Outdoors - page 3

NEWPORT — Vermont has its fair share of flying insects, and mosquitoes seem to thrive here in the summer months. Mosquito surveillance, which includes the weekly collection and testing of specific types of mosquitoes, has begun across the state.

During the past few summers, mosquitoes carrying Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile virus (WNV) have been found in Vermont. Results of mosquito testing will be updated on the Health Department website throughout the summer.

In 2014, there were eight mosquito pools that tested positive for WNV and eight more that tested positive for EEE virus. Human illness caused by mosquitoes is uncommon in the state, but in 2012, two people from Rutland County died from EEE. In 2013, two horses in Franklin County were infected and died.

People in these communities should take precautions to prevent mosquito bites, but it is likely that EEE is present in other parts of the state, so all Vermonters are encouraged to protect themselves against mosquito bites.

The risk of mosquito-borne illness increases during the summer months, and persists until there is a hard frost in the fall. As the warm weather brings out the insects, the Health Department encourages Vermonters to enjoy outdoor activities while taking simple precautions to avoid bites.

Below is a list of precautions the Health Department recommends all Vermonters take:

Weather permitting, wear long sleeves and pants and avoid outdoor activities at dusk and dawn – when mosquitoes are most active.

Reduce mosquito breeding habitats by getting rid of standing water. Drain areas where water can pool: rain gutters, wading pools and any other water-holding containers such as old tires.

If you are outside when mosquitoes are biting, use an effective insect repellent. Choose repellents that have an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registration number on the label. This indicates that the product has been evaluated for safety and effectiveness.

Install or repair screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out.

Protect your animals. Horses are susceptible to WNV and EEE infection, and there are effective vaccines available. Llamas, alpacas and emus are also susceptible and can be immunized with the horse vaccine.

Contact your health care provider if you have questions about your health or need medical attention.

Symptoms of WNV and EEE:

Most people who are infected with WNV will not become ill, and this may be true for EEE as well. Those who become ill with either WNV or EEE will have flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, fatigue, joint and body aches.

Symptoms typically last one or two weeks, and recovery can be complete. However, both viruses have the potential to invade the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and cause more serious illness.

Symptoms of severe disease include fever, intense headache, weakness, poor coordination, irritability, drowsiness and mental status changes.

About one-third of people who develop severe EEE disease will die, and many who recover are left with disabilities. Fortunately, severe EEE is rare.

For more information on West Nile Virus and EEE, and to view EEE risk maps, maps showing towns with active mosquito surveillance, and to find out the latest surveillance results, visit healthvermont.gov.

NEWPORT — Spring has finally arrived in Vermont, and gardeners and landscapers are eagerly breaking out their shovels in anticipation of the year’s spring plantings.

Beyond the beauty new gardens provide, according to Vermont Fish & Wildlife biologist Jon Kart, landscapers can make a big difference for wildlife with the plants they choose,

“Native plants such as black elderberry or wild cherry trees help a variety of species in Vermont, from songbirds to black bears,” said Kart. “And, as concerns mount for pollinator insects, such as bumblebees and monarch butterflies, we’re strongly encouraging Vermont’s gardeners and landscapers to choose plants that help promote these native species.”

Kart says that while some plants may be attractive to birds for their fruit, gardeners should chose those plants whose fruit is high in nutritional value, helping migratory species be more prepared for treks to Central and South America in the fall. Recommended plants include native nannyberry, buttonbush, common winterberry, and silky dogwood, all beautiful and hardy shrubs.

“Fruit from these native plants is like health food to birds, providing them with a lot of nutrition,” said Kart. “When you plant native alternatives, you give birds, bees and butterflies the food and habitat they need to survive.”

Other one-time garden standbys, such as Japanese barberry and honeysuckle, are much less desirable nutritionally and can easily get out of hand.

Invasive plant species are frequently introduced into a new area by well-intentioned gardeners and landscapers, according to state botanist Bob Popp. These invasive plants can cause a variety of problems, such as crowding out native plants that provide food for wildlife or increasing erosion along stream banks.

