2021 VERMONT BLACK BEAR SEASONS

2021 BEAR SEASONS

Vermont’s bear population, less than 1,500 fifty years ago, is now at approximately 5,000 – a successful, planned result of hunting regulation changes. The 2020-2030 Big Game Management Plan population objective is 3,500-5,500 bears. Incidents of bear damage and bear-human interactions have increased, especially in areas where few bears existed earlier. The ‘early season’ bear hunting regulation changes are intended to help stabilize the bear population while providing the Fish & Wildlife Department with information that is important in improving Vermont’s bear management program.

EARLY SEASON: September 1, 2021 through November 12, 2021. Requires a separate early season bear tag – residents $5, nonresidents $15. LATE SEASON: November 13, 2021 through November 21, 2021. The “late season” bear tag is included on each hunting license except the nonresident small game license. at no additional cost, which is valid during the first nine days of the November deer rifle season. HUNTING HOURS: Hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. The additional tag will enable the department to gather essential information about hunter effort and LIMIT: The annual limit for bears has not changed. A success, as well as an idea of overall bear hunter hunter may harvest only one bear per calendar year. numbers. The early season tag gives department biologists a better understanding of how many Wild Game Processors hunters are actively pursuing bears before the November rifle season. LICENSE REQUIREMENTS Hunters who hunt with a permanent license There is a separate “early season bear tag” required (licenses for resident hunters 66 and older) do not for those hunters who want to hunt bear prior to the need to buy an early season bear tag no matter when beginning of the November deer rifle season. It costs their license was bought, and they will not be $5 for residents and $15 for nonresidents. Hunters charged for an early season bear tag. Their tag is will continue to get a “late season” bear tag along valid for both early and late bear seasons every year with their deer tag on their general hunting license in perpetuity.

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Hunters who purchased a lifetime license before scientific bear management program. A pre-molar January 1, 2013 also do not need to buy an early tooth is now required by regulation to be submitted season bear tag. Their tag is valid for both early and by the hunter from every bear harvested in late bear seasons every year in perpetuity. This Vermont. includes hunters whose license was purchased before 2013 but whose license will not be activated A person who takes a bear shall collect a until they take a hunter’s education course, such as premolar tooth from the bear and submit it a license purchased for a young child. to a game warden, official Fish & Wildlife Department Reporting Station, or to a person However, hunters who purchased a lifetime license designated by the commissioner to receive it within on or after January 1, 2013 must purchase an early 30 days of taking the bear. season bear tag to hunt bear prior to the November deer rifle season. No bear carcass shall be transported out of state without first being reported. A bear hunter using a bow or crossbow must have either a bow license or a certificate showing A hunter must take a warden to the kill site of a bear completion of the bow hunter education course in if requested to do so by a warden. addition to a hunting license. Bears must be field dressed prior to reporting. Purchase a License Hunting Black Bear Removing the bear’s pre-molar tooth is easy and Online FAQs does not affect the mounting quality of the bear. LIFETIME AND PERMANENT LICENSE RENEWAL Please ask the reporting station operator for a white bear tooth envelope so you can remove the tooth and seal it in the envelope and deposit it in the green If you intend to hunt, fish, or trap in 2020, you must tooth bucket at any reporting station. Remember to update your lifetime, permanent disability, or clearly print your name and Conservation ID permanent license regardless of whether or not number on the envelope. If you don’t put it in the you used your tags. This is a statutory requirement reporting station bucket, you must give it to a which was put in place to allow the department to warden within 30 days. Every tooth we receive from collect accurate harvest and licensing information hunters helps the bear project. for lifetime license holders.

This updated license will include current year tags. You may update your license at no cost on-line at our website. If you are unable to go on-line, you may go to any authorized license agent or Fish & Wildlife Office and request to have your license updated. You can also call us at 802-828-1190 to be updated. A license agent may charge you up to $1.50 for a reprint.

