Vermont News

January 22, 2010

Vermont, Kansas and Mississippi Ranked as Top Deer States

What do Vermont, Kansas and Mississippi all have in common when it comes to the whitetail deer? The answer is that these three states each took top honors in their region for the way they manage deer, according to the 2010 Quality Deer Management Association's Whitetail Report, which was just released at the SHOT Show.

According to the report, "Our [QDMA] rating system is meant to commend states that are doing well, rather than point a finger at states ranking lower. It's also an arbitrary system, but one that addresses QDM principles. Our rating system used four variables:

1) percentage of a state's WMUs at the desired deer goals
2) percentage of 2008 antlered buck harvest that was 1.5 years old
3) percentage of 2008 antlered buck harvest that was 3.5 years or older
4) percentage of 2008 total harvest that was antlerless deer

Number 1 above is an index to the percentage of a state's WMUs where the deer herd is in balance with the habitat. Higher percentages are obviously preferred over lower numbers. 

Numbers 2 and 3 are indices to having a balanced age structure for bucks. The QDMA promotes protecting the majority of yearling bucks (1.5 years old), so states with lower percentages of yearlings ranked higher than those with higher percentages. Conversely, states with higher percentages of 3.5 years and older bucks ranked above those with lower numbers. 

Number 4 is an index to having a balanced adult sex ratio, and in many cases, to balancing the deer herd with the habitat. Higher percentages for this variable are generally preferred over lower numbers."

In the Northeast Region, Vermont took top honors with 9.5 points, thanks in large part to the antler restrictions put in place in 2005. This regulation enabled the Green Mountain State to "finish first in harvesting the lowest percentage of yearling bucks in the Northeast (15 percent) and tie for third for harvesting the most 3.5 years and older bucks (26 percent of antlered buck harvest)." 

According to the ranking, Vermont was followed by Pennsylvania (7), Rhode Island (7), Virginia (7), and Delaware (6.5). Pennsylvania's high percentage of WMUs broke the tie and awarded the Keystone state second place.

The report specifically congratulates Shawn Haskell, Deer Team Chair for the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, for the success.

In the Midwest Region, Kansas claimed top honors followed by Missouri and Indiana. In the South it was Mississippi taking the number-one spot, with Arkansas and Georgia following close behind.

To see the report in its entirety, click here.

January 21, 2010

New Vermont State Record Buck
"The Milkhouse Buck"

For the second time in the past 14 months the Vermont Big Game Trophy Club's non-typical whitetail deer record has been broken by a monster buck from Vermont's past.

On Saturday, January 16, at the 18th annual Yankee Sportsman's Classic, VBGTC Master Measurer and official Boone and Crockett Club measurer Ron Boucher measured a high, wide and heavy 17-pointer. Killed in 1930 in Norton, Vt. by George Ira Tice, the antlers tallied an incredible score of 196 5/8 gross and a net score of 190 6/8 on the strength of 28-inch main beams, a 22 6/8-inch inside spread, and an eye-popping outside spread of 29 inches.

Dubbed "The Milkhouse Buck" by Boucher, this gnarly rack hung in obscurity in the Tice's milkhouse in Derby, Vermont for 70 years. The rack is now owned by Tice's grandson, Paul Tice, of Milton, Vt.

Unlike the former state record, a 188-inch behemoth shot by Ron Moody in Starksboro in 1958, it seems that there have been no rumors of the existence of the new record antlers. 

"When Paul Tice walked in with this set of antlers to be scored, I knew right away this buck was going to be something special," said Boucher. "I measured the buck with the assistance of VBGTC measurer Pete Porter, and when we totaled up the score it was apparent that we did have a Boone and Crockett caliber whitetail. Since we were scoring in a busy sportsman's show, I chose to take the rack to a quiet room to double-check all of my measurements and my math as well." Fellow B&C scorer and VBGTC co-founder Curtis Smiley also checked the math and verified that the "Milkhouse Buck" was indeed the new state record pending final review and acceptance by the VBGTC and B&C.