Vermont Invasives, a joint effort by several Vermont nonprofit and government organizations, keeps a list of native plants that landscapers can use as an easy alternative to nonnative plants on their website at www.vtinvasives.org. The New England Wild Flower Society also maintains information on recommended native plants at www.newenglandwild.org.

For colorful fall foliage, Popp recommends that people plant sugar maple or red maple in place of Norway maple. He says that highbush blueberries also produce fall foliage along with tasty fruit. For privacy, Popp suggests people plant northern white cedar, white spruce or balsam fir as an alternative to blue spruce.

For low-lying wet areas or streambanks, dogwoods, alders, and native willows work best, but Popp advises people against nonnative trees such as white willow, the shrubby basket willow, or European black alder.

For gardeners looking for color, Popp suggests people look for wildflower mixes with a variety of native species such as wild bergamot and rudbeckia (also known as black-eyed Susans) which can help promote local pollinator insects.

“By choosing these plants, you’ll not only do something good for the environment, you’ll have the added enjoyment of attracting butterflies and songbirds into your yard,” said Popp.

NEWPORT — Ticks are a lot like weeds. They survive winter’s freezing temperatures, heavy snowfall and lack of sunshine. These resilient critters can carry pathogens – microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses and parasites, that cause illness.

“Ticks are abundant in all parts of the state. Using bug spray and doing daily tick checks should be part of every Vermonter’s routine,” said Erica Berl, an infectious disease epidemiologist for the Vermont Department of Health. “The earlier you remove a tick, the less likely you are to become sick.”

Thirteen different tick species have been identified in Vermont, but only four are known to carry pathogens that cause disease in humans.

Lyme disease, one of the more common tickborne diseases in Vermont, is transmitted from the bite of infected deer ticks. Symptoms of Lyme disease include an expanding red skin rash, swollen joints and flu-like symptoms. The number of cases reported to the Health Department peaked in 2013 with nearly 900 cases, and there were nearly 600 cases last year.

Transmission can be prevented if the tick is removed within about 36 hours, but the nymphs are so small that they can go unnoticed if you aren’t looking for them carefully. Most infections occur in the summer months when the nymphs are most active.

Lyme disease can be successfully treated with antibiotics, especially if treatment is given early. Left untreated, Lyme disease may affect other parts of the body, including the heart and nervous system. If you believe you may have been infected or have developed a rash or fever, call your health care provider as soon as possible.

The Health Department is advising everyone to take the following actions this spring and summer:

AVOID — Areas that are good tick habitat such as tall grass, or areas with a lot of brush and leaf litter, and along forest edges.

REPEL — Before you go outside, remember to use insect repellant with up to 30% DEET and treat clothes with permethrin. When possible, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants and tuck your pants into your socks to keep ticks away from your skin. Inspect yourself regularly when outside to catch any ticks before they bite.

INSPECT — Do daily tick checks on yourself, children and pets. Check yourself from head to toe. While nymphs are most commonly found on the lower legs, they may be anywhere on the body.

REMOVE — Remove ticks promptly. Showering within two hours of coming indoors has also been proven effective in preventing Lyme disease by washing ticks off the skin.

For the past two years, the Health Department has encouraged Vermonters to report ticks, including how many, and what type. A deer tick pulled off clothing on Sleepy Hollow Road, in Colchester, and a Lonestar tick pulled off a dog on Mosquitoville Road between Rygate and Peacham were among the hundreds of reports posted on the Health Department’s Tick Tracker website last year.

To report a tick, visit the tick tracker at: https://apps.health.vermont.gov/gis/vttracking/ticktracker/2015/

NEWPORT — With some of the best walleye fishing in New England in the Northeast Kingdom, the Vermont walleye fishing season is underway. The season officially opened on Saturday. The Northeast Kingdom offers walleye fishing opportunities in Salem Lake, Island Pond, Clyde Pond, and the Clyde River.

