vgom march 2013

GREAT OUTDOORSVermont’s MagazineMarch 2013

Volume 1 Number 3

● New: Outdoor Spotlight● Sacred Hunter Fundraiser● Monster Buck Nearly Escaped● Youth Ice Fishing Clinic

● New: Fly-Fishing Column● Vermont Outdoors Women● Cold Winter, Warm Birds● Out of Bounds Skiing Fines?

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• Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • March 2013

Features28 Outdoor SpotlightGray Stevens heads two of Vermont’sbest known outdoor organizations.

36 Sacred HunterBradley Carleton details the path he’straveled to found mentoring program.

42 ‘Sunday’Jeremy Baker tells the story how he almostcame up one bullet short of a Vt. trophy.

50 Trout PreparationVermont’s trout season is almost upon usand opening day preparations begin now.

5. Editor’s Note5. Photo of the Month7. Reader Feedback8. Calendar9. Outdoor News72. Out & About

22. Conservation58. LCI66. The Outside Story68. Birds of Vermont70. Mountain Biking

More Inside

Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazinewww.VtGreatOutdoorsMag.com

March 2013 • Volume 1 • Number 3© Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine 2013

Publisher & EditorDarren Marcy

News/Marketing AssistantsMaya Marcy & Camilla Marcy

ContributorsJeremy Baker, Bradley Carleton,Bob Shannon, Erin Talmage,Tom Best, Steve Costello,Eric LaMontagne, Megh Rounds

Article & Photo [email protected]

Press Releases, Letters, [email protected]

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Phone(802) 331-0130

Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine is publishedmonthly as a free digital publication. This publicationis protected by copyright and each individual storyand photo is protected by copyright owned by therespective contributors. All opinions belong to therespective writers and do not necessarily reflect thatof Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine.

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Photo of the Month:


Justin Boyer landed this monster sunfish through the ice.

Editor’s Note:


Spring GrowthYou have no idea how excited I am to be sending

this issue to the digital publisher and to yourcomputer or tablet screen.

I don’t want to hurt my shoulder patting myself on the back toohard, but this issue is yet another step up in providing you with atop-shelf outdoor publication.

Don’t worry about my shoulder, though. The credit goes to thosewho have written the articles, submitted the photos and given ofthemselves. My pride comes from the fact this publication continuesto grow.

This month, we’ve added a new writer (Bob Shannon), a newfeature (Outdoor Spotlight), and there’s at least three photo packagesin this month’s issue.

There are many good stories this month as well.First is a the Outdoor Spotlight, which features an interview with

Gray Stevens, who leads the Vermont Outdoor Guide Associationand Vermont Outdoors Women.

Then, Bradley Carleton tells the story about the path he has takento form his outdoor ethic and led him to launch the SacredHunter.org. Carleton is also announcing a fundraising banquet.Please consider attending or making a donation.

Then read as Jeremy Baker continues his tale of a weekendhunting trip in which a huge Vermont deer nearly walked away.

Another new feature follows as Bob Shannon of the Fly Rod Shopdebuts his fly-fishing column and writes about getting your gearready for the trout season opener.

Out-of-bounds skiers have been in the news and have a story abouta legislative effort that failed in Montpelier along with a lettersubmitted by one of three co-owners of a Vermont company thatmakes backcountry skis.

This issue is just loaded with great photography. After you’ve readyour favorite article, or even before you start reading, just flipthrough these pages and appreciate the talented photographers whohave submitted photos for this issue.

I’m really impressed.In fact, I’m really pleased with this issue in many ways.I hope you are as well.

On the Cover

Worth the EffortSkier Evan Waldman comes

through the trees on a snow-filled backcountry run.

Waldman was photographedby Dalton Harben, one ofthree co-owners of WorthSkis, a Vermont companybased out of Middlebury thatfocuses on making special-ordered backcountry skis thatwill also work well in tamerconditions.

“We build adventurous skisdesigned for Eastern skiers, byEastern skiers,” according tothe company’s Facebook page.

Worth Skis are a “build-your-own adventure,” offeringhand-built products in theUSA.

You can find them online at:www.worthskis.com or onFacebook.com/WorthSkisVt

– – –Have a great photo you want

to share? Please send it in.You might find it on the coverof the next Vermont’s GreatOutdoors Magazine.

Feedback:


Write VGOMLetters are encouraged on topics of interest to

Vermont outdoor enthusiasts. This space is youropportunity to have your voice heard.

Letters will be edited for grammar, libel,clarity, decency and, when necessary, space. Ifyour letter can’t be edited without changing itsmeaning, you’ll be given a chance to rewrite it,or the letter will be rejected.

Send letters to:[email protected]

VGOM Reader [email protected]

A Boy and a DogI absolutely loved your February

2013 cover photo!Not only is it a timeless reminder

of the link between a boy and dogand the joy of the outdoors, but thechocolate lab, Carlos, happens to bethe litter mate of my own lab, Brady!

Thank you for having Carlos onthere. We're very proud of him!

Thanks for writing, Neil, andsharing a photo of your dog, Brady.

We all have strong attachments toour pets, but outdoors enthusiastssometimes have a special bond.Must be something about all thosebad bird outings, fishless trips andcold and muddy hikes with ourbuddies that make us feel a strongattachment.

– Darren Marcy, editor

Send story pitches, photos, news releases,calendar items, letters to the editor, and other

submissions to:

Send correspondence about advertising to:

Send criticism, kudos and specific questions andcomments about articles to:

Outdoor Calendar:


Calendar of Events

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These introductory rates are intended to introduce your organization to VGOM. Despite the demand andexcitement generated by the publication, we have chosen to keep rates low enough to allow everyone

to get in on the ground floor.

Enjoy the added advantage that each monthly issue of VGOM will continue to be available through thedigital reading platform and for download at the end of each month. Long after a printed magazine is

pulled from the shelves or tossed in the recycle bin, people will continue to run across these old issuesas they discover the magazine or find interesting articles during Internet searches.

[email protected]

● Owl Hoot Hike, March 1, Niquette Bay State Parkin Colchester, fun-filled, naturalist-led, eveninghike in the woods as we learn about owls, 5:30 p.m.to 7 p.m. Information: vtstateparks.blogspot.com.

● NWTF Banquet, March 8, Catamount CountryClub in Williston, Lake Champlain Longbeardshost a National Wild Turkey Federation fundraisingbanquet. Raffles, drawings, auctions and more raisemoney for conservation programs. Information,Ronald Lafreniere at 434-4274 [email protected]

● Family Snowshoe at White Rocks, March 9,GMC’s Young Adventurers Club event, moderateto difficult, noon, call for meeting details: MikeWetherell 223-8493 or Lexi Shear 229-9810.

● Hare/Rabbit season ends, March 10.● Spring Snow Goose Season, begins March 11,

conservation order sets spring snow goose seasonintended to limit snow geese numbers. Licenses andstamps required.

● Walleye Season ends, March 15.● Trout, Salmon and Bass ice fishing season ends,

March 15.

● NWTF Banquet, March 15, Holiday Inn in Rutland,Valleys of Vermont hosts a National Wild TurkeyFederation fundraising banquet. Raffles, drawings,auctions and more raise money for conservationprograms. Information, Steve Roy at 775-4465 [email protected].

● Snowshoe Devil’s Dishpan, March 16, GMCshowshoe, difficult, noon, call for meeting details:Steve Lightholder at [email protected].

● Muskrat Hunting Season begins, March 20● Fish & Wildlife Board Meeting, March 20, 5 p.m.

St. Leo’s Hall in Waterbury.● Boats, Blinds, and Buddies: The Waterfowl

Experience, March 22, 6-8 p.m. at KehoeConservation Education Center in Castleton, freewaterfowl information sessions, learn aboutregulations, license requirements, safety, waterfowlidentification, more.

● Muskrat and Beaver trapping season ends, March31.

To have your organization’s meeting or activity listedin the outdoor calendar; or for additions, deletions orcorrections, email [email protected].

Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine:


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Contributing Writers and Photographers

We have had some interest by people who would like to write or submit photos to Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine. Wewelcome submissions by writers and photographers but keep three things in mind:

● Understand our budget doesn’t allow for payment. If you want to write because you love it, we can afford that, but we’re not paying anywriters or photographers right away.

● You will be edited. The best writers still need editors – some more than others. If it makes you feel better, I’ve been writing and editingprofessionally for 20 years. I won’t hack your work to death.

● Query with an idea. Don’t write 1,000 words only to find VGOM doesn’t publish vampire fiction, even if the vampire sucks the blood ofan 8-pointer. Let’s talk about your idea and decide if it’s right for this magazine. Then we’ll do it.

Hunting, Fishing, Hiking, Backpacking, ATVing, Biking, Camping, Skiing, Snowshoeing, Snowmobiling, Bird Watching,Climbing, Photography, Power Boating, Paddling, Skijoring, Conservation, Four Wheeling, Dog Sledding, and … try us!

Outdoor News:


VermontNew York rider killedin snowmobile crash

PERU – A New York man riding a snowmobile ona trail near Griffith Lake in Peru died after his sled hitledge and he was thrown into some trees.

Vermont State Police said Verouzhan Bagramian,45, of Cropseyville, N.Y., died Feb. 24 when he wasthrown from his 2011 Skidoo sled.

Police said Bagramian was wearing a helmet and thechin strap was found secure but the helmet came offduring the crash and the helmet showed damage on theright side of the face shield.

Riders traveling with the man immediately startedCPR and called for the help, but Bagramian waspronounced dead at the scene.

The crash remains under investigation.

Man fined after losing controland crashing snowmobile

A Vermont man escaped with minor injuries after asnowmobile crash police say was due to riding too fast.

Jerry Desotell, 41, of St. Albans was riding his 2008sled south in Westfield near the intersection of BalanceRock Road and Verge Road when he failed to make aleft-hand turn, according to a Vermont State Policenews release.

Desotell fell off his sled after losing control.Police determined Desotell was traveling between

40 mph and 50 mph in a posted 35 mph zone at thetime.

Desotell was wearing a helmet and suffered minorinjuries. He was transported to North Country Hospitalin Newport.

Desotell was cited for operation of a snowmobile inan unreasonable manner.

Ice shanties mustbe off ice soon

Vermont law requires that all ice fishing shantiesmust be removed from the ice by the last Sunday inMarch or before the shanties can no longer be

supported by the ice. This year's date is March 31, butice conditions could require an earlier removal.The same Vermont law requires the name and addressof the owner to be on the ice shanty.“This is a good year to have a portable ice shanty, ratherthan a structure you leave on the ice overnight,” saidVermont’s Chief Game Warden David LeCours. “Thelast Sunday in March is the 31st, and with thefluctuating weather we’ve been having, that could betoo late to be out on the ice. In order to comply withthe law, you must remove your shanty before then ifice conditions look like they will deteriorate.”The fine for leaving your ice fishing shanty on the icecan be up to $1,000, and shanties may not be left atstate fishing access areas.

Guided tours offeredto benefit Bolton backcountry

The Friends of Bolton Nordic and Backcountry willlead a free guided tour of the Bolton backcountry at 1p.m. March 8.

Tours are available for intermediate and advancedbackcountry and Nordic skiers or snowshoers. All tourswill begin and end at the Nordic Center.

