Michael Pittman Jr. of Wayside, W.V., landed a 40.88-inch, 21.38-pound striped bass July 8 at Bluestone Lake, setting a new state record for length.
The fish topped the previous record striper length of 37.75 inches. That fish also came from Bluestone Lake in 2006.
The fish falls short in the weight category. The state record striper heavyweight tipped the scales at 29.56 pounds -- another Bluestone striper.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Colorado Record Laker Tops 50 Pounds
A Blue Mesa Reservoir angler caught a new Colorado state record lake trout May 23, besting the old record by nearly 4 pounds.
Don Walker caught a 50 pound, 5 ounce fish that measured 44 1/4 inches in length with a girth of 34 3/8 inches. The old record was a 46-pound, 14-ounce fish that was 42 1/2 inches long.
"I've been fishing there a long time," Walker said. "So when it hit I knew I had a big fish on."
Walker was fishing with a tube jig in 40 feet of water, bouncing the lure on the bottom. He said his graphite rod rigged with 12-pound test line was bent double and it took him 25 minutes to bring the fish to net.
"You've got to play a fish like that just right or you'll break the line," Walker said.
His wife, Paula, netted the fish and earned kudos from Walker for her net work.
"You need a lot of help with a fish like that, you need a good netter," Walker said. "Paula did a good job."
Don Walker caught a 50 pound, 5 ounce fish that measured 44 1/4 inches in length with a girth of 34 3/8 inches. The old record was a 46-pound, 14-ounce fish that was 42 1/2 inches long.
"I've been fishing there a long time," Walker said. "So when it hit I knew I had a big fish on."
Walker was fishing with a tube jig in 40 feet of water, bouncing the lure on the bottom. He said his graphite rod rigged with 12-pound test line was bent double and it took him 25 minutes to bring the fish to net.
"You've got to play a fish like that just right or you'll break the line," Walker said.
His wife, Paula, netted the fish and earned kudos from Walker for her net work.
"You need a lot of help with a fish like that, you need a good netter," Walker said. "Paula did a good job."
Monday, May 21, 2007
Global Warming and Brook Trout Habitat
Great article in the Rutland Herald about the impact of global warming on the brook trout fishery in Vermont.
The article points out that as the temperature continues to climb, the suitable habitat for brook trout will diminish with less than 100 years before brook trout can only be found in the highest mountain streams.
From the story:
The full story can be read here.
It's enlightening, entertaining and flat out scary.
The article points out that as the temperature continues to climb, the suitable habitat for brook trout will diminish with less than 100 years before brook trout can only be found in the highest mountain streams.
From the story:
The national nonprofit Natural Resources Defense Council and Defenders of Wildlife spotlighted the problem in a 2002 report "Effects of Global Warming on Trout and Salmon in U.S. Streams." Using weather projections from the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, they estimated that upward of 40 percent or more of rivers and streams now suitable for cold-water fish will become too warm to sustain them by 2090.
Federal projections are even worse. A New England Regional Climate Variability and Change Assessment done for the U.S. Global Change Research Program says if the Earth's greenhouse-gas levels double because of fossil-fuel burning and other emissions, "the region faces a 50- to 100-percent potential loss of habitat for brown, brook, and rainbow trout."
The full story can be read here.
It's enlightening, entertaining and flat out scary.
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Cliffs Closed to Protect Peregrine Falcon Nests
The Fish & Wildlife Department has announced that eight cliff areas have been closed to protect nesting peregine falcons.
The areas include the following:
- Nichols Ledge in Woodbury - access to any part of the cliff is closed.
- Fairlee Palisades in Fairlee - access to any part of the cliff is closed.
- Deer Leap in Bristol - access to any part of the cliff is closed.
- Bolton Notch in Bolton - trail below cliff is open, but cliff access is closed.
- Rattlesnake Point in Salisbury - southern overlook is closed, western overlook is open.
- Mt. Horrid in Goshen/Rochester - access to any part of the cliff is closed, but Great Cliff lookout is open.
- Snake Mountain in Addison - cliff top south of pond is closed, all trails are open.
