Route 17 in Addison . Attendance is not required. Successful applicants will be notified and must pay a $10 permit fee on the day of the hunt.