Update a Permanent License The age of your bear will be available on the department’s website in the spring after it is returned from the lab. BEAR TOOTH COLLECTION IS REQUIRED

The Fish & Wildlife Department needs your help. Bear Tooth Removal Check the Ages of Black Knowing the age of the bears that are harvested by Instruction Video Bears You’ve Harvested hunters is a very important part of Vermont’s Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department www.vtfishandwildlife.com Page 2 of 10

PRE-HUNT PLANNING help it be a positive experience by emphasizing ethics and making a clean kill. Bear hunting is a physically demanding activity, especially removing a harvested bear from the To be ethical, all hunters need to be proficient with woods. Pre-hunt planning is very important to a their firearm or bow, understand their personal successful and rewarding bear hunting experience. effective range, and have an understanding of basic bear anatomy for lethal shot placement. This will Long before harvesting a bear, the hunter must help lead to a quick and effective kill and minimize decide how the meat will be processed and how the the chance for wounding the bear. hide will be used. Hunters should arrange to have help available for all aspects of handling a harvested Planning the Shot. The following are some general bear and have plans made ahead of time to ensure tips to help ensure correct shot placement: that the meat and hide are properly processed. Hunters must understand that bears are built Bears have a tremendous amount of fat and a thick differently than deer and other big game hide that provide great insulation. Both the meat animals. The chest of a bear is compressed and the hide can spoil quickly especially at compared to that of a deer when looking at it temperatures above freezing. A dead bear can be from the side. large and cumbersome. Skinning, processing, and If you make a poor shot, a wounded bear can run transporting a bear can be a difficult task and may for considerable distances before dying. Heavy be physically demanding without assistance. bones, hides, and fat layers may prevent quick- clotting blood from dripping and leaving a good As a result, it is imperative that the hide be removed trail, making an injured bear hard to track. as soon as possible to prevent meat spoilage. In temperatures above freezing, if there is going to be a KNOW YOUR CAPABILITIES AND KNOW delay in getting your harvested bear to a cooler, you YOUR SHOT! should consider quartering it to allow the heavier A bear’s most vital area is an 8” circle behind the portions to cool more quickly. To help with the front shoulder. cooling process pack bags of ice in the body cavity or The best shot opportunity is a broadside shot or around the quarters. You may dismember the carcass “quartering away” for penetration into the vital to pack it out of the place of kill as long as the identity organs. of the sex is not destroyed. To take your shot, wait for the bear to step Know Your Capabilities. To help ensure the future forward with the near side leg exposing the of bear hunting, and all hunting, it is important to heart/lung area. instill respect for the outdoors and acceptable Shots directly in the shoulder bone are not hunting ethics for all hunters. Making a clean kill as recommended. Bears have massive, muscular humanely as possible is a fundamental component shoulders and heavy bones. A hunter who of ethical hunting. Incorrect shot placement on a shoots ahead of the front shoulder may miss or black bear can lead to unnecessary suffering, injure the animal. wounding, and failure to retrieve the animal. A head shot is not recommended since a bear Making a clean kill should be the top priority for skull is very dense. The blunt, rounded shape hunters who decide to shoot a bear. An animal that may cause bullets or arrows to glance off or is harvested humanely shows more character in a become lodged in the skull without penetrating. hunter than just a lucky shot. Especially if you are Frontal shots or shots from directly overhead taking a youth or apprentice hunter bear hunting, (like might occur from a tree stand) are not

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recommended because they offer little CROSSBOWS opportunity for penetration of the vital organs (especially with archery equipment). A crossbow may be used as a means of take by any person during any hunting season that permits the NEVER take a shot you are unsure of, at a bear use of bow and arrow. that is not clearly visible, or one that is positioned in such a way that you cannot cleanly Unless otherwise provided, any game which may be hit the vital area. taken by shooting may be taken by use of bow and The National Bowhunter Education Foundation has arrow or crossbow. created an excellent document called Advanced Black Bear Anatomy and Shot Placement Guide for both archery All arrows, including crossbow arrows, must have and firearm hunters (including muzzleloaders); the an arrowhead of at least 7/8 of an inch wide and at following photos have been adapted from the NBEF least two cutting sides. publication. A crossbow may not be transported cocked in a motor vehicle.

Any person wishing to hunt turkey, bear, or deer with a bow and arrow or crossbow must hold proof of having held an archery license or a certificate of satisfactory completion of a bowhunter education course from Vermont or another state or province in Canada.

Hunter Education

CROSSBOW SAFETY

Keep these tips in mind when using a crossbow to ensure a safe and enjoyable hunt.

USING A CROSSBOW:

Keep the string waxed and lubricate the rail Best shot placement for gun or bow. periodically.

Make sure your fingers are well away (below rail) from the path of the string and cables.

Never dry-fire a crossbow.

Make sure the limbs are free of obstructions before firing; be particularly careful if you are hunting from a ground blind.

