Vermont's Migratory Bird Seasons

Vermont's Migratory Bird Hunting Seasons Set

Waterbury, Vermont - Vermont's migratory bird hunting laws for 2009 are now available on Vermont Fish & Wildlife's website (http://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/) and from license agents throughout Vermont. The hunting season dates, bag limits and related regulations are set annually in August within a framework established by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in coordination with the states of 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 & Game Department sets the season dates and bag limits for the Connecticut River Zone.

Duck season opens on October 10 in the Lake Champlain and Interior Vermont Zones and on October 6 in the Connecticut River Zone. The Lake Champlain Zone has a split season (October 10-13; October 24-December 18); the Interior Vermont Zone is a straight season (October 10-December 8); and the Connecticut River Zone is a split season (October 6-November 8; November 25-December 20). A statewide Vermont open hunting season for Canada geese will occur September 8-25, 2009. The daily bag limit is five Canada geese except in that portion of the Lake Champlain Zone within Addison County north of Route 125, where the limit will be two per day. 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 will be held Oct. 20 - Dec. 3 with a daily bag limit of three Canada geese in the Lake Champlain and Interior Vermont Zones. In the Connecticut River Zone the Canada goose season will run at the same time as the duck season (October 6-November 8; November 25-December 20) with a daily bag limit of two Canada geese.

Vermont's youth waterfowl hunting weekend will be September 26-27, 2009. Resident and nonresident hunters under age 16 may hunt ducks and geese statewide during this season while accompanied by an adult 18 or older. Both must have Vermont hunting licenses. The adult may not hunt or carry a firearm. The youth and the adult are not required to hold state or federal duck stamps on this weekend. Woodcock hunting season is Oct. 8 - Nov. 6, statewide with a three-bird bag limit. A waterfowl hunter 16 or older must carry signed current federal and Vermont duck stamps in order to hunt waterfowl in Vermont. In addition, all migratory game bird hunters must be registered with the Harvest Information Program.

(DU Photo)