The Vermont Outdoor Guide Association is speaking out against Senate Bill No. 258, which aims to change the management of fish and wildlife in the state. The association believes that the current wildlife management system has been beneficial to all Vermonters and should not be disrupted.
The Pittman-Robertson Act, passed in 1937, imposes a tax on firearms, ammunition, and archery equipment, with the proceeds going towards state wildlife projects. Additionally, the Dingell-Johnson Act established an excise tax on fishing equipment, which also contributes to wildlife conservation efforts.
State Wildlife Grants, established in 2000, provide funding for wildlife conservation projects identified in State Wildlife Action Plans. The funding for these programs comes from hunting and trapping licenses, as well as federal aid.
The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department’s biologists and the Fish and Wildlife Board have been commended for their work in managing wildlife. However, Senate Bill No. 258 proposes changes that could undermine the current system by placing anti-hunting individuals on the board and limiting its rulemaking authority.
The Vermont Outdoor Guide Association is urging non-consumptive individuals to appreciate the contributions made by sportsmen and women to the wildlife management system. They believe that dismantling this system would have negative consequences for outdoor recreation and wildlife viewing opportunities in the state.
The bill is currently in the House Committee on Environment and Energy, and the association encourages interested parties to view the agenda on the Vermont legislature’s website.
