Environment (Wildlife)

This bill prohibits using bait to hunt fur-bearing animals (such as raccoons or foxes) with guns, bows, or crossbows. It defines "bait" broadly as any animal, vegetable, or mineral matter placed to attract wildlife, excluding standard farm produce used in regular agriculture. Violations will now carry 10 penalty points instead of 5 under Vermont's hunting regulations. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

H 513 proposes to transfer specific land parcels associated with the Southeast State Correctional Facility. It requires the land outside the facility's fence, excluding the existing solar energy facility, to be transferred to the Department of Fish and Wildlife. This transferred land would then be incorporated into the Windsor Grasslands Wildlife Management Area. Additionally, the bill mandates that a remote building located within the facility's fence be reserved for future use as a nature center.

This bill requires Vermont's Department of Fish and Wildlife to conduct a feasibility study on reintroducing catamounts (cougars) into the state. The study must address suitable locations, conflict management with humans, success metrics, a timeline, and costs for reintroduction. The department must submit the study results to relevant legislative committees by January 1, 2027. The bill directly affects the state wildlife agency and sets a process for evaluating future reintroduction efforts, but does not authorize actual reintroduction.