This commentary is by Bob Galvin of Richmond, the Vermont state director for the nonprofits Animal Wellness Action and Center for a Humane Economy.
In our picturesque state of Vermont, where rolling green hills and pristine wilderness define the landscape, there exists a growing divide that threatens to undermine the very essence of its natural beauty.
The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board and department, responsible for managing the state’s wildlife, are facing increasing scrutiny for their bias toward consumptive wildlife interests (hunters, anglers, trappers) that leaves nonconsumptive wildlife advocates feeling marginalized and ignored.
The board has 14 members — one for each county — handpicked by the governor and serving a six-year term. Every board member is a hunter, trapper, and/or angler. There is not a single nonconsumptive wildlife advocate on the board.
This is a problem because Vermont law explicitly states that the fish and wildlife within the state’s borders are a resource for all citizens, not just consumptive users.
Vermont law states that “As provided by Chapter II, § 67 of the Constitution of the State of Vermont, the fish and wildlife of Vermont are held in trust by the State for the benefit of the citizens of Vermont and shall not be reduced to private ownership.”
However, both the Fish and Wildlife Board and the department make regulations that significantly favor hunters, trappers and anglers while giving lip service to the public who want greater protections for wildlife.
Nonconsumptive wildlife activities include birdwatching, wildlife photography, hiking and canoeing, and it is precisely these sorts of nature-based recreational activities that draw hundreds of thousands of people to the state and millions of dollars into our local economies.
Shouldn’t those nonconsumptive wildlife advocates also have a say in how many animals, like otters, bears and bobcats, are killed in our state, or whether they are killed at all?
Wildlife advocates have acted in good faith on wildlife issues like trapping, bear hounding, and the open killing season on coyotes, and have tried to work within the confines of the current decision-making paradigm. Leading animal advocacy organizations — including Protect Our Wildlife, Vermont Wildlife Coalition, Animal Wellness Action, and Green Mountain Animal Defenders — have made numerous recommendations to the Fish and Wildlife Board and department, such as prohibiting the bludgeoning of trapped animals, stopping the open killing season on coyotes, and requiring hounds that are in pursuit of wildlife to be under the direct control of the hunter, and were stonewalled at best.
Wildlife advocates were even recently publicly mocked by one board member who referred to advocates as “bunnyhuggers.” Frequently, emails go unanswered, leaving the public frustrated and with nowhere to turn.
What I found especially concerning is that recently, the Fish & Wildlife Department attempted to redefine “trapping” in the statutory language to mean “to hunt” without ever discussing this change in any of the meetings or communicating this change to the public. The current statutory definition of trapping does not include the word “hunt,” and none of our neighboring states include any statutory language explicitly defining trapping as hunting.
This substantive change in the definition of “trapping” was not discussed in any of the Fish and Wildlife Board meetings since I started attending them in February. The definition change was not discussed at the three public comment hearings I attended, and wildlife advocates who attended working group meetings on this issue last year also say that this matter was never discussed.
Transparency and public engagement are cornerstones of democratic governance, but I have not seen these principles exercised by the Fish and Wildlife Board and department. This not only undermines their credibility but also erodes trust in the democratic institutions that are meant to serve the interests of all Vermont residents.
If the Fish and Wildlife Board and department will not make meaningful strides to operate in a more fair and balanced manner that represents the diverse interests of all Vermonters, it is incumbent on wildlife advocates to take their concerns to the Legislature. If your legislators are not acting, then consider running for office next year or voting for candidates who make wildlife protection a priority.
And let’s not let Gov. Scott off the hook. He is well aware of the undemocratic manner in which Fish & Wildlife operates, yet continues to appoint board members whose values do not align with the larger Vermont public.
