VGOM February 2013 by Vermont's Great Outdoors Magazine

Vermont’s

February 2013 Volume 1 Number 2

Magazine

GREAT OUTDOORS Big game results announced Tracking a wounded buck Vermont derby time

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New Bear Strategy in Place Winter irruptive birds Trophy buck shot late Crosby tract conserved

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Long Trail footbridge nears Think You Know Champlain? Cross-Country Skiing News, Calendar, More …

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February 2013 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • Page 3

Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine www.VtGreatOutdoorsMag.com February 2013 • Volume 1 • Number 2

Features 13 Day

Late Buck

A hunter killed a record-book whitetail but it was killed one day after the season closed.

16 Honoring

Meeri

GMP seeks nominees for fourth annual GMP-Ketterstrom Environmental Award.

Publisher & Editor Darren Marcy News/Marketing Assistants Maya Marcy & Camilla Marcy Contributors Jeremy Baker, Bradley Carleton, Erin Talmage, Megan Davin, Tom Best, Steve Costello, Eric LaMontagne, Lilian Shen Article & Photo Submissions editor@VtGreatOutdoorsMag.com

22 ‘Saturday’ A wounded buck turns into a family tracking effort in the woods of Searsburg.

Press Releases, Letters, Calendar news@VtGreatOutdoorsMag.com Advertising ads@VtGreatOutdoorsMag.com

32 Derby

Phone (802) 331-0130

Time

Die-hard ice anglers know that February brings hard-water fishing tournaments.

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5. Editor’s Note 6. Photo of the Month 7. Calendar 10. Outdoor News 48. Out & About

18. Conservation 42. The Outside Story 38. LCI 40. Vt. State Parks 46. Bird of Vermont

Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine is published monthly as a free digital publication. This publication is protected by copyright and each individual story and photo is protected by copyright owned by the respective contributors. All opinions belong to the respective writers and do not necessarily reflect that of Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine.

Page 4 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • February 2013

Editor’s Note:

Good people I’ve long said that outdoor enthusiasts are among my favorite people anywhere. I’ve always thought so. I’m not sure if spending time in the outdoors builds character in people, or if it attracts quality folks to start with. But I recently read another story about an outdoorsman doing the right thing at an icefishing tournament. That tale is in my column this month. I hope you agree, this guy is deserving of some praise. There’s a lot of cameraderie in the outdoors. In fact, that’s a big part about what draws a lot of us to the woods. Getting to hang out with good people – family and friends – is a strong draw. That bond is shown in great ways in this months features by Jeremy Baker and Bradley Carleton. Jeremy’s story on Page 22 about a tough deer hunt ends with the group helping track a wounded buck shot by his brother. And Bradley takes us back to the ice for an ice-fishing derby. The story on Page 32 is from a past year, but the crew will be fishing the same derby this year. There some great information in this issue. Take a look as Eric LaMontagne shares some information on Page 38 about other fish species in Lake Champlain you may not know about. Megan Davin talks about cross-country skiing on Page 40, Lilian Shen details how animals digestive systems transform to deal with limited food during the winter on Page 42 and Erin Talmage introduces us to some birds that sometimes show up in great numbers in Vermont during the winter on Page 46. This issue is also packed with news. Don’t miss information in this issue about changes to the black bear season, a film coming to Manchester that should be of interest to Vermont fly-anglers, a bridge over the Winooski River that has the Green Mountain Club and hikers of the Long Trail excited, and a newly conserved piece of land that has been a long time in the making. If that’s not enough, take a look at the rack on Page 13 from a huge whitetail and read why the hunter isn’t being celebrated. And then check out Page 16 and read the story about Meeri Zetterstrom and her efforts at restoring the osprey in Vermont. Take a moment and see if you don’t know a Meeri who deserves to be honored for his or her efforts to make the great outdoors a better place. Trust me, there are a lot out there.

On the Cover

Fishing buddies There’s something special about kids and dogs. Add a fishing rod and it gets even better. Above, Evan Norton and his fishing buddy Carlos intently watch the hole in the ice while jigging on Lake St. Catherine recently. When I saw this photo I was taken by the classic image of a boy and his dog in the outdoors. And I knew immediately I wanted the photo on the cover of February’s Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine. Fortunately, the photographer was willing and we made it happen. This photo was taken by Tom Best during a successful fishing trip, which, based on Tom’s photos, is a regular thing. We’ll share some of those photos in an upcoming issue of VGOM. We’d like to run your photos too. Have a nice shot, or a few? Send them to us at: news@vtgreatoutdoorsmag.com

Can’t wait to see them. February 2013 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • Page 5

Photo of the Month:

A mess of perch from Chittenden Reservoir are ready for the fish fry.

Page 6 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • February 2013

Outdoor Calendar:

Calendar of Events ● Island Pond Winter Carnival, Feb 1-3, fun events for all ages including: ice skating, sleigh rides, snowmobile tours, kids fishing derby, snow sculpture competition, cardboard sled races, bluff mountain snowshoe, intro to ice fishing, and more, info www.islandpondchamber.org/events.html

● Snowshoe up Nebraska Notch, Feb. 3, with the GMC Burlington Section, snowshoe 7.6 miles to Taylor Lodge, then descend to Lake Mansfield and return, moderate hike with 1,600 feet elevation gain, farm, group limit 10, contact leader David Hathaway, 899-9982 or David.Hathaway.78@gmail.com

● Predator Hunting Seminar, Feb 2 R&L Archery, inc, 70 Smith St, Barre, 1-3 p.m., Joe Judd, Quaker Boy prostaff will discuss hunting and calling techniques. free, information 4799151, www.randlarchery.com.

● Cross-Country Ski, Feb. 5, GMC, Stowe Mountain Resort, 1:30 p.m., moderate with various distances, pass or trail fee required, contact leader for meeting time and place.

● 17th Annual Snowshoe Festival & Winter Party, Feb 2, GMC Headquarters in Waterbury Center, all ages, beat cabin fever with a variety of hikes, workshops and talks on dog sledding, bird-on-glove handling, winter cooking/camping, animal tracking, dressing in layers, and having outdoor fun with kids, events include children's activities, bonfire, s'mores, cocoa, music, refreshments, raffle, $8 members, $10 nonmembers, kids free, www.greenmountainclub.org

● Bobcat hunting season ends, Feb. 7.

● Adirondack Outing, Feb 2, location to be decided, count on 7-8 miles round trip, group limit 10. contact leader Robynn Albert, 8784036 or robynnalbert@hotmail.com. ● Hiking and sledding, Feb. 2, Mount Philo in Charlotte, 9 a.m. GMC Young Adventurers Club, contact leader Andrea Kane at 877-6597 or dreakane@comcast.net. ● Hike/Snowshoe, Feb. 2, Merck Forest and Farmland Center in Rupert, bring snowshoes for a moderate 4 to 5 mile trek on old wood roads and trails, Steve Williams, 645-9529.

● Sixth Annual Great Ice in Grand Isle, Feb. 810 and 16-17, City Bay in North Hero, ice marathon, timed skating events, Christmas tree bonfire, Nordic skating demos, kids’ fishing derby, human-powered races, more, information at www.champlainislands.com. ● Family Snowshoe, Feb. 9, GMC Young Adventurers Club, Montpelier, easy, contact Mike Wetherell, 223-8493 or Lexi Shear, 2299810 for information, www.gmcmontpelier.org ● Lakes Region Winter Carnival, Feb 9-10, Lake House Restaurant in Bomoseen on Saturday, Prospect Point Golf Course on Sunday, noon both days, family winter activities like skating, sledding and horse drawn sleigh ride, all ages invited, free, www.lakebomoseen.mylaketown.com. ● Camel’s Hump Challenge, Feb. 10, Nordic Skier Association Center in Huntington, 7:30 a.m., benefit for Vermont Alzheimer’s

February 2013 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • Page 7

Outdoor Calendar:

Calendar of Events Association, a 25k ski over ungroomed trail to the summit of one of Vermont’s highest peaks, great views, a food stop halfway through and homemade chicken noodle soup at the finish, info: camelshumpchallenge.com/index.html. ● Red and gray fox hunting season ends, Feb. 10. ● Where The Yellowstone Goes, Feb. 10, Village Picture Shows in Manchester, noon, an inspiring film about a 30-day float trip down the Lower 48’s longest undammed river, benefit for the American Museum of Fly Fishing, trailer at www.wheretheyellowstonegoes.com. ● Cross-Country Ski, Feb. 16, Craftsbury with GMC, Craftsbury Outdoor Center, moderate difficulty, length depends on interest and snow conditions, pass or trail fee required, bring lunch to eat indoors, meet at Montpelier High School, contact leaders for meeting time, 223-3550, information: www.gmcmontpelier.org/events. ● Cross-Country Ski, Feb. 16, Trapps with GMC, Trapp Family Touring Center in Stowe, moderate difficulty, various distances, pass or trail fee required, contact leaders for meeting time and place, Charlene Bohl, 2299908. ● VINS Owl Prowl, Feb. 16, Noises in the Nighttime, VINS Nature Center, 6565 Woodstock Road in Quechee, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., join a VINS educator to discover the amazing life of our wild nocturnal residents while snowshoeing through the woods of the VINS Nature Center, dress warmly, a headlamp is also recommended, $10 nonmembers, $8 members, preregister by Feb. 17 at 359-5000, www.vinsweb.org.

