The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board will hold a special meeting Thursday for a final vote on the furbearer rule, the Dept. of Fish & Wildlife announced today. The board meeting will follow a likely vote on the same rule Thursday morning by a legislative committee.
The furbearer rule was updated per Legislative directive in Act 159 and Act 165 of 2022, to implement best management practices that modernize trapping and improve the welfare of wildlife taken and to regulate the practice of hunting coyotes with dogs.
The ruling has been a hot potato between the board and the Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules, which favors a more hunting-and-trapping restrictive interpretation of the two 2022 laws.
See related story: New public hearing on trapping and coyote hunting rules, Dec. 1
The virtual meeting will take place at 5 p.m., Thursday, December 14. Most board members and department staff will be attending remotely. There is an in-person option for members of the public who cannot attend virtually at the Dewey Building, 1 National Life Drive, Montpelier, VT 05620.
All board meetings are open to the public. Details are provided in the agenda posted to the department’s website.
Information on the regulations and the process for updating the rule can be found on the department’s website.