The tours is free of charge.For more information email [email protected] or call

262-1241.

Lost snowboarders maketheir way out of woods

A pair of snowboarders from Virginia were able tofind their way out of the woods after getting lost whenthey went out of bounds while riding at Bolton ValleyResort in Bolton.

Vermont State Police said Maxwell Hoffman, 22 ofSpringfield, Va., and Josh Murray, 21, of Woodbridge,Va., were reported missing when their vehicle wasfound in the parking lot of the ski area Feb. 28.

A search was launched by the Bolton Valley SkiPatrol, Vermont State Police Search and Rescue Teamand troopers from the Williston Barracks.

Plans were being formulated and notifications tolocal search and rescue squads and a Vermont NationalGuard helicopter was contacted when the two came outon their own the next day.

Outdoor News:


They said they became lost after riding off the backside of Bolton toward Waterbury.

They were able to start a fire and make a shelter.Both snowboarders suffered from hypothermia and

frostbite but refused transport to the hospital.

Man injures legin snowmobile crash

Vermont State Police responded to a snowmobilecrash about 3 p.m. Jan. 26 on VAST Trail 102A in thetown of Lewis.

Police said Chad Moore, 40, of Reading, Mass.,crashed his SkiDoo XPS 800.

The police said Moore failed to negotiate a corneron the trail and his sled left the trail and hit a ditch.Moore was ejected, injuring his leg and he sufferedother non-life threatening injuries.

His sled sustained extensive damage, police said.Police said the investigation was continuing but that

speed appeared to be a factor in the crash.

Two men get in altercationwhile hunting rabbits

A Proctor man is facing charges of recklessendangerment after he allegedly swung his loadedshotgun at another man after the two got into a heatedargument over a West Rutland rabbit hunting spot infront of one of the men's young son.

According to a police report, John S. Jones, 57, ofProctor was charged with the misdemeanor. He wasreleased on conditions after pleading not guilty inRutland criminal court.

According to statements taken by Rutland CountySheriff's deputy James Bennick, Jones was huntingrabbits near the power station Dec. 23 when he metJake Duprey, 28, and his 10-year-old son.

After a short conversation, Jones decided to leaveand let Duprey and his son continue to hunt. But soon,Jones returned and, according to Duprey, beganswearing at him, called him a liar and said he was therefirst.

Duprey asked him to calm down because his son wasthere but the argument continued and became heated.

Duprey said Jones swung his loaded shotgun at himand the pair began to wrestle over the loaded gun. Eachman claimed their overpowered the other for possessionof the gun.

Duprey told the deputy he didn't know if Jones wastrying to shoot him or just hit him with it. Jones saidhe hit Duprey with the gun.

Jones told the deputy he felt he had to defend himselfagainst a man half his age and said if he had to do itagain, he would.

Snowmobile stolenFrom lawn in Irasburg

Vermont State Police are investigating the theft of asnowmobile.

Trooper Callie R. Field of the Derby Barracks saida report was taken from Drew Stone, 18, of Irasburgthat his Polaris 600 sled was taken sometime between9:30 p.m. Feb. 4 and 12:30 a.m. Feb. 5 from the frontlawn.

The snowmobile is red with red and yellow skis.Anyone with any information about the theft should

call the Vermont State Police at 334-8881.

Outdoor News:


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dedicated and engagedgroup of outdoor enthusiasts.

Toyota truck goes throughice at Lake Seymour

Ben Farrow, 18, of Holland told police his Toyotapickup when through the ice on Lake Seymour inMorgan in the early morning hours of Feb. 2.

Farrow and a passenger were able to get out of thetruck before it sank between Roustour's Point andWolf's Point.

The spot was marked and people were warned to stayaway.

Vermont State Police, the Vermont Agency ofNatural Resources and the owner are working to haveit removed in the spring.

Ford goes through the iceon Memphremogog

Vermont State Police said a Ford F-350 pickup wentthrough the ice Feb. 2 on Lake Memphremagog nearEastman Road in Newport Center.

Police said Paul Lavalette, 48, of Newport Centerwas driving on the ice near the west shore when hedrove over a pressure crack and the vehicle brokethrough thin ice.

Lavalette was able to get out of the vehicle to safetybefore it sunk.

It is submerged in about 25 feet of water.The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources will be

responsible for coordinating recovery efforts.

RegionTeenager survives twonights in Maine woods

A 17-year-old boy who got lost while skiing atSugarloaf Mountain survived two nights in the woodsbefore walking out on his own.

Nicholas Joy of Medford, Mass., got lost while skiingwith his father and they split up at the top to takedifferent routes down. When the boy didn't show uphis father called for help.

In all, 85 people were involved in the search on skis,snowmobiles and snowshoes.

The teenager was able to build a snow shelter usingtree branches at night and walked toward the sound ofsnowmobiles during the day.

Two days after getting lost, he was found by asnowmobiler while walking along an access road.

Outdoor News:


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Vermont state game wardens (left to right) Matt Thiel, Dustin Snyder, Robert Currier and David Taddei participated in cold water rescue trainingFeb. 22 with the coast guard in Burlington.

Outdoor News:


The Vermont Fish & WildlifeDepartment will host a waterfowlinformation session titled “Boats,Blinds, and Buddies: The WaterfowlExperience.”

The session will be held from 6-8p.m. Friday, March 22, at KehoeConservation Education Center inCastleton.

The event is free and open to thepublic, and no registration isrequired to attend.

Game warden Rob Sterling willexplain how waterfowl regulations

are determined and why yearlychanges can occur.

He will also go over licenserequirements and safety issues.

Fish & Wildlife biologist DavidSausville will offer a presentationon waterfowl, includingidentification of puddle ducks,divers and geese based on color,flight pattern and size.

The session will close with apresentation on duck blinds and onsafely using canoes, kayaks andmotorboats while duck hunting.

“Waterfowl hunters of all

backgrounds will get something outof this event, but it is especiallygeared towards people who may benew to waterfowl hunting, ortowards kids who are interested ingetting into the sport,” Sausvillesaid.

The Kehoe ConservationEducation Center is located at 636Point of Pines Road in Castleton.

More information, including acomplete listing of 2013 CampKehoe events, can be found athttp://www.anr.state.vt.us/fwd/KehoeEducationCenter.aspx.

Waterfowl Seminar







Outdoor News:

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These introductory rates are intended to introduceyour organization to VGOM. Despite the demand and

excitement generated by the publication, we havechosen to keep rates low enough to allow everyone to

get in on the ground floor.

Enjoy the added advantage that each monthly issue ofVGOM will continue to be available through the digitalreading platform and for download at the end of eachmonth. Long after a printed magazine is pulled fromthe shelves or tossed in the recycle bin, people will

continue to run across these old issues as theydiscover the magazine or find interesting articles

during Internet searches.

[email protected]

The sun rises over Chittenden Reservoir revealing a morning made for ice fishing.

Outdoor News:


Children have become increasinglydisconnected with nature. Accordingto the Children in Nature Network,most children can easily identifyhundreds of corporate logos but cannotidentify more than a handful of theplants and animals in their ownbackyard.

The Vermont Fish & WildlifeDepartment is giving a new type ofworkshop that aims to combat this

trend and reconnect Vermont’s youngchildren with nature.

The program, titled “Growing UpWILD: Exploring Nature with YoungChildren,” teaches early childhoodeducators how to incorporate natureand wildlife into their daily lessonplans.

This project is modeled on threesimilar programs offered by the Fish& Wildlife Department, ProjectWILD, Flying WILD, and Aquatic

WILD.“We’re building on the success of

our other WILD training workshops”said Ali Thomas, educationcoordinator for the Fish & WildlifeDepartment. “Those projects weredesigned for teachers andenvironmental educators teaching K-12 students, while the new GrowingUp WILD program is geared towardscurriculum for younger children.”

Growing Up WILD was developed

Growing Up Wild

Cutline.

Vermont Fish & Wildlife’s Ali Thomas trains environmental educators about birds in a recent Flying WILD program.

Outdoor News:


The Vermont Fish &Wildlife Department isencouraging deer huntersto apply for one of threeregional working groupscurrently being formedthroughout the state. Thegoal of the working groupsis to bring together huntersto discuss deermanagement strategies andregulations as part of thed e p a r t m e n t ' scomprehensive deer managementreview process.

Hunters selected for theseregional working groups willevaluate public input relating to deermanagement and will interpret theresults of hunter surveys. They willalso evaluate data relating to currentharvest regulations and seasonstructures and provide feedback tothe department.

"Hunters frequently express to usan interest in becoming more

directly involved in deermanagement decisions," said AdamMurkowski, Fish & Wildlife's deerproject leader. "This is a greatopportunity for deer hunters acrossVermont to make their voice and thevoices of their fellow hunters heard.The results of the comprehensivereview process will impact futuredeer hunting regulations in Vermontso it is important that hunters areactively engaged throughout thisprocess."

The regional workinggroups are designed torepresent areas withsimilar deer densities andland uses. Vermont'svalleys and foothills on theeastern and westernportions of the state areeach represented by oneworking group, while thecentral mountains andNortheast Kingdom arejoined to make up the thirdworking group.

Working group members willmeet four times between the end ofMarch and September. Once huntershave been selected for each workinggroup the dates and times of eachmeeting will be determined.

Hunters interested in learningmore about Vermont'scomprehensive deer managementreview process and the regionalworking groups should visit thedepartment's website atwww.vtfishandwildlife.com.

State Seeks Deer HuntersFish & Wildlife forming regional working groups

with the vision of expanding theculture of early childhood education toembrace learning in the outdoors.According to the program’s website,Growing Up WILD “builds onchildren’s sense of wonder aboutnature and invites them to explorewildlife and the world around them.”

“The program’s activities are funand easy,” Thomas said. “Theycreatively address concepts in science,

physical education, and literaturethough activities such as outdoorexplorations and art projects. Whetheryou’re a school teacher or an educatorat a nature center, this guide is aneffective teaching resource in anysetting.”

Growing Up WILD was developedby a national nonprofit organization,the Council for EnvironmentalEducation.

Funds to create the program camefrom a grant awarded to CEE by theEnvironmental Protection Agencywith the goal of strengthening anational effort to connect youngchildren to nature, particularly withdiverse audiences.

For more information, visit wwwand to schedule a workshop, contactAli Thomas at 371-9975 [email protected].

Outdoor News:


Fish & Wildlife Board approves355 permits for 2013

A total of 355 permits will beissued for Vermont’s 21st annualOctober moose season under aproposal the Vermont Fish andWildlife Board gave preliminaryapproval to Feb. 20.

The board voted unanimously ona proposal presented by theVermont Fish & WildlifeDepartment that allocates permits in17 of the state’s 26 WildlifeManagement Units.

The 355 permits proposed by thedepartment represent a slightdecrease from the 385 permitsissued last year. Under the proposal,hunters are expected to harvest closeto 200 animals during the Oct. 19-24season.

“We recommended a slightreduction in permits this year basedon the biological data we havecollected on Vermont’s moose andour calculated population estimatesindicating moose densities are

below management goals in somenorthern areas,” said biologistCedric Alexander, Vermont’smoose project leader. “It’s the intentof this proposal to allow slowpopulation growth in some regionswhile continuing to stabilize moosenumbers elsewhere.”

