Vt. Hunters Asked not to Shoot Bears that are Part of a Wind Study | By Kristin Frechette | Published 09/08/ 2016 | www.mychamplainvalley.com
With bear hunting season under way in Vermont, the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is asking hunters in the southern part of the state to not shoot bears with yellow ear tags and radio collars.
Wildlife officials say the bears with tags and collars are part of a wind energy development study in the towns of Searsburgh and Readsboro.
The study is to see how wind turbines would affect local bears in the area.
“This study will provide important information about Vermont’s bears and will help us to manage for a healthy bear population,” said Jaclyn Comeau of the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department.
“Each collared bear represents a large commitment of money and staff time, so we’re asking hunters to please help us better understand the species they enjoy by not shooting any collared bears,” added Comeau.
Officials say when hunting you should double check to see if the bear has the collar or ear tags as they might be hard to see.
There are around 12 bears in the study and they could in found in areas of Wilmington, Whitingham, Searsburg, Readsboro, Stamford, Woodford, Bennington, and Pownal.
According to wildlife officials bears tend to migrate in the fall so they could be found in other Vermont areas as well.
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2016/09/09/vermont-hunters-asked-not-to-shoot-bears-that-are-part-of-a-wind-study/