Controlled Waterfowl Hunt Applications Available

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ESSEX JUNCTION, Vt. -- Applications are available for controlled waterfowl hunting permits to be used at two Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department wildlife management areas.

The applications may be downloaded from Fish & Wildlife’s website (www.vtfishandwildlife), and printed applications are available at Vermont Fish & Wildlife offices in Montpelier, Essex Junction, Addison, Barre, St. Johnsbury, Springfield, and Rutland.

Hunting under controlled conditions for ducks at Mud Creek in Alburgh and geese at Dead Creek in Addison has been popular since the early 1970's.

Applications must be filled out correctly and postmarked no later than August 20. There is no fee to apply.

A public drawing to award hunting permits will be held Friday, August 24 at 12:00 Noon at Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area headquarters off Route 17 in Addison. Attendance is not required. Successful applicants will be notified by mail and must pay a $10 permit fee on the day of the hunt.

Pre-registered goose hunting at Dead Creek WMA will occur every Wednesday from October 17 through November 7.  Friday, October 19 is a junior hunter day.  Only hunters 17 years of age or younger on October 19, 2018 may apply for this day. 

Waterfowl hunting at Mud Creek WMA will be by pre-registration on October 13 and 16. Any vacancies due to “no-shows” on those days will be filled on the morning of the hunt. All other Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays during the open seasons will be self-registration days. Permits will be available at the Mud Creek operations building.

Duck season opens on October 13 in the Lake Champlain and Interior Vermont Zones, and on October 2 in the Connecticut River Zone. The Lake Champlain Zone has a split season (October 13-21; November 10-December 30); the Interior Vermont Zone is a straight season (October 13-December 11); and the Connecticut River Zone is a split season (October 2-November 4; November 21-December 16).

A statewide early hunting season to control Vermont’s population of resident Canada geese will occur September 1-25. A second Canada goose hunting season will be held October 13-December 1 in the Lake Champlain and Interior Vermont Zones. Canada goose hunting in the Connecticut River Zone will continue October 2-November 4 and November 21-December 16.

Snow Goose hunting is open from October 1- December 31 in the Lake Champlain and Interior Vermont Zones and October 2 - December 16 in the Connecticut River Zone.

Be sure to read the 2018-2019 Syllabus of State and Federal Hunting Regulations for Migratory Birds in Vermont available on Fish & Wildlife’s website. 

For Immediate Release:  July 16, 2018
Media Contact: David Sausville, 802-878-1564

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