Vermont has long been know for it’s fine trout and salmon fishing, and on Lake Champlain a growing number of anglers are now targeting a species that has historically been overlooked in New England. Channel Catfish are extremely popular in the south but only recently have anglers discovered that these large whiskered fish are also native to Lake Champlain. Ever since the Lake Champlain International fishing derby added catfish to its list of derby species, anglers have been weighing in giant catfish with increasing frequency. These strong bottom-feeding fish are stubborn fighters and real heavy weights and the long lovely lake of the north holds enough big cats to make any southern boy feel right at home.

Ever since 1999 when legendary fisherman Roland Martin won the first major professional bass fishing tournament on Lake Champlain, the big lake has been hooking pro bass anglers from across the country. Lake Champlain’s large size and abundant largemouth and smallmouth bass have made it a favorite destination on the world’s largest bass fishing tours. Even when the fishing’s tough Lake Champlain is still number one with many pros as we discovered when we went fishing with a North Carolina man whose success on Lake Champlain has made him a rising star on the FLW Outdoors tour.

What Baby Boomer doesn’t remember the childhood game of Wiffleball? This baseball variation still features the hard plastic bat, lightweight enough for even the very young. And who could forget the signature perforated hollow ball, which is capable of delivering a wide assortment of curveballs. Wiffleball is moving out of the backyard and into the competitive sports arena. And in Today’s game the fields and the rules are as varied as the players themselves.

Mention the word “rattlesnake” and the reaction you’ll get is either awe and fascination or fear and loathing. Timber rattlesnakes are listed as an endangered species in six of the 27 states that they inhabit from New Hampshire to northern Florida. Here in Vermont at the northern extent of their range a small population exists and is barely holding on after years of persecution. Today wildlife biologists, the Nature Conservancy and concerned volunteers are taking steps to ensure that timber rattlesnakes survive and thrive in Vermont.

Gray Squirrels can be found just about anywhere in the Northeast. In parks, around back yard bird feeders and campgrounds these little critters can appear pretty bold but in the hard woods squirrels are extremely skittish. Hunting gray squirrels can be extremely challenging but it’s a fun and exciting way to introduce youth hunters to the woods and develop proper gun handling habits.

Since its inception back in the fall of 2002, Dead Creek Wildlife Day has become an annual event held on the first Saturday in October. Activities include everything from decoy carving and building bluebird boxes to an owl walk and viewing snow geese during their fall migration. The event is a showcase for the Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area as well as a fun and exciting way to introduce the entire family to dozens of outdoor activities and wildlife exhibits.

A century ago Vermont had a very different landscape. Intensive logging and massive forest fires decimated our woodlands. But today, due to the creation of the National Forest Service as well as strict forest management practices, 78% of Vermont is now forested. One of the state’s natural gems is Groton State Forest. Within the parks 28,000 acres, lie six state parks and an abundance of recreational opportunities.

Almost everyone is familiar with wild edibles, such as berries and fiddleheads, yet our region is home to dozens of species of wild edibles that are far more flavorful and nutritious than what you could buy in your local grocery store. These plants are nature’s organics and can be found right in your own backyard. So join us as we embark on a foraging adventures and learn to identify the delicacies founding Nature’s larder.

The first record of banding birds in North America dates back to 1803 when John James Audubon tied silver cords to the legs of phoebes. This allowed him to identify two of the nestlings when they returned the following year. It wasn’t until 1902 when the first scientific system of banding began in North America. In the early 1900’s concerns over the declining numbers of waterfowl, passenger pigeons and over harvesting of egrets for their plumes resulted in an international agreement to manage migratory birds. Over the past century banding data has been a critical tool used to manage waterfowl. Banding birds requires capturing them and when it comes to waterfowl the most effective method is the use of rocket netting.