- Smuggler's Notch in Cambridge - Elephant's Head area is closed.
Doug Blodgett, Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department biologist, said the areas will be closed until Aug. 1, but if a falcon pair doesn't nest or if the nesting is not successful, the areas will be reopened.
Area updates will be posted on the Fish & Wildlife's Web site at: www.vtfishandwildlife.com or by calling (802) 241-3700.
Steven D. Faccio
Peregrine Falcons
"The areas closed include the portions of the cliffs where the birds are nesting and the trails leading to the cliff tops or overlooks," Blodgett said. "In many cases the lower portions of the trails are still open. Signs are posted at the trailhead or along the trail indicating which areas are off limits."
If you see peregrines, report it to the Fish & Wildlife by e-mailing: doug.blodgett@state.vt.us.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Powdr Says Passes Went Away With ASC
The Rutland Herald covered the Killington lifetime ski pass brouhaha.
In the article, a Powdr representative basically says the pass holders are SOL.
That doesn't look good for pass owners, although there is still talk of potential legal action on some of the discussion boards and blogs that are hitting the issue.
Read the Herald article here.
In the article, a Powdr representative basically says the pass holders are SOL.
However, Powdr spokesman Mark Fischer said Thursday the filings Post was
referencing only pertained to ASC, not to Powdr or SP Land."Powdr is under no obligation whatsoever to provide the lifetime passes," he said.
He said that's because the passes were only designed to last as long as Sherburne Corp. or its successors. When Powdr and SP Land bought the resort, they bought the land, facilities and equipment but not Killington Ltd. and its liabilities.
"The lifetime passes don't refer to their lifetime, it's the lifetime of the corporation," Fischer said. "Powdr, in an effort of good will, will provide for the passes for the next couple of years, and we're under no obligation to do that. We just don't want to cut people off cold turkey."
That doesn't look good for pass owners, although there is still talk of potential legal action on some of the discussion boards and blogs that are hitting the issue.
Read the Herald article here.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Officials: The Water is Cold
OK, that might seem obvious, but apparently some people don't know that the water they're boating on is cold.
So some people are encouraging boaters to take precautions or maybe even just stay home.
According to an Associated Press story, the water temperature in some lakes and rivers is in the 40 degree to 50 degree range, a temperature that saps the life from a body in as little as a half an hour.
It takes even less than that for the cold water to have an affect on you.
A few years back I was tossed from the drift boat from which I was fishing into 42-degree river water. The immediate impact was stunning. My breath was ripped from my lungs as I gasped for air. After 30 seconds, I was able to breath more normally, but almost instantly the cold began to sap my strength.
It was all I could do to swim the 30 yards or so to the shore of the river, which was flowing at about 5,000 cubic feet per second. When I finally reached the shore several minutes later and hundreds of yards downstream, I was so weak I couldn't stand up for several more minutes, crawling from the water on my hands and knees and laying in the sun to regain my strength.
Two fishing partners were in the same shape as I was and we all agreed the PFDs were likely the difference in making it to shore or not. I'm not sure how much more time I could have spent in the water and still had the strength to make it to shore.
Please folks, wear your PFDs no matter how strong a swimmer you are.
So some people are encouraging boaters to take precautions or maybe even just stay home.
According to an Associated Press story, the water temperature in some lakes and rivers is in the 40 degree to 50 degree range, a temperature that saps the life from a body in as little as a half an hour.
It takes even less than that for the cold water to have an affect on you.
A few years back I was tossed from the drift boat from which I was fishing into 42-degree river water. The immediate impact was stunning. My breath was ripped from my lungs as I gasped for air. After 30 seconds, I was able to breath more normally, but almost instantly the cold began to sap my strength.
It was all I could do to swim the 30 yards or so to the shore of the river, which was flowing at about 5,000 cubic feet per second. When I finally reached the shore several minutes later and hundreds of yards downstream, I was so weak I couldn't stand up for several more minutes, crawling from the water on my hands and knees and laying in the sun to regain my strength.
