ATTENTION SPORTSMEN: The Federal Silvio Conti National Fish & Wildlife Refuge, completely located within the boundaries of the State of Vermont, is proposing to shorten the training season for pursuit dogs from June 1 to start either July 1 or July 15. Vermont Title 10 V.S.A. Sec.  5001 Hunting dogs; field training: <!--While accompanying the dog, a person without a firearm may train a hunting dog to hunt and pursue: Bear during the period from June 1 to September 15 and then only from sunrise to sunset; Rabbits and game birds during the period from June 1 to the last Saturday in September and then only from sunrise to sunset; Raccoon during the period from June 1 to the last Saturday in September at any time of the day or night; Bobcat and fox during the period June 1 to March 15, except during regular deer season as prescribed in 10 V.S.A. § 4741. All sections have the starting date of June 1 and are based on good, sound wildlife management practices for almost 50 years, established in 1961. We the undersign request that Federal Laws for the Silvio Conti National Fish & Wildlife Refuge adopt the same laws, policies and guidelines of those of the State of Vermont.  This will establish a uniform, sound wildlife management and enforcement practices across the state and prevent a creation of patchwork of laws and policies. Signature                             Print Name                   City, State ____________________________________   ________________________ VERMONT FEDERATION OF SPORTSMEN'S CLUBS, INC. POSITION STATEMENT The federal Silvio Conti National Fish & Wildlife Refuge is located within the State of Vermont  and should adopt the State of Vermont's natural resource management laws and regulations. Vermont has a strong heritage of natural resource management that harkens back to the very beginning of the state.   Vermont established its role as a national leader of active citizen use of forest and wildlife management by incorporating this responsibility in Section 67 of the Constitution. Vermont has held for well over two hundred years that hunting and fishing are essential to proper natural resource management.  The core value of solid natural resource has continued throughout the years with the continued evolution of sound policies and practices developed and administered by the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department. It is clearly logical to have both state and federal owned land in the same state managed using the same policies and guidelines.  Therefore, given the long standing national leadership of Vermont in the development and use of natural resources, along with Vermont Fish & Wildlife experience in forest and wildlife management, makes an excellent case for Vermont's laws and regulations to be adopted  for managing the federal Silvio Conti National Fish & Wildlife Refuge. All owners of pursuit hounds and friends of the owners of pursuit hounds to contact their U.S. Senators and U.S. Representatives. Patrick Leahy, Vermont U.S. Senator (1-800-642-3193)      199 Main Street, 4th floor; Burlington, VT 05401 Bernie Sanders, Vermont U.S. Senator (1-800-339-9834)      1 Church St., 2nd Floor; Burlington, VT 05401 Peter Welch, Vermont U.S. House of Representative (1-888-605-7270)      30 Main St., 3rd Floor, Suite 350; Burlington, VT 05401 Write letters or e-mail to: Andrew French              e-mail:  andrew_French@fws.gov Silvio O. Conti National Fish & Wildlife Refuge 103 East Plum Tree Road Sunderland, MA 01375  WELCOME TO THE VERMONT BEARHOUND ASSOCIATION PO BOX 224 LYNDONVILLE, VT 05851 E-MAIL: vtbearhound@yahoo.com 802-467-8445	VERMONT BEARHOUND ASSOCIATION POSITION STATEMENT  SILVIO CONTI NATIONAL FISH & WILDLIFE REFUGE  RE:  PURSUIT HOUNDS  Ever since the United States Supreme Court ruled in 1842 that public in New Jersey had a common right to take oysters and fish in navigable and tidal-waters because they were the property of the public and not the landowner who owned the shoreline, the concept of public ownership of wildlife has underpinned the management of wildlife resources in U.S. Law. This concept has been strengthened and expanded over the past century and a half and enshrined in many State Constitutions. The Public Trust Doctrine establishes a Trustee relationship of Government to hold and manage wildlife and fish for the benefit of the resources and the public, its beneficiary.  Inherent in the Public Trust Doctrine is the notion that Natural Resources are important to the lives of the people and owned by the public.  ALL public then, should have an opportunity to access these resources for the purposes such as fishing, hunting and trapping, not just the privileged few. The Vermont Fish & Game Department was established over 100 years ago and is comprised of professional wildlife wardens, wildlife biologists and managers dedicated to the excellence in wildlife stewardship.  