VGOM May 2013

Vermont’s

Volume 1 Number 5

Magazine

GREAT OUTDOORS

Otter Creek gives up a great brookie.

Page 22

● Someone call a taxidermist ● A party trick to bag a tom ● Spring fishing success ● Booming of the pa’tridge

● ● ● ●

Insect hatches top to bottom Second bird atlas released Get your kids outdoors Help protect muddy trails

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

Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine www.VtGreatOutdoorsMag.com May 2013 • Volume 1 • Number 5

Features 20 Long

© Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine 2012-2013

Live the King

A boss tom nearly gives the writer the slip before he pulls a party trick out of his bag.

26 Making

Memories

Tagging your first turkey is nothing compared to helping your daughter tag hers.

34 The

Publisher & Editor Darren Marcy News/Marketing Assistants Maya Marcy & Camilla Marcy Contributors Jeremy Baker, Bradley Carleton, Bob Shannon, Todd Lantery, Dawn Greenwood, Kirsten Talmage, Lilian Shen, James Vladyka, Emile Willett Article & Photo Submissions editor@VtGreatOutdoorsMag.com

Shed

A hunter reflects on friendship and making memories in the woods.

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

61 Breeding

Bird Atlas

Vermont’s second atlas provides a tool for birders and wildlife conservationists.

More Inside 5. Photo of the Month 6. Editor’s Note 7. Reader Feedback 7. Correction 9. Outdoor News 58. Out & About

20. Sacred Hunter 26. Family Outdoors 34. Shed Antlers 46. Fly Fishing 56. LCI 58. The Outside Story 61. Birds of Vermont

Phone (802) 331-0130 All articles and photos need to be submitted electronically.

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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 • May 2013

Photo of the Month:

Andrew Volansky poses for a photo with his 25-inch steelhead, estimated to weigh 5 to 6 pounds.. Volansky, of Stowe, caught the fist at first light April 24 on the Willoughby River, which is a tributary of Lake Memphramagog. The steelhead fell for Volansky’s hand-tied size 8 fluorescent red Crystal Meth Volansky. The fish hit in shallow riffles at the end of a pool.

Page 5 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • May 2013

Editor’s Note:

A Step Forward May is an absolutely incredible month in Vermont.

There's so much to do in the great outdoors and I think it's one of the best months of the year in the Green Mountain State.

And May's issue of VGOM is yet another step forward for this little digital magazine.

First, we've added another new writer, Emile Willett, who plans to write about families, kids and the outdoors. It's a subject near and dear to my heart. His first column is in this issue and can be found on page 26.

He's writing about taking his daughter on her first turkey hunt. Emile has the ability to capture the emotions of being a parent and introducing your child to what could end up being a lifelong passion.

It's just the latest addition to your outdoor magazine.

Despite the fact this issue is packed with great stuff, there's been a lot of work going on behind the scenes too, to make VGOM better, stronger and easier for you to find and access.

First, we have launched a website. It's nothing to write home about, just yet. But it will steadily improve.

The key for the website was to have a home for VGOM. Where readers could always check for the newest issue or find back issues.

It's also a place that will answer some of the questions people might have about the magazine – like where do I send a photo or story I want to submit. (Hint: news@vtgreatoutdoorsmag.com) There will be other features too, such as information for advertisers about the technical specs of VGOM and rates. (Hint: Affordable!)

And, someday, I would like to put short bios online of some of VGOM's regular contributors. I think readers build relationships with writers they enjoy reading and would like to know a little bit more about them.

Check it out the May issue. I may be biased, but I think it's a great little magazine, which is absolutely free. Personally, I think it's the best bargain around.

I also think it's one heck of an advertising opportunity for businesses looking to reach the outdoor enthusiasts in Vermont.

Please recommend VGOM to your local outdoor retailer and suggest they take a look at our affordable rates.

And take a look at the ads on these pages. Those businesses are supporting this magazine and deserve your support as well.

On the Cover

The Bearded One This month’s cover shot was submitted by Jeremy Baker, an avid outdoorsman and contributor to VGOM. Jeremy’s pretty handy with a camera, but occasionally, he just gets downright artsy and, well, we thought this shot was pretty darn cool and perfect for turkey season.

Contrary to rumors, Jeremy doesn’t call all his turkeys up this close. This shot was taken on a turkey mount – a previous year’s bird – found standing in his man cave.

––– Have a great photo you want to share?

Whether it’s a fish, a summit, a sunset or just a little family time.

Please send it in. You might find it on the cover of the next Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine.

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

Feedback:

VGOM Reader Feedback News@VtGreatOutdoorsMag.com Jeremy Baker’s stories are uplifting experience Just want to drop you a note expressing my enjoyment at reading Jeremy Baker’s writing in your magazine.

I can relate to the stories as so many of them are similar to my own.

They’ve helped me realize that while the individual instances of our own hunts are unique to each one of us, the themes are played out over and over, year after year for countless hunters.

While reading Jeremy’s stories I invariably find myself drifting back in memory and they’re always an uplifting experience for me.

Keep up the good work.

Write VGOM Letters are encouraged on topics of interest to Vermont outdoor enthusiasts. This space is your opportunity to have your voice heard.

Letters will be edited for grammar, libel, clarity, decency and, when necessary, space. If your letter can’t be edited without changing its meaning, you’ll be given a chance to rewrite it, or the letter will be rejected.

Correction

This photo, which appeared on page 30 of the April 2013 issue of Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine, was mistakenly credited to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department. The photo was actually taken by Jeremy Baker. Our apologies.

Send story pitches, photos, news releases, calendar items, letters to the editor, and other submissions to: Send correspondence about advertising to: Send criticism, kudos and specific questions and comments about articles to:

Send letters to: news@vtgreatoutdoorsmag.com Page 7 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • May 2013

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

Outdoor News: For these efforts, Vaughn received numerous recognitions, including a Certificate of Appreciation from the States Organization for Boating Access and the Department of Interior’s Meritorious Service Lake Elmore access area to be Award. renamed after Morrisville native “In light of his conservation accomplishments, public Boaters and anglers on Lake Elmore will see a new access initiatives, and the professionalism he displayed, name on the access area sign starting in May. it is very fitting that Vermont, his home state, honor The Lake Elmore – Vaughn M. Douglass Access him with this recognition,” Palmer said.

Area will be renamed in honor of the Morrisville native and Lake Elmore camp owner who died in September, according to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department Police searching for missing boater Douglass retired in July 2012 from his position as believe to have drowned lands and development program chief in the Division At deadline, Vermont search and rescue crews were of Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration after serving still searching for the body of a man believed to have with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for 33 years. drowned after the canoe he was in capsized on the A leader in the regional Wildlife and Sport Fish Passumpsic River in Barnet.

Restoration program, Douglass mentored many Vermont State Police received a report about 2 p.m. employees in both state and federal agencies.

April 24 of an overturned canoe with three people in He made a significant contribution to access areas in it. Two of the boaters made their way to shore, but a the Northeastern United States through his oversight third could not be located. of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Division of Federal The man was later identified as locate Zachary M. Aid program.

Florio, 22, of Passumpsic. His two companions, “Vaughn’s assistance to Vermont Fish & Wildlife Michael Dalton, age 33 of Sutton, and Jessica Florio, staff was extremely valuable,” said Vermont Fisheries age 29 of Barnet, were not injured.

Division Director Eric Palmer. “He contributed a great Authorities from various fire departments and search deal to the development of many of Vermont’s and rescue crews searched the river for the missing man programs. Most notably, he was instrumental in but could not locate him. developing the department’s successful boating access Search operations were continued the next two days area program.”

Vermont

What is your club, group or organization up to? Share you news.

Submit news about Vermont’s Outdoors to VGOM. news@vtgreatoutdoorsmag.com

Page 9 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • May 2013

Outdoor News: by land and air, with divers in the water, search dogs Mike Anderson of the Saint Albans Barracks at 524-5993. and sonar technology used without success April 25 Test waters designation for Jobs and April 26. and Martins ponds now in effect Authorities chose to scale back the search after three A special Test Waters designation intended to days with New Hampshire marine patrol conducting enhance fishing for large, wild brook trout at Jobs Pond periodical search of the Connecticut River. in Westmore and Martins Pond in Peacham is now in place.

Police seek information Jobs and Martins ponds are two of just a handful of on stolen boat motors ponds in Vermont that have significant numbers of wild Vermont State Police is investigating the theft of two brook trout, and they are the only two ponds in the state outboard motors from boats stored at Boat headquarters that consistently produce wild brook trout longer than in Swanton on April 15.

15 inches.

Police said the investigation showed two Mercury “This Test Waters designation should contribute to 115 horsepower outboards were stolen from boats in even better fishing at these two special ponds,” said the storage lot.

Jud Kratzer, fisheries biologist with the Vermont Fish In addition to the thefts, a number of other boats were &Wildlife Department. vandalized.

The Test Waters designation includes a two trout per Anyone with any information is asked to call Trooper day creel limit and a 12- to 15-inch protected slot limit.

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

Outdoor News: Anglers have to release all trout 12 to 15 inches, and they may only keep one trout longer than 15 inches per day.

State fisheries biologists have kept a close eye on the fish and fishing at both ponds in recent years, and they will continue to do so.

The biologists will evaluate the effectiveness and popularity of the Test Waters designation over the next few years before making recommendations to the Fish and Wildlife Board about a permanent regulation for the two ponds.

Police investigate burglary Vermont State Police are investigating a burglary of a home in Westminster.

In a news release, police said John Stoodley, 58, of 7836 Route 5, reported that someone broke into his home while he was sleeping April 13.

Stoodley said that among the items stolen from the

residence were a a CVA .50-caliber muzzleloader, an H&R 10 gauge single-shot shotgun, a 20 gauge shotgun and an iPhone. Other items were taken, but discovered thrown over an embankment nearby.