Two fishing partners were in the same shape as I was and we all agreed the PFDs were likely the difference in making it to shore or not. I'm not sure how much more time I could have spent in the water and still had the strength to make it to shore.
Please folks, wear your PFDs no matter how strong a swimmer you are.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Killington Lifetime Passes Won't Be Honored?
Killington lifetime pass holders may be getting the shaft.
It does appear, based on all the talk on blogs, online discussion forums and from other sources that the new owners are yanking the lifetime passes.
But can they? A lot of people don't think so, but there have been no lawyers or business contract experts weighing in on these discussion. Mostly it's just a bunch of skiers who feel like Powdr is giving these people the shaft.
Here is a key provision of the Purchase Agreement as found on the Securities Exchange Commission.
This is the link to the full Purchase Agreement.
Now, I'm no lawyer, nor would I want to be, but this little piece of the purchase agreement certainly sounds to me like lifetime pass holders were expected to keep those passes and the new owners bought the responsiblity of honoring those passes.
I guess time will tell.
It does appear, based on all the talk on blogs, online discussion forums and from other sources that the new owners are yanking the lifetime passes.
But can they? A lot of people don't think so, but there have been no lawyers or business contract experts weighing in on these discussion. Mostly it's just a bunch of skiers who feel like Powdr is giving these people the shaft.
Here is a key provision of the Purchase Agreement as found on the Securities Exchange Commission.
PURCHASE AGREEMENT
by and among
American Skiing
Company
Killington, Ltd., Pico Ski Area Management Company
and
SP Land
Company, LLC
February 16, 2007
Article VIII - Covenants
8.23 Lifetime Passes. Buyer shall honor all Lifetime Passes and shall cause any agreement for the sale of the Resort or the Business to require such subsequent owner to honor such passes; provided that in no event shall Buyer be required to enforce (nor shall it have any liability in respect to) such covenant with respect to such subsequent owner. This covenant shall survive Closing indefinitely.
This is the link to the full Purchase Agreement.
Now, I'm no lawyer, nor would I want to be, but this little piece of the purchase agreement certainly sounds to me like lifetime pass holders were expected to keep those passes and the new owners bought the responsiblity of honoring those passes.
I guess time will tell.
More on Browns River Conservation Effort
The Associated Press featured an interesting story about the Upper Browns River on Monday.
The story is about the project near Westford in Morgan Brook, a feeder stream for the Browns River that was recently named one of 10 rivers to watch by a national group.
Here's a Blog entry I made about this river May 1.
In the AP story, writer Wilson Ring writes:
"Morgan Brook is barely three feet wide and less than a foot deep, but the meandering waterway is still capable of supporting a population of six-inch brook trout."
The story details how the brook is being reclaimed by adding fencing to keep cattle out when it crosses fields, trees are being planted to provide cooling shade, farmers are being paid to keep their cornfields farther from the river banks, and a culvert will be replaced with a bridge to allow the fish passage upstream.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Biologist Christopher Smith said the changes are starting to pay off, but the real benefit is well on down the road.
"Restoration really starts with change in land use," Smith said in the AP article. "This is a project that will play itself out over the next 10 to 15 years."
The effort is a multiagency program with state and federal agencies cooperating with local landowners and conservation groups to make the restoration effort work even though many of the agencies are participating for completely different reasons, according to the article.
One governmental entity may only be interested in clean water, while another wants to ensure the survival of the fish species.
More on the restoration efforts and the program behind it can be found at: www.fishhabitat.org.
This is exactly the kind of interagency cooperation that we need to better protect wildlife and habitat and it's great to see landowners and others eagerly participating.
The story is about the project near Westford in Morgan Brook, a feeder stream for the Browns River that was recently named one of 10 rivers to watch by a national group.
Here's a Blog entry I made about this river May 1.
In the AP story, writer Wilson Ring writes:
"Morgan Brook is barely three feet wide and less than a foot deep, but the meandering waterway is still capable of supporting a population of six-inch brook trout."
