Mountain Times - Vol. 50, Number 2, Jan. 13-19, 2021

Food Matters
The Mountain Times • Jan. 13-19, 2021 • 23
Courtesy of VT Fish & Wildlife
Hunters take 6,136 turkeys in Vermont in 2020
A preliminary report from Vermont Fish & Wildlife
shows that hunters brought home 6,136 wild turkeys
during 2020, including 627 turkeys taken during the
April youth weekend hunt, a total of 4,791 gobblers
taken during the regular spring season, and 718 birds
during the fall.
“Although 2020 will undoubtedly be remembered as
the year of many challenges, at least one thing remained
the same – Vermont hunters took to the woods to enjoy
some restorative time afield and were again rewarded for
their efforts,” said Vermont Fish & Wildlife turkey biologist
Chris Bernier. “Second only to 2010, a near record number
of turkey licenses were sold during 2020, resulting in
an impressive turkey harvest that closely tracked the average
harvest reported over the past 10 years.”
Hunter success rates remained high with 20% of
resident hunters taking birds during the spring hunt,
and 32% of those successful hunters taking a second
bearded bird. Youth hunters also enjoyed a remarkable
29% success rate during the April youth weekend
season.
“The 6,136 turkeys represent an estimated 140,000
servings of locally sourced, free-range, wild turkey meat
as well as countless memories and an enduring connection
to the land,” added Bernier.
Turkeys were hunted statewide and were harvested
in 241 of Vermont’s 255 towns. The northern Lake
Champlain Valley and the Connecticut River Valley
continued to be productive regions for turkey hunters
with the highest harvests again recorded in these
parts of the state.
“Vermont’s long history of careful and considerate
management of wild turkeys has positioned us to maximize
the benefits we all receive from this remarkable
bird. Beyond the simple enjoyment and sustenance
people get from watching and hunting wild turkeys,
these birds play a critical role in the environment as an
important prey item and influence the populations of
many other species.”
Conservation of wild turkey habitat continues to
play a key role in the health and vitality of their population.
Bernier notes that a patchwork of fields and forests
provide most of what a turkey needs to survive. He says
the efforts to protect and manage habitat by private
landowners and volunteer-based conservation groups
like the National Wild Turkey Federation help ensure
Vermont has a sustainable and abundant wild turkey
population for the future.
Everyone can help support conservation and good
habitat for wild turkeys and other wildlife on state Wildlife
Management Areas by purchasing the 2021 Vermont
Habitat Stamp at vtfishandwildlife.com.
Sherburne Memorial
hosts stuffed animal
sleepover and movies
By Mrs. Knipes, Youth Services Librarian
Friday, Jan. 15—KILLINGTON—Sherburne Memorial
Library will host a stuffed animal sleepover on
Friday, Jan. 15. They are encouraging everyone (both
kids and adults) to bring in a stuffed animal by 5:30 p.m.
that day. They will be tagged so they can return them to
their rightful owners the next day. Pictures of all of the
adventures will be posted that next day on the library
Facebook page and website. They usually turn out to be
hysterical, so they hope lots of folks will participate. It is
in celebration of the birthday of A.A. Milne, who wrote
“Winnie the Pooh.”
Also on that weekend, the library is offering family
movie night and matinee. Send an email to sherburnememorial@gmail.com
with the title of a movie you’d
like to check out. They’ll have it ready for you to pick up
either Friday, Jan. 15 at 5:30 p.m. or Saturday, Jan. 16 at 1
p.m. Along with the movie, they’ll give you a container
of freshly popped popcorn and candy to go with it. Just
return the movie when it’s due. Be sure to note in your
email which day works best for you...either the Friday
night or the Saturday matinee. The next family movie
night and matinee will be Jan. 22 and 23.
SW Vermont Medical Center
hosts online cooking party
Expert panel will feature recipes and tips
specifically for cancer survivors and families
Cooking and eating healthfully can be challenging,
especially if you are undergoing cancer treatment, recovering
from cancer, living with cancer, or living cancer-free.
That’s why SVMC has invited Registered Dietitian Kristin
Irace; Medical Oncologist Charlene Ives, MD; Executive
Chef Laura LaCroix; and Radiation Oncologist Matthew
Vernon, MD—to show cancer survivors and their families
how to increase the enjoyment of healthy meals.
A Cancer Survivors’ Cooking Party is free and open to
all. The event is scheduled for 4 p.m. on Wed., Jan. 13 via
Zoom online meeting software. Registrants will receive
the ingredient list and amounts, so they can prepare in advance
and cook throughout the presentation, if they like.
Register at svhealthcare.org/Classes-Events.
JONES
DONUTS
“Jones Donuts and Bakery is a
must stop if you reside or simply
come to visit Rutland. They have
been an institution in the community
and are simply the best.”
open wed. - sun. 5 to 12
closed mon. + tues.
23 West St, Rutland
802-773-7810
Come to our sugarhouse for
the best breakfast around!
After breakfast, check out
our gift shop for all your
souvenir, gift, and maple
syrup needs. We look
forward to your visit!
Dine-in or Take-out available.
Serving Breakfast & Lunch
7a.m. - 2p.m. daily
Check out our menu online!
Sugar & Spice Restaurant & Gift Shop
Rt. 4 Mendon, VT
802-773-7832 | www.vtsugarandspice.com