Police discovered a back door had be forced open.

Police are continuing to investigate the break-in.

Missing hiker finds his way out Searchers were gearing up for a search when the subject of that search managed to walk out and was located walking along a highway.

Vermont State Police said a group of college students had gone for an afternoon hike in Allis State Park in Brookfield on April 23, but one member of the party had gotten separated.

After the group tried to locate the missing hiker themselves and failed, they notified authorities to look for Zachary Smith, 18, of Grand Isle, at a little after 1 a.m.

Page 11 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • May 2013

Outdoor News: As a search was being organized, Smith was able to The hikers were provided with dry clothing and after find his way out of the woods and was found walking determining there were no medical concerns, the hikers along Route 12 by a Vermont State Police trooper. were assisted back to Somerset Road in Somerset where Smith was uninjured and was reunited with his they were given a ride back to Bennington. friends.

The hikers were identified as Sarah Madden, 20, of Berkley, Calif.; Joe Makucha, 18, of Storrs, Conn.; and Hikers located safely after winter Riley Kelleher, 18, of Charlemont. Mass.

weather surprises them

Vermont State Police say a group of hikers reported that they had been caught in inclement weather April 12 on the Long Trail in Glastonbury.

A spring snow storm and dropped deep snow and soaked their gear.

Personnel from the Vermont State Police Search and Rescue, Vermont Fish and Wildlife, and Bennington Police Department responded to the area.

Using snowmobiles, the wardens and officers were able to reach the hikers by late afternoon.

Window broken out of car at trailhead Vermont State Police are investigating the vandalism of a vehicle April 25 at a trailhead in Addison.

Police say Rebekah Shafer, 23, of Middlebury parked her car at the trailhead of Snake Mountain on Mountain Road in Addison about 6 p.m.

When she returned, she found her window smashed.

Anybody with any information is asked to contact Vermont State Police at 388-4919.

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

Outdoor News:

Boaters reminded to wear flotation vests

T

he Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is reminding anglers and boaters to wear a personal flotation device while boating in cold water of

spring.

Sudden immersion in cold water after falling overboard or capsizing, particularly at water temperatures below 68°F, can overcome even the strongest swimmers. It may lead to sudden cardiac arrest or gasping and inhalation of water, the loss of swimming ability and grip strength, and eventually hypothermia and unconsciousness.

“After a long winter, the sight of open water and the feeling of warm sunshine can give boaters a false sense of security,” said Vermont Fish & Wildlife Commissioner Patrick Berry. “The reality is, the ice has just gone out, and water temperatures are still extremely cold. We encourage anglers and boaters to be cautious and safe while on any watercraft in the early spring.”

Wearing a life jacket, no matter what the season, is the single best way boaters can keep themselves safe on the water, and it can significantly improve their chances of survival should something unexpected happen while boating.

Vermont Fish & Wildlife also reminds anglers and boaters that children under 12 years of age must wear Laurel Baker knows how to stay warm and safe while catching early a Coast Guard approved personal floatation device at season crappie. Wearing your PFD is smart and, for kids, the law. all times while boating on any Vermont water body.

Police looking for stolen ATV Vermont State Police are investigating the theft of an all-terrain vehicle April 25 that was for sale.

A passerby noticed three people loading the ATV into the back of a pickup about 3:30 p.m. at 218 Route 100 in Whitingham.

The witness said three white, middle-aged males

were loading the ATV into the back of a white Chevrolet pickup with an extended cab, bearing Vermont license plates.

The ATV that was stolen was reported to be a light blue and black, older style, Yamaha 250. Anyone with information on this theft can contact police at 2542382.

Hunting, Fishing, Hiking, Backpacking, ATVing, Biking, Camping, Skiing, Snowshoeing, Snowmobiling, Bird Watching, Climbing, Photography, Power Boating, Paddling, Skijoring, Conservation, Four Wheeling, Dog Sledding, and … try us!

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

Outdoor News:

Shooting range grant money deadline approaching

T

he Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is continuing a grant program that increases access to safe places to shoot.

The grant is available for shooting clubs, sportsmen’s groups and government agencies involved in the operation of shooting ranges and archery ranges.

Applicants have until 4:30 p.m.

May 15 to submit applications.

The funding period is Fiscal Year 2014, which runs from July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014.

The Shooting Range Improvement Grant Program was developed to encourage shooting ranges to make improvements and enhance their safety and operation.

“Increased range opportunities encourage hunters to become more

proficient with firearms and promote safe and responsible gun handling,” said Fish & Wildlife Commissioner Patrick Berry.

Projects eligible for funding include shooting range development, noise abatement structures, safety berms, shooting pads and stations, and road and parking lot improvement. Grant money can be also used for lead mitigation measures.

The Fish & Wildlife Department anticipates making a total of $80,000 available this year.

These funds are derived from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Wildlife & Sport Fish Restoration Program, which is funded from federal excise taxes on hunting, shooting and fishing equipment.

Grant recipients are required to provide 25 percent of project funding, which may come from an “in-kind” funding match such as volunteer labor or donations.

A range receiving one of these grants must provide at least 20 hours of public use per week when in operation and the facility must be made available at reasonable times for hunter education courses.

For further information or to download an application packet, visit the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department website at www.vtfishandwildlife.com.

Click on “Hunting and Trapping,” and then on “Shooting Ranges in Vermont.” You may also contact Chris Saunders, Hunter Education Coordinator, at 828-1193.

Hunting, Fishing, Hiking, Backpacking, ATVing, Biking, Camping, Skiing, Snowshoeing, Snowmobiling, Bird Watching, Climbing, Photography, Power Boating, Paddling, Skijoring, Conservation, Four Wheeling, Dog Sledding, and … try us!

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.

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

Outdoor News:

Moose Applications Available

V

ermont moose hunting permit applications are now available on the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department’s website.

Printed applications will be at Vermont license agents statewide in June.

Lottery applications are $10 for residents and $25 for nonresidents. The deadline to apply is July 5.

Winners of the permit lottery will purchase resident hunting permits for

$100 and nonresident hunting permits for $350.

Hunters also will have the option to bid on five moose hunting permits in an auction to be announced later.

“Permit allocation numbers will not be finalized until a regulation is adopted this summer,” said Wildlife Division Director Mark Scott.

“We are making the applications available now for hunters’ convenience,” Scott said. “Hunters can

look online at the proposed number of permits and Wildlife Management Units proposed to be open for moose hunting.”

The Fish and Wildlife Department has proposed 355 moose hunting permits for the regular Oct. 19-24 moose season.

The 50 permits for the Oct. 1-7 archery moose season are set in a previous rule.

For applications or information: www.vtfishandwildlife.com.

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

Outdoor News:

Wildlife festival a great spring event

A

n opportunity to spend time outdoors in a family atmosphere is coming up soon this month.

On May 5 the Herrick's Cove Wildlife Festival, a popular and growing event aimed at kids and families and celebrates wildlife of all types, will be held at the well-known Connecticut River location.

The festival, which is held on a Sunday, will be held at Herrick's Cove on the Connecticut River in Rockingham.

The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and attracts large crowds.

Organizers report last year's event attracted more than 2,000 people.

It's easy to see why.

There are events, displays, demonstrations and activities for people of all stripes and flavors.

Whether you hunt, enjoy watching or photographing wildlife, just enjoy being in nature, there is something for everyone.

Best of all, the event is free, although organizers do request a donation.

The recommended donation is $2 per person or $5 per

family. Please, leave pets at home for this one.

While the official event kicks off at 10 a.m. and runs until 4 p.m., there are actually things to do starting at 7 a.m. when naturalist Don Clark leads a bird walk. Early risers are sure to enjoy the diversity of birds found at Herrick's Cove.

The schedule includes events like an amphibian walk with Middlebury College herpetologist Jim Andrews, a live raptor demonstration by the Vermont Institute of Natural Science, and a presentation on hawks and owls by the Southern Vermont Natural History Museum.

There's a presentation about wildlife of New England by Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, and one about all things creepy and crawly with AMOS Natural Science Education Services.

Erin Talmage of the Birds of Vermont Museum will be on hand to teach a soap-carving activity for older kids, while younger kids might like the puppet show put on by Lindsay Bezich and her Puppet Pals.

Thomas Drummey will lead a fly-tying demonstration and a butterfly presentation, along with an

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animal parade in the morning and the afternoon.

One of the highlights is sure to be the live wolf presentation by The Wolf Conservation Center. Since wolves have been extirpated from New England with the exception of an occasional visitor from Canada, this presentation is likely to be great interest.

And for those who can't find something that catches their fancy, a nature trail can lead visitors on an adventure to learn more about Herrick's Cove.

Herrick's Cove is located off Route 5, less than 3 miles north of Bellows Falls.

There will even be food vendors on site so you can stay all day if you would like.

The event is presented by the Ascutney Mountain Audubon Society, The Nature Museum at Grafton, Vermont Fish and Wildlife, and TransCanada Corporation.

To learn more about the event, or to see a schedule of the times for the various events, see the festival website at www.naturemuseum.org/herrickscove.html, or look it up on Facebook.

Have a business card advertising your business?

This space is just $20 per month.

Reach a focused, dedicated and engaged group of outdoor enthusiasts.

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

Outdoor News:

State Parks picks new water bottle logo

Vermont State Parks will soon have a new logo on its water bottles after selecting a new design during a recent contest.

State Parks announced a competition earlier in the year asking for submissions for a new design and

42 designs were submitted.

And the new design has been chosen.

The winning image was submitted

by Chad Yonkman. Second place went to Christina Smith with Polly Heininger coming in third.

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

ads@vtgreatoutdoorsmag.com

State Parks wanted a 3 inch by 3 inch design that would “embraces the personality or feeling of Vermont State Parks.”