The story details how the brook is being reclaimed by adding fencing to keep cattle out when it crosses fields, trees are being planted to provide cooling shade, farmers are being paid to keep their cornfields farther from the river banks, and a culvert will be replaced with a bridge to allow the fish passage upstream.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Biologist Christopher Smith said the changes are starting to pay off, but the real benefit is well on down the road.
"Restoration really starts with change in land use," Smith said in the AP article. "This is a project that will play itself out over the next 10 to 15 years."
The effort is a multiagency program with state and federal agencies cooperating with local landowners and conservation groups to make the restoration effort work even though many of the agencies are participating for completely different reasons, according to the article.
One governmental entity may only be interested in clean water, while another wants to ensure the survival of the fish species.
More on the restoration efforts and the program behind it can be found at: www.fishhabitat.org.
This is exactly the kind of interagency cooperation that we need to better protect wildlife and habitat and it's great to see landowners and others eagerly participating.
Monday, May 14, 2007
Killington Nixes Lifetime Passes?
A group of people holding lifetime ski passes at Killington have apparently been notified that their lifetime passes will no longer be honored by Powdr, the resorts new owners.
Not much is known about this, or if it's even true at this point.
Here's a quote from a letter pass holders received, according to a post on KillingtonZone.com:
Stay tuned.
Not much is known about this, or if it's even true at this point.
Here's a quote from a letter pass holders received, according to a post on KillingtonZone.com:
"The Pass was a benefit you or your predecessor in interest, received for being an initial investor in Sherburne Corporation during the resorts infancy. The specific language in your stock or bond certificate granted you "a pass entitling the holder to use free all ski lifts operated by the corporation in Killington Basin so long as the [Sherburne] corporation shall operate in that area under the agreement with the State of Vermont." When the resort changes ownership as part of this sale, Killington, LTD will no longer own or operate the lifts at the resort. Thus, ar the time of the transfer of ownership, your Pass will expire and the new Owners have no obligation to honor your pass.
If you are wondering why the rights under your pass survived the last sale of the resort it is because when we acquired Killington, we acquired the stock of Sherburne Corporation's parent (which owned other resorts in addition to Killington) and therefore Sherburne Corporation continued to operate the resort under an agreement with the State of Vermont, unlike in the current contemplated sale, where the new owners are acquiring the assets of the Killington and Pico Ski Resorts."
This is clearly a story that is going to be ongoing.
Stay tuned.
Turkey Hunter Survives Encounter With Boulder
Incredible story on the front page of today's Rutland Herald about a Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board member who was nearly killed in what he called "a freak accident."
Jeremy Baker, 35, of Rutland dislodged a boulder estimated to be 300 pounds, which rolled over him causing serious facial injuries. Baker said that if he hadn't been accompanied by a teenager who went for help, he likely wouldn't have survived.
After being evacuated from the turkey woods and transported to Rutland Regional Medical Center, which then transferred him to Dartmouth Medical Center, Baker is on the mend.
Some 100 stitches, five staples, a fractured eye socket, broken nose and broken jaw bone, Baker is back to worrying about more important things ... like replacing many of his turkey calls that were in his vest and were destroyed by the same boulder that destroyed his face.
Read the whole story here.
Jeremy Baker, 35, of Rutland dislodged a boulder estimated to be 300 pounds, which rolled over him causing serious facial injuries. Baker said that if he hadn't been accompanied by a teenager who went for help, he likely wouldn't have survived.
After being evacuated from the turkey woods and transported to Rutland Regional Medical Center, which then transferred him to Dartmouth Medical Center, Baker is on the mend.
Some 100 stitches, five staples, a fractured eye socket, broken nose and broken jaw bone, Baker is back to worrying about more important things ... like replacing many of his turkey calls that were in his vest and were destroyed by the same boulder that destroyed his face.
Read the whole story here.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Duck Stamp Photos Chosen
Copyright: Heather ForcierThis photo of a ring-necked duck by Heather Forcier will appear on Vermonts 2007 State Duck Stamp. The four images for 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 duck stamps are at the Web site:
Click on Support Fish & Wildlife and Migratory Waterfowl Fund.