Alexander estimates Vermont has2,500 to 3,000 moose statewide withthe greatest concentration in theNortheast Kingdom.

“We also want to take aconservative approach given recentregional and national trends ofmoose populations and health,”Alexander said. “Moose biologistsfrom the southern tier of mooserange across the country areincreasingly concerned about theeffects of warming temperature onmoose health. Weather patternshave created more days where thethermoregulatory threshold formoose is exceeded causing them tofeed less, and the warmer climateleads to higher winter tick loads.”

Vermont also holds a special

“archery-only” moose season and50 permits will be awarded for theOct. 1-7 archery moose season.

Moose hunting permit lotteryapplications – $10 for residents and$25 for nonresidents – will beavailable on Vermont Fish &Wildlife’s website atwww.vtfishandwildlife.com in earlyMay.

Printed applications are scheduledto be available at license agents inearly June.

Two lotteries will be held, one forthe regular hunting season and onefor the archery season. Winners ofeither lottery must purchase residenthunting permits for $100 ornonresident hunting permits for$350.

Hunters also will have the optionto bid on five moose huntingpermits in an auction to beannounced later.

As part of the Fish and WildlifeBoard’s rule process, the moosepermit proposal must be voted on attwo more upcoming board meetings.

Moose Permit Numbers Set


Like that special tree stand from which you always see deer, orthat stretch of river where the trout always rise, there are justsome places that are unique. A spot that holds a place in your

heart so special that you keep it to yourself.

If you’re looking for an advertising opportunity to share yourmessage, this can be your special place.

This prime spot can be yours next month.By advertising in Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine, you’ll

not only be supporting a growing publication that is generating alot of excitement in the Green Mountain State, but you’ll also

place your message in front of avid and dedicated outdoorenthusiasts.

And you won’t believe how affordable this space is.There are other publications that cover some of the outdoor

experience in Vermont and this little slice of Heaven they callnorthern New England. They do a good job, but none of themcover the depth and breadth of the topics you’ll read about in

Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine.

So contact us today to ensure we can get your advertisement inthe next monthly issue of a growing and exciting publication that

covers the topics that are important to you and your business.

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (802) 331-0130


Outdoor News:

Cheaper in New York?

In a move that is the opposite ofwhat most states are doing, NewYork is proposing to drop huntingand fishing license fees whilestreamlining the number of licensesoffered.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomoannounced “NY Open for Fishingand Hunting,” a plan to streamlinehunting and fishing licenses andreduce license fees to supporttourism opportunities and benefitsportsmen and sportswomenthroughout the state.

The proposal is part of the 30-dayamendments to the 2013-14Executive Budget and would reducefees paid by hundreds of thousandsof hunters, anglers and trapperswhile maintaining support for thestate’s fish and wildlife programs.

That includes out-of-state hunterslike Vermonters who hunt or fish inNew York.

The proposal simplifies thecurrent license structure to fosterrecruitment and retention of residentand nonresident hunters, anglers andtrappers, according to a press release.

The State would greatly reduce thenumber of licenses offered andlower many fees for both residentand nonresidents under the proposal.“I know the recreational andeconomic value hunting and fishingbring to New York State,” GovernorCuomo said in the release. “Thesporting community bolsters tourismacross the state. According to anational survey, more than $8.1

billion of economic activity iscreated as a result of sportingactivity in New York. Under myproposal, it will be easier for moreNew Yorkers and visitors fromacross the country to take advantageof New York’s rich sportingtradition.”

According to the release, thechanges would eliminate confusiondue to the number, type and potentialcombinations of hunting and fishinglicenses and reduce fees that arehigher in New York than in manyneighboring and comparable states.

The proposal would:● Reduce by 11 the number of

licenses available whilemaintaining all current huntingand fishing privileges andopportunities

● Reduce the price of a huntinglicense by 24 percent from $29to $22

● Reduce the price of a fishinglicense by nearly 14 percentfrom $29 to $25

● Make fishing licenses valid forone year from the date of

purchase● Create a non-resident license

structure which is the same asthe resident license structure

● Fold trapping privileges into thehunting license for no additionalfee for certified trappers

● Maintain Junior Trapper andTrapper Mentor opportunities

● Reduce fees for non-residenthunting and fishing licenses toattract more out-of-stateparticipants

● Retain discounted licenses foryouth, seniors, military disabledand Native Americans.

Other changes include changingthe time-frame of a license,consolidates some licenses andoffers nonresidents a licensestructure that is similar to residents.

Previously, a fishing license wasonly valid from the date of purchasethrough the end of the season, andanglers who bought a license inmid-season did not get a full year’sworth of use.

Under the new plan, anglers willget a full year of fishing no matter

Proposed N.Y. Out of State License FeesLicense Fees Current ProposedAnnual Fishing License $70 $50Annual Hunting License $140 $100Annual Bow Hunting Privilege $140 $40Annual Muzzleloading $140 $30One-day Turkey $50 $20One-day Fishing $15 $10

when they purchase the license.Also, the proposal consolidates

both small-game and big-gamelicense privileges into a singlehunting license.

“Hunters and anglers are thefoundation of the state’sconservation community, concernedabout caring for the state’s habitats,forestland and waterways,” saidDepartment of EnvironmentConservation Commissioner JoeMartens. “Gov. Cuomo’s proposalwill make it simpler for people topurchase licenses, help attractnewcomers to hunt and fish in NewYork and ensure that the programsthat the hunting and fishingcommunities enjoy continue to befunded.”

In addition, DEC has madesubstantial progress in both therehabilitation of existing boat launchfacilities and construction of newfacilities.

By the start of the 2013 boatingseason, five new boat launchingfacilities will be open: ChaumontBay and Point Peninsula Isthmus onLake Ontario, Upper Hudson Riverin Fort Edward, Lake Champlain inthe City of Plattsburgh, and CubaLake Boat Launch in AlleganyCounty. Work is underway for a boatlaunch on Round Lake in SaratogaCounty.

Governor Cuomo’s proposal aimsto improve New York’s position asa destination for both resident andout-of-state hunters.

According to a 2011 NationalSurvey of Fishing, Hunting andWildlife-Related Recreation, morethan 90 million U.S. residents 16years and older participated in someform of wildlife-related recreationin 2011 and spent about $145 billionon their ventures.

Moreover, New York Stateremains near the top in hunter and

angler licenses, an estimated 1.88million anglers and 823,000hunters, indicating a mostly stablegroup of participants. The samestudy found in 2011 New York wassecond in the nation in total anglerspending on fishing-related itemsand sixth in nonresident anglerspending. This spending generatedan estimated $108 million in stateand local taxes.

“The Board welcomes thesimplification of the existing licensestructure and the reduction of thefees for most of the sporting public,”said Lance Robson, chairman of theNew York State Fish & WildlifeManagement Board. “This plan willmake participating in hunting,fishing and trapping more affordablewhile continuing to provide thefunds, now and going forward, tocontinue or even expand our currentfish, wildlife and habitatmanagement programs.”


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Conservation:


Whether it’s the sight of a soaringosprey, the laugh of a common loon,or the thrilling beauty of a peregrinefalcon, Vermont leads the nation inwildlife watching for good reason:we have wonderful wildlife allaround us.

Through the generosity ofthousands of citizens at tax time andthe efforts of Vermont Fish &

Wildlife Department staff andpartners, these extraordinary specieshave rebounded from their formerthreatened or endangered status inVermont.

And, although still listed as a stateendangered species, the bald eagleis also showing signs of a dramaticcomeback in Vermont, with 15 nestsdocumented in Vermont in 2012 and23 eaglets fledged or leaving the

nest to be on their own.Your support makes it possible.

By checking the Nongame WildlifeFund box and making a donationright on your Vermont state incometax form, you can be part of thisconservation success story.

“Vermonters care aboutprotecting nongame species andtheir habitats just as much today aswhen the voluntary income tax

Checkoff Conservation

A mother loon and her baby.

Conservation:


check-off started in 1986,” saidWildlife Biologist Steve Parren.“Each year they graciously donatenearly $100,000. These funds keepthis program successful and allowfuture Vermonters to experience thewild populations we enjoy today.”

The Nongame Wildlife Fund wascreated to support work done byVermont Fish & WildlifeDepartment biologists and itspartners to manage and enhancewildlife species that are not huntedor fished.

Vermonters are clearlyenthusiastic about this work.According to a recent report by theU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,Vermont is first in the nation inper-capita wildlife watching with 53percent of us actively engaging inobserving wildlife.

But more work remains to be done.“In addition to bald eagles, there

are many new challenges forwildlife conservation in Vermont,”Parren said. “Including fighting thewhite-nose syndrome devastatingour bat populations. Fortunately, wecan all be wildlife conservationistsat tax time, thanks to Vermont’sNongame Wildlife Fund. Look forthe loon logo on your Vermont taxform, and join with us to protectVermont’s nongame wildlife.”

Nongame Wildlife Successes in 2012:●Peregrine falcons: 39 nests produced 60 young falcons.●Loons: 49 nesting pairs produced 87 chicks.●Eagles: 15 Vermont nests successfully fledged 23 eaglets.

An osprey eyes the photographer as it dines on freshly caught fish.

Legislation:


The issue popped up like aVermont winter storm, blowingthrough the outdoor community likea nor'easter before fading away likea January thaw.

An effort to curb reckless out-of-bounds skiers who continue to getlost and require rescue promptedproposed legislation in Montpelier.

The bill called for a $500 fine forpeople who left the boundaries of aski area and ended up requiringrescue.

The measure was killed incommittee after a swift responsefrom recreationalists and lawenforcement who opposed the idea.

The measure is a result of a surgein the number of such rescues –many of them at Killington Resort

as skiers and snowboarders head offthe backside of the mountain insearch of untouched powder.

The bill's lead sponsor, Sen.Kevin Mullin, R-Rutland, said hehad heard from officials atKillington who were frustrated.Combined with the cost of therescue operations, he wrote thelegislation.

But when the bill made its way to

Out of Bounds Fine Killed

Legislation:


the Senate Judiciary Committee,opponents loaded up.

Backcountry enthusiasts said thebill would unfairly lump them inwith resort skiers who chose to duckunder the ropes and got in over theirhead.

The majority of rescues – about50 people – at Killington happenduring the holiday season when alarge number of tourists are skiing.

David Goodman, author of theAppalachian Mountain Club's “BestBackcountry Skiing in theNortheast,” told the committee thatbackcountry skiing is “a jewel in thecrown of Vermont.”

He said skiers with the right gearand a sense of direction will have aspectacular day in the woods.

Vermont State Police Capt.Robert Evans, whose work includesoverseeing State Police rescueoperations, warned of theconsequences of the bill.

He said that the threat of a fine orpaying rescue costs could cause aperson to not call for help until itgets dark, bring colder conditionsand making the rescue moredangerous for everyone involved.

“If there's anything that keepsthem from doing that it'sproblematic for us,” he said.

This is a letter from JasonDuquette-Hoffman, co-owner ofWorth Skis, a Vermontbackcountry ski producer. Theletter was sent to the SenateJudiciary Committee as it tooktestimony on Senate Bill 111. It isreprinted here by permission.