● Fourth Annual Bolton to the Barns Ski Tour, Feb. 16, Bolton Valley Nordic Center, a healthy challenge and fun day of adventure, the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps is teaming up with theVermont Land Trust to raise funds for the Bolton backcountry conservation effort, information: www.vlt.org/initiatives/bolton. ● VAST Groomer Rodeo, Feb. 16, The Bee Hive, 253 Sunset Road in Barre, or between intersections WN4 and WN5, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., VAST is working with The Sno Bees to hold a groomer rodeo, information: www.vtvast.org. ● Great Backyard Bird Count, Feb. 17, put your birdwatching skills to use at VINS to celebrate the GBBC, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., VINS Nature Center, 6565 Woodstock Road, Quechee, activities, crafts, games. 359-5000, www.vinsweb.org. ● Cross-Country Ski, Feb. 17, Marshfield with GMC, 10 a.m., Beaver Brook Ski Area in Marshfield, moderate difficulty, meet at Montpelier High School at 10 a.m., information George Longenecker or Cynthia Martin, 229-9787 or marlong@myfairpoint.net. ● Fish & Wildlife Board meeting, Feb. 20, St. Leo’s Hall, Waterbury, 5 p.m. ● Cross-Country Ski, Feb. 21, Stowe with GMC, 10 a.m., Stowe Mountain Resort in Stowe, moderate difficulty, various distances, pass or trail fee required, meet at 10 a.m. at the Dept. of Labor parking lot in Montpelier, information George Longenecker or Cynthia Martin, 2299787 or marlong@myfairpoint.net, www.gmcmontpelier.org.

Page 8 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • February 2013

Outdoor Calendar:

Calendar of Events ● Snowshoe Mt. Mansfield's Chin with GMC, Feb. 23, Stowe, difficult, crampons necessary, Long Trail to Taft Lodge then on to the Chin, contact leader for meeting time and place, Paul DeLuca at 476-7987 or vicepresident@gmcmontpelier.org, www.gmcmontpelier.org. ● Bolton Backcountry Tour, Feb. 23, Bolton Valley Resort, 1 p.m., Friends of the Bolton Nordic and Backcountry group leads tours of the 1,100-acre area they are working to conserve, available for intermediate and advanced backcountry Nordic skiers and snowshoers, tours begin and end at Nordic Center, pass or day ticket required, space limited, to register or for more information contact milena@vlt.org or 802-262-1241. ● Harriman Reservoir Ice Fishing Derby, Feb. 23, Harriman Reservoir, check in at

Fairview Avenue Boat Landing in Wilmington, for more information call Paul Tobits at 855-7495 or meeklass@gmail.com. ● VAST Winterfest, Feb. 23, Island Pond, a ride-in event for all VAST members, www.vtvast.org. ● Snowshoe Duxbury with GMC, Stowe, Feb. 24, moderate 5 miles round trip, snowshoe to Montclair Glen Lodge from Couching Lion parking lot, meet at Montpelier High School, contact leader Michael Chernick for meeting time, 249-0520 or chernick5@comcast.net. ● Otter trapping season ends, Feb 28. To have your organization’s meeting or activity listed in the outdoor calendar, email news@vtgreatoutdoorsmag.com.

Want to see your event in the calendar? Email it to news@vtgreatoutdoorsmag.com

Advertising Rates Business Card...........(3½ x 2)...............$20 Strip..........................(7½ x 2)...............$30 Quarter Page.............(3¾ x 5)...............$35 Half Page..................(7½ x 5)...............$60 Full Page..................(7½ x 10)..............$100 These introductory rates are intended to introduce your organization to VGOM. Despite the demand and excitement generated by the publication, we have chosen to keep rates low enough to allow everyone to get in on the ground floor. Enjoy the added advantage that each monthly issue of VGOM will continue to be available through the digital reading platform and for download at the end of each month. Long after a printed magazine is pulled from the shelves or tossed in the recycle bin, people will continue to run across these old issues as they discover the magazine or find interesting articles during Internet searches.

ads@vtgreatoutdoorsmag.com February 2013 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • Page 9

Outdoor News:

Vermont Guided tours offered to benefit Bolton backcountry The Friends of Bolton Nordic and Backcountry will lead a free guided tour of the Bolton backcountry Feb. 8, Feb. 23, and March 8. Tours will begin at 1 p.m. Tours are available for intermediate and advanced backcountry and Nordic skiers or snowshoers. All tours will begin and end at the Nordic Center. The Feb. 8 and March 8 tours will be free. The Feb. 23 tour will require a pass or day ticket. For more information email milena@vlt.org or call 262-1241.

Man faces charges Mount Philo attendant's booth vandalized

State Parks holds bottle logo design contest The Vermont State Parks wants to create a fresh, new look for its water bottles sold parks and on the Web and is holding a contest to choose the new design. Anyone interested in contributing a design to the contest should submit a high-resolution design that is 3 inches by 3 inches in a digital format. The design should embrace the personality or feeling of Vermont State Parks. The design can use up to three colors and should look good on a variety of materials (plastic, stainless, fabric), and colors (green, blue). Entries will be posted on the State Parks' Facebook page so fans can vote for their favorite designs. Three prizes will be awarded: Third prize will be a punch card good for 10 park visits. Second prize will be an individual pass that will get one person into the parks for day use all season. The first place winner will receive a season pass good for free day entry for up to eight people at a time, in any park, all season long. Plus, of a course, a few water bottles to share with your family and friends. All winners will become instantly famous and will receive accolades and adulation on the Vermont State Parks website and Facebook pages. Entries must be received by Feb. 28 to qualify. Email your entries to parks@state.vt.us or Vermont State Parks, 81 River Street, Montpelier, VT 05602. For more information, see www.vtstateparks.com

Vermont State Police charged a Hinesburg man after numerous cases of vandalism were reported including tipping over the park attendant's booth at Mount Philo State Park in Charlotte. According to a news release, police arrested Jake Clark, 21, of Hinesburg after investigating a string of damaged mailboxes and stolen street signs that allegedly occurred between 3:30 and 9 a.m. Jan. 16 in Hinesburg and Charlotte. Also, the attendant's booth was tipped over with a pickup, causing about $1,000 in damage. Evidence found at the scene led them to Clark, who Police investigating theft admitted to committing the acts. He faces a felony charge of unlawful mischief and of snowmobile trailer was issued a citation to appear in court to face the Vermont State Police are investigating the theft of a charge. snowmobile trailer in Coventry. According to a press release, Matthew Baughman, 34, of Coventry, reported his 11x6 aluminum 2002 utility trailer made for two snowmobiles was stolen news@vtgreatoutdoorsmag.com from Al’s Snowmobile in Coventry.

Page 10 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • February 2013

Outdoor News: The trailer was taken sometime between Jan. 7 and Jan. 29. It bears the Vermont registration plate B54385. Anyone with information is asked to ball State Police 334-8881.

Nation New ATV videos offer safety lessons Instructors who teach ATV safety in the classroom can supplement their lessons with new ATV videos produced by Kalkomey Enterprises, Inc. “These new safety videos are a fun way for ATV riders to learn how to stay safe,” said Kurt Kalkomey, president of Kalkomey Enterprises, Inc. “Each of the six new videos are about 5 minutes long, so instructors can plug them into their lesson plans, whether they're teaching 4-H youth, Boy Scouts or students at an ATV safety class.” The new ATV safety videos feature professional actors that students can easily relate to and attentiongetting graphics. The videos are created to entertain students while delivering need-to-know safety information. Topics covered in this series of six videos include ATV safety gear, matching the rider to the ride,

how to conduct a pre-ride inspection, basic riding skills, riding smart and reducing risks, and loading and unloading an ATV. Youth leaders who teach ATV safety can order the new videos on a menu-driven DVD. For pricing information and to place orders, email videos@kalkomey.com or call (800) 830-2268.

Can-Am Commanders recalled due to fire hazard About 25,000 Can-Am Commanders side-by-side off road vehicles have been recalled due to a fire hazard that can be caused when leaves, hay and grass in wet terrain collect in the exhaust pipe area. A hot exhaust pipe can ignite the material and cause a fire. There have been 18 reported fires related to the debris in the exhaust pipe area, including one that caused minor injuries. Model years 2011, 2012 and early 2013 gas-powered Commander side-by-sides are part of the recall. Owners should stop using the vehicles, check their exhaust for debris and contact a BRP dealer to schedule a free update kit repair. The issue can be repaired. Owners should call BRP at (888) 638-5397, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, or log on to www.can-am.brp.com and click on recall information under the owner center for more information.