A Vermont photographer's images have been chosen to appear on the Vermont State Duck Stamp for the next four years.
Heather Forcier of South Burlington is the winner of the Vermonts Fish & Wildlife Department's duck stamp photo competition. Her photos of a ring-necked duck, harlequin duck, gadwall and wood duck will appear on Vermont's State Duck Stamps from 2007 to 2010.
The images were chosen by wildlife biologists and a member of the Vermont Waterfowl Advisory Committee. There were 201 photos submitted by seven noted Vermont wildlife photographers.
Limited edition photographic prints of the winning images will be available for sale.
Duck stamp funds are used to protect and enhance wetlands or adjoining uplands through purchases, easements and habitat improvement work.
For more information about Forcier see her Web site at: www.heatherforcier.com.
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Moose Applications Due June 1
The deadline for moose hunting applications is fast approaching.
Anyone interested in applying for a moose permit have until June 1 to get their application postmarked, or to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife office at 4:30 p.m.
Applications are available on the Web at www.vtfishandwildlife.com or at license agents.
Application fees are $10 for residents and $25 for nonresidents. If successful, a license is $100 for residents or $350 for nonresidents. Season dates are Oct. 20-25 or Oct. 27-Nov. 4.
The department will issue 1,250 permits this year, up from last year’s 1,115 permits. Wildlife managers expect a success rate of 58 percent. The state has an estimated population of 4,900 moose.
Anyone interested in applying for a moose permit have until June 1 to get their application postmarked, or to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife office at 4:30 p.m.
Applications are available on the Web at www.vtfishandwildlife.com or at license agents.
Application fees are $10 for residents and $25 for nonresidents. If successful, a license is $100 for residents or $350 for nonresidents. Season dates are Oct. 20-25 or Oct. 27-Nov. 4.
The department will issue 1,250 permits this year, up from last year’s 1,115 permits. Wildlife managers expect a success rate of 58 percent. The state has an estimated population of 4,900 moose.
Teenager to face second trial in hunting death
The Associated Press is reporting that Collin Viens, 19, of Georgia will be tried for the second time in August in connection with the shooting death of a St. Albans deer hunter during the 2005 deer season.
Viens is accused of shooting Rejean Lussier, 60, while Lussier sat in a farm tractor looking for deer.
The first trial ended with a hung jury last fall. A plea bargain that would have resulted in no jail time for Viens was rejected by the judge in April.
Viens is accused of shooting Rejean Lussier, 60, while Lussier sat in a farm tractor looking for deer.
The first trial ended with a hung jury last fall. A plea bargain that would have resulted in no jail time for Viens was rejected by the judge in April.
Friday, May 11, 2007
UVM Students Create F&W Database
A Burlington Free Press article today describes a new computer tool the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department has at its disposal thanks to students at the University of Vermont.
The UVM students created a database in collaboration with the F&W department to help the department better manage its land records.
See the full story at the Free Press.
Or for more information about the project read about it here at the F&W site.
The UVM students created a database in collaboration with the F&W department to help the department better manage its land records.
See the full story at the Free Press.
Or for more information about the project read about it here at the F&W site.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Top 10 Signs of a Great Winter
Here are the Top 10 signs that Vermont had a great winter, courtesy of the Vermont Ski Areas Association.
See the list here.
See the list here.
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Bear Trapping Ban Hearing Draws a Crowd
Hundreds of people turned out for a hearing May 8 about banning bear trapping in Maine. The Maine House is considering a bill that would ban all types of bear trapping except for research, damage control or to protect the public.
The issue was reported in full in the Bangor Daily News story that was picked up and distributed by The Associated Press.
The issue is a hot one and hundreds of people showed up at a hearing held by the Legislature's Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee May 8. According to the Bangor Daily News story, trappers and sportsmen far outnumbered supporters of the ban at the hearing.
The Daily News says the arguements for the bill were essentially the same as a 2004 bill to ban bear trapping and bear hunting with dogs or over bait. That bill was defeated by voters.
You can find theBangor Daily News article here.
The issue was reported in full in the Bangor Daily News story that was picked up and distributed by The Associated Press.