In all waters of Vermont except Lake Carmi, Chittenden Reservoir and the Connecticut River, walleye and sauger have an 18” minimum length requirement and three-fish daily limit. The open season runs from May 2 to March 15, 2016.

“We expect walleye fishing may be good this spring in some of the Lake Champlain tributaries because the cold spring temperatures and late runoff have delayed spawning, which ultimately means more walleye will be in the rivers than we’d see during a normal spring,” said Chet MacKenzie, fisheries biologist with Vermont Fish & Wildlife. “Though it’s always difficult to predict, we’d expect the Winooski, Lamoille and Missisquoi Rivers to provide the best chance for anglers to connect with walleye early in the season.”

A number of other rivers and lakes across Vermont offer quality walleye fishing opportunities as well, though anglers should be aware that regulations may vary depending on the waterbody they are fishing.

Lake Carmi has a slot limit for walleye because of the lake’s high rates of natural walleye reproduction and high fishing pressure. The minimum length is 15 inches, and all walleye between 17 and 19 inches must be released. The daily limit is five walleye, but only one may be over 19 inches long. The season is open May 2 through March 15.

Chittenden Reservoir has special walleye regulations in order to produce large walleye that can help control its over-abundant yellow perch population, and provide anglers with an opportunity to harvest a trophy walleye. The minimum length is 22 inches, the daily limit is two, and the season is open June 1 through March 15.

Connecticut River walleye fishing rules are set by New Hampshire. No walleye between 16 and 18 inches may be kept and the daily limit is four fish, of which only one may be longer than 18 inches.

Vermont’s state record walleye weighed 14.55 lbs. and was caught in Lake Champlain by Richard Levesque of Swanton in 2010.

To learn more about fishing in Vermont or to purchase a Vermont fishing license, visit www.vtfishandwildlife.com.

NEWPORT — Despite the late return of spring, Vermont’s traditional trout fishing season opened today, marking the start of some of the best trout fishing of the year in the Green Mountain State.

Vermont’s spring trout season, which is widely popular among resident and non-resident anglers alike, can often afford an angler the greatest opportunity to catch trout in rivers and streams.

“Many of the biggest brown and rainbow trout caught in Vermont rivers each year are taken during the spring season,” said Eric Palmer, director of fisheries with the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department. “Though the cold, high water early in the season may force anglers to fish slower in order to tempt sluggish fish, as the spring temperatures rise, the action can really pick up.”

Vermont is known for its excellent fishing opportunities for wild trout, as well as for stocked trout – including large, two-year old trophy trout that will be stocked statewide in the coming weeks.

Over 18,000 trophy trout will be stocked throughout Vermont in 2015 and anglers will be able to fish over 34 miles of rivers and 28 lakes and ponds that are designated as trophy water.

Vermont’s landscape offers quality habitat for brook, brown and rainbow trout, including a mix of smaller, boulder-lined mountain streams and larger, meandering creeks and rivers at lower elevations.

“Whether you prefer to fish smaller, remote streams in the woods, larger rivers in the valleys, or one of our many lakes and ponds, Vermont really has it all,” said Palmer. “We have excellent populations of trout across a range of habitats and that makes Vermont a special place to fish for people of all ages and abilities.”

As an added bonus, Vermont’s catch-and-release bass fishing season in lakes also starts on April 11, and continues through June 12 when the regular bass season starts. Only lures and flies may be used during the catch-and-release season, and bass must be released immediately.

NEWPORT — According to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department, wild turkey hunters had safe and successful spring and fall hunting seasons in 2014.

A total of 6,414 turkeys were taken by hunters during Vermont’s three hunting seasons, which consists of the spring youth hunt, the regular May spring season, and the fall turkey hunt.

Young turkey hunters mentored by experienced hunters took 554 bearded turkeys, which are almost always males, during the youth turkey hunt on the weekend before the regular spring season.

Hunters took 4,628 bearded turkeys in the May 1-31 regular spring turkey season.

