Following another year of declining hunting license sales, state officials joined area residents Thursday in Barre to discuss the economic contributions of the sport.Vermont has seen an overall decline in the number of hunting licenses sold and, in turn, fewer people participating in the sport. This year, the state has been promoting new programs aimed at educating Vermonters on the sport and getting younger residents involved.Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Louis Porter said Vermont's decline in license sales has been consistent but reflects a larger trend."We're losing a couple percent a year, steadily," Porter said. "That's true across the country and we started with a relatively high baseline, but that adds up."Gov. Phil Scott echoed the importance of getting more people enrolled."Vermont has a rich history of hunting and angling, extending back before we were even a state," he said. "I know we'd benefit if more people took part in this sport."Hunting, fishing and boating currently rank second in the state's outdoor recreation economy. Winter snow sports ranked first, generating more than 40% of Vermont's recreation revenue in 2017.

Following another year of declining hunting license sales, state officials joined area residents Thursday in Barre to discuss the economic contributions of the sport.



Vermont has seen an overall decline in the number of hunting licenses sold and, in turn, fewer people participating in the sport. This year, the state has been promoting new programs aimed at educating Vermonters on the sport and getting younger residents involved.




Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Louis Porter said Vermont's decline in license sales has been consistent but reflects a larger trend.



"We're losing a couple percent a year, steadily," Porter said. "That's true across the country and we started with a relatively high baseline, but that adds up."



Gov. Phil Scott echoed the importance of getting more people enrolled.



"Vermont has a rich history of hunting and angling, extending back before we were even a state," he said. "I know we'd benefit if more people took part in this sport."



Hunting, fishing and boating currently rank second in the state's outdoor recreation economy. Winter snow sports ranked first, generating more than 40% of Vermont's recreation revenue in 2017.