Dear Senators Sears, Ashe,Benning, Nitka and White,

I would first like to thank youfor your hard work on behalf ofcitizens of our state. I deeplyappreciate your work andcommitment to the well being ofVermonters. As a lifelong

Vermonter, I have been thebeneficiary of the advantages ofthe accessibility and communityspirit of our citizen legislators. Itis, in part, because of this that Iwrite to you today to express myconcerns regarding S.111.

I am a skier. Since I was three

Legislation:


years of age, I have been skiing inVermont's resorts, public trails andpublic and private backcountryterrain. For 34 years I have, alongwith countless others, enjoyed thebeauty and wonder that Vermonthas to offer those fortunate enoughto be willing and able to exploreour fields, forests and mountains inwhat I believe is Vermont's bestseason: the winter. I believe thatVermont truly cradles the soul ofwinter sports. Together with mypartner, I am raising my threeyoung children to respect,appreciate and enjoy the beauty,majesty and challenge of thenatural environment around us.I am fortunate to live close to someof the most beautiful wilderness inthe region, the BreadloafWilderness of the Green MountainNational Forest. This area,characterized by open hardwoodsglades, favorable snow conditionsand easy accessibility from theLong Trail and the National Forestroad and trail system, is a treasureand a haven for me, my family andmy friends in the winter. I have

attached some photos of usenjoying this resource to illustratemy point. This area is alsoaccessible from the trails of theMiddlebury College Snow Bowl,which is located on private landowned by the College and operatedas a ski area. The Long Trail (andthe terrain it accesses), runsthrough this and a number ofVermont's ski areas.

Inspired by my love for skiing inVermont, and by this area, Irecently started an alpine skicompany, along with two friends.We design and market our ownsemi-custom ski designs focusedon backcountry skiing, andcontract with an outside productionfacility to build our products. Weare in conversations with anothersmall Vermont winter sportsequipment manufacturer to bringour production home to Vermont,and are pleased with the responseand the growth we have seen sofar. We have marketed ourselves inno small part as connected with thetradition of backcountry andadventure skiing that has

characterized the sport in Vermontsince it first arrived here. We arethrilled at the connections we havefound with the many otherenthusiasts who share our love forthe sport, and for the backcountryterrain Vermont can offer.Through our efforts, we haveintroduced many from around theregion and beyond to thespectacular experiences availablehere in our state.

Backcountry skiing is not acrime. It is the soul of wintersports in our state, with a long,rich, proud and storied tradition.Accessing our backcountry in thewinter, from a resort or otherwise,is a thrill, a challenge and apilgrimage that many in our statehave spent years or moredeveloping. Some of us have builtbusinesses, lives and familytraditions around this centerpieceof our Vermont culture.

The vast majority ofbackcountry enthusiasts and usersin our state are knowlegable,responsible and respectful of thechallenge that winter travel in thebackcountry can bring.Criminalizing their behavior is notonly counter to a venerable andhonorable Vermont tradition, it iscounterproductive. This measurewill not go any further towardpreventing the kind ofirresponsible behavior we areseeing from a few, largely out-of-state folks with limited experienceand understanding of the rigors ofbackcountry travel. This is not acriminal issue, it is an educationalissue.

Do we really think that it shouldbe a crime for trained,

Legislation:


knowledgeable and well-equippedpeople who encounter anunexpected circumstance (such asan aggressive moose, failure of adefective piece of equipment orother similar unforeseeablehappenstance) to access theservices of our public safetysystem as any others would? Iwould suggest that I, and thosewith whom I travel in thebackcountry, are generally moreprepared for emergencies thanmany who use our statesnowmobile trail system. I alwayscarry gear appropriate to surviveseveral days and nights in thewoods, to find my way home, tostabilize injuries and to repairbroken equipment. I understandthat I must operate in thewilderness under my ownrecognizance. I am trained as aWilderness First Responder. Mycompanions have similar trainingand experience and yet, should the

worst occur, we could facecriminal charges under thisproposed legislation. This, despitethe fact that a wholly unprepared,untrained snowmobile operator(far more likely to require suchservices, if you review thenumbers of snowmobile accidentsto which the state police haveresponded in the past week) couldaccess these same services withimpunity? Please do not place my6 year old daughter, already abackcountry enthusiast, in criminaljeopardy should she or I becomeunexpectedly in need of assistanceduring legitimate use of our publiclands and despite our bestprecautions and preparations. Howwould you explain to her that thejewel of our state, its winterwilderness, is inaccessible to herunder penalty of law?

I understand the pressures thatirresponsible use of Vermont'snatural landscape can place on our

busy and dedicated public safetypersonnel. There exist now, undercurrent law the tools to recover thecosts associated with these limitedincidents. Other states have facedthese concerns, and have foundthat a reasonable balance betweenpublic safety and resourcepreservation can be struck. I urgethe Committee to consider othermechanisms for achieving theseeducational goals that do notcriminalize legitimate use andenjoyment of our state treasure.

I am happy to discuss mythoughts, experiences andperspectives further with theCommittee in person, via e-mail orby phone. Please feel free tocontact me at this e-mail address orby phone. Thank you once againfor the thoughtful, vital and criticalwork that you do.

Jason M. Duquette-Hoffman,Co-Owner, Worth Skis

Outdoor Spotlight:


Graydon (Gray) B. Stevensis living a classic Vermontexistence. He was born and

raised in Barton, and later left thestate for a while before returning tohis beloved Green Mountains.After a wide-ranging series of jobs,he's forged a niche that has allowedhim to be an integral part of the

outdoors he loves.Growing up on a farm gave

Stevens plenty of opportunities forhunting, fishing and observingnature. Later, he worked as anunofficial fishing guide and helpedto run and maintain the family'ssummer rental cabin business onLake Salem in Derby.

Paying the bills has required thathe work in diverse fields as cook athigh-end resorts, construction,summer camp councilor, running anightclub, ground line foreman, andmanaged a ski dorm near theCanadian border. He started and rana chimney sweep business from 1978to 2000.

The Man With the PlanGray Stevens leads two of the most visible organizations in Vt.

Outdoor Spotlight:


But it was in 1994 when he beganwhat would become his work todaywhen he established AdventureGuides of Vermont. Two years laterhe founded the nonprofit VermontOutdoor Guide Association, theculmination of a lifetime of workingon outdoor projects.

He continues to work as theexecutive director of VOGA, helpingguide services and tour operators inall aspects of business includingaccess to public and private lands,risk management, legislative issues,marketing and more.

He maintains the organizations’website with an average of 800visitors per day and has providedgrant writing services.

Vermont Fish and WildlifeDepartment gave VOGA theopportunity to ownand operate theinactive VermontOutdoors Woman in2000, which the statehad established as anextension of theirBecoming anOutdoors Womanprogram.

VOW providesyear round outdoorprogramming forwomen of all agesand abilities. His duties includecoordinating volunteers, marketing,instructors and sponsors.

In 2001, Stevens was on thefounding committee for VermontTraditions Coalition, an advocacygroup encouraging responsiblelegislation relating to traditional landuse in Vermont. He has also servedon nearly 20 recreation and tourismrelated advisory and planning

committees and boards for nonprofitsand state agencies under threeVermont administrations.

On a personal note, Stevens enjoysphotography and multiple outdooractivities. He maintains his collectionof stringed instruments and hasperformed as a singer/songwriter

since the late 1960s. He lives with ared wolf hybrid on his property incentral Vermont.

VOGA is a 501 C6 nonprofitorganization "Dedicated to thesupport and promotion ofprofessional outdoor leadership,education, and stewardship." Webelieve that all recreation activities

are valid and should be supportedand promoted, along with safety andethical practices that are pertinent.

Our members range from mom andpop operations to large resorts, allproviding outdoor programs andservices.

The support segment of ourmission means that we help providebusiness related information such asaccessing private and public lands,certifications, insurance, riskmanagement and more.

To help promote our members aswell as Vermont, we created ourpopular on line Vermont RecreationDirectory at www.voga.org, whichincludes informative pages onspecific activities.

Facebook, Twitter and other web-based services and practices were

recently added toincrease traffic. Ourwebsite also offersthree recreation-based eventcalendars, one forgeneral recreation,one for outdoortraining &certifications andone for women'soutdoor events It isno exaggeration tosay that we help to

bring millions of tourism dollars toVermont annually.

We started out just includingguides, tour operators and outfittersbut soon learned that the publicwanted to also rent or purchase gear,to find natural resources for selfguided recreation and even find aplace to stay. Now we include thatinformation and it has grown ourtraffic significantly.

This month, we launch a newfeature, Outdoor Spotlight, inwhich we talk to interestingpersonalities in the world of

outdoor recreation in Vermont.Do you know someone you thinkwe should feature in the Outdoor

Spotlight. Send us email [email protected]

or a message on Facebook

It may be a bit confusing for aninn, manufacturer or retail outlet tojoin a guide association but I believethat it is the best advertisinginvestment that a business can make.

We also monitor and contribute toindustry related issues on the stateand federal levels.

I have sat on nearly 20 boards,planning committees and advisorygroups over the past 15 years. Wealso have two lobbyists in thestatehouse who watch out for ourindustry's interests.

VOW is a membership driven

division of VOGA, dedicated togetting women of all ages involvedin outdoor activities.

With the help of an incrediblegroup of volunteers, sponsors andinstructors, VOW offers year-roundoutdoor programs in more than 60activities. Our volunteer staff createdwinter, summer and fall weekendretreats, "Doe Camp," to address themany needs for women'sprogramming.Doe Camp provides educational andskill building programs in virtuallyall outdoor activities, including:archery, firearms safety, huntingskills, fishing, horseback riding,

orienteering, GPS, canoeing,kayaking, snowshoeing, search &rescue, wildlife photography,snowmobiling, ATV safety, rockclimbing, winter camping,wilderness first aid, self defense,mountain biking, wild medicinal &edible plants, forestry, survival andmany more.

VOGA was first imagined in 1994when seven guide services met at arestaurant in Addison County. Ourgoal was to find a way to betterpromote recreation servicesthroughout the State. I was running

Outdoor Spotlight:


Outdoor Spotlight:


Adventure Guides of Vermont as anS-Corporation at the time. With thehelp of many advisers andvolunteers, we founded the nonprofitVermont Outdoor Guide Associationin 1996.

In 2000, Vermont Fish & WildlifeDepartment gave VOGA theopportunity to own and operateVermont Outdoors Woman, whichhad been established by theDepartment as an extension of theirBecoming an Outdoors Womanprogram.

Our volunteer organizingcommittee ran with it. Thecommittee came up with the name"Doe Camp" for our women'sweekend retreats and ran the firstretreat in June of 2002 at Hawk Innand Mountain Resort in Plymouth.

The women's division wassomething that we just chanced uponand the demand was obvious. Itseemed like the right thing to do atthe right time.

VOGA was created because of thelack of support of recreation servicesboth in state policy making and inmarketing.

This is an on going process.Every day we see things that can

be done to better promote Vermontas a year round recreation vacationdestination and to improve servicesto our members and to the public.