More information and photos of the Milkhouse Buck will be available shortly on the VBGTC website, www.vermontbiggametrophyclub.com 

December 18, 2009

Douglas Administration To Allow ATVs On State Land

Governor Jim Douglas says his administration will brush aside legislative opposition and allow all terrain vehicles to use state land. The administration's plan could face a legal challenge. 

VPR's John Dillon reports: 

(Dillon) This week a legislative committee said the administration exceeded its legal authority with a proposal to allow ATVs limited access to state property. 

The bipartisan Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules said the Douglas Administration was wrong to use a brief phrase in a motor vehicle statute to make a major policy change affecting public land. So the committee voted unanimously to reject the ATV rule. 

But Governor Douglas was not impressed by the committee's reasoning. 

(Douglas) "I'm amused and confused by the argument that there isn't legal authority for this rule. For some time we've had a rule that says no ATVs on state land and no one has questioned our authority to impose that restriction." 

(Dillon) ATV clubs want to use state land in the Northeast Kingdom to link a network of private trails. Douglas said that allowing ATV riders on a state trail will help control the problem of illegal ATV use. 

(Douglas) "We've got to face reality that there are tens of thousands of ATVs in Vermont, most of them well used and responsibly maintained and respectful of private land, but not in every case. And it behooves us, I think, to bring some order to this system, much as we've done with the snowmobilers over the past generation." 

(Dillon) But an environmental group that fought the ATV rule says the state lacks the money or personnel to crack down on illegal riding. Anthony Iarrapino is with the Conservation law Foundation. 

(Iarrapino) "It really doesn't make any sense to add management of this very high-impact, difficult to manage use to the already difficult burden that the Agency of Natural Resources is trying to hold up with fewer staff than it needs." 

(Dillon) Iarrapino says his organization will consider all options, including challenging the ATV rule in court. 

The committee's vote to reject the rule will strengthen the opponents' arguments in court. That's because the burden is now on the state to show that the rule is legal. 

(Iarrapino) "The legislative committee has made very clear what the legal arguments are, and that is that the Agency of Natural Resources secretary doesn't have the authority to make such a significant change in state land use policy without clear guidance from the Legislature." 

(Dillon) State law says opponents have a year to challenge the rule in court. Lawmakers are also likely to propose legislation to reverse the administration's decision. 
For VPR News, I'm John Dillon in Montpelier. 

December 11, 2009

Bucking The Industry Trend: 
Outdoors Magazine Expands Again

In an age when magazines are cutting back and publishing companies are disappearing over night, Outdoors Magazine is emerging as the people's choice for a new age of sportsmen. The result is a massive increase in newsstand distribution. Most recently, Cabelas has announced Outdoors Magazine will be distributed in all 30 of their retail locations.

"We are in an age when people want real information. Readers know the difference between 'fluff' and real advice for the serious sportsmen. Our policy has always been to find editorial contributors who are hunters and fishermen first and writers second. I really believe this is one reason for our success," said James Austin, president of Elk Publishing, the publisher of Outdoors Magazine.

Over the past year, Outdoors Magazine has gained new national retail chain authorizations in stores such as Kroger Supermarkets and Food Lion and also key Midwest retail chains including Marsh Supermarkets and Pick N Save. This is in addition to key sporting good distribution sites like the Bass Pro Shops, and long-standing chains like Stewart's Shops. 

The magazine's national distributor, Curtis Circulation Company (a worldwide periodicals distributor) has continued their commitment to expand Outdoors Magazine's newsstand coverage nationally by targeting all viable retail stores that sell copies of their competition, Field & Stream, in particular.

"Outdoors Magazine is one of the true newsstand success stories today in an industry that is otherwise facing major challenges. With that said, there still exists an enormous amount of sales potential as we take the title nationally and look to mirror some of the same successes that we've experienced in the Northeast in other markets across the country," said newsstand specialist Tom Ferruggia. Outdoors Magazine was launched on the newsstand through Northeast-based magazine wholesalers in the summer of 2008 and experienced immediate success in selling nearly 50% of all distributed copies (the entire industry average was well below 40% at this time). Since then, Outdoors Magazine has increased its newsstand distribution by 50% and has aggressive plans in place to add an additional 3,000 copies through new Midwest wholesalers alone in the coming months. 

