WAITSFIELD, Vt. — Since 2009, hunters have had the opportunity to pursue snow geese during the spring as a result of a special management action referred to as a "Conservation Order" allowed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and adopted by the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board.
The measure was adopted at the recommendation of federal and state wildlife scientists in response to concerns about a growing number of snow geese across North America. Eight states in the Atlantic Flyway (Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Vermont) will hold a Spring Snow Goose Conservation Order in 2012.
The Vermont 2012 Spring Snow Goose Conservation Order will occur statewide from March 11 through April 27. The daily bag limit is 15 snow geese, and there is no possession limit. Waterfowl hunting regulations in effect last fall will apply during the 2012 Spring Snow Goose Conservation Order with the exception that unplugged shotguns and electronic calls may be used, and shooting hours will be extended until half-hour after sunset.
A 2012 Spring Snow Goose Harvest Permit is required and is available at no charge on the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department's website (vtfishand wildlife.com). Hunters may also call the Essex Junction Office (802-878-1564) to request a permit.
In addition to this permit, hunters will need a 2012 Vermont hunting license (residents $22, nonresidents $50), 2012 Harvest Information Program (HIP) certification, a 2011 federal migratory hunting stamp ($15) and a 2012 Vermont migratory waterfowl stamp ($7.50).