The design had to use three or fewer colors and be applicable to a variety of colored bottles.

Have an ad already prepared that doesn’t fit any of the sizes we list.

We can accommodate that.

Let us know what you need and we’ll figure a custom rate for your ad.

Our job isn’t to be rigid or limiting.

We’ll do what we have to in order to meet your advertising needs.

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

Outdoor News:

Respect the trails during mud season

L

ike it or not, it’s mud season in Vermont. At least for a little while.

In addition to being messy, it can be destructive to the trails as well.

Trails are damaged and erosion exacerbated when hikers put boot to goop.

That means someone has to go out and fix the trails - not only winter's wear, but the human toll as well.

So, the State of Vermont closes all high-elevation trails in the state from mid-April until Memorial Day. This year, that's May 25. Other organizations and agencies simply say please, and ask that you stay off muddy trails until they've had a chance to firm up.

The closure is primarily in northern Vermont from Mount Ellen to the Canadian border. South of there, most of the trail is primarily on land administered by the U.S. Forest Service.

The Green Mountain National Forest doesn't close the trail, but does ask people to voluntarily stay off the path based on certain dates and the trail's elevation.

The Forest Service suggests, based on historical data, to trails at 1,000 feet elevation are good by mid-April.

Trails at 2,000 feet should not be trod upon until May 1. The 3,000 feet level means people should wait until May 15.

Of course, this is just a guidelines.

Each year, the winter snowpack fluctuates. A trail that is still under snow one year and muddy until

Memorial Day may be bone dry by May 1 in other years.

So, if the calendar says the trail should be OK, and you arrive to find mud, turn around and go find another trail.

What's a pent up outdoor enthusiast to do while waiting for

that magical date to roll by?

How do you scratch the itch that has been growing all winter that snowshoeing just can't remedy?

Find an alternative at a lower elevation and follow some simple guidelines to get you though this time of the year.

The Green Mountain Club is the go-to source for mud-season destinations and every year produces a list of hiking locations a person might put boot to during the long six weeks.

Truth be told, while you need to stay away from most all of the Long Trail and many other favorite

destinations, there's a lot of great trail mileage to be had close to home anyway.

You might not be climbing thousands of feet, but there are great sights to see and this is the perfect time to try to get that friend, or someone in your family to give hiking a try since the temperatures are moderate and there are fewer bugs out.

Here are some tips, from the Green Mountain Club, for hiking during mud season. ● If you are on a trail and come to a muddy section, either turn around and go home, or walk through the mud. Do not go around the mud and widen the trail and expand the damage. ● Hike in lower elevation hardwood forests with southern exposures. Those are the first areas to dry out. ● Be careful when hiking on areas that still have snow. The thaw and freeze cycle can create ice that could send you over the edge. ● Bring extra clothing. Even if you start out with temps in the 60s or 70s, the thermometer can plummet with elevation gain or as the sun dips. ● Bring extra socks. If you have to go through deep mud or standing water, a dry pair of socks will be a welcome addition to your daypack.

For more information on hiking during mud season and for a list of recommended hikes, check out the Green Mountain Club's website at www.greenmountainclub.org.

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

VGOM:

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

Hunting:

Long Live the King

I

had been watching the old tom for a couple of weeks. I was taking notes in my journal as to what time he awakened each day, where he roosted, what fields he favored during rainy days and which hens commanded his attention from the fly-down to the time they sauntered off to nest in the late morning warmth.

He had worn his wingtips down to the heavy-vaned quills from strutting in defiance and aggression, showing the young upstart jakes there would be no mistake who sat on the throne and ruled this pastoral kingdom.

During the late morning he wandered across the brook where the little wooden bridge arched over

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

Hunting:

the gently gurgling waters below.

Dandelions covered the greening field like a bright yellow quilt.

In the distance, the Adirondacks glistened in pale blue, almost blending into the cerulean sky with wisps of wedding white clouds hanging above them.

With the girls attending to their domestic instincts and dusting their bronze bodies in the light brown bowls of earth, his Majesty would strut among the fiddleheads and ramps up and down the streambed.

Late in the afternoon he would meander through the main field and cross into the sprouting soybeans to

gather his harem for the night’s feeding session at the edge of the small meadow.

Gnats and small insects would hatch off of the twigs of the budding shrubbery, grubs could be scraped up in the cooling earth and the occasional left over acorn might yield its sweet tannin- flavored meat to the flock.

They would stroll about, chatting among themselves, gently purring and clucking tones of contentment.

About 7:45 the flock would head into the hardwood and conifer woods, scraping the forest floor as they went and picking up the

opportunistic earthworm along the way.

At the base of the roosting area, they would putt-putt to one another, choosing their trees with a flapping of their decisive, powerful wings.

I could hear the wing beats from 100 yards away, as I sat on a fallen log covered with cool moss.

Every once in awhile I would catch a glimpse of wings, lifting the big birds up into the dusky horizon to light on a thick branch.

As the heavens turned a dark green and purple, the old tom would start to gobble to let his mates know which tree he had chosen for the evening.

Page 21 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • May 2013

Hunting: I sat quietly, choosing not to employ my owl call and just listen to the birds call to one another using soft tree yelps, which would be punctuated every 5 minutes by a boisterous deep-throated gobble.

Then the woods fell silent.

It was dark. The three quarter moon had just begun to crest the Green Mountains to the East.

I stood up and quietly walked out of the woods, placing each footfall carefully so as not to snap any twigs.

I stuck to the logging road that wended by the old sugar shack.

The walk home seemed short, my heart doubling the pace of my steps.

I could feel it beating in my chest with the anticipation of the next morning.

This particular year I had not been able to manipulate my schedule to accommodate Opening Day and had to settle for the first weekend.

My concern was that any one of a number of other hunters may have already played this bird, but he seemed unflustered and relaxed.

My hopes were high as I lay in bed watching the reflection of the LED light on the alarm clock glowing an oddly calming green on the ceiling.

As I began to drift off to sleep, a flock of geese flew over the house in the subdued moonlight, headed for the pond out back.

The fluorescent light of the clock read 3:58 when I opened my eyes.

The alarm would go off in 2 minutes.

No need to wake the wife with the local country radio station wailing the teen angst of some young girl who is “never ever, ever getting back together” with some spurned adolescent boy.

Maybe if it was Waylon Jennings

or Johnny Cash, I might consider lying in bed and actually listening to some classic old tune.

But I know better these days. The radio stations no longer play the kind of music that soothes old souls.

So I turned it off before the inevitable.

I rolled off of the firm mattress and directly into my turkey camo laid out neatly at the foot of my bed on the red couch under the window.

The curtain was being vacuumed out through the top of the window by a South wind circling around the house.

It would be a warm day. I could feel it in my bones.

Walking down the dirt road, my boots were scuffing the gravel when I realized that it was dead silent and that I was not conscious of creating more noise than I liked. I began setting my feet down with more mindfulness.

My plan was to walk the road to the culvert and short-cut through the

woods to a slight rise where the birds funneled through the low point to the fence with the broken posts where the barbed wire was torn, creating an opening to the soybean field.

As I crossed through the fence opening and into the woods, I had that sixth sense that I was being watched. I felt my nerves go on edge.

Was it a coyote? A roosted hen that had changed its course into another tree during the night?

Something felt uneasy.

I tip-toed through the moonlit trilliums and carefully placed each step, feeling for branches or twigs through my rubber soles. I stopped to listen for a moment next to an old oak.

My heart jumped into my ears when the owl went off right above me.

“Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you awwwwl?”

Then a thunderous gobble echoed through the night air. My heart moved back into my chest and

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

Hunting:

decided to try to push its way out though my ribcage.

I broke into a cold sweat and began gasping shallow breaths.

“Calm down” I told myself. “Now you know where he is and all you have to do is wait.”

I leaned my vest and gun against the old oak and gently removed the hen and jake decoy from the backpack.

I unfolded them and carried the decoys and their plastic stakes, carefully pacing off 20 yards to my left, toward the swale in the ditch.

I strategized that he might not cross the ditch but would pass on the opposite side following his normal routine exit to the field.

It would leave me with a shot of about 30-35 yards, for which I had patterned my 12-gauge using some 3½-inch No. 5s Then I returned to my tree and saddled up against the indentation in the trunk.

I cut a few small twigs with budding leaves out of the musty soil

and speared them into the ground in front of me, creating a ring of natural cover.

My 3-D leafy-flage suit blended in beautifully. I had loaded my gun back at the house and walked all the way in being ever conscious of the safety as I wound my way through the whip-infested woods edge.

I sat at the base of the old tree and listened to the prelude to a spring symphony.

Every 5 minutes or so, the percussive deep-throated bass of the lead singer would pierce the crisp morning air, ripe with hope.

Soon, I began to hear fly-down cackles and the beat of mighty wings in their descent to the earth below. I counted six fly-downs that I could hear.

Then an even louder beating of wings and a solitary gobble from 100 yards away. Then silence. His Majesty was being attended to by his harem of hens. The Boss hen clucked loudly to him to follow her

directly to the small green meadow.

I clucked and putted gently at first, and then realizing that I was competing with a half-dozen of the real birds, I picked up the tempo and veracity of my clucks.

He answered, affirming his dominance with a powerful scream.

At this point I knew I had his attention, but the game was far from over.

Was it just a courtesy gobble? Or did I sound more seductive than the real-life ladies around him?

I clucked loud again, with a powerful cut at the tail end of the monologue. Again, he answered. I had confirmed that he knew of my whereabouts and my intentions.

Now, the real tricky part of the conversation; saying nothing. At all.

For what could be a long time.

He had stopped gobbling for about 15 minutes and my heart began to sink.

Had he left his strutting zone to follow his Boss Hen into the meadow?

I began to think about my next strategy when a voice from my past, the ghosts of Chris and Curt McCuin, whispered in my head “When they stop talking, they may be coming in. Sit tight and wait.”