Fall turkey hunting during October and November produced 1,232 turkeys of either sex, which was double that of 2013 and one of the highest fall harvests since Vermont’s wild turkey population was restored in the early 1970’s.

“Although the total harvest is less than last year’s record, I am pleased that it is higher than average,” said wild turkey project leader Amy Alfieri. “This year’s harvest number shows that Vermont’s wild turkey population at this time can sustain itself through long, cold winter’s like that of last year.”

Vermont’s wild turkey population is estimated at 45,000 to 60,000 birds.

Vermont Fish & Wildlife also reports that no turkey hunting-related shooting incidents were reported for the fourth consecutive year.

NEWPORT — Vermont Fish & Wildlife is reminding Vermonters that it’s alright to put out those bird feeders now that Vermont’s black bears are sleeping in their dens for the winter, but, the department is offering some advice about bird feeder cleanliness before you run out and buy that first twenty dollar bag of seed.

Fish & Wildlife says cleaning bird feeders on a regular basis is an important and often overlooked component of feeding birds so they don’t become sick.

“Feeding birds in the winter is a source of great enjoyment for bird enthusiasts, but it can also cause diseases to spread quickly among wild birds,” says John Buck, the state’s lead biologist on migratory birds. “It is critical to clean those birdfeeders at least once a month in order to prevent a buildup of harmful pathogens.”

Bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites can cause diseases such as aspergillosis, salmonella, avian pox, trichomoniasis, and conjunctivitis. Species commonly affected by bird feeder diseases are redpolls, pine siskins, goldfinches, sparrows, and cardinals.

Buck recommends using a solution of one part bleach to nine parts hot water to kill bacteria. Hot water with unscented dish detergent also does an excellent job. Wear rubber gloves to avoid any contamination. Be sure to clean inside and outside surfaces. Bottle brushes work well in tube feeders.

Be sure to thoroughly rinse your feeders to prevent residual chlorine from being ingested by birds. Then, dry the feeders well before filling them again. Any remaining moisture could lead to mold and mildew that can cause rotten, unhealthy seed.

Also, take time to remove seed and droppings in nearby areas where birds congregate. Birds can spill seed and leave debris several feet away from feeders.

Clean birdfeeders and feeding areas will attract more birds and keep them healthier for birders to enjoy.

NEWPORT — According to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department, Vermont moose hunters had a successful hunting season this year. A record bull was taken in the October 1-7 archery moose hunt. The regular moose hunting season was October 18-23.

“A preliminary count shows that by October 28 the department had received official reports of 22 moose being taken by 54 hunters in the archery season, and 147 moose taken by 289 hunters in the regular season,” said Cedric Alexander, Vermont’s moose project leader. He said a few additional reports may still be sent in from other reporting agents.

“Vermont’s moose population is being managed scientifically, according to a plan developed on sound wildlife biology and input from the public,” said Alexander. “The overall regular season hunter success rate reported to date is 51 percent, down slightly from 54 percent last year.”

Hunters in northern Vermont enjoyed higher success rates, ranging from 68 to 72 percent in Wildlife Management Units in Lamoille, Orleans, Caledonia, and Essex Counties. Hunters in central and southern Vermont had lower success rates.

Of note, for the second year in a row, biologists who surveyed for winter tick larva on harvested moose found them much reduced. Tick loads were 41 percent lower than last year, perhaps due to a late snowpack last April. These reduced loads should help moose come through this next winter in better shape than in previous years.

After applying for more than 22 years, Kevin Rice of South Pomfret, finally received a moose permit and maximized his rare opportunity to harvest a moose. Using his hunting knife and black spray paint, Rice fashioned a cardboard cow moose decoy from a refrigerator carton.

On opening morning of the archery season Rice and his hunting partner, Steve Schaefer, of Hartford, tried using a moose call with no luck. But later that morning a huge bull moose Rice had previously seen while scouting saw the decoy and came running straight in.

“He was swaying his antlers from side to side, grunting and drooling,” said Rice, who stood up and drew his bow when the moose was 15 yards away. “He kept coming, anyway,” Rice remembers. “My opportunity for a good shot came when he was just seven yards away.”

