Applications are available for controlled waterfowl hunting permits to be used at two Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department wildlife management areas.
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. Permit applications for these two areas are available on Fish & Wildlife’s website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com). Printed applications are available at Vermont Fish and Wildlife offices in Montpelier, Essex Junction, Addison, Barre, St. Johnsbury, Springfield and Rutland.
Applications must be filled out correctly and postmarked no later than September 16. There is no fee to apply.
A public drawing to award hunting permits will be held Friday, September 20 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 16 through November 13. Waterfowl hunting at Mud Creek WMA will be by pre-registration on October 10 and 12. 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 9 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 9-13; October 26-December 19); the Interior Vermont Zone is a straight season (October 9-December 7); and the Connecticut River Zone is a split season (October 2-November 3; November 19-December 15).
A statewide Vermont open hunting season for Canada geese will occur September 3-25. A second Canada goose hunting season will be held Oct. 10-Nov. 28 in the Lake Champlain and Interior Vermont Zones. The second Canada goose season in the Connecticut River Zone will be Oct. 2-Nov. 3 and Nov. 19-Dec. 15.
Be sure to read the 2013 Syllabus of State and Federal Hunting Regulations for Migratory Birds available on Fish & Wildlife’s website and from license agents for detailed regulations.