OutdoorsVT: Whitetail worship
Vt. earns top honors for deer management
Toolbox
By Darren Marcy Herald Staff Writer - Published: January 29, 2010
While it might sound like good news just for hunters, anybody who likes whitetail deer in Vermont should appreciate news shared by Outdoors Magazine lately.
The Vermont publication reported that Vermont, along with Kansas and Mississippi, took top honors in their regions for deer management.
The honor was announced in the 2010 Quality Deer Management Association's Whitetail Report, which was released at the recently held Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade Show and Conference in Las Vegas.
In the report, the QDMA rates states based on four variables including meeting goals in wildlife management units, the percentage of bucks harvested that were 1-1/2 years old, the percentage of bucks harvested that were 3-1/2 years old, and the percentage of the total harvest that were antlerless deer.
"Our rating system is meant to commend states that are doing well, rather than point a finger at states ranking lower," according to the report. "It's also an arbitrary system, but one that addresses (quality deer management) principles."
The rating system is meant to measure balance between the deer herd and habitat, as well as a balanced age structure and adult sex ratio.
Vermont took top honors in the Northeast Region, finishing ahead of Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia and Delaware.
According to Outdoors Magazine's release, the report congratulates Shawn Haskell, deer team chair for the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department, for the success.
Kansas earned the top ranking in the Midwest Region, and Mississippi was tops in the South Region.
Ranger graduates
from leaders school
Dominick "Nick" Caputo, a regional ranger supervisor with the Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation, graduated from the prestigious National State Park Leadership School recently, according to a press release from the department.
The school was founded, and taught by, the National Association of State Park Directors.
Vermont State Parks Director Craig Whipple is a member of the association and is also on the school's board of regents.
"This program is a great way to build leadership skills needed to guide America's system of state parks into the future," Whipple said in the release.
He said students learn through lectures, reading, hands-on exercises and communicating with other colleagues from around the country.
Caputo was one of 75 students representing 29 state park systems involved in the two-year intensive professional training program, which is managed by North Carolina State University.
Caputo has worked for Vermont State Parks since 2003. He supervises rangers at 16 state parks. Vermont has 52 rangers statewide.
"The Department is lucky to have motivated leaders who are willing to learn and teach," said Commissioner Jason Gibbs in the release. "Craig and Nick are two good examples of what this department is all about."
Fly-tying event
slated at AMFF
The American Museum of Fly Fishing knows that Vermont's winters can wear on a person.
To help anglers through the cold months, the AMFF will host a fly-tying event from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the museum, located at 4104 Main St. in Manchester.
Local fly-tiers will demonstrating their tying skills and kids will be able to tie a "Clown Fly," a colorful, large fly scaled for smaller hands.
In addition, Mike Valla will be on hand to sign copies of his book, "Tying Catskill-Style Dry Flies," and Jim Krul, of the Catskill Fly Fishing Center & Museum, will introduce visitors to the Catskill region.
The event costs $5 for adults, $3 for kids and $10 for the family.
For more information, call 362-3300 or log on to www.amff.com.
Fischer ski demo
day scheduled
The Blueberry Hill Ski Center will hold a Fischer ski demo day Saturday, Feb. 13.
The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the ski center, located at 1307 Goshen Ripton Road in Goshen.
A representative of Fischer will be on hand with the latest in skis and boots for people to try.
For more information, call 247-6735 or e-mail ski@blueberryhillinn.com.
Wooden ski race
planned Feb. 20
If seeing the latest and greatest ski gear doesn't get you excited, maybe the old gear will.
The Blueberry Hill Ski Center will hold the Wooden Ski Classic on Saturday, Feb. 20, featuring a chance to race your old ski gear.
Yank those old skis down from the garage rafters and put them to good use.
The older the better for this event and modern gear will cost you penalty points.
Skis should be wooden with three-pin bindings.
And break out your vintage ski gear. Penalties will be assessed for anything made of Lycra, fiberglass or anything invented after the mid-70s.
The event will be held at noon at the ski center, located at 1307 Goshen Ripton Road in Goshen.
There is a $15 entry fee.
For more information, call 247-6735 or e-mail ski@blueberryhillinn.com.
Winter Doe Camp
set for March 12-14
Women with an adventurous spirit can learn outdoor skills at the Hulbert Outdoor Center in Fairlee.
The second annual Winter Doe Camp will be held March 12-14 offering woman ages 18 and older a chance to advance their outdoor knowledge and skills.
Classes will be offered on a variety of topics including dog sledding, building a fire, traditional winter camping, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, ice fishing and others.
Classes are offered in a stress-free, supportive environment. Participants will stay in heated cabins.
Cost for the weekend is $260 but day fees, discounts and scholarships are available.
For more information, log on to www.voga.org/ winter doe camp.htm.
Darren Marcy is a local outdoor enthusiast. Contact him through his Web site at www.DarrenMarcyOutdoors.com.