Signs of spring and some timely reminders

March, 26, 2021 | By Lisa Scagliotti 

Luckily there's a paved road to get to Stowe from Waterbury. Stowe Hollow Road near the town line is in prime mud season condition looking north to the trails at the mountain. Photo by Gordon Miller 

A skier chases one (last?) ski at Dac Rowe park last weekend as sunshine took its toll on the popular groomed course. Photo by Gordon Miller

Geese head north against the crescent moon. Photo by Gordon Miller

Canada geese head north. Photo by Gordon Miller

A dog and their human head to the Waterbury Unleashed Dog Park. Photo by Gordon Miller

Henry Woodard boiling in the sugarhouse at the Woodard Farm in Waterbury Center. Sugarmakers across Vermont are boiling in backyards, forests and farms as warm days and cool nights usher in prime conditions for maple producers. Photo courtesy Sarah-Lee Terrat

At the Blush Hill boat launch on the Waterbury Reservoir last weekend, Bert Green (right) helps Wade Woodard (left) get his ice shanty in for the season. Photoby Gordon Miller

Kids break out their two-wheelers in Waterbury village in bright sunshine recently. Photo by Gordon Miller

It’s that time of year. Or at least the calendar and the melting-freezing backroads say it is. Most of us know not to be fooled because Mother Nature likely has at least one good blast of winter left before your mechanic will agree to swap out your winter tires. 

If you look closely, you’ll see trails of wood smoke wafting into the air around the hillsides as backyard sugarmakers get into full swing. The warm days and cool nights have sap running and have ushered in some remarkable spring skiing conditions on the mountains recently. 

So as March winds down, here are some reminders to pass along.   

Ice fishing ends

It’s a short season and it’s come to an end. This Sunday is the deadline by which Vermont state law requires ice fishing shanties to be removed from the ice. 

Technically, they must be removed before the ice becomes unsafe or loses its ability to support the shanty, or by the last Sunday in March -- whichever comes first. Regardless, Sunday, March 28, is it. 

“All contents, debris, wood, and supports must also be removed so they do not become a hazard to navigation in the spring,” the Department of Fish & Wildlife reminder explains. 

The fine for leaving an ice fishing shanty on the ice can be $1,000. Shanties also must not be left at a state fishing access area. 

Birds and bears

While we’re passing along reminders from Fish & Wildlife, here’s another: Get your birdfeeders empty and in because the bears are waking up. 

Warm temps and melting snow get bears stirring and venturing out of their winter dens hungry. The department recommends taking down bird feeders by April 1 to avoid attracting bears.

“We are already receiving our first bear reports, and the warmer temperatures predicted now will stimulate more bears to emerge from their dens to seek any food sources they can smell,” said Forrest Hammond, Vermont’s bear biologist.

“Bears are very fond of suet and birdseed, especially black oil sunflower seed, which they can smell from a long distance. Bringing feeders in at night doesn’t work, because bears will still feed on seed that is spilled on the ground.”

Indeed, in a Front Porch Forum post this week, Jeff Kilgore noted bears on Ripley Road near Miller Lane as “nocturnal, hungry, and curious.”

In addition to the bird food, bears will seek out other snacks so it’s important to secure pet food, barbecue grills, household trash containers, open dumpsters, etc. Wildlife experts recommend keeping chickens and honeybees secure within an electric fence or other bear-proof enclosure. Composting can also be done without causing odors that attract wildlife.

A page titled “Living with Black Bears” on the Fish & Wildlife website has links with articles offering tips on all of those things along with a form to incidents involving bruins. Find all of that online at vtfishandwildlife.com/learn-more/living-with-wildlife/living-with-black-bears. 

Dog licenses

 April 1 is the annual deadline to get your dog licenses renewed. Town Clerk Carla Lawrence reminds pet owners that they can do so by mail or using the drop box at the main entrance of the municipal offices since the offices are closed to walk-in traffic. Before April 1, fees are $11 for a neutered/spayed canine, $15 otherwise. After April 1 the cost increases to $13/$19 respectively. Details are online at waterburyvt.com/departments/clerk/dogs.

Lawrence also reminds people of the town Animal Control Ordinance that requires dogs to be on leash unless they’re at the enclosed dog park. The ordinance is on the town clerk section of the town website under animal control: waterburyvt.com/departments/clerk/animals. 

Finally, the part-time position of Waterbury Animal Control Officer is still vacant. Details on the position’s responsibilities, compensation ($450 per month), and how to apply can be found on the town website’s home page in an entry dated Sept. 10, 2020. waterburyvt.com/news/item/post/animal-control-officer-position.

For questions on any of these canine-related items, contact the town clerk’s office at 244-8447 or email clawrence@waterburyvt.com.