An act relating to the management of fish and wildlife

This bill restructures Vermont's fish and wildlife management by creating a 16-member Fish and Wildlife Board that advises the Department of Fish and Wildlife on rules and policies. The board includes representatives from each county, two at-large members, and requires members to have expertise in wildlife biology and consider climate change impacts. Proposed regulations must be reviewed by the board before public hearings, and the board can recommend revisions with written explanations if the department does not adopt its suggestions. The bill also establishes a process for determining antlerless deer hunting seasons based on scientific studies and public testimony, with specific permit allocation rules for landowners and hunters.