MONTPELIER, Vt. – The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department will be hosting five free hunting seminars that will be helpful for hunters who have some experience as well as for beginners. The seminars will be taught by Vermont Fish & Wildlife staff and hunter education volunteers.

“Both experienced and first-time hunters stand to benefit from these seminars,” said Nicole Meier, Information & Education Specialist with Vermont Fish & Wildlife. “We will provide useful information including practical hunting tips, ecology and behavior of these animals as well as how to have a fun, safe experience in the woods.”

Participants are urged to bring a lunch and snacks for the day-long seminars and dress for the weather, as these seminars have an outdoor portion to them and will be held rain or shine.

Space is limited, and they fill up quickly, so sign up as early as possible at www.vtfishandwildlife.com and clicking on the seminar portion of the Hunter Education page (https://tinyurl.com/hn7khc5). For more information, call the Hunter Education Program at 802-828-1193.

Hunting Vermont Black Bears, August 24 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Linwood Smith’s Archery Shop, 281 Old Bradley Road, St. Johnsbury, VT. This seminar covers basic bear biology, successfully hunting bears and processing bear meat. Instructors will be Vermont Fish & Wildlife bear biologist Forrest Hammond and bear hunter Jim Roy.

Hunting with Primitive Firearms, September 15 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Precision Valley Fish and Game Club Range at 2879 Route 106, Perkinsville, VT. This seminar covers several types of primitive firearms. Richard Odette is a Hunter Education Instructor who is an expert in primitive firearms. This seminar will focus on different types of muzzleloaders and safely handling them.

Successful Bow Hunting, September 18 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Linwood Smith’s Archery Shop, 281 Old Bradley Road, St. Johnsbury, VT. This seminar will teach safe and effective stand placement, use of camo, how to properly fit and tune your bow and more. You may bring your bow to the class, but there will be bows on hand to shoot. Linwood Smith and Jeff Houde will be the instructors. This is not a bowhunter certification course.

Deer Processing, September 19 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Mountain Deer Taxidermy, 1308 Loop Road, Northfield, VT. Rodney and Theresa Elmer will teach field dressing and processing and preparing a deer for taxidermy or your plate.

Deer Tracking, October 3 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Mountain Deer Taxidermy, 1308 Loop Road, Northfield, VT. Rodney and Theresa Elmer will lead this seminar as they share what they have learned from their years of tracking deer in Vermont. Topics will include habitat, clothing required and successful methods of tracking deer.

Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities are available upon request. Please include a description of the accommodation you will need. Individuals making such requests must include their contact information. Please send an e-mail to: Catherine.Gjessing@vermont.gov or call the office staff at 802-828-1000 (voice), 1-800-253-0191 (TTY).

Media Contacts: Nicole Meier 802-828-1193 or 802-318-1347; Alison Thomas 802-371-9975