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Page 12 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • February 2013

Outdoor News:

Huge Buck Taken a Day Too Late

A Vermont man killed the buck of a lifetime. It was likely the biggest buck anybody had seen in Vermont that wasn't alive long enough to have lived through the “good old days” of deer hunting. But then, it all came crashing down. The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department says that a tip led them to a buck shot by a Jim Smith, 47, of Stamford. The deer, which was later scored and determined it could qualify for the Boone and Crockett Club record book, would most assuredly be the largest deer killed in Vermont in several decades.

But there was one problem. One 24-hour problem. Conservation officers investigating the report of the enormous buck found Smith had allegedly shot it the day after the season closed. Deer rifle season ends the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Smith told officers he killed the big buck Monday although he said he believed the season was still open. It all started with a tip after Smith was seen removing the deer from the woods Nov. 26, the day after the season ended. Wardens Richard Watkin, Kelly Price and David Taddei went to Smith's house in December to interview the hunter.

He admitted killing the buck the day after the season closed. Smith was charged with “taking deer in closed season,” which carries a potential 60-day jail term for the first offense if convicted, and he would also lose his right to hunt, fish and trap in Vermont for three years and face up to $3,000 in fines and restitution. Wardens seized the antlers, meat and hide. Smith is due to be arraignment Feb. 11 in Bennington District Court. Curtis Smiley, president of the Vermont Big Game Trophy Club, said the buck is one of the largest deer killed in Vermont in more than 20 years and boasted a Boone and Crockett score of 165 2/8 gross.

February 2013 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • Page 13

Long Trail:

Long Trail Bridge Close to Reality

Visualization model of Long Trail bridge in Bolton near Camel’s Hump.

ATERBURY CENTER – The Green Mountain Club released the first visual mockup of its planned Long Trail footbridge over the Winooski River and announced a $50,000 challenge match donation. “It is very exciting to actually see, for the first time, a vision of this historic project,” said Will Wiquist, GMC executive director. “After more than 100 years of dreaming and striving, the Green Mountain Club is very close to finally completing a footbridge for the

Long Trail over the Winooski River. But, first, the final amount of money that needs to be raised. The Green Mountain Club has raised more than $550,000 from private donors to support the

project. This, in addition to the long-standing support for this project and land protection efforts from the state of Vermont, has brought the club to within $115,000 of its fundraising goal. “In order to complete this project, we need to raise the remaining necessary funds and this dollar-fordollar challenge donation will help us reach these goals and, literally, cross that bridge soon,” Wiquist said. An anonymous donor has offered to match every project donation

Page 14 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • February 2013

Long Trail:

Conceptual Drawing of Long Trail Bridge by Green Mountain Club Engineering firm VHB, Inc. of Ferrisburg.

between Feb. 1 and the end of August, up to $50,000. In making the pledge, the donor said, “Getting a permanent bridge across the Winooski has been a dream of the club for decades, as it will both reduce the longest remaining road walk and fill the last major gap in the Long Trail. Realizing that dream, by providing the necessary funding to acquire the trail heads on both sides of the river, has been a personal challenge of mine for almost 25 years, and I am excited that the end is now in sight.” The Green Mountain Club has sought to establish a safe, appropriate and permanent route for the Long Trail over the Winooski River in Bolton since 1912 when the club established the first stretch

of the trail from Mt. Mansfield to the river. At that time the Vermont General Assembly appropriated $500 for the project. While that did not result in a bridge, the club has continued this effort into the present day. Over the years, the Long Trail has utilized a farmer’s row boat as a ferry, the railroad bridge, and, today, a 3-mile road walk and a busy road bridge in Jonesville. The Green Mountain Club’s Long Trail Protection campaign has purchased land and secured four easements from landowners to assure a permanent right of way for the trail between Camels Hump State Park on the south side of the river and Mount Mansfield State Forest to the north. The club’s partnership with the

Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation has played a key role in this conservation achievement. The Green Mountain Club expects to have shovels in the ground on this project by this June with completion in autumn. The club has hired a professional engineering firm, Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. of Ferrisburg to build off of excellent preliminary design work done by civil engineering students from Norwich University. The more than 220-foot bridge will be built by the special projects team of the club Long Trail Patrol. Donations can be made online or by sending a contribution to Green Mountain Club, 4711 WaterburyStowe Road, Waterbury Center, VT 05677, memo Winooski.

February 2013 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • Page 15

Environment:

Honoring Meeri GMP seeks nominees for 2013 Zetterstrom Award

eeri Zetterstrom probably had no intention of becoming a standard bearer for conservation work when she took up the plight of her beloved osprey at Lake Arrowhead on the border of Milton and Georgia. But after Vermont’s osprey had nearly been extirpated from the state nearly a half century earlier, Zetterstrom was among the first to watch the osprey return to

Arrowhead. And she knew they needed help. So she started poking and prodding the Fish & Wildlife Department. By 1988 the state wildlife department had partnered with Central Vermont Public Service to install artificial nesting platforms and create buffer zones to protect the nesting efforts. Green Mountain Power started similar efforts. They also started working to educate the public about the plight

of the osprey and produced educational materials. One of those early converts was Steve Costello, who at the time worked for CVPS, who worked with Zetterstrom on osprey conservation. Today, after the two companies merged, Costello is a vice president with GMP and still a fan of the osprey. During warmer months, he can often be found floating in his kayak hoping for another photo of an osprey to add to his growing collection of spectacular shots.

Page 16 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • February 2013

Environment: “Meeri had an innate ability to connect people with nature and explain the importance of conservation and wildlife preservation,” Costello said. “She inspired me personally and helped start and lead a statewide conversation that led directly to the preservation and recovery of ospreys, and ultimately their removal from Vermont’s endangered species list.” Zetterstrom's dogged pursuit of osprey recovery paid off. About a decade after the Fish & Wildlife Department and CVPS and GMP began their efforts, the first osprey chick in memory hatched and fledged at Lake Arrowhead. Seven years after that, the osprey was removed from the Vermont Endangered Species List. Zetterstrom died in 2010, but her legacy lives on and GMP honors that legacy every year by rewarding someone in her name. Three Vermonters have been honored and a fourth will be named this year as Green Mountain Power awards the 2013 GMP-Zetterstrom Environmental Award. Nominations are being taken for an individual, business, group or nonprofit that has made a significant contribution to Vermont's environment. The winner will receive a $2,500 donation to the winner's cause. “The award highlights the ongoing efforts of some of Vermont’s most forward-thinking environmentalists,” said GMP President and CEO Mary Powell. “We will continue to solicit nominations and honor a special Vermonter each year to highlight

Steve Costello of GMP shot this photo of an osprey chick on the nest.

Meeri’s legacy as part of our ongoing commitment to Vermont’s air, land and water.” Zetterstrom inspired countless Vermonters through her dogged efforts to protect and restore Vermont’s osprey population. Past award recipients include Sally Laughlin, a leading wildlife advocate and scientist whose work was instrumental in restoring three species of endangered birds in Vermont; Michael Smith, the founder and driving force behind Rutland’s Pine Hill Park; and Margaret Fowle, who has long led Vermont’s peregrine falcon restoration program, which is responsible for their return from the brink of extinction. Nominations for the GMPZetterstrom Environmental Award will be accepted through March 15, and the winner announced in the spring. The winner will be chosen by a

panel of GMP employees with responsibilities related to land management, resource protection, community relations and education, and environmental compliance. Nominations may be made by the nominee or by any other entity, and should demonstrate a commitment of the nominee to benefit Vermont, its land, air or water, wildlife, or the enjoyment of the outdoors by others. This may be through educational efforts, environmental stewardship, resource rehabilitation, protection or preservation, or conservation. The award is intended to support environmental protection and inspire individuals to benefit Vermont’s environment. Vermonters of any age may be nominated. For a nomination application and more information, visit www.greenmountainpower.com.

February 2013 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • Page 17

Conservation:

Crosby tract put into conservation

Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department's Bill Crenshaw places a marker on the newly conserved Crosby tract in Alburgh.

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department and The Nature Conservancy have partnered to conserve a parcel of land that connects two separate units of the Mud Creek Wildlife Management Area and protects a 4-mile contiguous stretch of wetland from Ransoms Bay of Lake Champlain to the Canadian border. The tract also connects with 1,000 acres of conserved land on

the Quebec side of the border. The purchase of the 148.9-acre parcel follows a longterm effort to conserve the tract by Fish & Wildlife’s Bill Crenshaw and The Nature Conservancy’s Jon Binhammer. “What makes the Crosby tract special is that Bill Crenshaw and Jon Binhammer worked on the conservation of this land for 17 years with two different landowners,” said Jane Lazorchak,

land acquisition coordinator for the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department. “Bill and Jon’s perseverance to see that this land was conserved and available to the public, in addition to their many other conservation projects throughout Vermont, represent a legacy that will last for generations.” Crenshaw retired in December following a 39-year career with the Fish & Wildlife Department.

Page 18 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • February 2013

Conservation:

Only tracks in the snow show that anybody has been at Chittenden Reservoir near Rutland at all.