The dressed moose weighed 919 lbs. with an antler spread of 52 inches and was easily the largest bull moose ever taken in a Vermont archery season and the 15th biggest of all moose taken since moose hunting started in 1993.

“All the effort was worth it,” said Rice. “We have a freezer full of delicious moose meat, and it truly was a hunt of a lifetime.”

A final report on Vermont’s moose hunting season will be available in January when all of the 2014 data has been received and reviewed.

NEWPORT – Great weather, targeted advertising, and more than $300,000 focused on the fall season alone, prompted a strong summer and foliage tourism season in Vermont. More than 4 million people visited Vermont this summer from around the world, and the early reports regarding foliage visitors has been promising. In addition, the Department of Tourism and Marketing is fine-tuning a $350,000 winter ad campaign to ensure this ski and snowboard season gets off to a strong start.

“Columbus Day holiday weekend is the busiest of the year in Vermont, with visitors heading to hiking trails, inns and lodges, museums, restaurants and other attractions across the entire state,” Gov. Peter Shumlin said. “Given the importance of this industry to Vermont’s economy and job creation, I’m thrilled we’ve had such a strong year, and committed to doing what it takes to ensure visitors across the globe know how much Vermont has to offer.”

Fall accounts for $460 million in tourism spending, just over 25 percent of Vermont’s annual spending by visitors. The state sees approximately 3.57 million visitors in fall, who spend $128 per person. Fall is the season that universally canvasses the state with tourism. The economic impact reaches well beyond resort areas, major attractions or the cities, with back road and small town touring being on most travelers’ to-do lists.

Gov. Shumlin noted that the state committed $310,000 to an advertising campaign designed to bring visitors from New York and Boston. More than 2.7 million tourists travel from New York and Massachusetts annually to Vermont, bringing to $370 million the annual spending by visitors. Included in the advertising package is an editorial, print and digital campaign, as well as broad marketing.

Vermont saw a healthy summer tourism season, as well. With tax revenue for meals and rooms collected during September up 6.9 percent over last year – and up 5.16 percent for the three months of the fiscal year to date – the hospitality/recreation sector has clearly enjoyed a strong summer season. The room sales (essentially hotel/inn/lodge stays) were up 11.2 percent for the second quarter (April through June).

State Park visitation will easily surpass 950,000 this year, hitting 946,000 as of October 6, an increase of 8 percent. This is the highest visit count since 1989. The numbers roughly break down to 400,000 camping (184,000 residents/216,000 visitors), and 550,000 day use visits (450,000 residents/100,000 visitors).

Outdoor recreation activity generates $2.5 billion in Vermont retail sales and services (12 percent of gross state product) annually. That sector alone results in $753 million in salaries and wages for 34,000 jobs – and $176 million in state tax revenue.

“Our working landscape, healthy forests and favorable weather have combined for another spectacular Vermont foliage season,” said Michael Snyder, Commissioner of Forests, Parks and Recreation. “With visitors and veteran observers alike calling this the best – most vibrant and extended – foliage season in memory, we are enjoying a strong finish to an exceptional summer and fall season for our parks and for outdoor recreation throughout the state.”

Although specifics are still being worked out, the Vermont Department of Tourism & Marketing has budgeted $350,000 for winter advertising. In addition, the state is collaborating with Ski Vermont, Cabot and the Burlington International Airport to increase this budget with partnered media purchases in Boston, New York, Toronto and Quebec. This year’s campaign will get a jump start by beginning earlier than in past years. Typical advertising campaigns begin post-holiday, however this year the Department is launching Vermont’s winter advertising campaign immediately after the Thanksgiving holiday.

In the 2013-14 season, Vermont ski areas logged over 4.5 million visits, nearly matching the most skiers and riders ever seen in the state’s history. Those visits translate into over $700 million in direct spending throughout the season, with over two-thirds of those expenditures occurring off-mountain throughout Vermont’s villages and towns. The resorts themselves spend over $250 million with nearly 3,000 Vermont businesses for the goods and services they need to run their resorts, and significantly supporting the creation of over 34,000 jobs in the leisure and hospitality industry.