We need to be self supporting with

a paid full time director. During therecent recession, combined with twofloods and a bad winter last year,VOGA and our members took a hit.It exposed some of ourvulnerabilities as an organization andas an industry. I think that we needto go back to the basics ofcommunications, promotion andsupport of the many types of servicesthat are available in Vermont. Whenthe economic and weather conditionsare favorable, we need to maximizebusiness. With traffic to our websiteaveraging 800 visitors a day in 2012,I'd like to break 1,000 a day in 2013.We also need to pay more attentionto retaining our current members aswe welcome new companies to theassociation.

Running Vermont OutdoorsWoman is a lot like standing on awhale, fishing for minnows. Thepotential is tremendous but first weneed to take care of all of the little

details. I am currently rewriting thebusiness plan in an effort to simplifyand detail operations.

VOW needs to be run by acommittee or board of volunteers.We are currently working towardsthat end. After several organizationalmeetings last year, we have morethan 120 volunteers and now need apart time coordinator to put them towork.

We'd like to be more consistentwith our three seasonal weekendretreats and there is a need for us todevelop and offer single dayactivities featuring one or twoactivities. Soon, we hope to have apart time coordinator to pull all ofthis together.

Better funding for Tourism is No.1. Our Department of Tourism doesa good job in stretching every dollar

Outdoor Spotlight:


that they get but regional states areinvesting much more money intotourism than Vermont. With provenreturns on each dollar, increasedfunding of tourism is a must.

The Department of Tourism needsto continue to promote all aspects oftourism as well as ALL recreationactivities. Outdoor recreation is thelargest segment of tourism and it hasa positive financial affect onVermont's most remote communitiesas well as our tourist centers.

One thing about marketing is thatonce you get customers interested,you need to be able to assist them inanswering their questions.

Identifying statewideorganizations that have the answerson specific activities and areprepared to assist the public, can savethe state money and provide moreaccurate information for visitors.Tourism information provided by1-800-VERMONT operators and bythe Vermont Ambassador Programshould include these organizations.

Creating an information networkthat filters down to theseorganizations helps the public andstrengthens businesses and tradeorganizations.Many in the guiding industry believethat it is time for Vermont to licenseguides. New York, New Hampshireand Maine have licensing programsfor guides.

Our Fish & Wildlife Departmentshould consider doing the same. I'mnot saying that we should copy anyone state but rather create aspractical, affordable and professionalprocess as possible. Maybe this is toomuch to ask of the state but I believethat we should at least have theconversation.

Projects and CommitteesFounder and Executive

Director, 1996 to presentincludes Doe Camp –Executive

Director, 2000 to presentSole Proprietor/Founder 1994

to present – Recreation Vacation Packages – Founding Committee 2001 to

presentBoard of Directors –

2002 - 2012 – Governor Appointee

2002- 2012, 2007 –

2009, Planning Contributor – 2007 -

2008Secretary of ANR

appointee, 2006 – 20072006

, Contributor, 2006 – 2004

Board ofDirectors – 2002 - 2006

2002- 2005

Board ofDirectors – 1999 - 2004America’s largest and oldest fishing derby

, 1996 - 1997

Contributor -

Contributor

Contributor – Contributor – Planning

Contributor – Planning

Committee – Planning Contributor

– Webmaster – Editor

Vermont Outdoor Women:


Scenes from pastVermont Outdoors Woman events.

Vermont Outdoor Women:



Like that special tree stand from which you always see deer, orthat stretch of river where the trout always rise, there are justsome places that are unique. A spot that holds a place in your

heart so special that you keep it to yourself.

If you’re looking for an advertising opportunity to share yourmessage, this can be your special place.

This prime spot can be yours next month.By advertising in Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine, you’ll

not only be supporting a growing publication that is generating alot of excitement in the Green Mountain State, but you’ll also

place your message in front of avid and dedicated outdoorenthusiasts.

And you won’t believe how affordable this space is.There are other publications that cover some of the outdoor

experience in Vermont and this little slice of Heaven they callnorthern New England. They do a good job, but none of themcover the depth and breadth of the topics you’ll read about in


So contact us today to ensure we can get your advertisement inthe next monthly issue of a growing and exciting publication that

covers the topics that are important to you and your business.

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (802) 331-0130

Sacred Hunter:


Following is an abbreviatedversion of how I found mycalling in life and how Sacred

Hunter was born and an announcementabout one of the most elaborate wildgame dinners you may ever attend.

About nine years ago, the ShelburneCommunity school asked me if Iwould consider mentoring a youngman who was challenged to adhere to

some basic social tenets of theinstitution.

I accepted the challenge and beganmeeting Brad once a week. Soon wediscovered that we shared a commonpassion, the outdoors.

We would talk at length aboutthings that 14-year-olds experienceand soon formed a bond. In the hourwe would spend together, he taught me

A Sacred Connection

http://www.SacredHunter.org

one of the most valuable lessons of mylife: that my actions could have asignificant impact on someoneyounger.

What I said, what I thought about,how I handled my own life and mydeep passion for hunting and fishing,became the central driver of our

connection.Soon, I was introduced to his

caretakers and our relationship took ona new form, that of ice fishing partners.I would work Brad into my weeklyrituals, jigging for panfish, sitting ona pickle bucket out in Shelburne Bay.

Sometimes we caught some

beautiful yellow perch, sometimes thenearly translucent rainbow smelt, butin every expedition we undertook, Ilearned more about my purpose in life.

My strongest desire is to share theworld of the hunter, fisher and gathererwith those who might not otherwiseconsider it.

Sacred Hunter:


I mentored six more young menover the following eight years andstarted writing about my outdoorexploits. Soon, I was offered amonthly column in a regionalpublication, then another. Before long,my passion was bringing me greaterrewards than I could ever haveimagined.

I had been running a waterfowlguide service that took adults on duckand goose hunting forays, yet, despitebeing paid for doing something Ienjoyed, my greatest feelings ofachievement were coming from thementoring.

In 2008, I decided to formalize the

process and created TraditionsOutdoor Mentoring, with a full-oncurriculum of traditional hunting andfishing rituals.

I watched these boys develop fromat-risk adolescents to compassionateresponsible outdoorsmen whose ethicsand sense of respect for their worldrepresented the values ofconservationists like Aldo Leopold,Teddy Roosevelt and Jim Posewitz,the founder of Orion The Hunter'sInstitute.

In my own little community I wasbeing characterized as “the huntingand fishing guy” to go to for peoplewho were curious about the sport.

A few short years later I recognizedthat my efforts to communicate aboutthe beauty, serenity and peace that Ifound were forming an entire beliefsystem.

My sport, which I had begun 30years ago, had evolved into a quest fordeeper meaning. It became a form ofworship.

One day the term “worshippingnature” flowed from my lips and Irealized that I was practicingsomething sacred. I was practicingrituals like fasting and mindfulnesswhile walking or sitting in the woods.

I signed up for a weekend course atShelburne Farms called “The Sacred

Sacred Hunter:


Hunt,” which featured Jon Young andRandall Eaton as speakers.

Throughout the weekend about 30participants would break into smallteams and practice tracking, foraging,and learning about the spiritualconnection to nature that we allpossess.

I came away from the weekendknowing what I had to do. I immersedmyself in the study of “nature deficitdisorder,” the concepts of fair chasehunting and began seeking themeaning of why some men (andwomen) are driven to hunt.

Over the past three years, I formeda nonprofit, called “Sacred

Hunter.org” with Eaton's blessing.Its purpose is to educate the public

about the spiritual nature of hunting,fishing and foraging and to raisemoney for the Traditions OutdoorMentoring program.

This month, on Saturday, March 23,we will hold our first fundraiser, a wildgame dinner, at The Lodge atShelburne Bay, 185 Pine HavenShores (off of Shelburne Road next tothe bowling alley.)

We are offering some epicureandelights like smoked peppered goosebreast, smoked brook trout and garlicspread and genuine goose liver foie’gras with truffle oil as appetizers. For

entrees we will serve pan seared androasted partridge breast, partridgeconfit leg and sun dried cherry rillette,roasted pheasant with Vermont cornspoon bread, wilted spinach andcaramelized shallots in a crispypancetta and madera pan reduction anda block cut, seared Lake ChamplainSalmon with fennel, leek and celeriacragout and preserved lemon beurreblanc.

Other entrees will be added as wecreate them.

There will be a cash wine and beerbar, with local wines being paired tothe dishes, featuring Traminettes andCabernet Francs from East Shore

Sacred Hunter:


Vineyard in Grand Isle and a deliciousIPA beer from the Shelburne brewery,Fiddlehead.

There will be a silent auction forwildlife artwork and guided hunts.

Happy Hour will launch at 5:30 p.m.and run until 7 p.m., at which time, wewill stroll downstairs to the diningroom and be served entrees, salads anda tiramisu dessert.

Our space is limited to reservationsonly. The meal is $75 per person andall revenues will go toward SacredHunter.org.

We hope to raise enough money tofile our final documentation with the

IRS, in hopes of being granted aDetermination Letter of tax-deductiblestatus.

All remaining revenue will beallocated toward new equipment andoperating costs of mentoring ouryoung men in the Traditions OutdoorMentoring program.

If you’ve ever wanted to support aprogram that mentors at-risk youth,and provides the public with a betterunderstanding of the spiritualconnection to the hunt, this is yourdinner. Please consider joining usMarch 23 for an evening of fun,laughter, fine food and wine.

For reservations, please call (802)238-6176 or send an email [email protected].

If you’d like to learn more about ourprograms, please visit our websites,www.sacredhunter.org, andwww.traditionsoutdoormentoring.org,and “like” us on Facebook.

Bradley Carleton is executivedirector of Sacred Hunter.org, anonprofit that seeks to educate thepublic on the spiritual connection ofman to nature and raises funds forTraditions Outdoor Mentoring.org,which mentors at-risk young men inoutdoor pursuits.

Sacred Hunter:


Wild-Game Fundraising Dinner

Saturday, March 23

The Lodge at Shelburne Bay185 Pine Haven Shores

Reservations(802) 238-6176 or

[email protected]

Advertising Rates

[email protected]


Hunting:


‘Sunday’

Hunting:


For the first time in my life, abuck is hanging from themeat pole at Uncle Tom’s

cabin when I awake. Brother Chrishas accomplished something noother hunter in camp (with theexception of Uncle Tom) can claim;he has killed a buck in Searsburg onBetit property during the two weekVermont Rifle season.

The temperature outside is twiceas warm as yesterday morning … abalmy 14 degrees. After finishing acup of hot coffee I decide to wakemy 7-year-old son.

Harry approaches me andgenerously offers to keep an eye onthe boy here at camp while I pursuewhitetails. I would prefer Tommyaccompany me but need to considerhis age, the temperature andphysical toll yesterday’s adventuremay have taken on his small frame.

I return to our sleeping quartersand gently shake him.

“Hey buddy, its morning ...” Iwhisper. He groans and rolls ontohis side facing me. “How cold is it?”he asks.

His question answers what I amabout to ask.

“It’s 14 degrees, not as cold asyesterday but still cold. You canstay here with Harry while I hunt,or come with me, it’s up to youbuddy.”

Knowing that I will be on my ownthis morning, I start to devise a planvery different than the one thatincluded my son accompanying me.

Dress lighter, cover more ground,sit in one hour increments, take onlythe basics: gun, five shells (becauseone is too many), license, knife,compass and flashlight ... thatshould do it.