“We have finally achieved our desired result – permanent public access to about 30 acres of uplands, 120 acres of wetlands, and 1,800 feet of frontage on Lake Champlain, including a natural lake sand beach and rock outcrop called Blue Rock” Binhammer said. The Crosby tract and Mud Creek area is well known for its waterfowl and other wetland-associated wildlife. “These forested wetlands are the preferred habitat for wood ducks,

and the rocky outcrop is a basking habitat for the spiny softshell turtle, a state-threatened species,” Binhammer said. Crenshaw lauded the property. “This is an outstanding piece of fish and wildlife habitat,” Crenshaw said. “About 75 percent of it is Lake Champlain-influenced wetlands, which are naturally productive.” Funding for this purchase came from the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, passed by

Congress in 1989 to conserve wetlands throughout North America for waterfowl and other wetland-dependent species. Vermont Duck Stamp Funds were used in part to help match the NAWCA grant. The Vermont Duck Stamp Program started in 1985 by Legislative action and to date has completed 82 projects in the state with approximately 11,000 acres of wetlands and adjacent uplands protected or enhanced.

February 2013 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • Page 19

Film:

Film to raise money for AMFF “Where the Yellowstone Goes,” a feature-length documentary film from award-winning filmmaker Hunter Weeks will be screened Feb. 10 in Manchester as a fundraiser for The American Museum of Fly Fishing. The film will be shown at noon at the Village Picture Shows in Manchester Center. The documentary follows the exploits of a group as they float the Yellowstone from Gardiner, Mont., to the river’s confluence of the Missouri River in North Dakota nearly 600 miles later on a 30-day driftboat journey. The Yellowstone, at 692 miles long (although different sources give it different lengths) is the longest undammed river in the lower 48. From Gardiner, Mont., to Livingston, Mont., the river is a “Blue Ribbon” classified water. It begins in Yellowstone National Park and is the primary watershed for the Yellowstone ecosystem, ultimately reaching a significant portion of the United States through its tributaries. In the West, rivers are the lifeblood of communities and historical development was almost always connected to a river long before wells could be bored thousands of feet into aquifers. Today, those rivers are still critical to communities and in this film you’ll meet many of the people who love the Yellowstone for one reason or another as well as look at the impact people have on the river and each other.

“People are becoming more aware of how important our nation’s waterways are,” Weeks said in a news release. “I think this film will really resonate and help people understand that they can do something. This isn’t just about fly fishing and conservation, this is a real story of life.” But one of the biggest stars of the show, and one that is present throughout the entire film, is the scenery of Montana, the Big Sky State. The crew is led on the journey by fourth-generation Montanan and fly-fishing guide Robert Hawkins. The crew tackles a variety of topics as they float down the river According to the release, “‘Where the Yellowstone Goes,’ is more than a simple journey. It’s about people, our environment, and the harmony that exists between them.” Advance tickets to the Feb. 10 screening are $10 and are available at The Village Picture Shows or online at www.villagepictureshows.com. Tickets will be available the day of the show for $12 while they last and screenings often sale out. As a fundraiser, the film presentation will raise money for The American Museum of Fly Fishing, which is also in Manchester. The AMFF is the steward of the history, traditions and practices of the sport of fly fishing and promotes the conservation of its waters. Learn more at www.amff.com. For more information, or to view the trailer, go to www.WhereTheYellowstoneGoes.com.

Page 20 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • February 2013

Like that special tree stand from which you always see deer, or that stretch of river where the trout always rise, there are just some places that are unique. A spot that holds a place in your heart so special that you keep it to yourself. If you’re looking for an advertising opportunity to share your message, this can be your special place. This prime spot can be yours next month. By advertising in Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine, you’ll not only be supporting a growing publication that is generating a lot of excitement in the Green Mountain State, but you’ll also place your message in front of avid and dedicated outdoor enthusiasts. And you won’t believe how affordable this space is. There are other publications that cover some of the outdoor experience in Vermont and this little slice of Heaven they call northern New England. They do a good job, but none of them cover the depth and breadth of the topics you’ll read about in Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine. So contact us today to ensure we can get your advertisement in the next monthly issue of a growing and exciting publication that covers the topics that are important to you and your business. Email: ads@vtgreatoutdoorsmag.com Phone: (802) 331-0130 February 2013 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • Page 21

Hunting:

‘Saturday’

Page 22 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • February 2013

Hunting:

even degrees. That was the temperature as we began our trek up heart attack hill (fondly named after the heart pounding ascent to its peak). If we break a sweat during our climb, sitting will be nearly impossible. My son Tommy, 7 years old at the time, isn’t going to last long. Brother Chris, Uncle Tom, Jeff and Harry all disappear into the 600 acre Betit property. Their headlamps fade into the frozen forest. This tract of land located in Searsburg, VT has been in my mother’s family for generations. The property, approximately one (not so) square mile, is engulfed by the Green Mountain National Forest. An hour after reaching our destination I radio Brother Chris and Uncle Tom informing them we

are headed back to our truck. My boy is cold and a warm wood stove awaits us back at camp. As hard as it may be for parents of potential hunters, you have to know when to back off, allowing your children opportunities to participate, rather than pressure to do so. Otherwise,

they may not join you once they approach their decision making years. Camp is located across the Searsburg town line in Somerset, a desolate uninhabited expanse of mature timber and beaver swamps situated between Bennington and Brattleboro just north of Route 9. Uncle Tom’s cabin is a structural display of his appreciation for nature. In the kitchen stands a “pantree”. The tree, a white birch sapling harvested for utilitarian purposes, extends from floor to ceiling with pans of all shapes and sizes hanging like leaves from its many branches. The rails along the stairway to our sleeping quarters are constructed of beaver chewed logs that have been collected during brook trout fishing excursions over the years. Like Uncle Tom, beavers are masterful

February 2013 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • Page 23

Hunting:

craftsmen utilizing wood as their medium. From every angle inside these walls, regardless of where you sit or stand, nature surrounds you. Deer heads, moose sheds and deer antlers, old fly-rods re-purposed as curtain rods, historical photographs and topographic maps, a coat rack made from an apple tree stripped of its bark and laden with urethane, a vacated paper wasps nest; camp is outside-in. Tommy and I are soon joined by Uncle Tom and Harry, a good friend of Uncle Tom’s from Bennington. Harry, a jovial, physically fit man

sporting a well trimmed graying beard, spent his morning walking effortlessly along the many logging roads traversing the Betit property. Harry was not hunting this morning, he was simply observing nature, getting some exercise and although not likely, but possibly, nudging unsuspecting deer towards the hunters in our party who remained hunkered down, battling the single digit temperatures. Harry’s report echoed decades of reports that have been shared among this dedicated group of hunters. His morning walk did not include any deer sightings or signs

of deer for that matter. After a hearty lunch that consisted of Uncle Tom’s venison stew, Tommy, Uncle Tom and I prep for the afternoon hunt feeling warm and rested. My cell phone rings and it is Brother Chris. He has wounded a deer. This is BIG news. Deer in these parts are few and far between...divided by 10. We anxiously say our goodbyes and leave Harry at camp with a dinner to prepare and wood stove to feed. Both will be equally appreciated once darkness arrives. After parking my truck at the log

Page 24 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • February 2013

Hunting: landing back at the Betit property and before climbing heart attack hill (again), I radio Brother Chris. Uncle Tom, Brother Chris, Tommy and I agree to meet at the chain on the rock (named after the rock that has a chain on it). When we gather, Brother Chris shares his tale. I observe Tommy listening intently. Hopefully, this will be the first of many “kills” Tommy and I share. Brother Chris guides us to the location he left the wounded deer’s track in the inch or so of snow, before deciding it would be best to back out, give the buck some time to bed and call in reinforcements. Sure enough, just as we expected, an empty bed full of blood. We devise a plan and quietly spread out, staying within sight of each other. Brother Chris takes the track while Uncle Tom, and Tommy and I flank him. “There he goes...” I shout. Not long after we spread out and begin our pursuit of the buck, it jumps from its bed and bounds off. Brother Chris buries a shot into the bounding animal and we think for a moment it may be over. The deer somehow continues on, out of sight. I turn to see Tommy’s reaction; he is wide eyed after getting his first glimpse of the deer and quickly gives me two thumbs up. We regroup, give the deer time to settle down, hopefully die, and then continue our pursuit. Sure enough, the same result, only this time several shots ring out ... and they aren’t ours. Brother Chris is visibly upset and I attempt to convince him that he must have mortally wounded the deer. Once we approach the

unsuspecting hunter, we should be able to talk reasonably with him/her and place my brother’s tag on the buck. Fortunately we don’t have to. The shots were fired by a distant relative, Andy Betit, who was posted in a pop up blind not far from his camp adjacent to this property. When we reach Andy, he is wielding his pistol excitedly, claiming he missed the buck cleanly.

