Hunting groups are suing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over new restrictions on hunting with dogs in the Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge, which spans several eastern Vermont counties.
The groups, which include the Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation, the Vermont Traditions Coalition, Vermont Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs and the Vermont Bearhound Association, claim that Fish and Wildlife did not provide an adequate opportunity for public comment before imposing the new rules.
In a plan finalized in August 2021, the agency shortened the length of time that hunters can train their dogs in the wildlife refuge, according to the suit, banning the activity in June and July to protect ground nesting birds.
“Quite frankly, sports people were somewhat blindsided about new rules being promulgated that they had no input on,” said Chris Bradley, president of the Vermont Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs. “Honestly, I would like to think there’s nothing sinister here other than a fairly major procedural oversight by the Fish and Wildlife department.”
The Service’s plan also banned hunting with dogs entirely on Putney Mountain in Windham County, which is part of the refuge, unless hunters are pursuing grouse. The refuge covers the Connecticut River watershed and includes parts of New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Connecticut.
Keith Shannon, acting chief of public affairs for the Northeast Region of U.S. Fish and Wildlife, declined to comment, citing the litigation.
The hunting groups filed the suit on Wednesday in the United States District Court of Vermont.
Brenna Galdenzi, president of Vermont wildlife advocacy group Protect Our Wildlife, said a public comment period took place for the plan. Her organization submitted comments, she said, and solicited comments from other members of the public at the time.
According to the lawsuit, the Service did not detail the relevant restrictions in the plan offered for public comment.
“U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services should be spending all of their time and resources protecting our endangered and threatened species on these wildlife refuges, and instead, now, they’re forced with fighting this frivolous lawsuit that’s mired in special interests,” Galdenzi said.
Clarification: An earlier version of this story did not fully describe the area covered by the refuge.