I offer my thanks to Harry and tellhim I may be back to camp earlyespecially since Brother Chris hasmost likely killed the only buckwithin miles.

As I drive along reservoir road, Idecide to climb heart attack hill wellbeyond where Tommy and I sat

Hunting:


yesterday and make my way tothe eastern property line,spending the first hour ofdaylight among the openhardwoods where my view willbe unobstructed.

Uncle Tom had decided tohunt behind camp leaving all 600plus acres to Jeff and I.

After climbing heart attack hillmy feet remain surprisingly cold. Imake my way to the property lineand clear snow and leaves from thebase of a tree in preparation of whatI know will be a brief stay.

As the sun struggles to climb overthe mountains that surround me,trees pop and snap reinforcing whatmy body is telling me.

It’s cold.I manage to sit for about 45 bone

chilling minutes. I decide it’s timeto take my gun for a walk. I need to

get my blood flowing in order to feelmy toes again.

As I think about my next move Iask myself, “If you were a deer,where would you be?” It’s not likeI am half deer/half human oranything, but these thoughts oftenwander through a deer hunters mind.

Sun, that is where I should be,somewhere in the sun. With a skyabsent of clouds, I should positionmyself overlooking a southwestfacing slope.

Referring to the topography of theland engrained in my mind, I startwalking, south.

I had been to this spot before andsaw the one buck I was fortunateenough to see while hunting Betitproperty (before chasing BrotherChris' buck yesterday). I stumbledupon him a few years back at the topof a ridge while he slept in his bed,in the sun.

We startled each other and as heran off I continued to shoot,aimlessly.

Moments after I reach mydestination and begin to appreciatethe warmth of the rising sun, I amjoined by a deer. She is a ways out

in front of me with her tailtucked between her back legs,ambling down the ridge like aslalom skier on the trails ofnearby Mt. Snow.

“Huh … I don’t think she isrunning from me. I wonder ...”and there he is.

The most magnificent buck anyhunter who walks the spine of theGreen Mountains could hope to see.

Time slows down, my heartbeataccelerates and the buck has no ideahe’s being watched.

“Let him come, don’t rush theshot, this is a sure thing, I can’t

This story is Part II of Jeremy Baker’stwo-part series. If you missed thebeginning, see “Saturday” in the

January issue of VGOM.

Hunting:


believe this, nobody will, look atthose antlers ...”

He walks slowly, following hisnose and finally reaches me throughthe open hardwoods. Beech whipsand frozen air are all that separateus.

As my .270 barks, he standsbefore me, motionless.

I didn’t kill him, I didn’t evendraw blood. All I did wasmomentarily interrupt his pursuit ofthat doe along with the beat of myheart.

I missed.As I jack another round into the

chamber, he waves goodbye makingendless bounds down the mountain.

Four shots later I have no ideawhat happened. Pushing rewind isnot an option so I gather what sanity

I have left and decide to carefullyhead in the direction he ran.

Not far into this decision I see himwell below me, standing motionless75 to 100 yards away, hunched upwith his neck extended and tailtucked.

What I would do for one morebullet. Yeah, that’s right, I amempty. I sit down in the snow on thehillside and admire him hopelesslythrough my scope. He takes a fewcautious steps and beds down in theopen hardwoods. I am convincedthat he is hit.

“One, two, three, six, eight … ten.”I count 10 points on his rack.I can’t sit here forever while we

both lick our wounds. I retreat backup and over the ridge and once I amcertain he can’t see me, I start topick up the pace. I have about a mileto go before I reach my truckfollowed by a 5-mile drive to UncleTom’s cabin.

A hunter. I can’t believe this,another hunter. I need to find outwhat he knows without telling himwhat I am up to.

“Any luck?” I ask.“No, you?” he replies.I lie to him like any honest hunter

would.“Nope, I haven’t seen anything

and I am headed back to camp, it’stoo damn cold to be out here todayespecially since there aren’t anydeer around. Aren’t you cold?”

He thinks about my questionbefore replying and I may haveconvinced him that he is or at leastshould be cold.

One last question and then I haveto get going.

“Did you hear all that shooting awhile ago?”

His answer is exactly what I washoping for.

“Yeah but those shots were a longways off.”

A final attempt to complete thisdiversion by convincing him it’s toocold to hunt and I gotta go.

“Yeah, I thought so too, good luckto you and stay warm, it’s awfullycold out here.”

When I return to camp everyonebut Uncle Tom is enjoying the woodstove. I tell my unbelievable tale andas expected, they are dumbfounded.What fool would take only enoughammunition to load his gun and howthe hell could anyone miss a bucklike that … five times?

I radio Uncle Tom and encouragehim to get back to camp ASAP. Ineed his help if I am going to bag

this bruiser.I grab a bite to eat, shed a layer of

sweaty clothes, and gather enoughammunition to kill not one but 10deer, climb the walls inside campand wait for Uncle Tom.

Brother Chris will drive a vehicleout to Route 9 so we cancommunicate with him via radio.Uncle Tom and I must climb heartattack hill ... again.

I have the whole thing figured outand unveil my plan to Uncle Tom

during our 5-mile drive and 1 milewalk back to the top of the ridgewhere we will begin our stalk.

I have been defending myselffrom thoughts of never seeing thisdeer again since the barrage of fivedesperate bullets exited the barrel ofmy gun.

Hunting:


Hunting:


Once we reach the top of the ridgeit will be slow going. If the buck iswhere I left him he should be facingaway from us allowing for a slowmethodical ambush.

We reach the spot I sat earlier inthe day admiring this giant with anempty gun and broken heart. Nowwe have two guns full of ammo butthe buck is nowhere to be seen.

We push on and find his bed. Itappears at least one shot found it’smark. There is blood in the bed butfar back and away from the vitals.

Now I have serious doubts thattoday will have the same happyending as yesterday.

I stay on the track with UncleTom by my side, his head up andgun ready, scanning the horizon. Wefollow tracks and read sign thatindicate this deer is clearlyuncomfortable.

The buck lies down, gets up, andwalks briefly, bedding several moretimes, depositing blood at each stop.We slow down expecting to see himat any moment.

Sure enough he was beddedwatching his back track as we closedin.

Neither of us sees him until he isat least two bounds into his escape.

We each fire once but neither shot

finds its mark. I motion to UncleTom, we each shake our heads andshrug our shoulders then huddle,revising our plan.

“Boy, he’s a BIG deer Jer.”Uncle Tom’s comment confirms

two of many thoughts runningthrough my mind: Yes, he is big, andmore importantly, I may never havean opportunity like this again, at leastnot in these woods.

I decide we should wait about 10minutes or so giving him time to bed.

Assuming the wounded buckwon’t climb the steep ridge to ourleft, I instruct Uncle Tom to putabout 40 yards between us to my

right. I motion to start up again andwe are off.

Not five steps later I look outahead as far as I can possibly seeand something catches my eye.

Something simply looks out ofplace. Among the vertical trees andsnowy landscape something appearslaterally in the distance.

I raise my gun and am amazed atwhat fills my scope. The buck isbedded and looking back at memaybe 75-100 yards away throughthe Beech whips and hardwoods.

This bullet is going to need eyesif it has any chance of finding itstarget. I crank my scope to 9 andplace the cross hairs at the base ofhis neck.

After squeezing the trigger, all Isee are his legs and hooves flailingin the air. He doesn’t make it out ofhis bed ... it’s over.

The buck is dead.Uncle Tom, not expecting such a

quick shot, has no idea what is goingon, so I holler over, “I got him!”

Somewhat confused he begins hisinterrogation, “What? How? Whereis he … are you sure?”

I don’t blame him for doubtingme. This moment seems surreal. Imissed the easy shot and made thetoughest.

I motion to Uncle Tom,positioning him between me and thedeer and ask him to continuewalking ahead.

As Uncle Tom makes his waydown the ridge towards the lifelessbuck he continuously turns to lookback at me wondering how he canpossibly be headed in the rightdirection. I motion to him again andhe suspiciously continues on untilhe sees the buck.

“How the hell did you see him all

the way down here?” I can’t answerthat question, I’m just thankful I did.

Brother Chris, having heard theshots, is starving for informationand eager to help so I get on theradio and share the good news.

I let him know it’s going to be awhile before we get this deer out tothe road so he parks Uncle Tom’sChevy on the Somerset Reservoirroad and anxiously awaits furtherinstruction.

Uncle Tom and I are speechlessas we stand over this impressiveanimal.

We have a lot of work ahead of usbut I am a firm believer that anydrag, regardless of the difficulty, isworth the opportunity to tag a bucklike this.

In order to capture the moment

forever, we begin snappingphotographs from every angle.

Uncle Tom and I were togetherfor my first kill, 25 years ago. Onthis day, we are together again, formy best ... our best.

I can’t wait to get back to campand show my son this buck. I wishhe would have been with us butthere will be plenty of time andopportunity for that.

I imagine my grandfather’s armfirmly around my shoulder.

“Nice job Jerry, nice job, he’s agood one ...”

Jeremy Baker chases whitetailspassionately with friends and familythroughout the Green Mountainsand Adirondacks of New York State.Feel free to send him an email:[email protected]

Hunting:


Hunting:


Fishing:


As the cold, dark days ofwinter quickly transitionduring the month of March,

anglers should prepare for theopening of trout season. After thelong winter, the anticipation ofVermont’s first National Holiday ofthe year approaches.

It’s time to get the gear ready thatwas put away in haste on the last day

of October last season as many ofus headed into the woods forVermont’s white-tailed deer season.

After 27 years of guiding I cantell you that a little preparation cango a long way in getting you startedfor a safe and comfortable openingday. It’s time to pick up that pileof gear in the dark musty corner ofyour basement and get ready fortrout season to open April 13.

Those leaky waders from lastseason should be repaired, replaced

Prepping for Trout Season

Fishing:


or if nothing else, cleaned. Fly linesshould be cleaned and checked forexcessive wear. Spinning reelsshould be spooled with newmonofilament, hooks checked forrust, and leader and tippet materialreplaced. It might even be time topurchase a new rod.

So let’s take these one at a time.Here are a few helpful hints to getyou ready for spring’sopening day

For those who exited theriver in the dark Oct. 31,the last day of Vermont’strout season, you may haveto begin by pulling the damp, mustysocks balled up in the bottom ofyour boots from last year.

It may be time to upgrade to a pairof breathable waders or you cancheck those from last year for minorleaks and punctures, and be preppedin advance for a more comfortableand DRY opening day.

In prepping your waders for thisseason, you can begin by turningyour breathable waders inside outand spraying them with a solutionof water and alcohol to find allminor pinhole leaks that can beeasily repaired with a small tube ofAqua Seal.

Once these repairs have been

completed and the inside of thewaders have been washed (oh yea,by the way you’re supposed to washyour waders) they can be turnedright side out and cleaned on theoutside. This is easily done with asponge and a solution of water anddetergent, and then rinsed.

Once air-dried, you can go onestep further in making those

breathable waders almost brand newby spraying them with a bottle ofRevive-X and drying them with ahair dryer. This will make the fabricbead water just like they did the firstday out of the package. For moreinformation on this process you canvisit the Fly Rod Shop website andwatch the video demonstrating thecleaning process I just described.

