Monday, January 24, 2022

Urgent Request for Action: H.411

Urgent Request for Action: H.411
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Bernard --

Tomorrow, Tuesday Jan 25, the House Committee on Natural Resources, Fish & Wildlife has scheduled discussion and a possible vote on H.411 which is a Wanton Waste bill.

We have several issues with this version, not the least of which is there have been no allowances made to allow us or other groups to give testimony on this version.

Last year there were several versions of this bill.  The previous Commissioner, the Federation and other sporting groups believed that version 2.1 or 3.1 was something that could be supported.  Then came 4.1, and our ability to support it was lost.

Regarding version 2.1 and 3.1; these versions resulted from a working group that studied this problem and produced language that was acceptable to sportspeople.

On January 10th, and for some inexplicable reason that defies our understanding of "normal" bill processing, we are now back to version numbered 1.1, which seems to be a slightly re-worked version of 4.1, when we should have expected 5.x. This new version 1.1 is not a bill we can support, and from what little testimony that has been allowed on this version last week:  Commissioner Herrick does not support this version either.

As a brief reminder, when the Federation asked to give testimony on several bills in this Committee last year, and despite all other groups seemingly being given as much time as they wanted, the VTFSC was limited to just 30 minutes - TO DISCUSS 4 BILLS.  That was all the time we were allotted - 30 minutes - across the entire last session.

It is bad enough we have to do the people's business almost entirely remotely.

It now appears that we will not even be able to speak AT ALL on this new version; meaning the input of the largest sportsman's lobbying group in this state is being brushed away as irrelevant.  The majority in the committee think they know what is best for us and Vermont.

This is NOT the approach to a democratic process that we expect.

Below is a list of emails that correspond to the Committee and the Speaker of the House.  Please send an email to all of them (you should be able to cut & paste this list into your email program), with a subject of:  "NO to the latest version of H.411 (1.1)".

asheldon@leg.state.vt.us
jmccullough@leg.state.vt.us
hsmith@leg.state.vt.us
sbongartz@leg.state.vt.us
nbrownell@leg.state.vt.us
kdolan@leg.state.vt.us
plefebvre@leg.state.vt.us
lmorgan@leg.state.vt.us
kmorris2@leg.state.vt.us
lsatcowitz@leg.state.vt.us
tterenzini@leg.state.vt.us
jkrowinski@leg.state.vt.us

In the body of your email, please be polite, and ask the Committee to support a version of this bill that can be supported by the Vermont Department of Fish & Wildlife.  It's F&W business to know how to handle F&W issues that effect Vermont - they have been successfully doing that for years and years.  This committee knows better?

Thank You

Donate to defend your rights:

Vermont Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs
http://www.vtfsc.com/

VT Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs · 454 S Main St, Northfield, VT 05663, United States
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Saturday, January 22, 2022

VT Non-Game Wildlife Tax Checkoff

Non-Game Wildlife Tax Checkoff
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Bernard --

Loon

VT Fish & Wildlife - Remember Non-game Wildlife Tax Checkoff

MONTPELIER, Vt. – Vermonters can express their passion for wildlife conservation by donating to the Non-game Wildlife Fund on their state income tax form this year, according to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department.  The fund helps protect some of Vermont's most threatened wildlife such as bald eagles, lake sturgeon, rare plants, and Indiana bats.

"Every dollar Vermonters donate to Non-game Wildlife Fund on their taxes is nearly tripled," says Rosalind Renfrew, Fish and Wildlife's Wildlife Diversity Program Manager.  "Donations are leveraged by matching federal grants, meaning that a $35 donation can help secure up to another $65 in federal funds for wildlife conservation in Vermont.  That's a fantastic deal for all of us who care about wildlife."

"The Non-game Checkoff donations, along with hunting, fishing and trapping license revenue, have helped recovery efforts for Vermont's peregrine falcons, loons, ospreys, bald eagles, American martens, Indiana and northern long-eared bats, spiny softshell turtles, and other species," said Director of Wildlife Mark Scott.  "The common loon, osprey and peregrine falcon are no longer endangered species in Vermont due to science-based management that continues to benefit those species."

Vermont Fish and Wildlife biologists manage non-game wildlife projects that are diverse and include mammals, birds, turtles, fish, frogs, bees, freshwater mussels, and plants, as well as the habitats and natural communities they need.

"The Non-game Wildlife Fund has helped some of our greatest wildlife success stories in Vermont," said Scott.  "Thanks to the generous donations of thousands of Vermonters, we are restoring many of the iconic species of the Green Mountain State."

Please help support Vermont Fish & Wildlife.

 

Donate to defend your rights:

Vermont Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs
http://www.vtfsc.com/

VT Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs · 454 S Main St, Northfield, VT 05663, United States
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You can also keep up with Vermont Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs on Facebook.

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Tuesday, January 11, 2022

Alert - Action Required on Conte Wildlife Refuge

ALERT!!! ACTION REQUIRED!!!
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Bernard --

As you know, the Silvio O.Conte Refuge Hunting Plan came out September 1, with several unwarned restrictions on the use of ALL hunting dogs along with other departures from Vermont state law. Senator Leahy is seeking $8M from congress to expand the refuge holdings in Vermont, and we have some real concerns about that in light of recent actions by folks administering the refuge.

Restrictive changes were made to the substance of the plans that had not been indicated as even being potential considerations in the drafts the public was given to review. This being the case, the public was never given an official opportunity to weigh in on these issues. This is an unacceptable approach for the USFWS to have taken, and this undermining of the public's trust will make it impossible to support any proposed future expansions of USFWS holdings in the state. If we can't trust the planning process to be open, transparent, and inclusive, if we can't trust this federal entity to have open discussions about their intentions for Vermont, then we can't accept their intent to expand their holdings in our state whether it be for the Conte or Missisquoi refuges. Decision makers in Massachusetts do not know what is right for Vermont.