The issue is a hot one and hundreds of people showed up at a hearing held by the Legislature's Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee May 8. According to the Bangor Daily News story, trappers and sportsmen far outnumbered supporters of the ban at the hearing.
The Daily News says the arguements for the bill were essentially the same as a 2004 bill to ban bear trapping and bear hunting with dogs or over bait. That bill was defeated by voters.
You can find theBangor Daily News article here.
N.H. officials say officer justified in shooting bear
In a bit of a sad story in New Hampshire, a Laconia police officer has received the backing of N. H. Fish and Game Major Tim Acerno after the office shot and killed a bear last weekend.
The officer responded to a call of a bear that had been hit by a car after a passerby saw the bear laying off the side of the road and thought it had been struck. As the officer approached the bear, which was laying off the road under a tree, it suddenly stood up and the officer shot the bear, killing it.
What wasn't known until later when conservation officers arrived on scene was that there were cubs up the tree and the bear was most likely asleep.
Conservation officers were able to coax the cubs from the tree and it is hoped they can be released back into the wild this summer.
This is a sad story, but based on what the police knew and what the officer ended up facing, it's understandable the way things turned out.
The full story can be found at the New Hampshire Union Leader.
Click here for the article.
The officer responded to a call of a bear that had been hit by a car after a passerby saw the bear laying off the side of the road and thought it had been struck. As the officer approached the bear, which was laying off the road under a tree, it suddenly stood up and the officer shot the bear, killing it.
What wasn't known until later when conservation officers arrived on scene was that there were cubs up the tree and the bear was most likely asleep.
Conservation officers were able to coax the cubs from the tree and it is hoped they can be released back into the wild this summer.
This is a sad story, but based on what the police knew and what the officer ended up facing, it's understandable the way things turned out.
The full story can be found at the New Hampshire Union Leader.
Click here for the article.
Charges dropped against alleged bear baiter
Charges have been dropped against a man accused of killing a bear over bait last fall.
Michael Bodi, 51, of Chester was cited Sept. 20 after a tip alleged Bodi had killed the bear in a baited area.
According to a May 9 story in the Rutland Herald, the charges were dropped because a confidential informant didn't want to testify publicly in the case. Windsor County State's Attorney Robert Sand told the Herald that without the state's main witness, there was no choice but to drop the prosecution.
Bodi said his bear meat and bow were returned and a hold on his bear hide that is at a taxidermist was lifted.
Michael Bodi, 51, of Chester was cited Sept. 20 after a tip alleged Bodi had killed the bear in a baited area.
According to a May 9 story in the Rutland Herald, the charges were dropped because a confidential informant didn't want to testify publicly in the case. Windsor County State's Attorney Robert Sand told the Herald that without the state's main witness, there was no choice but to drop the prosecution.
Bodi said his bear meat and bow were returned and a hold on his bear hide that is at a taxidermist was lifted.
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Public Hearings on Proposed Fish Regs Set
The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department will hold two public hearings May 14-15 on the proposed regulations regarding importation and possession of fish in Vermont.
The first meeting will be at 6 p.m., Monday, May 14, at the Essex Junction Fish & Wildlife office, 111 West St. The second meeting will be at 6 p.m., Tuesday, May 15, at the Rutland Fish & Wildlife office, 271 N. Main St.
The proposed regulation would cover three categories of fish species:
Prohibited fish are those that are prohibited except with a commissioners prohibited fish species permit. They include non-native Vermont fish that are known to pose a hazard to native fish species.
Restricted fish includes native and some fish that are now part of the Vermont landscape. They don't require a prohibited fish species permit, but may be regulated through other department permits.
Unrestricted fish are those that are commonly imported into the state for aquariums. These are fish that pose minimal or no risk to Vermont fish. No permit is required but the fish may not be released.
Fisheries biologist Shawn Good said the regulation is needed to protect Vermont's fish species.
“The proposed regulation is needed to protect Vermont's native fish communities and aquatic ecosystems from the harmful effects of introduced exotic fish species,” Good said. “The introduction and establishment of exotic invasive fish species has had massive biological and economic ramifications across North America and requires millions of dollars in expenditures annually for state and federal control programs.”