“As Vermont’s legendary leaves turn to snow, we can’t wait to start spinning the lifts after last year’s near-record season,” said Ski Vermont president Parker Riehle. “Vermont remains the top ski state in the east and the third-biggest in the country and we couldn’t be more proud of being an iconic cornerstone of Vermont’s critically important tourism economy. This season, we are excited to once again be offering the 5th Grade Passport Program which provides free skiing for 5th graders throughout the season at all alpine and Nordic ski areas.”

Finally, the Tourism booth at the Vermont Building at Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, Mass., was staffed by more than 50 volunteers representing Vermont businesses, lodging establishments, attractions and chambers of commerce. The 17-day fair welcomed 1,498,605 visitors, which is a new record.

Vermont innkeepers participating in the department’s annual survey of lodging establishments consistently report that around 5 percent of their guests are visitors from overseas. Vermont’s inquiry data from information requests from overseas – not Canada – indicates the following ranking for the top 20 countries: Great Britain, Germany, Australia, Spain, Brazil, Italy, France, Netherlands, Switzerland, Algeria, Israel, India, Austria, Russia, Ireland, Belgium, Argentina, Morocco, New Zealand, and Sweden.

“Vermont’s tourism economy continues to gain momentum year after year as development in our sector continues to grow,” said Megan Smith, Commissioner of Tourism and Marketing. “Investments in Vermont’s infrastructure and tourism facilities have helped to support this growth. Vermont’s strong reputation for outdoor recreation, unparalleled beauty and an unspoiled landscape have contributed to our strong tourism economy. It’s important that we keep these attributes in mind as our industry grows.”

NEWPORT — Hunters who take a bear, deer, turkey, or moose during the Vermont hunting seasons must bring the animal within 48 hours to the nearest game warden or to the nearest Vermont Fish & Wildlife reporting station. Below is a list of wardens and reporting stations in Orleans County.

State Wardens

Jason Dukette, Derby – 754-2468
Jenna Reed, Newport Center – 334-1215
Spc. Russell Shopland – 472-3040

Reporting Stations

Bob’s Quick Stop, Irasburg – 754-2104
C. Village Store, Craftsbury – 586-2554
Currier’s Market, Glover – 525-8822
Degre Auction Service, LLC, Westfield – 744-2427
E.M. Brown & Son, Inc., Barton – 525-3422
Evansville Trading Post, Brownington – 754-6305
Four Corners Mini-Mart, North Troy – 988-4600
Green Mountain Sporting Goods, Irasburg – 754-6165
Lanoue’s General Store, Orleans – 754-6365
Mister O’s Sporting Goods, Newport – 334-5525
Smith’s Grocery, Greensboro Bend – 533-2631
The Lucier Store, Newport Center – 334-8056
Wright’s Enterprises, Newport – 334-6115

NEWPORT — Hunters are enthusiastic about Vermont’s upcoming October 4 – 26 and December 6 – 14 split archery deer hunting season.

A hunter may take up to three deer in Vermont’s two-part archery season with three archery licenses. No more than one of the deer taken during archery season may be a legal buck. No antlerless deer may be taken in Wildlife Management Unit (WMUs) D2, E1 or E2, where antlerless deer hunting is prohibited in 2014.

In Vermont a hunter may take up to three deer in a calendar year in any combination of seasons (Archery, Youth Weekend, November Rifle Season, December Muzzleloader). Of these, only two may be legal bucks, and only one buck may be taken in each season. A “legal buck” is a deer with at least one antler having two or more points one inch or longer. All three deer in the annual bag limit may be antlerless deer.

In order to purchase an archery license, the hunter must show a certificate of satisfactorily completing a bow hunter education course, or show a previous or current bow hunting license from any state or Canadian province, or sign an affidavit that they have previously held an archery license.

