Waterfowl Blinds Must Be Removed
(VT F&W photo by Carl Wedin)
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department reminds waterfowl hunters who have not already removed their hunting blinds from the state’s waters that they must do so before February 15 on Lake Champlain, or May 15 on inland waters.
Vermont law requires removal of the blinds before these deadlines in order to protect natural areas and to prevent boating accidents after the ice melts.
“Removal of the blinds and any posts that may be below the surface of the ice is important because of the danger they present when boaters are on the water in the spring,” ~ Vermont State Game Warden Colonel Jason Batchelder
Here is a copy of the Vermont regulation regarding Lake Champlain waterfowl hunting blinds:
BLINDS: A person shall not place a waterfowl blind or cause the same to be placed on or in the waters of the state earlier than the first Saturday of September of any year, and then only if the person’s name and address are permanently and legibly affixed thereto, by waterproof paint or rustproof tag. Placement of signs for purposes of claiming duck blind locations has no basis in law and is unenforceable. A person shall remove his or her waterfowl blind, together with its contents and any surrounding debris, located on or in any waters of the state except Lake Champlain on or before May 15 of the following year. A waterfowl blind located on or in Lake Champlain shall be removed on or before February 15 of the following year.
Batchelder says wardens have recorded names and addresses of blind owners and will follow up with inspections.