Anyone interested in seeing the full list of species covered, or the text of the proposed regulation can find it at: http://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/. Click on Law Enforcement and then Rules and Proposed Rules.
The first meeting will be at 6 p.m., Monday, May 14, at the Essex Junction Fish & Wildlife office, 111 West St. The second meeting will be at 6 p.m., Tuesday, May 15, at the Rutland Fish & Wildlife office, 271 N. Main St.
The proposed regulation would cover three categories of fish species:
- Prohibited fish
- Restricted fish
- Unrestricted fish
Prohibited fish are those that are prohibited except with a commissioners prohibited fish species permit. They include non-native Vermont fish that are known to pose a hazard to native fish species.
Restricted fish includes native and some fish that are now part of the Vermont landscape. They don't require a prohibited fish species permit, but may be regulated through other department permits.
Unrestricted fish are those that are commonly imported into the state for aquariums. These are fish that pose minimal or no risk to Vermont fish. No permit is required but the fish may not be released.
Fisheries biologist Shawn Good said the regulation is needed to protect Vermont's fish species.
“The proposed regulation is needed to protect Vermont's native fish communities and aquatic ecosystems from the harmful effects of introduced exotic fish species,” Good said. “The introduction and establishment of exotic invasive fish species has had massive biological and economic ramifications across North America and requires millions of dollars in expenditures annually for state and federal control programs.”
Anyone interested in seeing the full list of species covered, or the text of the proposed regulation can find it at: http://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/. Click on Law Enforcement and then Rules and Proposed Rules.
Moosalamoo Gets National Rec. Area Designation
Mark June 2 on your calendars.
That's the day the U.S. Forest Service will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the creation of the Green Mountain National Forest as well as the new designation of the Moosalamoo National Recreation Area.
The event will be held at the Blueberry Hill Inn in Goshen, Vt., with family-based activities beginning at 7 a.m. with an early-morning bird watching walk followed by various trail tours starting at 10 a.m.
There will also be a working forest walk, wildlife and wildflower walk, scenic hike, mountain bike ride and a visit to a historic site. Bring a picnic and stay for entertainment at noon with drinks and deserts provided.
The Moosalamoo National Recreation Area is 15,857 acres offering trails for hiking, mountain biking, world-class cross-crountry skiing and snowmobile riding.There is also the Robert Frost Wayside and camping at Silver Lake and Moosalamoo campgrounds.
More information about the area can be found at www.moosalamoo.org.
The event also celebrates the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the Green Mountain National Forest, which today ecompasses 400,000 acres and is one of only two national forests in New England.
The events June 2 will include exhibits from local trail and stewardship organizations from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more information about this event, contact the Rochester Ranger District: (802) 767-4261, or www.fs.fed.us/r9/fmfl/index.htm.
That's the day the U.S. Forest Service will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the creation of the Green Mountain National Forest as well as the new designation of the Moosalamoo National Recreation Area.
The event will be held at the Blueberry Hill Inn in Goshen, Vt., with family-based activities beginning at 7 a.m. with an early-morning bird watching walk followed by various trail tours starting at 10 a.m.
There will also be a working forest walk, wildlife and wildflower walk, scenic hike, mountain bike ride and a visit to a historic site. Bring a picnic and stay for entertainment at noon with drinks and deserts provided.
The Moosalamoo National Recreation Area is 15,857 acres offering trails for hiking, mountain biking, world-class cross-crountry skiing and snowmobile riding.There is also the Robert Frost Wayside and camping at Silver Lake and Moosalamoo campgrounds.
More information about the area can be found at www.moosalamoo.org.
The event also celebrates the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the Green Mountain National Forest, which today ecompasses 400,000 acres and is one of only two national forests in New England.
The events June 2 will include exhibits from local trail and stewardship organizations from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more information about this event, contact the Rochester Ranger District: (802) 767-4261, or www.fs.fed.us/r9/fmfl/index.htm.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)