I can tell you based on years ofretail experience that most peopledon’t take the time to perform theseminor maintenance practices.

Next, check your wading boots(don’t forget Vermont’s felt soleban) requiring us to use rubberbottom boots. Check the soles for

wear and for those who have notinvested in a relatively inexpensivepackage of boot cleats, now’s thetime to add a pair of carbide screwsor star cleats to the bottom of yourshoes and add another season oftraction to those soles wearing outfrom last year.

Next would be reel and linemaintenance.

For those spin fishermanout there, re-spooling yourspinning reel with newmonofilament is a must.

Many a humongousbrown or rainbow trout

have been lost on opening day dueto old brittle line from the previoussummer. Monofilament deterioratesvery quickly due to exposure to UVlight and temperature making itbrittle.

Simply replacing your line at thebeginning of the season can assureyou of having to use a differentexcuse for why the big one got away.

For fly fisherman, using ScientificAngler’s line cleaning pad and linedressing to revive your PVC fly line.It will make you a better casterbefore you hook your first tree ofthe year.

Fly lines cleaned and treatedthroughout the season also adds a

It will make you a better caster before youhook your first tree of the year.






Fishing:


significant improvement to your lines cast-abilitythrough the guides of your fly rod.

All fly fisherman should consider replacing theirleader and tippet spools from the previous year,especially ifyou’re like meand hang yourtippet spools onthe outside ofyour fishing vest.Again, theexposure to UVlight from the previous season can significantlycompromise their breaking strength.

Also, a small $5 investment in a tub of reel lube candramatically improve the performance of the reel.

Now it’s time to pull out the tackle box or fly boxfrom last year’s years damp fall day.

For the spin fisherman, check all hooks for rust andreplace those that look marginal at best. A hook fileand a few minutes of hook sharpening can go a longway to increasing the performance in setting the hookon that giant trophy this season.

For the fly fisherman that left their hooks in theirfoam fly boxes, it’s really important to remove themand check them for hook rust.

An easy solution to this problem would have been tohave removed them from the foam box last fall and putthem in a Plano compartment box for the wintermonths, but that would have been too easy.

If the hooks have rusted, replacing those flies is amust. I can tell you that there have been occasions whenlarge fish slammed a rusty hooked fly only to have itbreak at the bend or barb due to rust and corrosion fromthe previous year.

And last but not least is the anticipation of that newgear for the upcoming season.

We’ve spent all winter looking online and throughcatalogs at the latest and greatest equipment for 2013.Now may be the time to try casting that new fly rod,switching from your old fishing vest to a chest pack orfanny pack for lighter travel, replacing those leaky hipboots with a pair of breathable waders, or just simplyreplacing your stinky, bug-dope saturated, favoritefishing hat with a new one.

There’s no guaranty that you’ll catch more fish thisseason with that new gear but its sure going to be funusing it!

Bob Shannon is the owner and head guide at The Fly RodShop in Stowe. He has more than 25 years of experienceteaching fly fishing and is a member of the St. Croix Pro Staffas well as an ambassador for Simms Fishing Products. Hecurrently serves on the board for Lake ChamplainInternational and is on the Vermont Fish & Wildlife board.

Fishing:


On a Sunday in late February,the ice in Mallets Bay inColchester was covered with

children, parents and ice fishermen.The parents had brought their kids

to the frozen bay in Lake Champlainto learn about ice fishing. The iceanglers, including some of the topfrozen water pros in the northcountry were giving up a day theycould be chasing slab crappie or pikeas long as their leg to make surethose youngster did just that.

Organized by James Vladyka andScott Blair, owners of VermontSportsman, and hosts of theVermont Sportsman HardwaterTournament Series, the kids icefishing clinic was started to helpeducate youth about the outdoors

and give kids an opportunity toexperience fishing.

Of course getting top-rateinstruction by some of the best proice fisherman in the "ice belt" wasn'ta bad perk.

"All of us at the Vermont Sportmanfamily, the volunteers and our greatsponsors feel that it is important thatevery youth have the opportunity toexperience ice fishing and the outdoorsat no cost to them or their parents,"Vladyka said. "Theres nothing likeseeing that smile or expresion they geton their face when catching their firstfish or even just baiting a hook for thefirst time. We want the kids toexperience the outdoors and learn toenjoy and respect it like we've learnedover the years."

And while there were plenty ofsmiles on the faces of kids on the icethat day, there were an equal numberof smiles on the faces of adults –both parents and ice fishinginstructors.

"What a blast we had teaching thekids how to fish," Vladyka said.

Special thanks to the sponsors thatmade the event possible: ShearerChevrolet, Bond Auto, Yaktrax, Mr.Heater, Makiplastic, Clam, Sullivantip downs, and HT. Thanks also toLarry and Shirley Vladyka for allthey do to raise money for the kids.And special thanks to Big Daddy'sPizza for feeding a frozen bay full ofhungry ice anglers.

For more information:www.VtSportsman.com

Ice Anglers Host Kid’s Fishing Event


Fishing:

Even if you’re one of those“fishing is always in season”types, there will inevitably

be times when you just can’t makeit out.

You’re stuck at home, twiddlingyour thumbs, the kids are buggingyou for something to do. Thesedreaded in-between times can be anangler’s worst nightmare.

If you find yourself in one thesesituations, why not use the time tomake some new lure and jigs foryour next outing?

It keeps those of us who are antsyto go fishing preoccupied, plusyou'll have some neat (and probablyvery inexpensive) lures to use whenthe fishing is good again!

Making homemade lures willkeep kids interested in fishing andexcited to get back out on the watercasting a line. For both kids andadults, I bet you'll find it much morerewarding to catch a fish on yourhomemade lure than it is on a lureyou buy from a store.

You can get creative, and plentyof directions can be found online bysearching Google with key wordssuch as "how to make a fishing lure"or something similar. Here are sometips and ideas to get you started.

Remember, fish like flashy.Anything that will catch the light isa good bet. Bottle caps, can tabs,and old spoons work well and arelikely to be hanging around thehouse. If you want to be moreofficial, blank spinners and flasherscan be purchased online.

Add some color! Beads, nail

polish, or feathers will brighten alure up. Craft store and tackle shopsoften sell colorful, reflective tapethat can be cut in various shapes.

Be sure to use a strong wire. Onethat will remain stiff should be usedas the main shank to which thespinners, beads, hook, etc. areattached. Jewelry wire or strongthread can be used to hold onfeathers and other add-ons.

Put the hook on last! The lastthing you want to do is explain toyour spouse how her son ended upwith a fishhook through his finger.

The most important thing is tohave fun and be creative! It’s a greatfeeling to catch a fish on your ownlure. Remember, you never knowwhat a fish will strike.

The original fishing spoon wasdiscovered when a utensil that haddropped over the side of a boat wasattacked by a fish as it fluttered tothe bottom.

Who knows, maybe you’ll makefamous lure.


Fishing:

Making Homemade Lures


Most races and competitions. There will be some allowance for fishing tournaments, some shooting events, and a few others,but we’re not interested in 5k, 10k, half marathons, triathlons, bike races, ski races, swim meets, auto/motorcycle races,adventure races and similar events that are already covered by other publications and local newspapers. Also, no golf, Frisbeegames, dog shows (unless they’re bird dogs), gardening, backyard birding, polo, team sports, well you get the idea. We have todraw the line somewhere, and this is a good starting point. Some things will be on a case-by-case basis. It never hurts to ask.


Fishing:

Why do outdoor enthusiasts get up in the dark and venture out in the cold? Because you won’t see anything like this sunrise on LakeBomoseen while still in bed – unless of course you’re dreaming.


Fishing:

Big fishthroughthe ice.


Fishing:

Tools of the trade. First you have to get to the fish (above), then, you have to have something to offer them (below).

Bucketsof

Fish.


Fishing:

Marshall Maynard checks the ice thickness as he moves across the ice after a warm spell.

Bob Gearwar and Oliver Huntley (above, left) with the 10.5-pound landlocked salmon Oliver caught Feb. 23 on Lake Dunmore. At right,Marshall Maynard with a great perch from Lake Champlain.


Fishing:

At left, an angler’s take includes a mess of perch. At right, Tom Best shows off a nice perch.

Tim Domina shows off his 14-pound, 39-inch northern pike caught on LakeCarmi in February.


Fishing:

Laurel Baker holds a pair of nice perch.

Anglers show off a mess of perch. At right, Marshall Maynard shows off a walleye.


Fishing:

These brothers showed off their fishing skills and caught age-appropriately sized fish. At left, Ty Austis 5 years old and caught this 5.02-pound largemouth bass. Not to be outdone, Rudy Aust, 13, landedthis 13.4-pound pike. Both fish came from Lake Bomoseen.


Ecology:

In summer, you always knowwhen a striped skunk has beenaround. But in winter, these animalsmake themselves scarce, hunkeringdown to wait out the onslaught ofice and snow.

Unlike most rodents and birds,which hoard food for the coldmonths, the striped skunk will havespent the fall eating as much aspossible so it can stay warm duringmid-winter dormancy. This bingeeating creates thick layers of fatunderneath the skin – a winterjacket, of sorts. The skunkmetabolizes this fat during itsdormant rests, though at a muchslower rate than in summer.

Striped skunks use different densites at different times of year, sotheir winter burrow will usually notbe the same place where they raisedtheir young. While capable ofdigging their own winter burrows,skunks are more inclined to seekresidency in spaces that belong tosomeone else.

For example, they find comfortunderneath human-built porches ordecks, a fact that some of us (andour noses) may be all-too-familiarwith.

Those skunks that live away fromresidential areas will oftencommandeer burrows dug anddeserted by other outdoor dwellers,such as woodchucks or foxes.

Once colder temperatures set in,

a skunk will prepare its den byblocking off the entrance to itsburrow with leaves and grass tokeep the cold air out.

It isn’t uncommon for stripedskunks to burrow with each otherfor extra warmth – thesecohabitating skunks have theadvantage of socialthermoregulation, where they useeach other to stay warm. Malessometimes den communally duringwinter, but are not tolerant of eachother during other seasons.

Winter denning season inVermont and New Hampshiretypically runs from Novemberthrough March, but this isn’t to saythat skunks aren’t active duringwinter.

The Winter Life of the Skunk

Settled into its winter home, the striped skunkbecomes dormant, but does not enter a full state ofhibernation. Instead, skunks enter a state of torpor – asort of deep sleep from which they awake from time totime. During torpor, which is influenced by thetemperature and food availability, their bodytemperatures can drop 20 degrees and their metabolismslows.

As the season changes from winter to spring, skunkswill emerge and seek a mate.

Striped skunks are a polygamous species and a malewill take multiple mates over the course of lateFebruary through April; a female will only mate once.

After breeding, both males and females seek torebuild fat reserves, having lost, on average, about 30percent of their body weight during winter.

Females will establish maternity dens, sometimescommunally. Males spend the warm months alone.

The arrival of spring brings not only warmer weather,but new food sources.

The omnivorous skunk goes from a lean winter dietof carrion, fruit, and seeds to a summer diet rich ininsects, small mammals, and sometimes our trash.

As bee keepers are well aware, skunks have a

fondness for bees and will consume honey, larvae, andadults.

