Vermont Antlerless Deer Hunt Applications Available

Waterbury, VT – 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.

Applications may be submitted on-line with a credit or debit card payment, or printed, filled out, and mailed in with a check. On-line applications are found at (www.vtfishandwildlife.com). Go to “Hunting and Trapping” and click on Lottery Applications.

The permits are only for “antlerless deer,” which is defined as deer without antlers or with antlers less than three inches long.

A hunter who wins an antlerless deer permit in the lottery may use it to take one antlerless deer by muzzleloader during the December 4-12, 2010 muzzleloader season in the wildlife management unit (WMU) designated on the permit.

“We appreciate that most hunters are supportive of scientific deer herd management,” said Dr. Shawn Haskell, Vermont ’s deer biologist. “They realize a certain number of antlerless deer must be removed in some areas of the state in order to keep the deer population in balance with its habitat. Wildlife biologists make recommendations annually, based on winter severity, habitat conditions, deer population goals, and harvest objectives.”

All of Vermont ’s wildlife management units (WMUs) are proposed to have muzzleloader antlerless permits this year except WMUs E, O1 and P. The 25,600 muzzleloader antlerless permits proposed will help slow the growth of the deer population in these units and are expected to net a harvest of about 4,500 deer. The numbers of permits to be issued and WMUs to be open will be determined by the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Board at a later date.

Six WMUs on the western side of the state (A-F1-F2-K1-K2-N) had permits last year that were unallocated after the lottery drawing because not enough people applied.

Applications must be postmarked no later than August 26, 2010, or delivered that day in the Waterbury Fish & Wildlife office by 4:30 p.m. On-line applications will be accepted until midnight of August 26, 2010. The cost to apply is $10 for residents and $25 for nonresidents. A person may submit only one application.

F&W Board Votes on Moose , Turkey Regulations

WATERBURY , VT – 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.

Moose

* The 2010 moose hunt regulation, which initially would have created an October 2-9 archery moose hunt, was voted down. The Board will consider the proposal for 2011.
* A total of 765 either-sex moose hunting permits will be issued for a six-day hunt to be held October 16-21, 2010. A random draw lottery will be held in July.
* The deadline to apply for a moose hunting permit in the lottery is June 1. Applications are available on the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department’s website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com) and at license agents statewide.

Turkey

The proposed fall turkey hunting season would include:

* Hunting with bow and arrow only — to be open 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.

You can read the two proposed regulations in their entirety on the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department’s website (vtfishandwildlife.com). Under “About Us,” click on Fish and Wildlife Board.

Vermont’s 2010 Deer Management Proposal and Hearing

WATERBURY, VT – 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.

The Fish and Wildlife Board will hold a public hearing on the proposed regulation Tuesday, June 22, at 6:30 p.m. in the Pavilion Auditorium, 109 State Street in Montpelier .

The proposal calls for a harvest of about 8,200 antlerless deer through a combination of either-sex hunting during the split archery season, an either-sex youth weekend hunt, and by issuing 25,600 muzzleloader season antlerless permits.

According to the proposal, 23 of Vermont ’s 24 Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) would be open to the taking of antlerless deer during the archery season. WMU-E in northeastern Vermont would remain closed to antlerless deer hunting during archery season. Two deer would be allowed during archery season with two archery licenses. One legal buck would be allowed anywhere in the state during archery season. In WMUs open to antlerless deer hunting, both deer taken during the archery season could be antlerless deer.

Youth deer weekend on November 6-7 is proposed to be an either-sex season statewide. Any buck could be taken during this season, regardless of antler length or points.

Muzzleloader season antlerless permits are proposed for 21 of the 24 WMUs. Higher numbers of permits are proposed for WMUs with the highest deer densities with consideration for the size of the Unit as well.

The department’s deer biologist, Dr. Shawn Haskell, points out that Vermont ’s deer population is healthy with heavy fawns and yearling bucks, and good reproductive potential. After a mild winter statewide, more antlerless deer permits are needed to keep the population from growing and becoming overabundant.

Haskell says Vermont ’s deer have not only increased in number since 2005 but also in size. Fawns taken in the 2009 hunting season weighed an average five pounds heavier than they did ten years ago. He also reports that the antler regulation change that began in 2005 is contributing to more older bucks being in the population and increased hunter satisfaction.

The definition of a “legal buck” will remain any white-tailed deer with at least one antler having two or more points one inch or longer.

