Dan Huber mentioned meeting a squirrel hunter at Dead Creek. All birders, walkers, hikers and paddlers should be aware that they share Vermont with hunters, especially in fall and winter. The exact dates of hunting seasons change each year. Here are some of this year’s dates for larger animals. Seasons for various small animals start September 1 and run through December.

Black Bear – September 1 - November 14
Ruffed Grouse– September 29 – December 31
Bow & Arrow Turkey in Wildlife Management areas - October 6 – 19
Bow and Arrow Deer – October 6 – 28 and December 1 - 9
Bow and Arrow or Shotgun Turkey – October 20 – November 4
(exact dates depend on location)
Youth Deer Hunting Weekend – November 3 - 4
Deer Rifle – November 10 - 25
Bow and Arrow and Muzzleloader Deer  - December 1 - 9
For most of the fall, it’s a good idea to wear some blaze orange and avoid going into the woods dressed in brown, tan, black or camouflage colors.

If you’re planning to take out your canoe or kayak, first find out about waterfowl hunting dates. Hunting for ducks and geese starts with the Youth Waterfowl Hunting Weekend on September 24 and 25, and lasts through December. Exact dates depend on whether you’re near Lake Champlain, along the Connecticut River, or in the interior of the state. You can get specific information at

http://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/library/reports_and_documents/Hunting_and_trapping/waterfowl/Migratory_Waterfowl_laws.pdf

Keep safe!

Maeve Kim

Jericho Center