Never use a cocking device to uncock unless you Shoulder and leg bones protect the heart and lungs when have a model that is specifically designed to do the near front leg is behind during stride. Wait until the so. Most are not. near front leg is in front or ahead during stride. Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department www.vtfishandwildlife.com Page 4 of 10

To uncock, shoot a specially-designed unloading TAGGING BEAR point or a field tip into soft ground; or shoot a field tip into a target. Bear must be tagged immediately when taken. The tag must be placed on the carcass open to view and Practice often and avoid shots at game that are remain there until the carcass is cut up for beyond your effective range, generally less than consumption. 40 yards. VERMONT OUTDOORS – MOBILE APP TREE STANDS AND CROSSBOWS: Vermont Outdoors, our new mobile Always cock the crossbow without a bolt on the application, will connect you with ground before climbing into the stand. department lands, fish and wildlife Once seated and secured, pull up your unloaded regulations, and up to date COVID crossbow with a haul line. guidance. The app will help new and existing recreationalists find Do not place bolt on the crossbow until you are opportunities to hunt, fish, trap, or safely secured in your stand. view wildlife on public lands and ARCHERY HUNTING waters. Additionally, you will have easy access to fish and wildlife law digests, bait fish dealers, department news and current events, and In addition to a hunting license, a bear hunter using reporting fish or wildlife violations. a bow or crossbow must have a previous or current bow license or a certificate providing completion of The app can be downloaded at the Apple App store a bow hunter education course. for iPhones and Google Play for Android phones. PROHIBITIONS OPTIONAL VERMONT BIG GAME TAG An early season tag is required from September 1 Optional Vermont Big Game through the day before the first day of the Tags are available free from November rifle deer. license agents as durable A hunter may take only one black bear in a alternatives to the paper tags calendar year. on licenses. Optional tags Bears may not be taken alive. may be used to tag deer, bear, turkeys, or moose. Record

Bears may not be trapped. your CONSERVATION ID Hunters may not use bait or a baited area to take number (top left corner of a bear. A “baited area” is defined as an area your license) on the Optional where any animal, vegetable, fruit, mineral Big Game Tag. A qualifying matter, honey, or other substance capable of landowner may use the tag luring or attracting bear has been placed or by writing “landowner” in the same space. deposited. The existing paper tag that comes with a license may

It is illegal to shoot a bear that is visiting a bird also be used. Optional Big Game Tags may only be feeder. used by a person who has purchased the appropriate It is illegal to feed bears, even when not hunting license and tag for the species they are hunting. for them.

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REPORTING A BEAR PERMIT REQUIRED: Hunters may use dogs to take bear only when the person in control of the dogs has a A person taking bear shall within 48 hours report the bear-dog permit available from the Vermont Fish & taking and exhibit the carcass to the nearest game Wildlife Department. The permit is required to pursue warden, official Fish & Wildlife Department black bear with the aid of dogs for training purposes Reporting Station, or to a person designated by the or for hunting and taking a bear. It is unlawful to shoot commissioner to receive the reports. a bear that was pursued by dogs without a permit. Non-residents possessing a hound permit can only It is now mandatory that the hunter provide a pre- train their dogs in Vermont during the time period molar tooth from the bear. Tooth envelopes for bear when the training season is open in their home state. are white in color and are available at all check stations as well as green buckets for the envelopes A person shall not advertise, barter, exchange goods that contain teeth. No bear carcass shall be or services, expose or otherwise sell the use of a dog transported out of state without first being reported. or dogs for the purpose of taking black bear. It is unlawful to take a bear that is being pursued by A hunter must take a warden to the kill site of a bear hounds if you are not a permit or sub-permit holder. if requested to do so by a warden. Non-resident bear hound hunters may not hunt in Bears must be field dressed prior to reporting. Vermont until September 15th. It is also legal to skin the bear and cut it up in order to carry it out of the woods. Although the bear must Additional changes to Vermont’s bear hound be reported within 48 hours, Fish & Wildlife urges hunting laws have been made and will be included doing so quickly to cool the meat. with information provided in a bear hound hunter’s permit. Online Harvest Reporting and Big Game Reporting Stations Bear-Dog Permit Bear-Dog Permit Application Form Application Form TRANSPORTING (Resident) (Non-Resident) Bear Management Rule A tagged bear may be transported only during the open season and for 20 days thereafter. RESEARCH PROJECT STUDY BEARS

