Trapping season approaches

With just a couple of weeks to go before the start of the fall trapping season, the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is reminding trappers that they must have completed a training course on current regulations and humane trapping methods, according to a story broadcast by WCAX television.

The trapping seasons for mink, skunk, red and gray fox, raccoon, coyote, opossum, weasel, otter and muskrat begins on Oct. 27. Trapping for most species concludes at the end of the year. Otter trapping season continues until Feb. 28, 2013, and muskrat trapping season finishes on March 31, 2013. Separate seasons are observed for the trapping of beaver (Nov. 15 to March 13, 2013), bobcat (Dec. 1 to Dec. 16) and fisher (Dec. 1 to Dec. 31).

Hunting

Raccoon hunting season starts tomorrow and continues through the end of the year. Red and gray fox hunting season runs from Oct. 27 to Feb. 10, 2013.

Black bear hunting, turkey bow and arrow-only hunting and bow and arrow deer hunting seasons are under way. Black bear season began Sept. 1 and ends Nov. 14. Turkey bow and arrow-only hunting season runs from Oct. 6 to Oct. 19, with a nine-day shotgun or bow and arrow turkey season running from Oct. 20-28 and a 16-day shotgun or bow and arrow season running from Oct. 20 to Nov. 4. The archery deer season started Oct. 6 and continues until Oct. 28. Another archery (and muzzleloader) deer season runs from Dec. 1-9. Rifle deer season is scheduled from Nov. 10-25.