The proposed regulation governing the taking of antlerless deer in 2010 is posted on the Fish and Wildlife Department’s website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com). Under “Law Enforcement,” click on Rules and Proposed Rules. A link at the end of the regulation will take you to the department’s Antlerless and Youth Deer Recommendation.

Antlerless permit applications should be available in late June or early July on Fish & Wildlife’s website and at license agents. The deadline to apply will be August 26. In WMUs that have permits unallocated after the initial lottery, there will be opportunity for hunters to purchase a permit if they do not have one, or they may purchase a permit after having filled one. The annual 3-deer bag limit still applies.

Young Wildlife Belong in the Wild

Waterbury, VT – 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.

People often mistakenly assume that young animals they see alone are helpless, lost or in trouble and need rescuing. Taking young wildlife from the wild into a human environment is not a good idea and is against the law. The results are often permanent separation from their mother and almost always a sad ending for the animal.

Handling wildlife also involves threats to the people involved. Diseases as well as angry mothers can pose significant dangers. Moose and bear are especially dangerous and can be expected to attack humans in the vicinity of their young.

Understanding the behavior of animals in the spring and early summer can help people resist the urge to assist wildlife in ways that may do more harm than good.

* Deer and moose nurse their young at different times during the day, and their young are often left alone for long periods of time. These animals are not lost. Their mother knows where they are and will return.

* Young birds chirping on the ground may have left their nest and be signaling their parents to feed them.

* Young animals such as fox and raccoon will often follow their parents. The family of a “wandering” animal searching for food is usually nearby but just out of sight to a person happening upon it.

* Animals that act sick can carry rabies, parasites or other harmful diseases. Do not handle these animals. Even healthy-looking raccoons, foxes, skunks, and bats also may be carriers of the deadly rabies virus.

* Obey signs that restrict access to wildlife nesting areas, including hiking trails that may be temporarily closed. Many wildlife species will not feed or care for their young when people are close.

* Keep domestic pets indoors, leashed or fenced in. Dogs and cats kill many baby animals each year.

* Avoid projects that remove trees, shrubs and dead snags that contain bird and other nests during the spring and summer.

For general information about rabies and nuisance wildlife, call the Vermont

Rabies Hotline at 1-800-472-2437. If bitten or in direct contact with a raccoon, fox, skunk, or bat, or a domestic animal that has been in contact with one of these species, call the Vermont Department of Health at 1-800-640-4374. Report wild animals suspected of having rabies to your local Vermont State Game Warden directly or via state police radio dispatch.

Taking a wild animal into captivity is against the law. Contact the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department at 1-802-241-3700 if you any questions.

Vermont Moose Hunting Application Deadline is June 1

Waterbury, VT – The deadline to apply for a Vermont moose hunting permit is Tuesday, 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 .

Applications are also available on the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department’s website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com). Under “Hunting and Trapping,” click on Lottery Applications. Online applications must be entered by midnight, June 1.

Lottery applications are $10 for residents and $25 for nonresidents. Winners of the permit lottery will purchase resident permits for $100 and nonresident permits for $350.

Proposed hunting season dates for this moose season are October 16-21, 2010. A total of 765 either-sex moose hunting permits will be issued for this season, and 400-450 moose are expected to be taken. Regulations for this season allow the hunter to take moose with certain firearms or bow and arrow.

A lottery to issue hunting permits for a separate archery moose hunting season October 2-9, 2010 is being considered and may be announced in June.

“Our goal is to manage Vermont ’s moose population to keep it in balance with available habitat,” said Cedric Alexander , Vermont ’s lead biologist on moose. “Carefully constructed hunting regulations enable us once again to enjoy having moose in Vermont on a sustainable basis, while their numbers are maintained at levels that fit habitat capacity and the needs of people.”

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.

Featured activities:

Trapping of small mammals, telemetry, use of chemical immobilization equipment, GPS use, wildlife education tools, habitat mapping, bird and herptile surveys, identification of common trees, discussion sessions on careers and current wildlife conservation and management issues. Suggested activities will be on May 18, 21, 24, and 25.

WHEN: May 16-29, 2010

WHERE: at the Edward F. Kehoe Conservation Camp in Castleton.

WHO: John E. McDonald, Jr., Ph.D, Wildlife Research Specialist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Hadley, MA and several fish and wildlife professionals from throughout the Northeast.

The Northeast Section, The Wildlife Society represents the concerns of wildlife professionals in 11 northeastern states (CT, DE, MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT, WV). The MISSION of the Northeast Section of The Wildlife Society is to foster excellence in wildlife stewardship through science and education among wildlife professionals within the northeastern United States .

http://joomla.wildlife.org/NE/

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