USE OF DOGS TO HUNT BEAR Hunters in the towns of Readsboro, Searsburg, Woodford, Stamford, Pownal, and Whitingham Any person hunting, pursuing, harvesting, or in any may encounter bears wearing radio collars or yellow manner involved in the taking of a black bear with the plastic ear tags. These marked bears are an use of dogs must hold a Vermont Big Game Hunting important part of the Deerfield Wind Project Study. License, use only Department Registered Dogs and It is not illegal to take a collared bear; however, if have purchased a valid bear tag. In addition, the a bear wearing a collar is harvested, it is crucial that person hunting, pursuing, harvesting, or in any the collar be turned in to the Fish & Wildlife manner involved in the taking of a black bear with the Department (802-289-0613) so data can be retrieved use of dogs must hold a valid bear dog permit or from it. If a bear is harvested and has ear tags, then accompany a bear dog permit holder. The permit shall the numbers on the ear tags should also be reported. be carried at all times by the permittee while hunting with dogs or taking black bear and exhibited to a game warden, landowner, or law enforcement officer upon Green Mountain National Forest Bear Study demand. FAQs Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department www.vtfishandwildlife.com Page 6 of 10

BEAR HUNTING SAFETY TIPS designated ports (Boston is the nearest), or through another port under special permit (for a fee) from Although wearing fluorescent orange clothing is not the same office. You do not need export permits and mandatory for hunting in Vermont, hunters and declarations to sell to domestic or foreign buyers others are urged to wear a fluorescent orange vest within Vermont or the rest of the United States, or to and hat while in the woods. Use caution in sell through brokers who possess the necessary identifying your target as anyone hunting deer permits. during archery season, waterfowl, or turkeys will normally wear camouflage clothing. WHERE CAN I HUNT IN VERMONT?

DON’T SHOOT SOWS WITH CUBS Vermont has more than 800,000 acres of federal and state public land open to hunting: National Wildlife Bears are normally solitary animals and any groups Refuges, the Green Mountain National Forest, and of bears seen in the autumn are most likely females all state forests. State Parks are open to hunting and their young. The department recommends not outside the operating season. shooting sows accompanied by cubs or a bear that is part of a group of bears as bears seen together in the Perhaps the crown jewel of hunting in Vermont is the fall are most likely a female accompanied by her cubs. state’s system of 100 Wildlife Management Areas, or WMAs. All WMAs are open to hunting, trapping, SALE OR PURCHASE OF GAME fishing and other wildlife related outdoor activities.

BIG GAME: The only time it is legal to buy or sell Information about shooting ranges is available on our big game or the meat of big game within the state is website: during the open season and for 20 days after the season ends. The meat of big game animals is not to Vermont Dept. of Wildlife Management be bought or sold to be transported out of the state. Forests, Parks & Areas It is illegal to buy or sell anadromous Atlantic Recreation salmon taken in the Connecticut River Basin and/or Silvio O. Conte Missisquoi National to buy or sell wild turkey at any time. National Fish & Wildlife Refuge Wildlife Refuge Other than the meat mentioned above, a person may buy or sell at any time: Green Mountain Vermont Shooting National Forest Ranges The head, hide, and hoofs of legally taken deer Hammond Cove West Mountain or moose; or Shooting Range Shooting Range The head, hide, paws, and internal organs of a legally taken black bear.

BEAR PARTS: International trade in hides, claws, skulls, or teeth of black bear is regulated by federal law and international treaty. If you plan to sell bear hide or parts outside of the United States, you must obtain an export permit (for a fee) from the Federal Wildlife Permit Office, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Office of Management Authority, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203, 1-800-358-2104. These products must be shipped through one of eleven Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department www.vtfishandwildlife.com Page 7 of 10

2020 BEAR HARVEST BY TOWN AND WMU Use our online donation form. Hunting and Fishing License Purchase: Donate when purchasing a hunting or fishing license by simply including your contribution when applying. When you purchase a Vermont Habitat Stamp, you help improve wildlife habitat and open land for outdoor recreation.

Please note: A stamp is not required to hunt, fish or trap, nor do you have to buy a sporting license to donate for a stamp.

Vermont Habitat Stamp Online Donation Form

HUNT, POST, SHARE, LIKE

Vermont Fish & Wildlife suggests the following tips to accurately reflect a positive hunting experience in 2020 Black Bear Harvest Report social media.