At smaller distribution points, which traditionally have a slightly higher sales rate, Outdoors Magazine is reaching as high as 75%.

"To sell over 50% at our major locations, and over 75% at smaller venues speaks tremendously about the popularity of Outdoors Magazine," said Austin. "Also, you can not overlook the tremendous job Curtis Circulation has done in helping us work towards achieving our goals." 

To contact newsstand specialist Tom Ferruggia call (973) 575-7875 and Curtis Circulation Company (201) 634-7400 or www.curtiscirc.com 

December 2, 2009

Cover Photo Search: Youth Hunters

Outdoors Magazine is proud to announce in March it will be unveiling its first issue celebrating youth hunters.
 
"We all know that kids are the future of our sport," said James Austin, president of Elk Publishing, "A big part of the issue will be celebrating youth afield and telling their success stories. I don't think it matters how old you are, these stories bring us all back to some of the best memories of our early days in the woods and on the water."
 
Kyle Scanlon, editor of Outdoors, is looking for the perfect cover photo to highlight the issue.
 
"The stories are so good and the topic is so close to our hearts that we need the perfect image to wrap up the package," said Scanlon. "We are appealing to all of our followers to send us pictures of their hunting or fishing adventures with their children," he said.
 
"Any pictures we don't use on the cover may be used in other places in the magazine over the coming months and on our website," said Scanlon.
 
If you have a picture, please send it via email to amanda@elkpublishing.com. Be sure to include the names of the people in the picture and location it was taken. For prints, send via parcel post to: 531 Main St., Colchester, Vt. 05446
 
Don't think that this issue is just about feel-good stories though. Scanlon is bringing forth an expanded editorial vision.
 
"Celebrating youth is great, but we also want to keep it real and hit on a couple of other very serious and practical topics you don't hear about elsewhere. These include: The parents role in developing their kids as sportsmen and women, practical advice for gear, dealing with peer pressure in the woods, getting hunters started and the 'high fence' alternative, and the very real range of emotions that young hunters feel when they kill for the first time," he said.

This issue will feature expanded edit focusing on all aspects of youth hunting including several first-hand field accounts and stories and an expanded image scrapbook. Additional edit will be devoted to:  

• The role and responsibility of parents developing young hunter

• Real gear advice including gun selection and clothing

• Practical stand set-ups that work with kids

• Getting hunters started and the 'high fence' alternative

• How to deal with peer pressure in hunting situations

• Handling emotions after the kill

• Photo advice to capture the perfect moment

• The role "Youth Weekends"

For more information on sponsorship opportunities, please email brian@elkpublishing.com or call 802-767-3962.

November 20, 2009

Bagging a Trophy 10-pt, 225 lb Deer for TV Show

A recent made for television hunting episode of Woods n’ Water was filmed in Hulett, Wyoming with Jeff Elliott, owner of Coventry Log Homes, Inc. in Woodsville, NH. The episode will feature an interview about Elliott’s log home manufacturing company and his actual hunt and shooting of a 10-point, 225 pound White Tail Deer. The show is scheduled to air on November 28 at 9:00 pm on the Pursuit Channel (that’s Direct TV channel 608). 

Coventry Log Homes, Inc. have been sponsors of the Woods n’ Water show since June of 2007. The family-run shows producers and hosts are Peter Fiduccia, his wife, Kate, and their son, Cody. 

Wyoming is known for its big game and beautiful landscapes according to Elliott. The backdrop for the filming included the Black Hills National Forest and Bear Lodge Mountains. It is also the home to Devils Tower of the Close Encounters of the Third Kind fame, a 1977 film by Steven Spielburg. 

For more information, contact:
Robin L.H. Edwards
Coventry Log Homes, Inc.
108 S. Court Street
Woodsville, NH 03785
603-747-8177