Federation (hunter orange) postcard sent to VT legislators seeking re-election

 

The incumbents running for re-election today should start receiving the Vermont

Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs postcard that is an attachment to this E-mail.  The

postcard corrects misinformation of gun control advocates and proves that Vermont

is not a major gun source for Massachusetts.  Nor, any other states.

 

 

The numbers cited are as displayed on the BATFE Gun Trace Back web sites

for the years 2011-2013.  The BATFE data shows Vermont is not a major gun

source state, as reported by WCAX News on June 10. 

http://www.wcax.com/story/25739860/report-vermont-not-a-major-source-of-guns

 

 

The Boston Globe reported on April 24, that Massachusetts is the source of 46 percent

of the handguns in Boston that were traced back to the gun's state of origin.  In spite of

the extremely restrictive Massachusetts gun control laws.

http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2014/04/24/gun-buyback-has-collected-handguns-walsh-administration-says-during-regional-summit-gun-violence/v8p0i1qwTsds56gqCobwKI/story.html

 

 

Massachusetts public officials and gun control advocates have long blamed other states

for guns in Massachusetts.  But, the BATFE data has shown and the Boston Globe have

reported, that Massachusetts is the largest source state for the guns its own state officials

have traced back to the gun's state of origin. 

 

 

To inaccurately claim that Vermont is a major source of guns in other states defames the

character of the people of Vermont and demeans the value of the products and services

Vermonters sell and certainly does not help in promoting Vermont's tourism.

Lake Champlain ranked among top smallmouth bass fisheries in North America

VERMONT FISH & WILDLIFE

Press Release

 

For Immediate Release: October 14, 2014

Media Contact: Shawn Good, 802-786-3863

 

Lake Champlain ranked among top smallmouth bass fisheries in North America

 

BURLINGTON, Vt. – Lake Champlain has received yet another world-class fishing designation.  Renowned fishing media outlet, World Fishing Network, ranks Lake Champlain one of the seven best smallmouth bass lakes in North America. 

 

The ranking, which was first reported on WFN's website, describes Lake Champlain as "perhaps the best lake in all of North America for both quality largemouth and smallmouth bass."

 

"This reinforces what Vermonters have known for years, that Lake Champlain has some of the best bass fishing anywhere," said Vermont Fish & Wildlife Commissioner Louis Porter. "Not only does the big lake have some of the best fishing, it also offers some of the most beautiful scenery anywhere, especially at this time of year."

 

Smallmouth bass, which can be found throughout the entirety of the 120-mile lake, have flourished in Champlain's fertile waters where they have access to optimal habitat and an immense forage base. Champlain's rocky bottom composition and strong populations of yellow perch and crayfish create ideal conditions for smallmouth bass to prosper. 

 

Vermont fisheries biologist Shawn Good, who manages bass populations at the lake's southern end and is also an avid bass angler, agrees with WFN's assessment.

 

"The bass population data I've collected over the years through electrofishing surveys clearly indicates that bass are abundant, healthy and thriving," said Good.

 

"Champlain is a true gem, and it's important to take note that bass fishing is only one of the many world-class fishing opportunities available in the lake," said Good. "With more than 90 species of fish present, probably no other lake in the country offers so many different species to target."

 

The full WFN report went on to state, "The combined fishery makes Champlain a popular destination for the biggest tournament circuits in the U.S., like B.A.S.S. and FLW. Though anglers can try and go for broke and chase monster largemouths, for the most consistent results, finding smallmouth bass schools along the northern part of the lake is the way to go, especially on the Vermont side. Like with Lake Erie, fall is the best time for smallmouth on Champlain, as bass follow the baitfish into the shallows as the water cools."

 

Accomplished professional tournament angler Kevin VanDam always looks forward to fishing Lake Champlain.

 

"What makes Lake Champlain unique is that you can catch fish – both smallmouth bass and largemouth bass alike – just about any way you want to," said VanDam. "It's an amazing fishery with diverse habitat throughout and large, healthy populations of many species of fish.  Whether you're an avid tournament angler or recreational fisherman, you'll want to experience Lake Champlain fishing.  It's simply that good."