VERMONT HABITAT STAMP Display respect for the animal in its life and in its death. Ask yourself if your non-hunting friends Monies raised from sales of Vermont Habitat would view the photo as respectful of this Stamps go to the Species and Habitat Conservation animal’s life. Fund, which is used to purchase and maintain Wildlife Management Areas. Make sure the animal looks its best. Place the tongue back in mouth and try to minimize blood Projects Supported by the Fund Include: in the photo to instead focus on the beauty of the animal. Try to take a photo of a successful hunt Purchase lands for Wildlife Management Areas in the animal’s natural habitat. Blue sky, forest, Improve public access to land for fish and and mountains place hunting in the context of its wildlife-based activities such as bird-watching, natural surroundings. hunting, fishing, enjoying wildlife or simply Don’t just post ‘grab and grin’ photos after a connecting with nature successful hunt. Show all the aspects of the hunt Protect and improve wetlands to give people a more complete picture of what Protect and restore state-owned riparian stream hunting means to you. Post photos of a silent snowy forest or quality time spent outdoors with banks friends and family. Protect and enhance deer wintering areas Include posts from after the hunt too. A photo of Implement habitat enhancement for turkeys, you enjoying a plate of tasty venison with bears, deer, songbirds, bats, moose, aquatic friends and family will help people make the organisms, and all of Vermont’s native wildlife

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connection that wild meat is a healthy, local, RECIPES sustainable food source. Sweet & Sour Bear Pot Roast If you see friends posting unethical behavior, Ingredients Directions don’t be afraid to speak up. Please forward any 3 to 4 lb. bottom 1. Heat oven to 325F. posts that include illegal activity to the Vermont round, rump or 2. In Dutch oven, heat oil and Fish & Wildlife’s Facebook page so our wardens shoulder roast, brown meat on all sides, tied if about 10 minutes, turning can look into it. necessary frequently. 2 large onions, 3. Remove from heat, drain, If done properly, social media can be a great sliced and add onions. opportunity to show non-hunters why you are ¼ cup sugar 4. In separate bowl, combine passionate about hunting and to inspire conservation ¼ cup honey sugar, honey, lemon juice, and spark interest. ¼ cup lemon juice lemon peel, and clove. ½ tsp. grated 5. Pour mixture over roast and HUNTERS, TICKS AND LYME DISEASE lemon peel onions and sprinkle with salt ¼ tsp. ground and pepper. Lyme disease has started to become more prevalent in cloves 6. Cover tightly and roast for 1 1 tsp. salt hour, basting occasionally. Vermont during the last 10 years. Ticks that cause Lyme ½ tsp. ground black 7. Add carrots and potatoes, disease are still active in the fall in Vermont so hunters pepper making sure they are that spend time in tall grass, weed, and brushes, along 1 tbsp. vegetable oil submerged into pan juices. with successful hunters handling a deer, should follow 3 medium carrots, 8. Continue roasting for 2 to 3 a few simple tick-repelling precautions. cut into 2-inch hours until meat is cooked pieces through and vegetables are Treat your clothing and gear with permethrin before 1 lb. red potatoes, tender. you hunt, making sure to follow the product cut into 2-inch 9. Serve roast with pan juices pieces or turn pan juices into a instructions. Tuck your pants into your socks or boots simple gravy by whisking in to keep ticks from crawling up your legs. After small amounts of flour until returning from the hunt, check all over your body for desired consistency is ticks including your hair, and shower immediately. reached. From: https://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/pdf/bear_recipeguide.pdf Successful hunters handling a deer should remain Bear Lard vigilant for ticks even after they’ve returned from Ingredients Directions the field. Place a pan of soapy water under a hanging All trimmed fat 1. Trim all fat from bear carcass deer to kill any ticks that fall off the deer. from bear and put into crock pot. carcass 2. Cover with cold water. Cold water 3. Bring to a boil and then simmer on low for 4 to 5 hours. 4. Skim off all impurities as they rise to the top.

5. Continue simmering on low until water has evaporated Preventing Ticks Among Be Tick Smart and fat is rendered. Hunters Factsheet 6. Be careful not to burn the fat. Great for cooking and deep frying! Makes a delicious pie crust! From: https://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/pdf/bear_recipeguide.pdf

More Black Bear Recipes

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HUNTERS SHARING THEIR BEAR

Successful hunters willing to share their bear can do so by donating it directly to a food shelf or meal site. Proper processing and labeling instructions are available at www.vtfoodbank.org.

VERMONT FISH & WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT 1 National Life Drive, Davis 2 Montpelier, VT 05620-3702 Phone: (802) 828-1000 www.vtfishandwildlife.com www.facebook.com/vtfishandwildlife

7/14/2021

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