While folks from all over the country flock to Vermont to experience the changing of the leaves, apple picking and some quality maple syrup, many Vermonters will be sharing another fall tradition in the Green Mountain State for the first time: hunting.

Over the decades, the Vermont NWTF State Chapter and its local chapters have forged a highly productive partnership with the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, allowing for heightened conservation and education and outreach efforts across the state. Through their collaborative efforts, the NWTF and the VFWD are introducing new and diverse audiences to hunting. 2023 was a successful year for getting folks connected with the outdoors in Vermont. Here are some highlights: 

Wild Game Cooking Classes at Intervale Farm

The NWTF partnered with VFWD, Intervale Farm and City Market to host two wild-game cooking events in July and August at the Intervale Farm in Burlington. Participants had the opportunity to help prepare wild game dishes and hear personal stories from volunteers and staff about their connections to hunting and the outdoors and the importance of hunting and fishing in supporting conservation efforts.

“For me, events like this are a way to give back and educate people that may not have a person who hunts or fishes in their immediate circle and maybe break down barriers about stereotyping,” said Brett Ladeau, NWTF Vermont State Chapter president. “Hunting heritage is important to all of our volunteers in the state, and these events are a way for us to share our knowledge with people and get people on our side, whether they become hunters or just support the cause.”

The wild-game cooking events in the Burlington area have been a success over the past few years. The NWTF and the VFWD look forward to expanding this program in the future.

“In many ways, food is central to our passion for hunting,” said Matt DiBona, NWTF New England district biologist. “When we are lucky enough to procure a harvest, wild game is something we can share with our family and friends. There is tremendous satisfaction in cooking something our hands helped bring from the field to the table. We are glad to share that experience with others at events like this. Numerous participants were interested in procuring their own wild game.”

25th Annual JAKES Day 

As the NWTF celebrates its 50th Anniversary in 2023, the NWTF North Country Longspurs celebrated their 25th year of hosting their JAKES Day event at NWTF North Country Longspurs President Rocky Bunnell’s expansive property.

“It’s about preserving a way of life here in Vermont,” Bunnell said. “Every year, we introduce many kids who don’t get the opportunity to learn about hunting and the outdoors, so it’s excellent work. Also, like anything, it takes a lot of work from our core group of volunteers to make it run smoothly. In addition to the over 100 kids, we had 40 volunteers who made the event possible.” 

This year, 130 kids signed up for the event to learn and engage in the outdoors. Kids, ages 7 to 9, got to shoot BB guns with the Chapter’s Take Aim trailer (a dedicated BB gun shooting trailer) and took part in the pond life course, trout fishing, a nature walk and more. The 10- to 12-year-old JAKES attended a knot-tying course, hunter safety reviews, .22 shooting and kayaking. Extreme JAKES, youths 13 to 17, went hiking, fishing and shot crossbows and shotguns.

The VFWD Commissioner Chris Herrick and NWTF Wild Turkey Technical Committee member Chris Bernier also attended the event. The department gave a presentation on the importance of furbearers and trapping. 

The North Country Longspurs were presented with a commemorative plaque celebrating their 25th Anniversary of their successful JAKES Day event. 

“The Longspurs have created a well-oiled machine for getting youth outdoors,” DiBona said. “The success of this event wouldn’t be possible without the dozens of volunteers who donate their time and energy for this event year after year.”

Vermont Outdoor Family Weekend 

For the third year, the NWTF has partnered with the University of Vermont, the Vermont Department of Forests Parks and Recreation and the VFWD on this family-focused outreach event. The event is headed up by UVM Extension 4-H and the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources and is attended by hundreds of adults and children annually.

Various workshops and programs are offered throughout the weekend on wildlife, forestry, orienteering and GPS, hiking, fitness, camping skills, kayaking, firearm safety, fishing and more. 

Expert instructors lead each workshop with the basics, providing hands-on experience and encouraging participants to ask questions. The event is designed to cultivate family connections with the outdoors by camping and acquiring new skills.  

NWTF volunteers hosted a workshop introducing families to conservation and turkey hunting, providing each participant with a build-a-box call kit.

Women in the Outdoors Camp  

Lake Champlain Longbeards hosted their second annual Women in the Outdoors event at Camp Buck Lake. This event is held in partnership with the VFWD. About 30 women registered this year, and nearly all instructors were women. Different classes, ranging from fly fishing, self-defense and 3D archery, among others, were offered to forge a connection with the outdoors. 

“The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is lucky to work with the folks at NWTF,” said Nicole Meier, VFWD Hunter Education Program coordinator. “These events show how well our organizations work together – this year, Vermont’s WITO event doubled in participant size, with registration filling within 48 hours! The message is clear: women, female-identifying and non-binary folks want more opportunities to connect with nature and be taught by others who look like them; they want to learn to shoot safely and effectively, learn about fish, wildlife, wild food preparation and more. I’m excited to see what next year will bring for our WITO event here in Vermont – we already have lots of ideas for classes in 2024!”

The education and outreach events in Vermont in 2023 coincide as the NWTF celebrates its 50th Anniversary and the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department celebrates 50 years of turkey hunting. The NWTF and the VFWD department have a rich history, from restoring the wild turkey from extirpation to all of the education and outreach programming this year.

Learn more about the rich history of the NWTF and the wild turkey in the Green Mountain State.

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