Outdoor roundup

Coyote dog permit available

MONTPELIER, VT — The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board took its final vote on a regulation on trapping and hunting coyotes on Thursday, Dec. 14. Information on the regulation and a permit application to hunt coyotes with dogs are available on the Vermont Fish and Wildlife’s website.

The new regulation establishes a season for hunting coyotes with dogs and is effective on Jan. 1, 2024. The season for hunting coyotes with the aid of dogs will be Dec. 15 through March 31 each year.

Legal hunting hours for taking coyotes with the aid of dogs will be one half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset. The training season will be from June 1 through Sept. 15.

Previously there was no special season for hunting coyotes with dogs. The season for trapping coyotes remains the same, and there is an open season for hunting coyote without the aid of dogs.

Applications for hunting coyotes with the aid of dogs may be downloaded from Vermont Fish and Wildlife’s website. The deadline to apply is Jan. 15. No coyote hunting with dogs is allowed until permits are received.

Trails connect people to place

MONTPELIER, VT — Want to build or improve a local recreational trail? The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation is inviting municipalities, nonprofits and governmental entities to apply for funding through the Recreational Trails Program. In 2024, the department will award $500,000, through the Federal Highways Administration, to build and maintain trails across the state.

“One of the benefits of the RTP grant program is that it supports so many ways for people to get outside,” said FPR Outdoor Recreation Program Manager Claire Polfus.

Pre-applications for the RTP grants are open through Dec. 30. Learn more at tinyurl.com/5n6yrt6w. Email the Outdoor Recreation Grants Team at [email protected] with questions.

Watershed Grants available

MONTPELIER, VT — The 2024 Vermont Watershed Grants Program is now accepting applications for projects that protect, restore and enhance the state’s lakes, streams, rivers and ponds, including Vermonters’ ability to understand and enjoy these treasures. Applications are due Feb. 7.

Program grants are available to municipalities, local and regional government agencies, sporting clubs, nonprofit organizations and water-related citizen groups. Projects that seek to directly protect or restore fish and aquatic wildlife habitat are strongly encouraged. Examples of past funded projects include streamside vegetation restoration, the removal of old dams and replacement of culverts to improve fish passage.

For next year, $70,000 is available to fund three categories of projects. The three categories and the maximum amount for each project type are: education and outreach ($5,000), planning, assessment, inventory, monitoring ($3,500) and on-the-ground implementation ($10,000).

The Watershed Grants application guide and application forms are available on the web at tinyurl.com/3cp2sfyh. The application location has changed from past years.

— Eagle Times Staff