Vermont Bear Hunters Had a Record Season in 2019

Posted by Wayne G.Barber

Vermont Bear Hunters Had a Record Season in 2019

MONTPELIER, Vt. – The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department reports that bear hunters in Vermont had a safe and successful hunting season in 2019. 

 

Preliminary numbers show that hunters took a record 750 black bears during the two-part early and late bear seasons.  The previous highest harvest ever recorded in Vermont was 728 in 2004.  Fish and Wildlife also says there were no hunting-related shooting incidents. 

 

The average number of bears taken over the previous 10 years was 597.  The hunting season results are consistent with the goal of maintaining the bear population to within 4,500 to 6,000 bears, according to Fish and Wildlife’s bear biologist Forrest Hammond. 

 

In 2019, hunters took a majority of the bears, 481, in the early season and only 269 in the late bear season, which overlaps with the November deer season.  Many large bears were reported with 12 weighing over 300 pounds.

 

Hammond noted that participation in the early bear season has remained high with large numbers of hunters choosing to purchase a $5 early season bear tag.  “Between an abundant population, a long hunting season and the potential of harvesting delicious and nutritious bear meat, Vermonters and visitors are becoming increasingly interested in hunting this big game animal,” said Hammond. 

 

“Fifty years ago Vermont had less than 1,500 bears, and they were found mostly in the mountains and northeastern quarter of the state,” Hammond said.  “Today we have about 5,000 bears in Vermont, and they are found pretty much throughout the state.” 

 

Bear hunters continue to provide information that is valuable for managing the species including bringing their bear into one of 150 game check stations and by completing hunter effort surveys. 

Each hunter is required to submit a pre-molar tooth from their bear which will provide information on the age of the animal.  Bear ages will be posted on Fish and Wildlife’s website  in early May.

  

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VTF&W photo by John Hall

Vermont’s bear population has increased from 1,500 to about 5,000 since 1970.  

RI Dem New License & Stamps Fees.

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Rhode Island Fishing, Hunting, Stamps

Red Cardinals and Winter Bluebirds a Delight.

Posted by Wayne G. Barber 

My back yard after the boundary stone wall then becomes thick woods and I’ve seen them in the trees on the edge, but never very deep in the woods. Bluebirds are a good conservation success story. Changing landscape (fields and farms to woods) and competition for nest cavities from house sparrows and starlings depleted the bluebird population in the early 20th century. Conservation efforts and manmade bluebird boxes, thankfully, led to a strong rebound for the iconic species.This winter, many of them stuck with us throughout the first cold snap. There’s nothing like seeing that bright baby blue color against the backdrop of freshly fallen snow. Well, except for maybe the red of a male cardinal against snow. The pair of Carolina Wrens come every day and wait their turn at the feeders for some suet.

Cabin Fever ?

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Vermont Deer Hunters Had Another Good Year in 2019

Posted by Wayne G. Barbers

MONTPELIER, Vt. – The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department says preliminary numbers show 16,479 deer were taken during Vermont’s 2019 deer hunting seasons, the fourth highest total since 2000.

 

Reports from big game check stations indicate hunters had successful deer seasons in 2019, taking 3,739 deer in archery season, 1,636 in youth season, 7,467 in rifle season, and 3,637 in muzzleloader season. 

 

The 16,479 deer brought home by hunters yielded nearly 3.3 million servings of local, nutritious venison.

 

“The legal buck harvest of 9,982 was similar to the previous three-year average of 9,833, and it was the third highest buck harvest since 2002,” said Nick Fortin, the department’s deer project leader. 

The primary goal of Vermont’s deer management strategy is to keep the deer herd stable, healthy and in balance with available habitat.  “Maintaining an appropriate number of deer on the landscape ensures deer and the habitats that support them remain in good condition and productive,” said Fortin. “A strong buck harvest following the relatively severe winter of 2019 clearly demonstrates the value of keeping the deer population in balance with its habitat.”

Each year the department operates biological check stations during deer hunting seasons to gather information on the age, sex, field-dressed weight, antler characteristics, and overall health of Vermont’s deer herd.  In 2019, biological data were collected from more than 1,200 deer examined during the two-day youth season and the November rifle season.  Hunters also submitted more than 2,600 teeth from bucks harvested during the rifle season, which will provide additional important age information.  Hunters who submitted a tooth will be able to see the age of their buck in May on Fish and Wildlife’s website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com).

The 2019 White-tailed Deer Harvest Report with final numbers will be on Fish and Wildlife’s website.  Beginning in late March, department biologists will be holding statewide informational hearings to share biological information and to listen to any information people wish to share.

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VTF&W Photo from VT Big Game Trophy Club

Donald Morgan of Charlotte, VT with the 8-point, 192 lb., buck he took during Vermont’s 2019 November deer season in Addison County.

 

Massachusetts Fly-Tying Classes 2020

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

January 8 & 15: Beginner Fly Tying Class, Sudbury – Learn the basic skills of tying your own flies during this free, hands-on, two-session course offered at the Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters (73 Weir Hill Road, Sudbury), 6:30–8:30 p.m. All tools and tying materials provided. *Open to the public for beginning fly tiers only, minimum age is 15. Pre-registration is required. Please contact Jim Lagacy to register at jim.lagacy@mass.gov or (508) 389-6309.

Spawn checking and health check at Wachusetts

Connecticut Winter-Fest 2020

Posted by Wayne G. Barber