MONTPELIER — The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department recently made available the list of dates and regulations for the 2016-2017 migratory bird hunting seasons.
A printable copy of the regulations can be downloaded from the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com). A printed version will also be available from license agents and post offices by mid-July.
A statewide Vermont open hunting season for Canada geese will occur Sept. 1-25. The daily bag limit is five Canada geese in the Connecticut River Zone and eight in the rest of the state during this September season. The purpose of the September season is to help control Vermont’s resident Canada goose population prior to the arrival of Canada geese migrating south from Canada.
A second Canada goose hunting season for resident and migrant birds will be held Oct. 12-Nov. 30 with a daily bag limit of three Canada geese in the Lake Champlain and Interior Vermont Zones.
In theConnecticut River Zone, the Canada goose season will be Oct. 4-Nov. 6, and Nov. 22-Dec. 27 with a daily bag limit of three Canada geese.
Duck season this fall opens on Wednesday, Oct. 12, in the Lake Champlain and Interior Vermont Zones, and on Oct. 4 in the Connecticut River Zone. The Lake Champlain Zone has a split season (Oct. 12-16 and Oct. 29-Dec. 22). The Interior Vermont Zone is a straight season (Oct. 12-Dec. 10). The Connecticut River Zone is a split season (Oct. 4-Nov. 6 and Nov. 22-Dec. 17).
Vermont’s youth waterfowl hunting weekend will be Sept. 24 and 25. Resident and nonresident hunters 17 years of age or younger may hunt ducks and geese within the Lake Champlain and Interior Vermont Zones during this weekend while accompanied by an adult 18 or older. In the Connecticut River Zone, youth must be 15 years of age or younger. Both adults and youth must have Vermont hunting licenses. The adult may not hunt or carry a firearm. Youth ages 16 and 17 must have state and federal duck stamps.
Woodcock hunting season is Oct. 1-Nov. 14 statewide with a three-bird bag limit.
In addition to a hunting license, a waterfowl hunter 16 or older must carry current federal and Vermont duck stamps in order to hunt waterfowl in Vermont. Federal stamps are sold at post offices. State duck stamps are available on Vermont Fish and Wildlife’s website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com) and from license agents. The hunter must sign the federal duck stamp.
All migratory game bird hunters must also be registered with the Harvest Information Program (H.I.P.) in each state they hunt. You can register on Vermont Fish and Wildlife’s website or call toll-free 1-877-306-7091. After providing some basic information, you will receive your annual H.I.P. registration number, which you then need to record on your hunting license.
The hunting season dates, bag limits and related regulations for all migratory birds are set annually within a framework established by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and in coordination with New York and New Hampshire.
Waterfowl season dates and bag limits are set in three zones: Lake Champlain, Interior Vermont and Connecticut River. The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department sets the season dates and bag limits for the Connecticut River Zone.