“He came charging over the hill and I got a couple of shots off but he never flinched, I know I missed him. Good luck to you fellas, I gotta get back to camp and start dinner, he’s a fine buck, I hope you get him...” And he was off, leaving us to our chase with darkness looming. An uninvited sense of urgency has joined us. We decide to push on and shortly after splitting up one

February 2013 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • Page 25

Hunting:

final time, we all catch glimpses of the buck. He is at the base of the hill walking slowly among the softwoods. I don’t recall who shot first or how many shots were fired; I just know it wasn’t me squeezing the trigger. Tommy and I quickly become observing participants of the hunt. We continue down the hill after the deer and hunters, listening to Uncle Tom and Brother Chris’s brief exchange on the radio. Apparently Brother Chris has accompanied the deer during its final moments. As Tommy and I arrive, we witness one last shot required to end

Don’t miss Part II of this story, next month when Jeremy Baker continues the story with “Sunday.” the animal’s life. Fortunately for us, as the deer attempted his escape, he brought us within 20 yards of the old log road that leads to the landing where our trucks are parked. This buck is one of only a handful taken on the property over the past 20 plus years. Congratulations in the form of high fives and hugs are exchanged. Brother Chris stands over the buck with a boiling sense of relief.

The prospects of chasing a wounded deer Sunday morning will not keep him awake tonight. A fine 4-point buck, most likely a year and a half old weighing approximately 120 pounds will hang from an unemployed buck pole back at Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Spirits are high and glasses will soon be raised in appreciation and celebration of the day’s events. Get some rest. Sunday will be here next month... Jeremy Baker chases whitetails passionately with friends and family throughout the Green Mountains and Adirondacks of New York State. Feel free to send him an email: jeremyrbaker@comcast.net.

Page 26 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • February 2013

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February 2013 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • Page 27

Hunting:

Bear Management Plan

Hunters who chase black bears in Vermont are getting more options as the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department looks to get a handle on a burgeoning bear population. State game officials say the Vermont bear population is estimated to be 6,000 animals, which is at the top end of the

department's 10-year big game management objective set for the species in the Green Mountain State. On top of that, the bear population has been growing at about 4 percent per year despite increased harvest and the result is more nuisance bears. The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is unveiling a new strategy to manage the state's bears,

which includes extending the bear hunting season and implementing a low-cost early season bear tag to collect additional data on bear harvest success rates and hunter effort. “The fall 2012 black bear harvest was up 20 percent from the average harvest due in part to a decrease in foods such as apples and beechnuts,

Page 28 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • February 2013

Hunting:

but also due to the large, healthy bear population in Vermont,” said Forrest Hammond, bear project leader for the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department. “With the increased bear population, we’ve seen an increased number of damage and nuisance complaints coming from farmers and residents. We’re hoping this new management strategy will address some of those complaints by allowing more hunting days to help stabilize the population.” The 20-percent increase in harvest is over the previous three-year average. Vermont hunters killed 621 bears in 2012, including two of the biggest bears tagged in a while. Two hunters killed bruins that surpassed 500 pounds during the season. Part of the reason was the increased bear population, but

Hammond also said it was because of changes in the food availability. This past year, bears were pushed down into the fields and grass where hunters were more likely to run into them. The year prior, bears were able to stay at higher elevations in remote country thanks to a great crop of nuts and seeds. Beginning this fall, the regular bear hunting season will extend an additional four days in the November deer rifle season. The nine-day bear tag that overlaps with deer rifle season will still be provided at no additional cost with the purchase of a regular hunting license. A hunter may still only take one bear in a calendar year. Hunters who want to hunt bears before deer rifle season will now need to purchase a $5 early season

bear tag. Biologists are hoping to gain a better understanding of the number of hunters who pursue bear before deer rifle season, the amount of time they spend hunting, and their success rates in order to develop effective management strategies. “The additional early-season bear tag is something that dedicated bear hunters have been asking us to implement for years,” Hammond said. Hunters 65 and older who purchase a permanent license do not need the early season tag to hunt bear during the early season. Their license is valid during the early and late bear seasons. However, five-year and lifetime license holders whose license is valid starting in 2013 will need to purchase the additional tag to hunt bear before the November deer rifle season.

February 2013 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • Page 29

Hunting:

Big Game Success

t was a good year to be a biggame hunter in Vermont in 2012. In particular, populations of wild turkeys and black bears are at very high levels, offering hunters of those species excellent opportunities. The whitetail harvest also saw several positive trends in 2012, with the totals for all hunting seasons within the statewide management goals. Perhaps of greater note, 2012 marked the first year in which there were no hunting-related shooting incidents in Vermont. Hunters harvested 13,850 whitetailed deer during Vermont’s archery, youth, rifle, and muzzleloader deer hunting seasons in 2012, which is commensurate with the previous three-year average of 13,977 deer. Following last year’s mild winter, the Fish & Wildlife Board issued more antlerless permits in 2012 resulting in a 16 percent increase in muzzleloader harvest over the previous season. “While the number of antlerless permits rose slightly in 2012, they still allowed for slow growth of the herd in most regions” said Adam Murkowski, deer project leader for the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department. “The number of antlerless permits changes annually to meet our management objectives for the deer herd. However, rifle season harvest totals increased from last year and from the three-year

average, and there were many reports from hunters that they were harvesting larger and healthier bucks.” Vermont hunters were very successful during the 2012 bear season and fall turkey hunting seasons. Turkey hunters harvested 1,365 birds in the fall 2012 seasons, up 53 percent from the previous three-year average and nearly tripling last year’s total. Vermont hunters harvested 621 bears in 2012, which represents a 20 percent increase from the previous three-year average. “The high turkey and bear harvests this year are due to large population sizes and to changes in food availability,” said Forrest Hammond, wild turkey and black bear project leader for Vermont Fish & Wildlife. “In 2011, there was a high production of nut and seeds, so turkeys and especially bears were staying put in high remote places away from hunters. This year, the low production of nuts and seeds drew the animals out in the open, to corn crops and grass fields, where they’re more easily harvested by hunters.” Moose harvest numbers fluctuate annually based on the number of moose permits issued in order to meet management objectives. Hunters harvested 222 moose in 2012 and had a 52 percent success rate among permit holders, down slightly from 58 percent in 2011.

This was likely due to unseasonably warm temperatures during moose season and lower moose densities overall. “Moose hunters did quite well in the Northeast Kingdom this year,” said Fish & Wildlife moose project leader Cedric Alexander. “We reached our target harvest in the Kingdom’s management zone E1, which was the last zone where we still needed to bring the population down a bit to meet moose density objectives.” “The department’s ability to manage game herds is only possible because of the sportsmen and sportswomen of Vermont,” added Murkowski. “Every Vermont hunter is involved in the research and management process, in addition to providing the information needed to assess and manage game herds throughout the state.” All harvest totals are subject to several rounds of recounts, which may change the totals slightly before the final report is issued in March. Vermont is also celebrating its first hunting season with no huntingrelated shootings. “Vermont hunters should be proud,” said hunter education coordinator Chris Saunders. “This year’s record defies the common misperception that hunting is dangerous.” The 2010 hunting season was previously the lowest year, with two minor incidents.

Page 30 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • February 2013

Hunting:

Special snow goose harvest opportunity Since 2009 hunters have had the opportunity to pursue snow geese during the spring as a result of a special management action referred to as a “Conservation Order” allowed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and adopted by the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board. The measure was adopted at the recommendation of federal and state wildlife scientists in response to concerns about a growing number of snow geese across North America. Eight states in the Atlantic Flyway (Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Vermont) will hold a Spring Snow Goose Conservation Order in 2013. The Vermont 2013 Spring Snow Goose Conservation Order will occur statewide from March 11 through April 26. The daily bag limit is 15 snow geese, and there is no possession limit. Waterfowl hunting regulations in effect last fall will apply during the 2013 Spring Snow Goose Conservation Order with the exception that unplugged shotguns and electronic calls may be used, and shooting hours will be extended until one-half hour after sunset. A 2013 Spring Snow Goose Harvest Permit is required and is available at no charge on the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department’s website (vtfishandwildlife.com).

Hunters may also call the Essex Junction Office (878-1564) to request a permit. In addition to this permit, hunters will need a 2013 Vermont hunting license (residents $22, nonresidents $50), 2013 Harvest Information Program certification, a 2012 federal migratory hunting stamp ($15), and a 2013 Vermont migratory waterfowl stamp ($7.50). Hunters can register with the Harvest Information Program by going to the department website or calling toll free (877) 306-7091 during normal business hours. The populations of snow geese, blue geese and Ross’s geese in North America, collectively referred to as “light geese,” have grown to record levels over the past three decades. According to the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the overabundance of light geese, which nest in far northern regions of North America, is harming their fragile arctic breeding habitat. The damage to the habitat is, in turn, harming the health of the light geese and other bird species that depend on the tundra habitat. Returning the light goose population to sustainable levels is necessary to protect this delicate habitat and every species dependent on it. Greater snow geese make up a large share of the light goose population in the Atlantic Flyway. “The population of greater snow

geese has grown from approximately 50,000 birds in the mid-1960s to 1 million today,” said David Sausville, Vermont’s waterfowl project biologist. “This increase has resulted in damage to agricultural crops and marsh vegetation in staging and wintering areas from Quebec to North Carolina. The Atlantic Flyway has established a goal of 500,000 greater snow geese to bring populations in balance with their habitat and reduce crop depredation.” Hunters who obtain a permit will be required to complete an online survey after April 26 and prior to May 16, 2013, whether they hunted or not. Hunters without access to the Internet may obtain a copy of the survey by calling 878-1564. The Spring Snow Goose hunt occurs annually from March 11 until the Friday before Youth Turkey Weekend. During spring migration, snow geese typically move through the Champlain Valley in late March and early April. They usually pass through Vermont fairly quickly in route to their spring staging areas along the St. Lawrence River Valley. Here they remain for about a month before moving on to their nesting areas in the Eastern Canadian Arctic. About 100 snow geese are taken by Vermont hunters during the spring seasons.