 

The other six top smallmouth fisheries noted in the article include: Lake Erie – New York, Ontario, Pennsylvania and Ohio; Lake Simcoe – Ontario; Lake St. Clair – Michigan and Ontario; Dale Hollow Lake – Tennessee and Kentucky; Grand Traverse Bay – Michigan; and Sturgeon Bay – Wisconsin.

 

Lakes receiving honorable mention in the WFN rankings include: Bay de Noc – Michigan; Pickwick Lake – Alabama and Tennessee; Candlewood Lake - Connecticut; Rainy Lake – Ontario; Lake of the Woods – Minnesota and Ontario; Kentucky Lake – Kentucky and Tennessee; and St. Lawrence River – New York, Quebec and Ontario.

 

To purchase a Vermont fishing license or to find out more about fishing opportunities in Vermont, visit www.vtfishandwildlife.com.

 

Brief

Lake Champlain has received yet another world-class fishing designation.  Renowned fishing media outlet, World Fishing Network, ranks Lake Champlain one of the seven best smallmouth bass lakes in North America. 

 

The ranking describes Lake Champlain as "perhaps the best lake in all of North America for both quality largemouth and smallmouth bass."

 

Vermont Fish & Wildlife Commissioner Louis Porter said: "This reinforces what Vermonters have known for years, that Lake Champlain has some of the best bass fishing anywhere. Not only does the big lake have some of the best fishing, it also offers some of the most beautiful scenery anywhere, especially at this time of year."

 

Caption for attached VT F&W photo

Vermont youth angler Caleb Smith with a beautiful Lake Champlain smallmouth bass that was caught and released last year. 

 

Link to complete World Fishing Network article

http://www.worldfishingnetwork.com/travel-directory/post/7-best-lakes-catch-smallmouth-bass

 

 

 

-30-

 

 

 

Chris Adams, Outreach Division

[phone]      802-236-1560    

[email]      chris.adams@state.vt.us

[website]    www.vtfishandwildlife.com

 

Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department

1 National Life Drive, Davis 2

Montpelier VT 05620-3702

 

              

 

Update on Gun Forum - Please Forward to Friends

The Informational Forum on Anticipated Changes to VT Gun Legislation which was held in Pawlet on Wednesday, October 8, indicated that any changes to Vermont Gun Laws will not be well received.  Although the legislature has not defined the specifics for proposed changes, a part of the preliminary discussion is universal background checks for all firearm transfers; the consensus of the attendees was that federal law covers initial gun transfers and no change is needed. 

 

Moderator, Senator Kevin Mullin, asked a panel of experts, what they thought the proposed changes would be and why change is needed.  Panel members were Evan Hughes, Vice President & Registered Lobbyist for Vermont Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs, Lars Jacob, Director of the Covey & Nye Shooting School, Senator Peg Flory, Esquire, who chairs the Senate Committee on Institutions including oversight of  VT Department of Corrections, Brian Kukon, Chief Master Firearms Instructor with an extensive background in Defensive Concealed Carry and Law for Use of Force, Chief William Humphries of Fair Haven Police Department and High Bailiff of Rutland County, and Representative Bob Helm of Fair Haven. After a brief statement from each panel member, the forum was opened to the audience for questions.

 

The audience was comprised of approximately 150 attendees who drove from all corners of the state to participate.  From the Northeast Kingdom to Westminster, from St. Albans, Essex, and Benson to Bennington, from Barre, Mendon, and Rutland City to our local towns, gun owners came to add their voices to the discussion.

 

Notables in the audience included Senator Joseph Benning of Caledonia County, Constable David Ricard of Pawlet,  Fire Chief Dale Decker of Pawlet, Rutland County State's Attorney Marc Brierre, Patricia McCoy, Poultney Town Clerk, and Wendy Wilton, Rutland City Treasurer.

 

The event was open to the general public; however, the focus was Vermonters' rights under Article 16 of the Vermont Constitution and whether our present gun laws are working.  In summary, the audience felt that our present laws and rights under those laws make us the safest state in the nation and we do not need changes; federal law requires background checks for initial purchase; compliance would not be universal since felons would not comply and medical records for persons with mental illness and legal drug use cannot be accessed under present Vermont law so these persons would not need to comply.   