So wait I did.

Constantly scanning the holes between the trees, the shrubbery and the deadfalls, I began to feel as if I was being watched. Again.

Suddenly a piercing gobble came from right in front of me, not more than 60 yards away.

Then I saw it. Just the top of the fan. It was full and he was strutting behind a downed cedar tree. He must have snuck in using the cedar to obscure my vision the whole way.

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

Hunting: I putted gently. He gobbled back.

But he did not move closer.

I clucked and cut. He gobbled back.

But he did not move closer I purred with a gentle cut. He gobbled back. We were having a conversation about who should go to whom.

He did not move from his strutting zone behind the cedar.

This went on for the better part of one-half hour, when finally I saw him angling away from behind the tree and heading back to his harem.

What should I do?

Dare I try that no-call mouth gobble that I have used to entertain people at parties? The one where I just scream “Owl doodoodooodoodle?”

It was then I realized I had nothing to lose.

I breathed in deeply and tensed the muscles around the diaphragm in my chest, using my intercostals to add pressure. Then I let loose, praying that the sound emanating from my mouth would sound anything like a jake challenging this brute to breed the hen I was pretending to be.

At the moment he heard the scream, he spun around like someone had punched him in the back of the head and screamed back.

Then he began to run, full speed. Around the cedar and right in to the decoys, which he had not seen from behind the tree. He looked at the jake decoy with incredulity and stuck out his chest, reared back on his legs and prepared to terminate the young upstart. He held his head high and prepared to pounce.

It was then that my finger eased the trigger back and the deep barreled gun spoke. Eloquently, powerfully and permanently.

I rushed to his side and sat with him as he expired, praying as I always do.

“Great Spirit, hear me for I am small and weak. I need your strength and wisdom. Let me walk in beauty and make my eyes behold the red and purple sunset.

Make my hands respect the things that you have made.

Make my ears sharp to hear your voice. Make me wise so that I may understand the things you have taught my people. Let me learn the lessons in every leaf and rock.

I seek strength, not be greater than my brother, but to fight my greatest enemy, myself. Make me always ready to come to you, with clean hands and straight

eyes, so when life fades as the fading sunset, my spirit may come to you without shame. Take this, my brother, back into the Great Star Nation and know that I am grateful for his sacrifice. Great Spirit bless this, the soul of my brother, the turkey.”

In the distance my prayer was answered by another gobble from out in the meadow. There will be a new King this day. Long Live the King!

Bradley Carleton is Executive Director of Sacred Hunter.org, a nonprofit 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 24 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • May 2013

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Email: ads@vtgreatoutdoorsmag.com Phone: (802) 331-0130 Page 25 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • May 2013

Hunting:

Brooke Willett and her first turkey with a proud dad, Emile Willett.

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

Hunting:

Cherish Every Moment

E

very day for two weeks we would make the loop, me and my buddies, often times together working to pattern this old tom that had taken up residence on a cattle farm owned by three sisters.

We had secured permission to hunt the birds that kept up a daily parade around the fields and there was that one particular long beard that we all had eyes on for my daughter’s firstever turkey hunt.

It was decided, Brooke would have first whack at this big boy and if it survived the youth season, well that is another story.

Finally, the night before opening morning of youth season, we took up position at a fair distance to see where the tom would spend the night.

A few minutes before dark up he flew with his harem of hens to the tree where he would spend what we hoped would be his last night.

“Will he be there in the morning Daddy?” Brooke wanted to know.

“You bet kiddo, that is where he was last night and I suspect that is where he will be when we get here in the morning. Let’s get out of here and we will come back in the dark and get set up real early so we are here when he wakes up.”

Well that was a long night for me.

Knowing we were hours away from Brooke having a chance at her first turkey, and the thought of her taking a bird such as the one hanging on that branch, kept me up all night.

Finally at 3 a.m. we left the house

and headed to “our spot.”

After sneaking to the edge of the field and setting up Sally (our decoy) by the light of my headlamp, and getting my hunter snuggled under an old crab apple tree, we were good to go.

To help her with judging the appropriate distance to shoot, I told Brooke that her decoy was 20 yards out.

“When I get him to the decoy, you are good to shoot. Put the sight on his head and roll him.”

“OK Daddy … so when will he fly down?”

I did not have the heart to tell her it was still quite a while until legal shooting so I just sort of pretended I did not hear the question.

After waiting what seemed like forever the hens started to wake up and I started some light calling.

Nothing.

I called a little more.

Nothing.

Just when I thought he might have flown down and moved off with the hens, a rooster at a neighboring farm welcomed the day and that was all it took.

Our gobbler lost his mind, and

once he started to gobble, he would gobble at anything.

“Game on,” I told Brooke from my perch behind her. “Just wait for him come in and let him have it.”

This started some of the best action I have seen, and it happened right where Brooke could witness it all first hand.

The more I called, the more he gobbled and the madder his hens got.

We had hens clucking, we had him gobbling and when a couple of young jakes started in, it was a full on party in the field.

He was coming in on a string and he was going home with us, I just knew it.

Brooke is a good shot, as are most girls (and women for that matter).

I knew she would roll this long beard at 20 yards and it was smiles, hugs and pictures after that.

What I did not consider was nerves.

After 20 minutes of working the tom, and him trotting in, it was more than Brooke could take.

“He is gobbling in my face, Daddy.”

And before I could say anything …

BANG and off he flew, along with every other bird in the field.

A clean miss at 45 yards. I guess she really couldn’t take it anymore.

We have all been there.

Disappointed yet undaunted we broke out plan B – you always need a plan B with this turkey hunting business.

Brooke mentioned that there was a

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

Hunting: boy in her class always complaining about the turkeys on his family’s farm.

“Let’s go get one of those, Dad.” So off we went, with me not knowing or even considering there might be a chance a turkey would be there.

Well after gaining permission to hunt and hitting my trusty box call one time, we were in business.

Gobbles!

We started into the field only to be greeted by a small flock of jakes, and so began the 50 yard belly crawl with my first time hunter.

The beauty of small kids, they can hide behind anything. We managed to get within 15 yards of where the birds were feeding over the crest of a hill, and all it took was a soft yelp from my mouth call and in they came.

At what we later determined to be about 5 yards, Brooke rolled a 14pound jake for her first ever turkey.

I do not know about most fathers but that was one of the best days I have ever had, and fortunately I have been able to repeat it a couple more times, but those are stories for another time.

My little girl, the one who most folks would never peg as a hunter just took her first ever Vermont turkey and I could not have been more excited, and best of all neither could she.

After the obligatory whooping and high-fives, hugs and all that, we headed home to show her mom and brother HER turkey.

Pictures were taken, the stories told and retold (mostly by me), phone calls were made and later we enjoyed the harvest by eating the turkey.

As I recall the events of the day, the low of missing the big one and

Brooke Willett poses with a doe she shot during a recent deer season.

the extreme high of seeing Brooke harvest her first bird, I remember my first hunt with my dad.

He is no longer with us. However, the memories I have of those days in the woods will never die.

I am fortunate to live in a place where I get to do what I love and that my children also enjoy the hunting life.

They understand that success is not measured in pounds, points or inches.

It is measured in memories, and time spent together.

For many of us, work and outside responsibilities take away from time best spent with our families. These are days that we as parents will never get back with our children.

We need to cherish every moment.

I have some good friends who put it like this “Hunt with your kids now, and you will not have to hunt for them later.”

This is great advice.

Take a kid hunting, or fishing.

Teach them there is more to it than the harvest or the catch.

Explain to them that they are part of the conservation of a species and it is our duty as sportsmen and women to exercise good judgment and ethics in the pursuit of our passion that is hunting and fishing.

An avid hunter and outdoorsman, Emile Willett enjoys spending as much time as possible with his family and friends, and could not think of any better hunting partners than his two children Brooke and Connor. Emile lives in Morrisville with his children, his wife Karen and their German Shorthaired Pointer, Oakley. Emile is co-owner of Beagle Outdoor Wear, manufacturer of the highest quality wool outerwear based in Johnson. He can be reached at 802.635.9200 or by email at ewillett@beaglewear.com.

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

Hunting:

Turkey Season Opens

Vermont’s highly successful wild turkey management program resulted in hunters taking 6,079 turkeys in spring and fall seasons last year.

V

ermont offers some of the best turkey hunting in New England according to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department.

Already many hunters will have hit the woods for opening day on May 1.

In 2012, Hunters took 4,714 turkeys in both the youth weekend and regular May 1-31 seasons, and 1,365 turkeys in the fall season.

What makes Vermont’s spring gobbler season special? Vermont’s turkey hunting is statewide during

the spring season.

Vermont’s turkey population is one of the highest in New England.

You can buy a turkey hunting license without having to go through a lottery.

The turkey license comes with two spring tags for two bearded birds and one tag for a turkey of either sex in the fall season.

Plus, you get to hunt the entire weekend, because hunting is allowed on Sundays.

The regular spring turkey hunting season is May 1-31.

Shooting hours are one half hour before sunrise to Noon.

Two bearded turkeys may be taken, and all of Vermont is open to turkey hunting.

A shotgun or bow and arrow may be used. Shot size must be no larger than No. 2 and no smaller than No. 8.

Vermont was the first New England state to re-establish wild turkeys when it stocked 31 birds in 1969 and 1970. Today, the Green Mountain State has an estimated 50,000 turkeys.

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

Hunting:

F&W recommends turkey hunting safety tips

T

he Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department points out that while spring turkey hunting-related shootings are rare (last year’s season was incidentfree) precautions are needed.

Camouflage or drab colored clothing is almost mandatory to outwit a keen sighted gobbler.

Unfortunately, camouflage has the same affect on other hunters as it has on the turkeys.