February 2013 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • Page 31

Fishing:

Derby

Time

Page 32 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • February 2013

Fishing:

February is Tourney Time

ermont has a plethora of ice-fishing derbies, many of them very competitive, and yet some are more oriented toward fun and frolic than others. There are large high stakes derbies like the Islands Derby in North Hero, Feb. 9-10. Prizes usually range in the $6,000 overall totals. This derby gets a lot of

publicity and commonly posts some monster pike and healthy salmon and lakers. For more information on this derby call Todd Sudol at (802) 2337613. But derbies aren’t all about money. Take the Lake Dunmore Derby for example. It’s not a big derby, but

February 2013 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • Page 33

Fishing:

those who have participated in it come back year after year for the camaraderie and excitement. This year it will be held Feb. 2-3 and I can’t wait for the party. For me, it’s about early morning laughter ringing across the ice, breakfasts of scrambled eggs and sausage, hot French roast coffee and the 8 a.m. beer (a silly tradition based on the old adage that “the best beer is the first one of the day.”) I am not advocating using alcohol to enhance the ice fishing experience – it’s just a silly tradition enjoyed only by the adults.

For me the joy is the experience, the long walk dragging sleds to the spot we have marked on our GPSs, the gentle clanging of shanties being set up. The young guys are responsible for the aerobic workout of drilling the allowed eight holes per fisherman for tip-ups. Multiplied by the number of teammates, we are setting out 40 jacks. I love setting up the tip-ups in the pre-dawn darkness and watching the sky’s orange horizon fade to green and then to purple.

I’m primarily a pan fisherman. Oh, I love to wrestle a toothy gator through an 8-inch hole, but the constant jigging and dipping my rod tip to play a finicky yellowbelly is what really turns me on. I change colored bibbits like most guys change their minds. Frequently, and with conviction. I weave the fat end of the spikes onto the hook so that the juices run clear, two or three of them per bibbit. Sometimes, I’ll really change it up and work a fathead minnow on an ice fly or a Swedish pimple tipped with mousies.

Page 34 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • February 2013

Fishing:

I love sitting in a shanty to start my day, in the half dark, staring down a 5-inch hole drilled by my Mora auger, and gently jigging my ultralight micro rod. My friend Rudy turned me on to the ultralights. Even a medium sized perch feels like Moby Dick when you’re fighting him on a 4-pound test line. The rod bows in honor and I lean forward with it, peering down the crystal cylinder into the depths. My teammates: Eric Champney of Charlotte, and currently serving in the Marines, Chris Holwager of

Vergennes, Eric Ovitt of Monkton, and Rudy Castro, lately from Wyoming, Michigan (this crazy Mexican can out-fish any one of us 4 to 1, and I think he wouldn’t miss this derby for anything, just to maintain the bragging rights by flying all the way in to Vermont so that no one usurps his crown.) They all think I’m crazy because I would rather deftly maneuver a perch through a 5-inch hole than arm wrestle a pike. To each his own. Before long the boys have moved in toward the shoreline and are

whacking smallmouths and rock bass left and right. Holwager feels a huge tug on his medium weight rod and begins to reel in something that gets everyone’s attention. Ten feet away a flag goes off. The boys rush to the tip-up and find that something heavy is causing the reel to spin in a wobbly, but not terribly fast rotation. Ovitt bends over the jack and lets the line run through his bare hands sensing the big fish hasn’t yet swallowed the bait. He waits to set the hook.

February 2013 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • Page 35

Fishing:

Next to him, Holwager is steadily reeling and suddenly pulls up a sage green ice line with his hook through the braid. What the heck?! He keeps reeling and we notice that the green line is being pulled from the tip-up 10 feet to his left. We begin to apply our misguided logic. “There’s nothing on that line Holwager! You’ve got the tip-up line!” laughs Castro. “No. There’s something throbbing on the end of this line and it’s not Ovitt!” he replies. Minutes pass. He’s doing battle with an unknowable opponent. Ovitt lets the ice line go and Holwager leans back to lift a dark brownish-black object through the 8-inch hole. The head barely fits.

As the top of it begins to emerge, the tell-tale whiskers shoot out of the icy depths. It’s a catfish! And a BIG one! We’re all crowded around Holwager and shouting things that I won’t repeat in a family magazine. Suffice it to say, superlatives abound, peppered with exclamations of utter amazement. Castro shouts “Woo hoo! We’re in the money boys!” We drill a series of holes just a few inches into the ice and link them together, then drill one hole all the way through the 12 inches of hardwater and allow the man-made “pool” to fill with water. We place the fish in the pool and with a continual dialogue of congratulations, we return to fishing. At the end of the day we keep the largest fish from the pool and pack

them in the sleds for the long pull back to the trucks, and then to the weigh in station at Kampersville. Arriving at the station, we are pleased to learn that this is definitely the largest fish checked in today. But tomorrow is another day and anything can happen. We head for home with high hopes and tired bodies. Tomorrow we will do it all again and pray that our catfish remains a winning fish. For now, we dream of sleep and an even bigger promise of tomorrow. Bradley Carleton is Executive Director of Sacred Hunter.org, a non-profit organization that is being formed to educate the public on the spiritual connection of man to nature and raises funds for Traditions Outdoor Mentoring.org, which mentors at-risk young men in outdoor pursuits.

Page 36 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • February 2013

Fishing:

Baitfish rules changed this month First changes introduced since 2008 implementation Vermont regulations for fishing with live bait will be a little more accommodating for anglers starting this month. On Jan. 17, the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Board voted to approve changes to the baitfish regulations, allowing anglers more flexibility on transporting baitfish and more options for the fish species they can use as bait. The modifications, which go into effect Feb. 2, will not significantly reduce the regulation’s protection of Vermont’s fish populations. The primary changes to the regulation include: ● adding pumpkinseed, bluegill, rock bass and banded killifish to the statewide approved baitfish list ● creating a list of approved baitfish for Lake Champlain that includes alewife and white perch ● Allowing anglers to transport commercially purchased baitfish away from a waterbody and bring the same bait back to the same waterbody within the

96-hour period shown on their receipt. These are the first changes made to the baitfish regulations since the rule was implemented in 2008. Shawn Good, the Fish & Wildlife Department fisheries biologist heading the Aquatic Nuisance Species Team, said that while regulations restricting the movement and use of baitfish remain necessary to control the potential introduction of fish diseases and invasive species, the department worked closely with the Fish and Wildlife Board to address some of the concerns anglers have had with the existing rule. “Over the last four years, most anglers have come to the realization that baitfish regulations are necessary to protect the health of Vermont’s fish populations and the fishing opportunities we are fortunate enough to enjoy in this state. The foremost complaint from anglers was the prohibition on baitfish transport,” Good said. Under the previous rule, anglers were required to dispose of unused baitfish at the end of a fishing trip, and couldn’t take them off the ice

or water due to concerns about potential cross-contamination and exposure to fish diseases and invasive species. However, anglers noted that discarding baitfish was costing them a good deal of money, as they had to purchase new baitfish the following day, even when returning to the same lake as the day before. “With this change, anglers will now have four days to move their store-bought baitfish back and forth between their home or camp and a single lake indicated on their baitfish receipt when they bought them,” Good said. “However, if they decide to go to a different lake in that time period, they will have to buy new baitfish and get a new receipt.” Baitfish regulations are designed to prevent the introduction of fish diseases and invasive species, so that the health of Vermont’s fish populations and the fishing opportunities we value remain safeguarded for future generations. The complete text of the regulation is available at: www.vtfishandwildlife.com/fish_b aitfish.cfm.

Most races and competitions. There will be some allowance for fishing tournaments, some shooting events, and a few others, but we’re not interested in 5k, 10k, half marathons, triathlons, bike races, ski races, swim meets, auto/motorcycle races, adventure races and similar events that are already covered by other publications and local newspapers. Also, no golf, Frisbee games, dog shows (unless they’re bird dogs), gardening, backyard birding, polo, team sports, well you get the idea. We have to draw the line somewhere, and this is a good starting point. Some things will be on a case-by-case basis. It never hurts to ask.