Please share this email with friends and have them follow your lead by writing to Tom Berry at the office of Senator Leahy and directing him to inform the senator that based on these underhanded behaviors, you cannot support any expansion of Refuge holdings in Vermont. Tom may be reached at: Tom_Berry@leahy.senate.gov


On the Conte Refuge, along with several other rules that were dissented with based on the draft, Vermonters were blindsided with the following unwarned restrictions on training and hunting with dogs:

  • Hunters using more than two dogs must possess a Special Use Permit to be issued or denied at the pleasure of the refuge manager.
  • At the Putney Mountain Unit, dogs may not be used for hunting any species other than ruffed grouse. (This is so specific as to include waterfowl and woodcock in the prohibition.)
  • The Refuge will not allow training of dogs as governed by State regulations during Vermont's June and July training seasons, and will only allow it in August with a Special Use Permit issued or denied at the pleasure the refuge manager.


These changes were added after public comment was closed under what one refuge employee referred to as a "gag order" with no structured opportunity for public comment on them. These drastic and unsupported changes require at a minimum an opportunity for public input.

Additionally, hunting hours are restricted beyond Vermont regulations on the Putney unit, and hunting is restricted from unmaintained roads on the refuge despite opposition to that rule by the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife as well as advocacy groups such as the Vermont Traditions Coalition and several of our partners. While these two restrictions were at least discussed in the draft plan, they are worthy of note as they, along with the restrictions on the use of ALL hunting dogs, fly in the face of both the Refuge Improvement Act of 1997 and Department of the Interior Secretarial Order 3356. For those who are unfamiliar, the Refuge Improvement Act acknowledges that hunting and fishing are compatible, priority uses of the National Wildlife Refuge System, and Department of the Interior Secretarial Order 3356 directs the Service to both increase hunting and fishing opportunities and access, and to make refuge regulations as consistent with state law as practicable. 

Several existing refuge regulations were both inconsistent with state law and unnecessary, but to further restrict access to this public resource and to undercut the work of the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department with these surprise rules on hunting is abhorrent to the Refuge Act, the Secretarial Order, the administrative process, and the public trust. 

 

Donate to defend your rights:

Vermont Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs
http://www.vtfsc.com/

VT Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs · 454 S Main St, Northfield, VT 05663, United States
This email was sent to sportsmanscluboffranklincounty.clubnews@blogger.com. To stop receiving emails, click here.
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Tuesday, January 4, 2022

Mortgage Broker Los Angeles FAQ

Mortgage Broker Los Angeles FAQ

Member Clubs

January 4 Update
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Bernard --

  • Our previous email had an error in the member clubs link. We apologize for the inconvenience. 

  • We would like to thank our member clubs for their continued support of VTFSC. The member clubs of VTFSC make it possible to keep an active presence in the Vermont legislative process, protecting our Vermont rights and traditions. 
  • If you are looking for a club to join, a place to shoot, instruction and sportspeople to connect with click here: VTFSC Member Clubs

 

Donate to defend your rights:

Vermont Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs
http://www.vtfsc.com/

VT Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs · 454 S Main St, Northfield, VT 05663, United States
This email was sent to sportsmanscluboffranklincounty.clubnews@blogger.com. To stop receiving emails, click here.
You can also keep up with Vermont Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs on Facebook.

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Ice Fishing Seminars and New Vermont Legislation

January 4 Update
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Bernard --

 

  • The 2022 Vermont Legislative season has begun -  VTFSC will continue our mission to protect your Vermont rights and traditions. We need your help, your voice and your participation to make this endeavor a success. 
  • A list of legislative items of concern can be found here 2022 Vermont Legislation

  • Vermont Fish and Wildlife is presenting a series of seminars this winter to introduce sportspeople to the sport of ice fishing. There are several clinics planned for various species throughout the state. Clinics are free to attend, all equipment is provided. Dates, locations, registration and more information can be found here: Vermont Ice Fishing Clinics

  • We would like to thank our member clubs for their continued support of VTFSC. The member clubs of VTFSC make it possible to keep an active presence in the Vermont legislative process, protecting our Vermont rights and traditions. 
  • If you are looking for a club to join, a place to shoot, instruction and sportspeople to connect with click here: Member Clubs

 

Donate to defend your rights:

Vermont Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs
http://www.vtfsc.com/

VT Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs · 454 S Main St, Northfield, VT 05663, United States
This email was sent to sportsmanscluboffranklincounty.clubnews@blogger.com. To stop receiving emails, click here.
You can also keep up with Vermont Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs on Facebook.

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Saturday, January 1, 2022

2022 Simplified Vermont Fishing Regulations

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Bernard --

 

Happy New Year and welcome to 2022 ! 

 

A few reminders as we start to enjoy the new year.

 

  • Vermont Fish and Wildlife has revised and simplified fishing regulations for 2022.  These changed should help Vermont anglers better understand the current fishing laws and regulations throughout our state. The changes can be found by clicking the link below. 

 

2022 Simplified Vermont Fishing Regulations

 

 

  • It is time to purchase your 2022 Hunting / fishing and trapping licenses.  

 

Buy Your Vermont Hunting - Fishing - Trapping License Here

 

 

 

Vermont Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs
http://www.vtfsc.com/

VT Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs · 454 S Main St, Northfield, VT 05663, United States
This email was sent to sportsmanscluboffranklincounty.clubnews@blogger.com. To stop receiving emails, click here.
You can also keep up with Vermont Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs on Facebook.

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