“With a handful of exceptions, all of our incidents have been caused by hunters who don’t positively identify the target before they pull the trigger,” said Chris Saunders, Hunter Education Coordinator.

“And the victim is usually another hunter, often a friend, trying to stalk a turkey call.”

With the opening of spring turkey hunting season near, the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department urges hunters to review the following safety tips: ● Never stalk a gobbling turkey.

Your chances of getting close are poor, and you may be

sneaking up on another hunter. ● Don’t be patriotic. Avoid red, white and blue… and black too.

A tom turkey’s head has similar colors. ● Stick with hen calls. A gobbler call might draw in other hunters. ● Avoid unnecessary movement.

This alerts turkeys and attracts

hunters. ●Don’t hide so well that you impair your field of vision ●Wrap your turkey in blaze orange for the hike back to the car. ●Always sit with your back against a tree trunk, big log or a boulder that is wider than your body. This protects you from being accidentally struck by pellets fired from behind you. ●Place decoys on the far side of a tree trunk or a rock. This prevents you from being directly in the line of fire should another hunter mistakenly shoot at your decoy. ●Never shoot unless you’re absolutely sure of your target. Since only turkeys with beards are legal during the spring season, lack of positive identification could result in shooting an illegal bird, or worse, another hunter. ● Consider wearing hunter orange while moving from set-up to set-up. Take it off when you are in position.

Remember, only turkeys stalk turkeys! Hunt smart. Hunt safe.

Wear orange.

Vermont’s wild turkey restoration program is a tremendous wildlife management success story funded entirely by hunters through the sale of hunting licenses and a federal tax on hunting equipment.

Now, hunters are reaping the benefits by seeing excellent turkey hunting in Vermont. And, all Vermonters are enjoying watching the big birds as they roam hillsides they had been absent from for

almost a century.

To find out more about wild turkey hunting in Vermont, contact the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department at 241-3700 or check in at their website at www.vtfishandwildlife.com.

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

Hunting:

Father and Son

James Vladyka helped his dad, Larry Vladyka, bag this tom he shot opening day of Vermont’s turkey season.

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

Hunting:

Larry Vladyka, seated, shows off the turkey he shot opening day of Vermont’s turkey season while hunting with his son James Vladyka. The elder Vladyka has been dealing with some health issues lately, so the father-son hunt was even more special this year than normal.

The birds were hammering on the roost this morning.

We picked our spot and got in the blind.

Unfortunately, the hens flew off the roost in a different direction, which also pulled the tom we were looking for and a jake with them.

After hitting the ground the birds worked their way down over the hill away from us. I tried everything to get the big tom to look back but he

had his mind made up.

After a while of not hearing anything and starting to think about plan B, we heard a bird gobble.

It sounded like it was working it's way back to the hens it heard earlier (us).

With a little sweet talking he came across behind us and started heading up on the ridge.

I made a few clucks and yelped and Dad said he spun on a dime and started working his way back but this

time in front of us.

Just before he got into view he spit and drummed.

That was dads first time hearing it in the wild.

Dad asked if I wanted him to shoot a jake and I said, “Heck yeah Dad.” It's not always about the size of the beard and spurs.

In this case it was just being able to share another great outdoor experience with my Dad, Larry Vladyka.

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

Hunting:

‘Someone Call a Taxidermist’

That shed antler symbolized the friendship, respect, camaraderie and support the Beaudet family has provided me for the past 24 years.

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

Hunting:

W

e met 24 years ago during our freshmen orientation on the Campus of Paul Smiths College located in the heart of the Adirondacks.

Chris Beaudet and I quickly became close friends and roommates.

In fact I consider him to be my best friend to this day.

Our common interests are many and our differences few.

As I sat down to write this month’s column, I realized that Chris and I have hunted deer together every fall since becoming college roommates.

We have the kind of relationship that picks up where it left off regardless of the circumstances.

Years and distance have separated us but come fall, we find a way to reunite.

I know that hunting season is

approaching when the frequency of phone calls from Atlanta rise like smallmouth after a jitterbug on flat water.

Chris typically checks in with his dad and/or brother regarding preseason deer sightings near their camp.

“What’s the report?” is the

commonly asked question followed by discussions about what weekends or week he plans on making the trek back north.

Chris’s family owns a hunting camp located in the Southern Adirondacks just west of Lake George.

Camp “Rocky Top” can be found at the end of a private road accessible by a four-wheel-drive vehicle or ATV. It is nestled into and protected by mature Hemlocks and adjacent to a small brook that is fed by numerous bubbling mountain springs.

Gas lights, a wood stove, no electricity, a bunk room for sleeping quarters … home-sweet-camp.

Built by his family and owned solely by his father, Ted Beaudet, many hunters have come and gone

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

Hunting: throughout the 30-plus year history of Rocky Top. Somehow, I have managed to become a regular.

The land surrounding camp is a combination of state, public and privately held tracts.

Mature oaks, hemlock and beech along with white pine, spruce and fir provide incredible diversity and the privately held land has been actively logged offering early succession habitat.

We are fortunate to maintain access to approximately 10,000 acres of prime Adirondack whitetail country.

The terrain is mountainous and if you aren’t in shape, you soon will be.

Each day consists of a series of choreographed drives or pushes that are intended to provide opportunities for strategically placed watchers.

Sometimes but not too often the drivers gets a crack at and connects with a buck.

It may all seem like luck but when you see the antlers that adorn the walls inside camp, and the pictures of bucks in the photo albums ... you quickly realize that skill, perseverance and preparation outweigh luck 3 to 1.

Each drive takes about an hour once the hunters are organized and drives are aptly named after a landmark or significant event that was memorable enough to adopt.

There are locations within the drives that have names as well: Dick’s miss tree, wolf watch and the stone boat to name a few.

These names incite memories and serve an important functional purpose.

It is a private language spoken by

this fraternity of hunters from October thru December each year.

On a sunny afternoon in the fall of 2005 we found ourselves at the base of Strawberry Mountain anxiously awaiting our next drive.

Chris, his brother Michael and I were going up and over the Oak and Hemlock laden ridge and we knew a giant was frequenting the area.

Acorns were falling like raindrops and the deer were congregating among them. As does come in and out of estrous, they drag rutting bucks along with them to this hotspot.

It was unseasonably warm so we were stripped down to long sleeve t-shirts and lightweight pants.

While we waited for the watchers to get into position and radio us with word that everyone was ready, we reminisced about bucks that were previously shot, missed opportunities and most importantly, how we were going to spread out and make this

drive.

Chris took the middle and would go over the very top.

Michael and I would be on each side and we would maintain our radio communication throughout the hunt in order to stay in step with each other.

Once we received the much anticipated green light, we melted into the landscape.

It wasn’t long before we received word from Chris that several trees were recently torn up from what appeared to be a good buck … the one we were after.

That accelerated my already heightened heart rate.

I was 30 minutes into the drive when I noticed a doe above and behind me slipping between Chris and me, but no buck accompanied her.

Chris radioed again and claimed he had running deer out in front of him. He never saw them but the corn

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

Hunting:

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

Hunting: flake leaves echoed as the deer eluded him.

When I was two-thirds of the way through the drive, motion on my right caught my eye.

It was him!

Down off the ridge he came with a doe behind him. He was seeking safety before reaching our watch line.

Not running but moving with purpose.

I had never seen anything like him before while carrying a weapon in the woods.

I pulled up with my Remington model 700 .270, he stopped, I put the cross hairs on his front shoulder and I fired. He went down like the rug was pulled out from under him and never moved again.

As I approached this monarch, I was in awe.

In awe of his physical size, his massive antlers (5½ inch bases), his hooves … everything was just, BIG! I quickly got on the radio and said, “Somebody call a taxidermist” as calmly as the moment allowed.

That was when I started to shake.

Chatter on the radio picked up and Chris soon joined me to get a good look at this brute.

“Wow!” That’s all everyone could say was “Wow.” Mature bucks are incredible physical specimens and this was a first for me.

It also required only one shot. If you have been following previous columns of “Shed Antlers,” you know how rare that is.

My motto has become “leave no lead behind.” Fortunately for me on this day, I left four rounds in my gun, only needing the first.

We got the deer back to camp and

hung him up on the buck pole.

Tipping the scales at an even 200 pounds, he was deer No. 101 to be entered into Rocky Top’s ongoing harvest log and he ranks among their best all-time.

As we were cleaning up, I noticed Chris and his father off to the side having a private conversation.

They soon approached me with a shed antler. Chris and I had found it on Strawberry Mountain two Aprils prior and it was definitely from this

very animal.

They handed it to me graciously and unselfishly, wanting me to have it.

That shed antler symbolized the friendship, respect, camaraderie and support the Beaudet family has provided me for the past 24 years.

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 38 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • May 2013

Hunting:

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

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

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Page 41 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • May 2013

Fishing:

Spring Fishing in Vermont

Taylor Crawford of Jacksonville shows off what had to be one of the catches of the spring. Crawford landing this Vermont brown trout at Sherman Reservoir the opening weekend of trout season. The big brown measured 32.5 inches in length and weighed 18 pounds, 7 ounces. He was fishing with his brother and father.

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

Fishing:

More spring fish from Vermont waters

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

Fishing:

Winner, Winner, Fresh Fish Dinner

Jodi Warner of Castleton shows off the first fish she caught using the rod and reel she won through a Facebook contest held by the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department. Warner was one of 17 people who correctly answered four questions about fishing in Vermont. Her name was then the lucky one drawn to win the new rod and reel provided by Bass Pro Shops.

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

Page 45 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • May 2013

Fishing:

Aquatic Insects

A nice rainbow caught on a Parachute Adams dry fly during a surface feeding frenzy in the early spring.

I

n Vermont, the month of May is typically the start of dry-fly fishing season.