February 2013 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • Page 37

Fishing:

Champlain’s Other Fish Most people are, to some extent, familiar with the game species within Lake Champlain. Yellow perch, lake trout, salmon, bass, walleye and the other commonly sought after fish are all household names. But what about the others? There are 81 species of fish in Lake Champlain, leaving many under the radar of most people. Here are a few you may not know are swimming around in Lake Champlain. The only freshwater member of its family, Lotidae, the burbot is a relative of the popular saltwater sport fish cod. At first glance, some may confuse this with the bowfin, as they both have extended dorsal fins and rounded tails. Burbot, however, will always have a single barbel under their chin and a small primary dorsal before their elongated second dorsal fin. Additionally, burbot tend to have a more slender body and their pectoral and anal fins will be fused and elongated, similar to their dorsal. The fish spends the daylight hours deep in the lake, sheltering under large rocks, in crevices, or between roots. At night, it moves into shallow water to feed on insects, larvae, mollusks and crayfish, though some larger individuals may also feed on small fish. While the meat is reported to be

fairly tasty, though a little dry, burbot is not a sought after species due to its movement and behavior patterns. Europeans do salt the fillets, and smoked burbot liver is a popular item in some areas. There are some commercial uses for the fish as an oil source and for fishmeal.

considered by biologists to be an indicator species; it is very sensitive to water quality. Decreasing oxygen levels due to siltation and nutrient load have made life very difficult for this species. For successful reproduction, this species requires warm water, but also needs adequate oxygen levels, a balance that requires good water quality. Once the darter reaches sexual maturity, usually around age one, it will mate in the same sandy areas it inhabits. The males can mate only once per season, while the females can mate twice. Each mating produces around 350 eggs.

First documented in 1863, this species is now considered threatened in Lake Champlain. This small fish, with a maximum length of a little over 8 centimeters and a common length of just over 5 centimeters, is in the same family as the yellow perch. This fish is expertly camouflaged for life in sandy sections of the lake The mooneye is similar in and its tributaries, where it lives at depth extending as far as the appearance to the Gizzard shad, penetrating light levels allow. alewife and cisco; it’s a flat, silvery The Eastern Sand darter is fish with an upturned mouth.

Page 38 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • February 2013

Fishing: Key identifying marks of this fish are the oversized eye and a lateral line that exists and is complete along the entire length of the fish. This fish is another indicator of water quality, as it is intolerant of silt, low oxygen, and turbidity. The mooneye is a member of the toothed-tongue fishes, Osteoglossomorpha. Only one other toothed-tongue fish exists in North America, the goldeye.

If you think that the quillback resembles a cross between a sucker and carp, you would be correct. Scientifically speaking, this species is a member of the sucker family, Catostomidae, which is characterized primarily by their downward facing mouth and suction-cup lips. However, suckers are a member of the Cypriniformes, the order which also incorporates the carp family Cyprinidae. The carps and the suckers are both stems from the same branch.

The quillback stands out in being very adaptive to its environment. While it prefers clear, deep, swift moving streams and rivers, the fish is able to survive in slow, turbid water as well. As a sucker, their primary food source is the bottom dwelling, benthic invertebrates found in the muck and ooze at the bottom of the lake. These fish have been recorded at lengths up to 66 centimeters, with a common length around 50 centimeters.

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February 2013 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • Page 39

Cross-Country Skiing:

Cross-Country Skiing

Cross-country ski skiing can seem like an exclusive club or restaurant with a long line to get in. From the outside, it looks like the host holds a velvet rope open for those with the right fitness, technique, genetics and equipment. Better to just stay home on the couch watching TV, right? Wrong. There’s a number of ways to help a would-be cross-country skier find fitness and enjoyment for the sport.

It has long been known to be one of the most healthy and beneficial sports. It can be enjoyed by people of all ages and fitness levels, and can be purely recreational or highly aggressive and competitive. Nordic skiing combines both a lower body and upper body workout, while simultaneously working both the “pulling” and “pushing” muscles of each region. Every major muscle group is involved in propelling the skier forward. It provides a holistic and balanced workout as getting outside,

into the snow, and onto a pair of cross-country skis. Not only is it a full-body workout but a great way to tour around Vermont State Parks this winter season. When you are looking for a new way to get out and enjoy nature, give cross-country skiing a whirl. Some popular parks for crosscountry skiing are: Smugglers' Notch, Little River, Seyon Lodge, Woodford, Thetford and Jamaica. This article provided by the Vermont State Parks.

Page 40 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • February 2013

Ecology:

Winter Nutrition Winter is a hard time for wildlife. It brings deep cold, leafless terrain, and a shortage of food and water. Animals have few choices. Most songbirds abandon the region via a perilous migration to warmer climates. Other creatures hunker down in hibernation. But there are a number of species that remain active all winter. This is no easy task. Mammals and birds must maintain their body heat by burning (metabolizing) their body fat – or perish. For herbivores like deer and snowshoe hare, winter is especially harsh. Gone are the nutritious grasses, farm crops, and tender, growing shoots they relied on all summer. Forage is reduced to dormant twigs, buds, and evergreens. Analysis of these foods indicate that while summer forage typically contains up to 35 percent protein and less than 30 percent fiber, winter forage is only 5 percent protein but about 50 percent fiber. The rest is water.

Page 42 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • February 2013

Ecology: What’s more, woody browse often contains plant defense compounds that make it indigestible or even toxic. No animal can digest cellulose, the main constituent of plant fiber. Yet deer nutrition studies suggest that a 100-pound deer is able to extract over 1,000 calories a day from its winter forage. How does it do that? It relies on microbes, the only organisms that can break down fiber. Both deer and hare have evolved digestive systems that harness microbial power to digest the indigestible through the process of fermentation. Deer are known as foregut fermenters because the fermentation step happens at the beginning of the digestive process. A deer stomach is divided into four in-line chambers, the first and largest chamber being the fermentation tank or rumen – hence the term “ruminant.” Unlike a human stomach, the rumen is not very acidic, which allows bacteria, protozoans, and a primitive group known as the archaea to thrive there. In this ecosystem, some bacteria break down cellulose while others feed on breakdown products and supply nutrients back to the fiber digesters.

The archaea live on wastes like carbon dioxide and hydrogen, turning them into methane gas that is released by belching. Most important to the deer are the so-called short-chain fatty acids made by fermentation, like acetic acid (found in vinegar) and butyric acid (the hallmark of rancid butter), which provide the deer with a good source of energy. Even with bacterial help, the digestion of fiber is a slow process. To increase its efficiency, deer regurgitate the rumen contents (cud) and re-chew them for several hours to break up particles, making them easier to ferment. The fermented paste passes to the lower stomach chambers where water and fatty acids are absorbed. The forth chamber is a highly acidic “true” stomach that kills and digests the fermenters themselves. Essentially, deer grow their own food on the fiber in the rumen and then harvest it. Different microbes are needed to break down summer and winter forage as the ecosystem of the

The Outside Story, provided by Northern Woodlands magazine, is a series of weekly ecology articles that has been appearing in newspapers across New Hampshire and Vermont since 2002. The series is underwritten by the Wellborn Ecology Fund of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation - Upper Valley Region and edited by Dave Mance at Northern Woodlands.

February 2013 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • Page 43

Ecology: rumen changes slowly with the seasons. Feeding deer with corn, potatoes, and the like in winter is damaging. Such foods disrupt the rumen environment causing a die-off in bacteria that allows dangerous fungi to take hold. This makes them sick and can lead to starvation. Like deer, snowshoe hare subsist in winter on bark, twigs, and buds. But unlike deer, the hare’s fermentation organ is in the hindgut. Fermentation happens after nonfibrous food constituents are digested in the stomach and small bowel. The fibrous bulk of the food is then shunted into the cecum, a blind sac at the junction with the large bowel. The importance of the cecum may be judged by its size: it comprises 60 percent of the digestive tract’s volume. It is populated by an ecosystem of microbes that can break down xylem, the other main constituent of wood. As the microbes digest fiber and make fatty acids, they also multiply prodigiously. The partially-digested food in the cecum is about 55 percent bacteria by dry weight; bacteria also account for most of the 24 percent protein content. The hare takes full advantage of this, in a process akin to a deer’s rumination. Soft pellets of cecal

contents, called cecotrophs, are passed from the anus and eaten immediately, allowing the hare to digest the wealth of nutrients in the bacteria themselves. What’s left after re-digestion is passed as hard pellets. Plants, of course, don’t like to be eaten, and they make themselves unpalatable with substances like tannin that renders proteins and sugars indigestible. But fermenting microbes come to the rescue by breaking down tannin. Interestingly, these tannin-busters are only found in deer rumen in winter, showing the importance of the seasonal adaptation of the rumen. Though deer and hare are totally unrelated, they have evolved similar ways to take advantage of microbes. If these herbivores did not possess a personal fermentation tank, they would be unable to survive on their spartan winter diet. Li Shen is an adjunct professor at the Dartmouth Medical School and the chair of the Thetford, Vermont, Conservation Commission. The illustration for this column was drawn by Adelaide Tyrol. The Outside Story is assigned and edited by Northern Woodlands magazine and sponsored by the Wellborn Ecology Fund of New Hampshire Charitable Foundation: wellborn@nhcf.org.

Snowshowing is a great way to stay in shape and still enjoy winter. If you’ve never tried snowshowing, many places will rent them and the Vermont State Parks are a great place to try them out.