Hunters must have a standard hunting license in order to purchase an add-on archery deer hunting license, except that nonresidents may purchase an “archery only deer license” costing just $75. Licenses may be quickly and easily purchased on Fish & Wildlife’s website www.vtfishandwildlife.com.

It is now legal to carry a pistol or revolver while bow hunting deer in the bow and arrow season. The pistol or revolver may not be used to take game or dispatch the deer. It is illegal to carry a rifle, shotgun or muzzleloader while bow hunting deer in the bow and arrow deer season.

A person shall not take any wild animal by shooting a firearm, muzzleloader, bow and arrow or crossbow while on or within 25 feet of the traveled portion of a public highway, except a public highway designated Class 4 on a town highway map. A person while on or within the traveled portion of a Class 4 public highway shall not take any wild animal by shooting a firearm, muzzleloader, bow and arrow, or crossbow.

Tree stands and ground blinds may only be built or used if the hunter has landowner permission. This includes portable as well as permanent stands and blinds. A hunter constructing or using a stand or blind must permanently mark his or her name and address on it so that it may be conveniently and easily read. Landowners are exempted from this requirement. On Vermont State Wildlife Management Areas, it is illegal to use nails, bolts or screws, including screw-in climbing steps, or wire, chain or other material that penetrates through the bark.

Because additional restrictions apply, hunters are urged to read the entire law governing the use of stands and blinds on page 21 of the “2014 Vermont Guide to Hunting, Fishing & Trapping,” available online and where licenses are sold.

NEWPORT — Early black bear hunting season starts September 1. Hunters who take a bear, deer, turkey, or moose during the Vermont hunting seasons must bring the animal within 48 hours to the nearest game warden or to the nearest Vermont Fish & Wildlife reporting station. Below is a list of big game hunting season dates, along with phone numbers of wardens and reporting stations in Orleans County for 2014.

Big Game Hunting

Sep 1 – Nov 14 Early Black Bear Hunting Season
Oct 1 – Oct 7 Moose Archery Hunting
Oct 4 – Oct 24 Bow & Arrow Turkey Hunting in all WMU’s Statewide
Oct 4 – Oct 26 Bow & Arrow Deer Hunting
Oct 18 – Oct 23 Regular Moose Hunting Season

Oct 25 – Shotgun or Bow & Arrow Turkey Hunting Opens for Select WMU’s
Nov 2 – Shotgun or Bow & Arrow Turkey Hunting Closes for Select WMU’s

Nov 8 – Nov 9 Youth Rifle Deer Hunting Weekend

Nov 9 – Shotgun or Bow & Arrow Turkey Hunting Closes in Select WMU’s

Nov 15 – Nov 23 Late Black Bear Hunting Season
Nov 15 – Nov 30 Rifle Deer Hunting Season
Dec 6 – Dec 14 Bow & Arrow Deer Hunting
Dec 6 – Dec 14 Muzzleloader Deer Hunting Season

ORLEANS COUNTY

State Wardens
Jason Dukette, Derby – 754-2468
Jenna Reed, Newport Center – 334-1215
Spc. Russell Shopland – 472-3040

REPORTING STATIONS

Bob’s Quick Stop, Irasburg – 754-2104

C. Village Store, Craftsbury – 586-2554

Currier’s Market, Glover – 525-8822

Degre Auction Service, LLC, Westfield – 744-2427

E.M. Brown & Son, Inc., Barton – 525-3422

Evansville Trading Post, Brownington – 754-6305

Four Corners Mini-Mart, North Troy – 988-4600

Green Mountain Sporting Goods, Irasburg – 754-6165

Lanoue’s General Store, Orleans – 754-6365

Mister O’s Sporting Goods, Newport – 334-5525

Smith’s Grocery, Greensboro Bend – 533-2631

The Lucier Store, Newport Center – 334-8056

Wright’s Enterprises, Newport – 334-6115

MONTPELIER — The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Board approved the 2014 migratory bird hunting season dates at its August 13 meeting in Montpelier.