As water temperatures rise into the low- to mid-50s as a sustained average, dry-fly fishing becomes more the orm.

One of the first major prolific hatches of the early season would be the mid-day Hendrickson hatch (Mayfly Species Ephemerella subvaria).

The trigger mechanisms for hatch

cycles are water temperature, and photo phase (sunlight level).

Early season hatches are generally triggered by the warming effect of the water. This can be triggered by temperature fluctuations at various

inlet areas of smaller feeder streams, spring pockets and sunlight levels that heat up the water during the warmer days of May. A water temperature variation of just a few degrees can be enough to trigger a hatch cycle.

Anglers who gain a basic knowledge and understanding of this magical insect life cycle have a much stronger level of confidence when selecting flies that represent the four stages of the insect life cycle.

Page 46 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • May 2013

Fishing: The stages of the insect life cycle nymphs/larvae swim or crawl from and fluttering its wings to eventually determine the fish feeding patterns. the river bottom to become winged fly away as a winged, air breathing Let’s take a look at the scientific insects. insect. cycle of aquatic insects to give you The emerging stage of the aquatic The metamorphous or a better understanding of how your insects is known as the wet-fly stage transformation from water-breathing fishing tactics will work. to the fly fisherman. The insects are insect to air-breathing insect is quite Healthy Vermont river bottoms are very vulnerable during this cycle and unique. Fish are now rising to the blanketed with three major aquatic fish feed heavily in the mid and surface to feed on the dry fly. insects.

The final stage, May flies and the last “Most early season dry-fly fisherman should try to time (Ephemeroptera, opportunity for fly their peek opportunities between 2-6 p.m. Those meaning winged fisherman to catch unfortunate folks who work 9-5 jobs will find these time and short-lived), trout on the life periods to be a challenge. As a seasoned fly-fishing Stone flies cycle, is when the guide, my recommendation is to always be prepared for (Plecoptera, Latin insects return again a mid-afternoon business appointment that requires a for braided wing), to the river, four-piece pack rod that can be conveniently concealed and Caddis flies typically within 1-5 in one briefcase. This affords them the opportunity to (Trichoptera). days to lay their sneak out of the office for a mid-day appointment with These three major eggs and ultimately Dr. Hendrickson.” aquatic insects have die on the surface four fishable stages film as a spinner. for the fisherman.

Then the eggs The first stage is the nymph-larvae. surface columns during this quick filter to the bottom, hatching into Nymphs and larvae burrow, cling, or transformation stage. small nymph/larvae to begin the crawl along river bottoms foraging The emergence of the insects is cycle again. for bio-mass that they will feed on measured in seconds, not minutes.

Most fly anglers prefer the visual for a 1-3 year cycle.

Once the nymph/larvae reach the excitement of the surface strike so During this stage of the cycle, surface film of the river, it sheds its let focus on the surface or dry fly. anglers need to focus their attention nymph casing to become a winged Hendricksons are an example of on fishing the bottom column of insect (dry fly). early season, dark-colored aquatic water with an indicator system to Now we are fishing dry flies. The insects that absorb the heat from target fish feeding on the nymph- dry fly or dun (as it is scientifically fluctuations in water temperature larvae. referred to) then travels along the primarily caused by sunlight At the end of the first cycle, the surface column of water struggling penetration.

Hunting, Fishing, Hiking, Backpacking, ATVing, Biking, Camping, Skiing, Snowshoeing, Snowmobiling, Bird Watching, Climbing, Photography, Power Boating, Paddling, Skijoring, Conservation, Four Wheeling, Dog Sledding, and … try us!

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.

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

Fishing:

Six spring dry-fly patterns include, from left to right, the Parachute Adams, Goddard Caddis, Olive Elk Hair Caddis, X-Caddis, Grey Wulff and a Royal Wulff. The Royal Wulff doesn't imitate any particular fly but is one of the best spring attractor patterns.

Other early season hatches to keep your eye out for would be Quill Gordons (Mayfly Species Epeorus pleuralis), Black Stones (Pteronarcys dorsata), Dark Caddis, Blue Winged Olives (BWO- Mayfly Genus Baetis).

Most early season dry-fly fisherman should try to time their peek opportunities between 2-6 p.m.

Those unfortunate folks who work 9-5 jobs will find these time periods to be a challenge.

As a seasoned fly-fishing guide, my recommendation is to always be

prepared for a mid-afternoon business appointment that requires a four-piece pack rod that can be conveniently concealed in one’s briefcase.

This affords them the opportunity to sneak out of the office for a midday appointment with Dr. Hendrickson.

For those who can’t conceal their fishing pack rod past the watchful eye of their shift manager, an early evening spinner fall will give you the opportunity for some late afternoon

dry-fly fishing.

Keep in mind that the surface action is generally slower in the evening than during the mid-day peak hatch periods. Early season dry-fly fisherman will find the opportunities for taking trout to be much easier than the later part of the dry-fly season in the fall.

This is due in part to the trout’s eagerness to feed on surface patterns at the beginning of the season.

Early dry-fly fishing is very productive due in part to the large

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

Fishing:

Johnson State College students taking a look at the nymphs they picked up with a seine.

sizes of the early season hatch. Hook sizes range from size 10-14, making it easy for the trout to see, and more importantly making it easy for the fisherman to see as well.

Early season hatch cycles typically run a solid two to three weeks. Trout will become programmed to the consistent daily pattern of these early season hatch cycles, making dry-fly action consistently productive throughout the month of May. The term “May fly” may seem to imply that May fly hatches are limited to the month of May.

However, May flies, Stone flies, and Caddis flies will hatch throughout the remainder of the trout season.

Those looking to sharpen their skills in aquatic insect identification to better “match the hatch,” will want to use the “New England Trout Stream” guide to their advantage.

Remember, to maximize your dryfly opportunity, you need to target surface feeding fish during surface feeding cycles.

As water temperatures rise in the months of June, July and August, feeding patterns will switch from

mid-day cycles to sunrise and sunset cycles. Being on the water at the right time will be the key to your dry-fly success.

Bob Shannon is the owner and head guide at The Fly Rod Shop in Stowe. He has more than 25 years of experience teaching fly fishing and is a member of the St. Croix Pro Staff as well as an ambassador for Simms Fishing Products. He currently serves on the board for Lake Champlain International and is on the Vermont Fish & Wildlife board.

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

Fishing:

Walleye Fishing Begins May 4

Richard Levesque with the 14.55-pound Vermont state record walleye he caught in Lake Champlain in 2010. Walleye season begins May 4 in most of Vermont. Check the proclamation for exceptions.

T

he best walleye fishing in New England will begin soon in several Vermont rivers and lakes, according to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department.

The department is reminding anglers that walleye fishing season starts in much of the state on the first Saturday in May and that regulations vary, depending on the water you are fishing.

In all waters of Vermont except Lake Carmi, Chittenden Reservoir

and the Connecticut River, walleye and sauger have an 18-inch minimum length requirement and three-fish daily limit.

This year, the open season is from May 4 to March 15.

Lake Carmi has a slot limit for walleye because of the lake’s high productivity and high rate of walleye harvest. The minimum length is 15 inches, all walleye 17 to 19 inches must be released.

The daily limit at Lake Carmi is five walleye, but only one may be

over 19 inches long. The season is open May 4 through March 15.

Chittenden Reservoir has special walleye regulations in order to produce large walleye that can help control its over-abundant yellow perch population and provide anglers with an opportunity to harvest a trophy walleye.

The minimum length on Chittenden Reservoir is 22 inches, the daily limit is two, and the season is open June 1 through March 15.

Connecticut River walleye fishing

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

Fishing:

Stocking provides recreation, restores fisheries

T

he Vermont Department of Fish & Wildlife stocking local rivers, streams and ponds with trout, salmon, walleye and even muskie.

These fish provide fantastic recreational opportunities for anglers, and can also help to restore Vermont’s wild fish populations.

“While our primary goal is to manage for wild fisheries, we also stock fish to support popular recreational fisheries that keep Vermonters connected to these waters” said Rich Kirn, trout project leader for the Fish & Wildlife Department. “We work closely with watershed management and angler groups to identify ways we can improve fish habitat and increase fishing opportunities.”

Stocked fish serve several important purposes.

They help restore populations of native fish that have declined or disappeared such as the lake trout in Lake Champlain.

They improve fisheries in lakes and ponds where spawning habitat may be limited.

And stocked fish also provide fishing opportunities for anglers of all ages.

“A good fisheries management plan blends biological and social

Fish stocking is underway in Vermont as the department puts trout, salmon, walleye and muskie in the state’s waters.

needs,” said Adam Miller, fish culture operations manager. “We are working to promote healthy wild fish populations, while also providing the opportunity for parents and children to catch a rainbow trout in a small pond near their home and create lasting memories.”

Miller also pointed out that fish stocking provides an economic benefit to Vermonters.

rules are set by New Hampshire.

Those regulations require that all walleye 16 to 18 inches must be released and the daily limit is four fish, of which only one may be longer than 18 inches.

Excellent walleye fishing opportunities occur each spring in the lakes mentioned above as well as in Lake Champlain and its tributaries: the Missisquoi River,

“The Department estimates that fish culture activities provided a $32 million economic boost to Vermont in 2012, on a budget of $3.2 million.

Our funds come directly from anglers, through license sales and excise taxes on boating and fishing equipment.

“We never forget that we are managing fish populations for the people of Vermont, now and for generations to come,” Miller said.

Lamoille River, Winooski River, and Otter Creek.

The Northeast Kingdom also offers walleye fishing opportunities in Salem Lake, Island Pond, Clyde Pond and the Clyde River.

Vermont’s state record walleye weighed 14.55 pounds and was caught in Lake Champlain by Richard Levesque of Swanton in 2010.

