MONTPELIER — Vermont hunting, fishing and trapping licenses for 2019 are now available on the Fish & Wildlife Department’s website: vtfishandwildlife.com.
According to a federal survey, Vermonters rank first among residents of the lower 48 states when it comes to participating in fish and wildlife recreation — with 62 percent of Vermonters going fishing, hunting or wildlife watching — and they led in the New England states in hunting and fishing with 26 percent of residents participating in one or both.
Existing permanent, lifetime or five-year licenses cannot be updated online until January 1. 
Proceeds from license sales have helped pay for some of Vermont’s greatest wildlife conservation success stories, including restoring game species as well as helping nongame species such as peregrine falcons, bald eagles, loons, and ospreys. These funds also go to managing more than 133,000 acres of conserved land that provide critical habitat for many species as well as recreational opportunities for Vermonters.
Printed copies of the “2019 Hunting & Trapping Guide and Fishing Guide” are also available from license agents. The department’s website will soon have a link to online versions as well.