A statewide Vermont open hunting season for Canada geese will occur September 2 – 25. The daily bag limit is five Canada geese during this September season. The purpose of the September season is to help control Vermont’s resident Canada goose population prior to the arrival of Canada geese migrating south from Canada.

A second Canada goose hunting season, which targets both resident and migrant birds, will be held October 10 – November 28, with a daily bag limit of three Canada geese in the Lake Champlain and Interior Vermont Zones. In the Connecticut River Zone, the Canada goose season will be October 2 – November 2, and November 16 – December 23, with a daily bag limit of three Canada geese.

Duck season this fall opens on Wednesday, October 8, in the Lake Champlain and Interior Vermont Zones, and on October 2, in the Connecticut River Zone. The Lake Champlain Zone has a split season, October 8 – 12 and October 25 – December 18. The Interior Vermont Zone is a straight season, October 8 – December 6. The Connecticut River Zone is a split season, October 2 – November 2, and November 16 – December 13.

Vermont’s youth waterfowl hunting weekend will be September 27 and 28. Resident and nonresident hunters 15 years of age or younger may hunt ducks and geese statewide during this season while accompanied by an adult 18 or older. Both must have Vermont hunting licenses. The adult may not hunt or carry a firearm. The youth and the adult are not required to hold state or federal duck stamps on this weekend.

Woodcock hunting season is October 1 – November 14, statewide with a three-bird bag limit.

In addition to a hunting license, a waterfowl hunter 16 or older must carry current federal and Vermont duck stamps in order to hunt waterfowl in Vermont. Federal stamps are sold at post offices. State duck stamps are available on Vermont Fish & Wildlife’s website www.vtfishandwildlife.com, and from license agents. The hunter must sign the federal duck stamp.

All migratory game bird hunters must also be registered with the Harvest Information Program (H.I.P.) in each state they hunt. You can register on Vermont Fish & Wildlife’s website or call: 1-877-306-7091.

After providing some basic information, you will receive your annual H.I.P. registration number, which you then need to record in the H.I.P. section of your hunting license.

The hunting season dates, bag limits and related regulations for all migratory birds are set annually in August within a framework established by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and in coordination with New York and New Hampshire.

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department and Trout Unlimited have partnered to improve trout habitat in the Nulhegan River watershed in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom.

The team, led by Jud Kratzer, fisheries biologist for the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department, and Joe Norton, project manager for Trout Unlimited’s Upper Connecticut Home Rivers Initiative, have been updating culverts under roads to improve upstream passage for trout so that they can access spawning habitat and find cooler water in the heat of summer. They have also been strategically felling trees into the river in order to improve trout habitat.

“Good trout habitat is often messy,” said Kratzer. “It’s full of boulders, trees, sticks, and leaves. It may not look like the manicured stream bank that you would find in a city park, but trout thrive in that environment.”

According to Kratzer, historical logging practices around the turn of the twentieth century took a toll on trout habitat in the Nulhegan watershed. In order to ship Vermont logs to mills in southern New England, dams were built, riverbeds were straightened, and large boulders and trees were removed. This drastic alteration in the river proved devastating for trout, and much of the damage still exists today.

The team has replaced two culverts that were barriers to the upstream movement of fish with bridges that now allow fish to move upstream into areas that were previously inaccessible to them.

“In some instances, we are opening up smaller trout streams that have not had access for larger mainstem trout for nearly 50 years,” said Norton.

The team has also strategically added wood to portions of several rivers and streams in the watershed. These strategic wood additions are improving fish habitat by providing places for trout and other fish to hide from predators, retaining food for the aquatic invertebrates that fish eat, and by helping the river to form deeper runs, which trout prefer over shallow riffles.

“We’re all working together to restore the rivers in this watershed so that trout have a place to thrive and reproduce,” said Kratzer. “Past land use practices have left a legacy of poor trout habitat in many of Vermont’s rivers. Our work is one small step towards restoring the former health and beauty of these waters.”