Page 51 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • May 2013

Fishing:

Leaping Steelhead

One of the highlights of spring every year is the annual migration of steelhead trout up the Willoughby River and up the falls in Orleans.

Page 52 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • May 2013

Fishing:

Each spring, the steelhead jump the falls on the Willoughby River in Orleans Village during their spawning run. The trout mature in Lake Memphremagog and then migrate up the lake’s tributaries to spawn.

The migration with the jumping up the falls is one of the more spectacular natural events and will draw a crowd with cameras to attempt to capture the aerial acrobatics.

Photos by

Dawn Greenwood

By all accounts, this year’s steelhead migration was one of the best in recent memory.

Dawn Greenwood is an amateur photographer who, with her husband, Sarto, and kids Allison, 17, and Caleb, 5, love the outdoors. The family, from Troy, loves to hunt and fish.

Page 53 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • May 2013

VGOM:

Page 54 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • May 2013

VGOM:

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 Page 55 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • May 2013

Lake Champlain International:

Carleton’s Prize

In a region overflowing with historical lore, the Lake Champlain Basin yields a vast quantity of legendary locales.

This month brings us out on the Lake to the crossroads of Revolutionary War legend and native Abenaki creation mythology.

Many people in Vermont, New York and beyond have heard of Benedict Arnold’s pre-traitor leadership in the Battle of Valcour

Island, stealing away from the British fleet in the dark of the night.

Not as widely taught, though still well known, is the Native American tale of Odzihozo, Abenaki creator of himself and the landscape, including Lake Champlain where he resides for eternity.

Legendary Carleton’s Prize, known alternately by the Abenaki moniker Odzihozoiskwa, wife of Odzihozo, is an islet of rock surrounded by water and mystery.

Between Stave and Providence

Islands, just offshore of South Hero, stands Carleton’s Prize.

This tiny spot of land belies its larger role in the Revolutionary naval battle.

In the dark and fog of Oct. 11, 1776, British forces unleashed a fierce bombardment on what was believed to be a ship of Benedict Arnold’s American fleet.

Only after the smoke and fog blew away did Sir Guy Carleton realize his error.

This raucous distraction enabled

Page 56 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • May 2013

Lake Champlain International:

For more information ● www.historiclakes.org/explore/islands.html#providence_island ● www.lcmm.org/shipwrecks_history/shipwrecks_history.htm –––

About the photograph

Arnold to limp the devastated American ships to Addison where he scuttled and burned the fleet and escaped into the woods.

Though the rust streaks on the sheer cliffs of the islet may be attributable to oxidizing iron ore within the rock outcroppings, legend persists of the cannonballs showering down from the British vessels, forever staining the walls of Carleton’s Prize.

In a later era of prominence on Lake Champlain, just to the west off Providence Island, the famous steamer Phoenix sank in 1819 after catching fire.

The wreck now resides under the waves as part of the Vermont and New York Lake Champlain

Underwater Historic Preserve System.

Off the tip of Shelburne Point in Burlington Bay sits Odzihozo, the lithified eternal remains of the prominent Abenaki deity.

Situated there by his own choice to forever look over his most cherished creation, Odzihozo may be paid respect in the form of tobacco offered by the living.

Legend has it that his feminine counterpart, Odzihozoiskwa can be appeased in much the same manner, often accepting gifts of corn.

Satisfying the demands of these beings is said to allow for safe passage over the waters of Lake Champlain.

Certain facts related to Carleton’s prize are indisputable. For example, it is true that conservation of this Lake Champlain gem comprised the Lake Champlain Land Trust’s

inaugural project, completed in 1978.

Besides the shared water front real estate, these two disparate legends hold another truth in common ... both stand shrouded in mystery.

While Valcour Island holds a prominent place in early American history, most books on the subject fail to mention the tale of Carleton’s Prize.

With a little sleuthing, much may be found about the life and work of Odzihozo.

Other than the foundation of the myth, the story of Odzihozoiskwa remains largely undiscovered. One certainty arises from the water.

Mystery and legend will always surround Carleton’s Prize.

This article was provided courtesy of Lake Champlain International.

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.

Page 57 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • May 2013

The Outside Story:

The Bird that Broke the Sound Barrier

A

distant motor thud-thudthuds as if trying to start, then dies away. The noise repeats, and again dies off.

I’ve been fooled by this sound, wondering who could be trying to start a 2-cylinder engine in the middle of the woods.

This mechanical noise, of course, is really the drumming of a male ruffed grouse.

People once thought that male grouse struck their wings on a hollow log to produce this low whumping, but better observation revealed something far more astonishing.

The bird stands bolt upright on a log, leans back on his tail, and fans his

wings vigorously – so fast, in fact, that the wings achieve the same speed as the sound waves generated by their passage through the air.

This causes the sound waves to “pile up” into a penetrating shock wave, also known as a sonic boom.

For a 1¼-pound grouse to exert such force takes strength and perseverance.

Novice males have been observed

Page 58 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • May 2013

The Outside Story: going through all the motions and not producing any sound “stay away, this territory is taken!”

In good habitat, male grouse tend to space themselves at all.

With a bit of practice, you too can create a sonic boom. so each defends an area of about 10 acres, allowing them Take a bull whip and flail with all your might. If you’re sufficient resources to survive.

This space overlaps the territories of several females that lucky, you’ll be rewarded with an explosive crack.

The whip moves in an up-and-down series of waves risk their safety in walking some distance to investigate along its length that undulate with increasing speed as they the drumming males.

Occasionally, less successful young males have been approach the tip. observed drumming at the By the time the wave motion edges of a dominant male’s reaches the whip’s end, the tip They live solitary lives for the most part. performance area, perhaps to is moving at the speed of When it’s time to attract a mate, the take advantage of the influx sound and the crack is its sonic male lacks a singing voice, and even if of females. boom. he had flashy colors, they would be lost However, ruffed grouse do The rigors of drumming amid the vegetation.

However, the not form the communal cause a male grouse to lose 10 shock waves of drumming carry display areas (or leks) percent of his body weight effectively through the forest. characteristic of prairie during the spring season. So grouse. why, one might ask, would a Loud self-advertisement is a risky business for a bird bird go to all this trouble?

If you hadn’t already guessed, it’s all to do with mating. with many enemies.

The male grouse chooses his drumming site with care Grouse are secretive forest floor foragers that rely on cryptic coloration and the cover of dense thickets to evade to reduce the chances of predation.

His performance stage, be it a log (ideally 15 inches high a long list of predators, including foxes, coyotes, fishers, and 20 to 40 feet long) or a rock, is situated under overhead bobcats, owls, and hawks.

They live solitary lives for the most part. When it’s time branches to deter raptors.

At one end of the stage is some form of escape cover, a to attract a mate, the male lacks a singing voice, and even if he had flashy colors, they would be lost amid the root mass, some brush, or a stump.

The stage is usually in an area with a relatively vegetation.

However, the shock waves of drumming carry unobstructed view for 50 feet or more, so sneaking predators can be spotted. effectively through the forest.

Thus, a good drumming site is hard to find and once a Drumming advertises the male’s presence to female male grouse locates one, he tends to use it for life – that is, grouse.

It is also a territorial announcement that tells other males, about three or four years.

Hunting, Fishing, Hiking, Backpacking, ATVing, Biking, Camping, Skiing, Snowshoeing, Snowmobiling, Bird Watching, Climbing, Photography, Power Boating, Paddling, Skijoring, Conservation, Four Wheeling, Dog Sledding, and … try us!

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, Page 59 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • May 2013

The Outside Story: Mating, the reason for all this sound and fury, takes place in a matter of seconds after a brief courtship in which the male struts and fans out his tail and neck ruff.

The female then disappears back into the thickets, shouldering the perilous task of incubating the eggs on the ground and raising the brood alone.

If you see a female grouse trailing her wing as if injured in the coming months, she’s bravely trying to lure you away from her chicks.

The male continues to drum for several weeks to attract more females and mate with them.

In autumn, he drums again, this time to defend his territory from dispersing males.

To encourage grouse, encourage aspen.

Dense expanses of aspen saplings are preferred cover for grouse broods, while stands of poles, eight to 10 inches in diameter are perfect cover for drumming males.

Mature aspens provide buds and catkins, a critical winter food of grouse.

To keep up the supply of aspen, a short-lived pioneer

species, forests need a regime of periodic disturbance.

Forest fires, windstorms, and chainsaws can create ideal grouse habitat.

Li Shen is an adjunct professor at the Dartmouth Medical School and the chairwoman of the Thetford 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.

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.

Page 60 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • May 2013

Bird Watching:

Breeding Birds of Vermont “The Second Atlas of Breeding Birds of Vermont” is out!

As you likely know, an Atlas is: a : a bound collection of maps often including illustrations, informative tables, or textual matter. b : a bound collection of tables, charts, or plates. (Merriam-Webster) This meager definition masks the huge intention and effort that goes into the creation and revision of an Atlas.

This particular Atlas is the product of a state-wide breeding birds research project that has spanned ten years, brought together some 57,000 observations, and drew on 350 volunteers.

It epitomizes a successful citizen science project.

The data (observations) were pulled together

by Vermont Center for Ecostudies into one beautiful reference book, which was published in April of this year.

The completed Atlas – with maps, individual species accounts, discussions of Vermont's habitat and land use changes, and analyses of the data – has already helped scientists and policy makers decide how best to work and plan for avian conservation. Red-bellied Woodpecker by Janice Bauch, who is one of the contributing artists to the Breeding Bird Atlas exhibit. Cards and prints are available at the Birds of Vermont Museum.

A Bird Atlas maps the spatial distribution of birds (individual species and groups of species) in a particular place or set of places (e.g.,

a state) over some set period of time.

This Atlas is specific to Vermont (although there are some sampling areas that reach over our borders somewhat), and focuses strictly on

those birds that are known to breed in Vermont.