 

Prior to adjourning the forum for an informal social, those running for elected offices in Vermont were encouraged to introduce themselves and state their stand on the "gun" issue.  In attendance were (1) candidate for governor, (4) senate candidates, (1) candidate for State's Attorney, and (5) candidates running for VT House.

 

All candidates were in favor of no change to Vermont law, except for (1) house candidate in favor of universal background checks and (1) house candidate who feels more gun laws are needed.  

 

I would like to thank the Pawlet Fire Department for the use of the Fire House; the Modern Woodmen of America for use of their amplifier and microphone; the moderator and panelists for their participation and candor; the sponsors of our advertising on Lakes Region Radio, GNAT-TV for use of their equipment; our crew of silent volunteers who put out posters and flyers, set up and broke down seating and those who baked and served great desserts and all those who attended to question, listen and learn.

 

Dolores Luebke, Organizer

West Pawlet, Vermont

Forum on Gun Legislation in the Vermont Legislature

 October 8, there was a forum at the fire station in Pawlet, VT.

Pawlet is in southern Rutland County and borders on NY State.

The subject of the event was upcoming gun control legislation in Vermont.

The panelist are listed in the attachment to this E-mail.

 

The fire station was quite full and after each panel member gave a brief

statement, then the panel fielded some very good questions from crowd.

This was followed by candidates for election speaking to the audience.

Photo credit to Val Harris.    3 photos below.

The audience

The forum panel (2 photos)

 

NRA Traditions Magazine has great article on Vermont NRA Women On Target (great photos)

The NRA Traditions Magazine Quarter III issue has just begun to arrive in the mail and it hit the NRA web site today.

There is a great story about the NRA Women On Target Program in Vermont.  The story relates has a very nice

section about the Barre Fish & Game Club's quite successful NRA WOT events, run by Cyndy Jones.  The narrative

of the story is on page 17 and the great photos are on page 16. 

 

 

A great job by Cyndy, her crew at Barre F&G and all of the other clubs and the folks running NRA Women On Target

and NRA Day events all over Vermont.  16 of these events were conducted in Vermont, grant funded from the profits

of Vermont's six Friends of NRA events.  The grant was administered by the Vermont Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs.

The request for funding of NRA WOT events exceeded NRA funding so the federation funded several NRA WOT events.

 

Cheryl Ziembrosk was the 2013 NRA Volunteer of the Year for New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont and runs a NRA WOT

at the Caledonia Forest and Stream Club in St. Johnsbury.  Photo and narrative on Page 12.

 

 

http://www.friendsofnra.org/webdownloads/national/eventservices/14Q3_web.pdf

 

 

The NRA Traditions is The NRA Foundation's quarterly publication, designed to inform readers about the successful mission of the foundation to promote and expand our shooting sports traditions. Our mission with this publication is to bring you — our supporters, volunteers, and grant recipients—information about The NRA Foundation and the success of our Friends of NRA fundraising efforts.

 

State Senate Candidates at Barre F&G Club (Photos)

 

Are you speaking with your legislative candidates?

 

Last evening the Barre F&G Club had its monthly officer and trustee

meeting. The Washington County candidates for the Vermont State

Senate were offered an opportunity to address the meeting.

Washington County has three state senate seats.

Incumbent senators Ann Cummings, Anthony Pollina, Bill Doyle and

former state representative Patrica MacDonald, all candidates for

the three senate seats, addressed those present and fielded pointed

questions from the officers and trustees.

Photos of the three incumbents speaking are above. Candidate Pat

MacDonald arrived later in the meeting and the person taking photos,

Charles Ferry, had left with Senator Doyle.  So, there are no photos

available of Pat McDonald addressing those present.

 

FYI, the Barre Fish & Game Club is managed by a Board of 50 trustees.

http://www.barrefishandgameclub.com/

Gun Legislation Forum, Wednesday, October 8, 6:30 pm, Pawlet Fire House - Please pass it on!

 

A discussion on the upcoming legislative session in Vermont.