Page 44 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • February 2013

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Bird Watching:

Winter Birds

A Common Redpoll is an irruptive species that has made an appearance in Vermont this winter.

Snow birds is a term often used to describe northern people who travel south to spend the winter in relative comfort. Of course, birders and other naturalists use those words in a different way. They use the phrase to describe birds that come from the north and spend the winter in Vermont (and surrounding areas). Some snow birds are fairly

common and some are considered irruptive species. These irruptive species are big news to birders! (And a great reason to be outside exploring all winter). This winter is turning into a good year for seeing lots of common and uncommon snow birds. Many birds show up regularly at our feeders in spring and fall as part of their typical migratory pattern. Winter irruptive bird species are less

predictable but are often a highlight of winter birding. The reasons for these avian irruptions can yield some debate; although a change in food quantities is often cited as the reason to move. In the winter, survival for birds is all about food. If there is a poor seed crop they need to move on. The fruiting of certain boreal trees: spruce, fir, tamarack and birch, appears to be synchronized.

Page 46 â&#x20AC;˘ Vermontâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Great Outdoors Magazine â&#x20AC;˘ February 2013

Bird Watching: So one year there will be abundance of seeds and the next almost none. Coniferous and hardwood tree seed crops were generally poor this past season across northeastern Ontario east through the Maritime Provinces, and in northern New York and New England States, causing many species to move south in search of food Common Redpoll, Pine Sisken, Purple Finch, Evening Grosbeak, Pine Grosbeak, Red Crossbill, White-winged Crossbill, and Redbreasted Nuthatch are considered irruptive species. Here in Vermont a few of the aforementioned species are found year-round so they may not top the list as exciting winter birds but farther south they may. One species that often tops the excitement list is the Pine Grosbeak, a species that has been seen across Vermont this winter. Pine Grosbeaks are slightly larger than Evening Grosbeaks and the males look like they have been dipped in a rosy – colored paint. The females (which have been seen in greater abundance this year)

are a grayish bird with dingy yellow on head and along the back and top of the tail, and prominent wing bars. Pine Grosbeaks are more often seen in large flocks on fruit bearing trees in busy urban areas, college campuses, or backyards. The winter is a great time to see other birds that are usually only seen in the winter. These include American Tree Sparrows, Northern Shrikes, Bohemian Waxwings, Snow Buntings, Lapland Longspurs, and Horned Larks. Some years an abundance of Northern Owls are seen as their food sources dwindle in their northern territories. A lucky winter birder might catch a glimpse of a Great Gray Owl, a Snowy Owl or even a Northern Hawk Owl. Great Gray Owls were seen in late January in and around both Ottawa and Montreal. There is a chance they will move into northern Vermont before winter is over. The Great Gray is a large owl with a wingspan stretching to almost 4½ feet. For many, seeing a Great Gray owl is a once in a life-time event. Dramatic irruptions are being

tracked and studied in a variety of ways. Scientists can use data collected during the Christmas Bird Count, Project Feeder Watch, and the Great Backyard Bird Count to see when birds arrive and where they go. The Great Backyard Bird Count occurs from Feb. 15 to 18 and is open to everyone! For more information about how to participate see www.birdsource.org/gbbc. If you are near Huntington on Feb. 16 there will be a bird walk at the Green Mountain Nature Center from 8-10 a.m. (see vt.audubon.org for more details), The Birds of Vermont Museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. so visitors can view the bird feeding station, explore the museum exhibits, drink bird friendly coffee, and learn more about the Great Backyard Bird Count. Winter is a great time to enjoy birds! Erin Talmage is executive director of the Birds of Vermont Museum in Huntington. Contact her at (802) 434-2167 or visit www.birdsofvermont.org for more information.

Contributing Writers and Photographers We have had some interest by people who would like to write or submit photos to Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine. We welcome submissions by writers and photographers but keep three things in mind: ● Understand our budget doesn’t allow for payment. If you want to write because you love it, we can afford that, but we’re not paying any writers or photographers right away. ● You will be edited. The best writers still need editors – some more than others. If it makes you feel better, I’ve been writing and editing professionally for 20 years. I won’t hack your work to death. ● Query with an idea. Don’t write 1,000 words only to find VGOM doesn’t publish vampire fiction, even if the vampire sucks the blood of an 8-pointer. Let’s talk about your idea and decide if it’s right for this magazine. Then we’ll do it.

February 2013 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • Page 47

Out & About:

Doing the Right Thing

’ve long known that outdoor enthusiasts were among the best people out there and the actions of an angler at a recent fishing derby showed one more time that doing right is expected among outdoor enthusiasts. A lifetime of watching hunters, anglers, campers, skiers and others helping each other out of tough situations or showing kindness and compassion has shown me that if you’re going to have trouble of some sort, you want one of these folks to be the next vehicle down the road. And if you’re in a rough spot in life, hopefully you have some of these same folks in your family or circle of friends. They’ll be the people who come over at 1 a.m. to lend a hand. Every time I’ve been stranded, invariably, the vehicle that ends up stopping to help or see if we need help sent will be full of anglers coming back from a day at the lake, a family returning from a camping trip, or a group of folks with skis in the rack. I’ve seen it enough times to expect it. I’ve also come to realize that when faced with a difficult choice, an outdoor enthusiast will, more often than not, do the right thing. One story from my past helps set up the recent story of the ice angler.

I had a friend who found himself in a pickle after illegally killing a cow elk during the bull-only season. He was bowhunting when a nice bull presented itself broadside uphill. Despite being a seasoned hunter who followed the rules and hunted ethically, his excitement got the best of him. He quickly came to full draw and expecting the bull, which had already busted him was about to bolt, he hurriedly loosed an arrow. Unfortunately, he misjudged the distance and shot under the bull. Because of the angle, the arrow went under the bull’s belly and skipped off some sandstone and buried itself in the boiler room of a cow he had never seen. He saw the cow running off and a sick feeling entered his stomach as he walked to the spot where the two were standing. There was no blood where the bull was, but a dozen or so yards farther uphill, there was blood where the cow was. He tracked her and found her a

short distance away. Some people would look around and realize that being two hours from the nearest paved road and another half hour to the nearest town from there, the likelihood of being caught was low. But my buddy knew he wouldn’t be able to live with himself. So he walked to the top of a hill until he could get a cell signal and called himself in. After a conservation officer told him he was on the way, my friend set to gutting the elk to make sure she wouldn’t go bad in the heat. The game warden arrived to find the cow’s quarters in game bags. After having my friend run him through what happened and how the mistaken kill shot had occurred, the pair packed the quarters back to the truck. Once the meat was in coolers, he turned to face my buddy. To this point my friend been sweating the fact he was likely going to be a convicted game law violator and was facing the loss of his hunting and fishing privileges for three years. But he asked for leniency. The officer, however, was swayed by the fact the hunter had reported himself and took care of the meat so it wouldn’t go to waste. He took my buddies’ hunting license and voided it, ending his elk season in a unit that was tough to

Page 48 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • February 2013

Out & About: draw a bull tag in. The unit had a population reduction cow season later in the year and the conservation officer chose not to further punish a man who held himself to such a high standard he was willing to give up what was most dear to him in order to do what was right.

It was likely a similar high standard and rock-solid integrity that led an angler at an ice fishing tournament in Vermont to choose to do the right thing as well. This story is second hand, but confirmed by at least two others who saw the events unfold. As the story was told, anglers were spread out on the hard water of Dillenbeck Bay in Alburg for the second stop of the 2013 Vermont Sportsman Hardwater Tournament Series. A young angler was fishing with his uncle and the boy likely had a heavy heart. The boy’s father had died in the last year and, as you can imagine, memories are everywhere. Fishing

his first tournament, an important tournament rule was missed that allowed no more than one angler per shanty. When discovered, the pair were disqualified. Apparently, the organizers of the event are working hard to clean up the series after some alleged cheating in past years. Because of that they have instituted very strict rules. When told they had been disqualified, the boy and his uncle were disappointed because they were doing well. But, nonetheless, they understood the rules and packed up their gear. They were not accused of cheating, but they missed the rule and when informed of it, they understood and accepted the rules as true sportsmen do. But they stuck around for the awards ceremony and there were a lot of folks glad they did. When the tournament’s winner, Ricky Doyle, was announced he asked if the youngster would step to the front with him. The boy came forward.

Doyle then admitted to the boy that he was the one who had turned him and his uncle in to the tournament officials. He said that as sportsmen, there is a responsibility to police ourselves on the ice to make sure everyone is playing by the rules. According to those who were there, he then commended the boy for his sportsmanship and his effort, and he handed his first-place plaque to the boy and gave him half his first-place money. By all accounts, the ice was silent. The youngster didn’t know what to say and tried, at first, to refuse the offer, but ended up offering sincere thanks for the generous gesture. It’s a lesson and a gesture few who were there will ever forget. And that boy learned a lifelong lesson. There are rules that sportsman hold themselves to – even when nobody is looking. And sportsmanship, fairness, ethics and doing the right thing matter to us. Darren Marcy is the editor & publisher of Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine.

February 2013 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • Page 49

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Page 50 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • February 2013