A first Atlas was published in 1985; this is one of the first “second-round” Atlases completed in North America.

Page 61 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • May 2013

Bird Watching: In 2002, conservationists met and began the project of the second Atlas.

For the next five years, volunteer birders – newbies, professional ornithologists and experienced birders – looked, listened and recorded data on birds on specific blocks of land across the state.

This phase of the Atlas was generally coordinated through the Vermont Institute of Natural Sciences.

Rosalind Renfrew was the director of the project (and later, the editor of the published edition).

Experienced birders trained others and coordinated survey efforts. Their shared goals included: ● Documenting which birds were in fact breeding and where (the current spatial distribution). ● Identify rare species and important breeding areas. ● Share the work of the Atlas via field trips, public presentation and other outreach activities. ● Increase citizen scientist participation and skills. ● Use the current data in comparison with other atlases to look for changes.

The Atlas project defined a clear sampling protocol in order to provide scientific robustness, consistency across the varied experience-levels of the volunteer researchers, and comparability to the first edition.

This protocol included specifying where to survey (blocks of land) and how to encode the observations of birds.

The blocks of land covered included all those surveyed in the first Atlas project. More were added in order to get a more complete assessment of Vermont.

Actual surveying for birds followed standard procedures used in many Atlas projects across North American (see the North America Atlas Committee website for more). Surveying effort was guided by likely breeding dates (“safe dates”), the land itself, and the number of likely species in that type of land (habitat).

And all that went on for five years, from 2003-2007.

The Vermont Center for Ecostudies managed the next phase of the Atlas project: error checking and mapping, and data summaries, and coordinating species accounts.

Every observation was reviewed independently to ensure data quality. Much of the actual data is publicly available (some online and more by request to VCE).

The Second Atlas of Breeding Birds in Vermont is out and has proved a hit with birders and conservationists.

With 350 volunteers logging more than 37,000 hours of work, they achieved all the original goals and more.

Every species known to breed in the state is documented and has an accompanying occurrence map.

Species richness (how many species are in an area, a useful first-order measure of biodiversity) has been estimated and analyzed both in terms of effort and in comparison to various landscape features, such as elevation or road density.

Species have also been grouped by habitat, and these data analyzed as well.

This Atlas also documents some significant changes since the first Atlas.

Some species increased due to management programs, range expansion, and forest habitat changes.

Other decreased, apparently due to loss of their habitat types.

Page 62 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • May 2013

Bird Watching: Because this is the second edition, we can use the comparisons with the first to discover conservation issues that are already succeeding as well as those that need new or greater attention.

We can see where management programs are succeeding, and which habitats (and thus groups of species) are more vulnerable.

Individual species data contribute to better recovery and management plans for endangered species.

Individual and groups species data can be used in other research projects, e.g., forest assessments and management issues, or to give solid research-based recommendations to land managers from single private landowners to municipalities to the Vermont National Guard.

You can find out more about what is going on locally by picking up your own copy of the Atlas, checking one out from local libraries (150 Vermont libraries received a free copy), or viewing some of the maps online.

The Birds of Vermont Museum is collaborating on an exhibit with Vermont Center for Ecostudies to highlight

More information: The Vermont Breeding Bird Atlas website The Atlas data only Audrey Clark's article at Vermont Digger some of the stories that have emerged.

Which birds have expanded into our changed landscape? What habitats have changed? What species need our focus for better protection?

We've chosen eight birds and 14 artists to illustrate these stories and issues.

Conservation relies on all of us, from many walks of life and many perspectives, to be successful.

We hope this blend of our varied voices and solid data will add to that, just as the many participants have contributed to, and thus strengthened, the Atlas project.

Kir Talmage is the Outreach and IT Coordinator at the Birds of Vermont Museum in Huntington.

Page 63 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • May 2013

Conservation:

Winter in Maine In an experiment aimed at investigating alternative strategies to save Vermont’s bats, biologists collected 30 hibernating little brown bats from caves in Vermont and New York and transported them to a former military bunker on Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge in Maine.

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department hopes the so-called Noah’s Ark strategy might serve as a last resort to save some bat species from local extinction.

Bats have been struggling for the past five years with white-nose syndrome, a fungal disease responsible for catastrophic declines of northeastern bats.

Department officials believe that all little brown bats remaining in the wild in Vermont are already infected.

Of the 30 little brown bats used in the experiment, nine survived and were transported back to Vermont and New York and then released in the wild last week.

“We learned a lot from this experiment,” said Vermont Fish & Wildlife bat project leader Scott Darling. “These bats were visibly infected before being placed in the bunker, so we wouldn’t have expected many of them to survive in their natural cave environment.”

In the early years of the disease, wildlife officials reported survival rates as low as 10 percent among

Little brown bat populations have been decimated in the northeast by white-nose syndrome, a fungal disease that first hit Vermont in 2008.

infected bats hibernating in the wild, so the experiment marked an improvement from that figure.

“We’re looking at ways to increase survival of future groups so we’ll be even better prepared if this strategy becomes necessary,” added Darling.

Bats generate an estimated $3.7 billion a year in benefits to North American agriculture through insect pest control and crop pollination, according to the journal Science.

In Vermont, they are the principle predator of flying insects that

damage crops and torment livestock and people.

The bunker had been prepared by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to provide the proper climate and roosting materials to replicate cave conditions.

Bats were monitored via video camera by refuge personnel.

Wildlife officials from the New York Department of Environmental Conservation, Bucknell University, and Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Game also participated in the study.

Page 64 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • May 2013

Out & About:

Cold Water Deserves Respect

W

hen I hit the water, it was like a punch in the gut.

Moments earlier I had been wrestling with a brown trout and having a good time. I had just brought a fish close enough to reach for the net when it spit the hook.

Then we saw a cable stretched across the river that had been dragged lower by debris in the water.

My guide thought we could fit under it and we edged up to the cable only to realize it was lower than it looked from a distance.

In an instant, the boat I had been casting from flipped and I was under water.

We had hit the cable and the force of the raging river at 5,000 cubic feet per second beneath us flipped the dory in a split second, flinging me, the guide and another man into the 40- to 45-degree water.

It was spring and while the air temperatures were in the 70s, the river water was fed from near the bottom of the reservoir into the tailwater fishery. The result was extremely cold water year-’round.

When I hit the water, I instinctively struggled for the surface and when my head cleared the surface I could feel my body trying to breathe but nothing was happening. Then the gasping started.

It’s called a cold-shock response, and can last from 30 seconds to several minutes. I have read that up to 20 percent of people who drown in

cold water do so at this stage, sometimes gasping for air and taking in water.

The key is to stay calm until the reaction passes. I can tell you from my one ― and hopefully last ― experience, it’s next to impossible to stay calm.

My frantic brain told me to get out of the water and I tried to climb up on the overturned boat that was floating in front of me but couldn’t.

As we floated downstream, the other two anglers headed for shore.

Moments later, my body settled down, allowing me to breathe more normally.

My first thought after I gained control of my breathing was about my family.

I was still scared. I had been in rivers before, but never one running as fast and strong as this one was and I had never felt the power of water like that before.

But it was the thoughts of getting home to my family and helped me to settle my mind and focus on what had to be done.

There was nobody there who was going to pluck me out of that river. I

made it out or I didn’t and it was up to me.

I kicked away from the boat and headed to shore.

As I swam, I quickly tired. Much quicker than normal.

As I reached the shore, my fingers scraped the mud on the bottom of the shallower water and I tried to stand up.

Despite the fact the water was barely up to my knees, the water knocked me back down. I simply didn’t have enough strength to stand up.

I crawled all the way up on the bank and rolled over on my back letting the sun’s rays warm my body. After several minutes, I got up and walked a hundred or so yards upstream to find my buddies.

One was laying on the ground as I had been. The other guy was standing but bent over, still trying to catch his breath.

We hadn’t been in the water very long ― 10 minutes at most? ― and it was all we had to get ourselves out.

Then it struck me.

All three of us were wearing personal flotation devices ― life vests.

Looking back on it, I wonder how much of a difference it had made.

Would I have gotten out of that river without the aided flotation? Was I a statistic ― another person saved from drowning by a PFD? To this day, I say it’s quite likely.

Page 65 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • May 2013

Out & About: I’m not sure I would have made it.

Many outdoor enthusiasts don’t wear PFDs because they are strong swimmers.

But in cold water, something called cold incapacitation sets in.

That’s when your body, in an effort to protect your core temperatures, constricts the veins in your arms and legs ― your extremities ― and you lose the use of your arms and legs.

Approximately 50 percent of people who drown in cold water due so because they lose the ability to swim long before your body suffers from the effects of hypothermia.

Your best defense from cold water exposure is to wear a PFD ― all the time ― when on the water in the early

or late season when water temperatures drop.

And that’s exactly what the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is hoping you will do as ice disappears and spring fishing season kicks off and more people are out on boats.

“After a long winter, the sight of open water and the feeling of warm sunshine can give boaters a false sense of security,” said Vermont Fish & Wildlife Commissioner Patrick Berry. “The reality is, the ice has just gone out, and water temperatures are still extremely cold. We encourage anglers and boaters to be cautious and safe while on any watercraft in the early spring.”

And New York State laws require

that anyone on a boat, kayak, canoe, sailboat or rowboat that is shorter than 21 feet is required to wear a PFD while on New York waters from Nov. 1 to May 1.

And Vermont law requires that all kids younger than 12 wear a PFD at all times.

But don’t do it because it’s the law.

Wear your PFD because it’s the smart thing to do.

Do it because there is someone at home who is expecting you at the end of the day.

Believe me. I know.

Darren Marcy is the editor & publisher of Vermont's Great Outdoors Magazine. Reach him at editor@vtgreatoutdoorsmag.com.

Page 66 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • May 2013

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Page 69 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • May 2013