The scientific name for the striped skunk is Mephitismephitis, meaning “bad odor.” The word “skunk” itselfis one of the few Algonquin Indian words to enter theEnglish language.

Megh Rounds is an Environmental Educator fromMaine. The illustration for this column was drawn byAdelaide Tyrol.


Ecology:

The Outside Story, provided by NorthernWoodlands magazine, is a series of weeklyecology articles that has been appearing innewspapers across New Hampshire and

Vermont since 2002. The series isunderwritten by the Wellborn Ecology Fund

of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation- Upper Valley Region and edited by Dave

Mance at Northern Woodlands.

Send story pitches, photos, news releases, calendaritems, letters to the editor, and other submissions to:

Send advertising correspondence to:

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Who hasn’t looked out thekitchen window thismonth and felt surprise

at the sight of plump black-cappedchickadees and tufted titmice onlow, nearby branches? We maywonder why these birds look so fatin winter’s wind and cold.

While many of their featheredneighbors head south for the monthsof fall and winter in response to the

lack of available food such asworms, flying insects, and nectar-rich flowers, birds that live inVermont year-round are welladapted to dealing with the cold andsnow.

Birds are equipped to takeadvantage of certain elements intheir habitat that may provideshelter. In addition, birds have thecapacity to lower their activitylevels and rate of metabolism toregulate body temperature and save

energy.We all know that feathers are

important, unique, avian structures.Not only are feathers critical to theachievement of flight, but theircolorful patterning functions as aform of communication for birds ofthe same and other species.

Just as important, feathersperform a lifesaving function infrigid temperatures. Special musclesattached to a bird’s feathers allowthe bird to raise a network of


Bird Watching:

Cold Winter, Warm Birds

A blue jay is well suited for dealing with Vermont’s winter weather.


Bird Watching:

feathers in creating protective airpockets that keep heat close to thebody and cold blocked out.

Remember that plumped up birdsitting on the clothesline inFebruary? She is keeping warm bykeeping insulated.

We often spy a bird standing onone leg with the other pulled upunder its body or the bird headtucked under one shoulder wing.These postures are behavioraladaptations for keeping vulnerableparts of the body warm.

Some birds reduce heat loss fromtheir legs and feet by reducing bloodflow to the lower legs and feet(regional hypothermia). Tendonscomprise much of a bird’s foot withminimal nerve and vascular tissueso blood flow is directed to a bird’score when it is trying to conserveheat.

Arterial blood vessels pumpingwarm core blood mesh with veinscarrying cool blood from coldextremities (countercurrentexchange), thus circulating warmerblood around vital organs.

Shivering is a phenomenon we allknow from personal experience.Humans are not the only animalscapable of shivering.

Birds employ rapid musclecontractions to generate heat,especially during nighttime sleep.During cold nights, many birds suchas the black-capped chickadee andgolden-crowned kinglet are able toenter into a state of torpor whereinthey can lower their bodytemperature (normally about 104degrees Fahrenheit down to about86 degrees) to a point where theywill conserve energy and stretchtheir fat reserves from the daily food

intake (10 percent above normalbody weight) to support themthrough the night.

Favorable overnight shelters mustbe sufficiently compact and secureto protect a bird from harsh windand frigid temperatures. From treecavities to low conifer canopies ortangled vines, many birds find spaceto survive the night, some evenhuddling with kin from the samespecies.

Winter roosting boxesconstructed by local bird fans showa distinct feature regarding theentrance hole. The roost box orientsthe opening at a lower front corner(as opposed to an entrance at thefront top used in spring nestingboxes).

With heat retention the primarygoal for a roosting bird, simplephysics and logic agree that warmerair given off by a sleeping bird willrise to the top of the box, the same

area in which the bird is restingagainst the back wall’s wire grid.One would hope birds have beenable to locate natural shelters withthe same layout.

Ruffed grouse are locallycommon, ground-nesting, gamebirds. With autumn transitioning tocooler days, the feet of ruffed grouseundergo modifications for winter.

Horny, comb-like scales developalong the edges of the grouse’s toesenlarging the surface area of thebottom of the feet. This adaptationenables the bird to walk along thetop of the snow and so, conserveenergy. In extreme weather, ruffedgrouse will dive into snow coverthat is at least 10 inches in depth, tosurvive the night in their shelteringtunnel.

Observant and enterprisinghumans have taken a page from birdadaptations to the cold. Carving outsnow caves for camp shelters,

Mountain Biking:


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The Vermont Mountain BikeAssociation is thrilled to announcemembership for the first time inassociation history.

Membership includes stellarmember benefits for riders and helpssupport trails, fantastic events, andthe best riding scene in the east.

“We’re very excited about ournew membership opportunity forriders,” said Tom Stuessy, theassociation’s executive director.“They’re going to love the list ofbenefits, and the support of ridersquickly translates into more trails.”

VMBA has partnered with morethan 30 Vermont retail outlets andnonprofit organizations andcompiled a coupon book formembers. Riders will enjoydiscounts at multiple bike shops, skiresorts, free passes to “day rate” trail

networks, and much more.Not a mountain biker? Not a

problem.VMBA has appeal for all

Vermonters interested in healthyfamily-friendly outdoor recreationand to those passionate aboutprotecting our beautiful landscape.

VMBA works closely with thestate of Vermont to sustainablyconstruct high-quality and lowmaintenance trail resources through

partnerships with numerous privatelandowners and state agencies.

Mark your calendars for theannual Vermont Mountain BikeAssociation Festival hosted by theSport Trails of the Ascutney Basinat Ascutney Mountain Resort inBrownsville, July 13-14.

The event is sponsored by LongTrail Brewery, Vermont PeanutButter Company, and the VT50.

For more information onmembership and the Festival pleasevisit vmba.org.

Tom Stuessy is the executivedirector of VMBA. Contact himthrough the website, at 342-7568 orby email [email protected].

Mountain Biking Membership

We welcome the VermontMountain Biking Association

to the pages of VGOM.

Advertising Rates

[email protected]

Vermont is lucky to have arich literary tradition andthe outdoor recreational

opportunities in this little state areknown far and wide. It makessense then that some of the topoutdoor writers anywhere callVermont home. There are bylinesliving here that fill the pages ofsome of the country’s mostprestigious outdoor publications.

These are people who guys likeme look up to in much the sameway a kid looks up to Big Papi orTom Brady.

Sadly, one of those luminariesdied recently, and the realms offishing and literature are a littlesmaller today as a result.

John Merwin, a four-plus-decaderesident of Vermont and one ofthis country’s foremost fishingwriters, died in late February.

I did not know John. I wasn’tthat lucky. This account of his lifeis drawn from those who did knowhim — people who fished withhim, worked alongside him, orwere lucky enough to share acocktail with Merwin on the porchafter a day on the water.

The longtime fishing editor ofField & Stream magazine,managing editor of FlyFisherman magazine and founderof Rod & Reel magazine, whichis now Fly Rod & Reel, and theauthor or editor of 15 books,died Feb. 20 at Dartmouth

Hitchcock Medical Center.He lived in Dorset, near the

Battenkill, one of this country’smost famed trout waters.

He moved to Vermont in 1970where worked as a journalist,photographer, carpenter and farmerall while constantly chasing fish inVermont’s waters.

He was also a regularcontributor to Fly Fishermanmagazine, but was disappointed inits quality, so they made him themanaging editor. Still, he wantedto write about fishing from “ahigher level of intelligence.”

So from his basement of hisDorset home, Merwin launchedRod & Reel magazine, which laterbecame Fly Rod & Reel. He alsostarted Fly Tackle Dealer, a tradepublication.

Merwin wrote or edited 15books in his career. None weremore important than “The NewAmerican Trout Fishing” and“Trailside Guide to Fly Fishing.”Both are worthy additions to anyfishing-laden bookshelf.

In addition to writing, Merwinserved as executive director of the

American Museum of Fly Fishingin Manchester in the ’80s.He had written for Field & Streamsince 1994 and was named themagazine’s Fishing Editor from2003 to 2010. Until his death, hewas still blogging alongside JoeCermele as part of “The HonestAngler” for Field & Stream.

“In his lifetime, he had theopportunity to fish with legendsmost of us have only read about,such as Lee Wulff and A.J.McClane,” Cermele wrote in ablog post announcing Merwin’sdeath. “I think it’s fair to say thatJohn’s name will now be spokenwith the same reverence as thosestoried fishermen, as he’s attainedthat same legendary rank.”

Cermele said Merwin’sknowledge was vast and he wouldshare with those wanting to learn.

“John was also a great teacherboth on the water and at the editingdesk, but he could be a toughcritic, never afraid to tell youwhere there was room forimprovement,” Cermele wrote.“John’s passion for fishing wasunrivaled and his knowledge aboutthe sport was second to none.”

Praise flowed for Merwin asword spread through the fishingcommunity following his death.

“He spun tales reminiscent ofRobert Traver, Roderick Haig-Brown, and Thomas McGuane,while explaining the sport’s finer

Out & About:


A Legend’s Last Cast

points with supreme clarity,” said Kirk Deeter, editorof Trout magazine. “(‘The New American TroutFishing’) is the best modern book on trout fishing,period.”

Anthony Licata, editor of Field & Stream, said,“John was, quite simply, one of the mostknowledgeable and experienced all-around anglers inthe world — a genuine expert, but more: He was thestandard-bearer of integrity in fishing journalism.”

Slaton White, editor of SHOT business and aformer Field & Stream editor said Merwin could beblunt.

“That was just his New England way of savingtime,” White said. “In truth, he only played thecurmudgeon; he was a patient, gentle teacher.”

The ability to teach and coach — both writers andanglers — was a popular refrain.

“John had the ability to be friend, mentor andfather all in one afternoon of fishing,” said Garden &Gun editor David DiBenedetto. “His influence on ageneration of writers and editors, including myself,will be felt for many years.”

But for those who met him on a river, they wereusually impressed by his abilities with a fly rod.

Cermele told one story.“I once met a guide on the upper Delaware River

who had fished with John almost 12 years earlier,”Cermele wrote. “‘It was a long time ago, but I’llnever forget him,’” the guide told Cermele. “Man,could that guy cast a fly rod.”

And the praise spanned oceans.In Ireland, his guide once conceded, “You are an

elegant fly caster ... for an American.”His ashes have been sprinkled along the Battenkill.Darren Marcy is the editor and publisher of



Out & About:

Hunting, Fishing, Hiking, Backpacking, ATVing, Biking, Camping, Skiing, Snowshoeing, Snowmobiling, Bird Watching, Climbing,Photography, Power Boating, Paddling, Skijoring, Conservation, Four Wheeling, Dog Sledding, and … try us!

Most races and competitions. There will be some allowance for fishing tournaments, some shooting events, and a few others, but we’renot interested in 5k, 10k, half marathons, triathlons, bike races, ski races, swim meets, auto/motorcycle races, adventure races andsimilar events that are already covered by other publications and local newspapers. Also, no golf, Frisbee games, dog shows (unlessthey’re bird dogs), gardening, backyard birding, polo, team sports, well you get the idea. We have to draw the line somewhere, and thisis a good starting point. Some things will be on a case-by-case basis. It never hurts to ask.



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