The wardens, biologists, technicians and managers actively work to study, manage, conserve and protect native and desired non-native wildlife and their habitats statewide within the boundaries of the State of Vermont. The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Mission statement reads: "TO PROTECT AND CONSERVE OUR FISH, WILDLIFE, PLANTS AND THEIR HABITATS FOR THE PEOPLE OF VERMONT." This has been the rule for the past 180 years or so, case law supports that the wild animals are held in trust by the State.  Additionally this has been supported for over 400 years of Common Law. Vermont Constitution Section 67:  Hunting, fowling and fishing The inhabitants of the State shall have the liberty in seasonal times, to hunt and fowl on lands they hold and on other lands no enclosed, and in like manner to fish in all boatable and other waters (not private property) under proper regulations, to be made by the Vermont General Assembly.   The U.S. Fish & Wildlife enacts seasons for animals that are under Federal control such as waterfowl and the Vermont Fish & Wildlife through the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Board adopt the proposed Federal regulations in order to mirror the regulations and enforce the Federal regulations. The Silvio Conti National Fish & Wildlife Refuge should adapt and mirror ALL State laws and regulations. We urge the Silvio Conti National Wildlife Refuge is located completely within the boundaries of the State of Vermont and restore Vermont's wildlife management to the rightful managers to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife.  The possible actions by the Silvio Conti National Wildlife Refuge undermine the foundation of wildlife management in North America and more importantly the State of Vermont.  The State of Vermont needs to restore Vermont's wildlife to its rightful owner, the citizens (ALL) of the State of Vermont. From Common Law and then Case Law, the Public Trust Doctrine was created "The Wild Animals belong to the people as a whole and held in trust by the State". Wildlife is held in trust for all Americans Any Legislation that threatens this long held tradition must be opposed. The wildlife belongs to the people not any one individual or organization Vermont Title 10 V.S.A. Sec.  5001 Hunting dogs; field training: (a)    While accompanying the dog, a person without a firearm may train a hunting dog to hunt and pursue: (1)   Bear during the period from June 1 to September 15 and then only from sunrise to sunset; (2)   Rabbits and game birds during the period from June 1 to the lat Saturday in September and then only from sunrise to sunset; (3)   Raccoon during the period from June 1 to the last Saturday in September at any time of the day or night; (4)   Bobcat and fox during the period June 1 to March 15, except during regular deer season as prescribed in 10 V.S.A. § 4741. (b)   The commissioner may permit a person without a gun to train and condition a hunting dog between the second Monday in March and June 1.  The board may adopt rules as it considers necessary to control the training and condition of hunting dogs.-Added 1961, No. 199, § 1, eff. May 9, 1961; amended 1965, No. 48, eff. May 7, 1965; 1973, No. 178 (Adj. Sess.), § 6; 1977, No. 137 (Adj. Sess.); 1983, No. 158 (Adj. Sess.), eff. April 13, 1984; 1991, No. 230 (Adj. Sess.), § 28. (b) Amended Generally - made since only fee changes from $15.00 to $50.00 Be advised the Silvio Conti National Fish & Wildlife Refuge, and Silvio Conte National Fish & Wildlife Nulhegan Basin Division office; 5396 Rte 105; Brunswick, VT 05905; telephone number 802-962-5240; Mark Maghini; mark_maghini@fws.gov Proposed Federal Regulations in order to mirror the regulations and enforce the Federal Regulations. The Silvio Conti National Fish & Wildlife Refuge should adopt and mirror ALL State Laws and Regulations. All owners of pursuit hounds and friends of the owners of pursuit hound to contact their U.S. Senators and U.S. Representatives. Patrick Leahy, Vermont U.S. Senator (1-800-642-3193); 199 Main St., 4th Floor, Burlington, VT 05401 Bernie Sanders, Vermont U.S. Senator (1-800-439-9834); 1 Church St., 2nd Floor, Burlington, VT 05401 Peter Welch, Vermont U.S. House of Representative (1-888-605-7270); 30 Main St, 3rd Floor, Burlington, VT 05401 Write letters to or e-mail: Andrew French    e-mail:     andrew_french@fws.gov Silvio O. Conti National Fish & Wildlife Refuge 103 East Plum Tree Road Sunderland, MA 01375
CONGRATULATIONS TO JOSHUA GAGNE' ON HIS FIRST BEAR 238 LBS SHOT WITH A YOUTH SINGLE SHOT ROSSI 243 CAL. (Josh is our Board Member Jim's son)	DOGS MISSING PLEASE SEE IMPORTANT ITEMS ON THIS WEB SITE!
	CONTACT US FOR INFORMATION ON ANY PROJECTS WE ARE RUNNING! YOU MAY WANT TO GET INVOLVED! WE ARE THE PROGRESSIVE CLUB IN GETTING THINGS DONE! WE NEED SPORTSMEN AND WOMAN TO BE INVOLVED IN THE HUNTING HERITAGE TRADITION.    WE NEED TO PASS DOWN THE TRADITIONS TO OUR CHILDREN, AND OUR GRANDCHILDREN! DON'T LEAVE IT TO THE NEXT GUY TO GET YOUR CHILDREN INVOLVED IN ANY TRADITION!  WHAT A TREASURE IT IS AND HOW REWARDING TO SEE THEIR FACES WHEN YOU DO THINGS WITH THE YOUNGER GENERATION AND TEACH THEM THE ETHICAL WAY OF BEING SPORTSMEN AND SPORTSWOMEN!  BE INVOLVED, GET INVOLVED! CALL! 802-467-8445 FOR INFORMATION THANK YOU FOR CARING!