Jason Batchelder Is New Vermont Fish and Wildlife Commissioner
Gary Moore
July 17, 2025
Jason Batchelder Is New Vermont Fish and Wildlife Commissioner
Governor Scott announced two appointments last week that will impact hunting, fishing and the environment. Jason Batchelder will be Commissioner of the Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Misty Sinsigalli will be Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation.
Scott said, “Jason has served in state government in a variety of roles and has always been a strong leader and trusted member of my team. With his experience at the Department of Fish and Wildlife, I believe he’ll hit the ground running and serve Vermonters well as commissioner.”
Batchelder should be a great fit for Fish and Wildlife. He was a warden for many years and became the colonel in 2014, serving until he retired in 2022. He knows the issues and the players.
Most recently Batchelder served as Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation for nearly two years which, like Fish and Wildlife and Forest Parks and Recreation, is part of the Agency of Natural Resources.
He replaces interim Commissioner Andrea Shortsleeve. A resident of Elmore, Batchelder enjoys hunting and fishing of all kinds. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard and is a graduate of the University of Southern Maine. He and his wife Megan have three children.
Scott selected Misty Sinsigalli to replace Batchelder as Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation. She joins the department having previously worked as a disaster recovery lead for the water and environmental programs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development.
“Misty’s experience at the federal level, as well as her lived experience growing up in Vermont, will be important as we balance conservation with the housing we desperately need in the state,” Scott said.
Bits and Pieces
Tune in to WYKR 101.3 FM or 1100 AM on Thursday at 6 p.m. for The Outdoor Edge. My guest will be New Hampshire Fish and Game Conservation Officer Nick Masucci.
***
Vermont’s fish and wildlife summer course for educators will be held July 20-25 this year at the Buck Lake Conservation Camp in Woodbury, and there is still room for a few more participants.
Tuition is $710 for the course. Three graduate level credits through Vermont State University, books, food and overnight facilities are included. A limited number of partial scholarships are available.
A course description, schedule of activities and registration information are available by email from Alison.Thomas@vermont.gov
Buck Lake Conservation Camp is located east of Route 14, north of Woodbury Village.
***
The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department reminds hunters that muzzleloader season antlerless deer permit applications are available on its website until Thursday, July 31.
The muzzleloader seasons on October 30-November 2 and December 6-14 will have antlerless permits available for 19 of Vermont’s 21 Wildlife Management Units.
Landowners who post their land may not apply for a landowner priority muzzleloader antlerless deer permit. They are eligible to apply in the regular lottery for an antlerless deer permit.
“Our goal is to balance deer numbers with what the habitat can support,” said Nick Fortin, deer and moose project leader for the Fish and Wildlife Department. “To maintain a healthy and sustainable deer population, the 2025 recommendation aims to stabilize deer numbers in much of the state while reducing deer numbers in some areas.”
A lottery drawing of the permit recipients will be held September 9.
***
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is holding an Introduction to Wing Shooting Class on Saturday, August 9, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Owl Brook Hunter Education Center in Holderness. It is offered free of charge.
For those interested in becoming waterfowl or upland bird hunters, this event will provide new wing shooters with an overview of how to target birds on the fly. Attendees will learn about shotguns, chokes, shooting techniques, and ammunition in the classroom, and then venture to the shotgun range where they will apply their new skills practicing various shot types with clay targets in motion.
Pre-registration is required and will be conducted on a first-come, first-served basis. Register now by visiting Events | New<> Hampshire Fish and Game. Firearms and ammunition will be provided, including all necessary safety items.
For more information about this class, contact Tom Flynn or Eric Geib at the Owl Brook Hunter Education Center at 603-536-1290.
***
The fall Coverts Cooperator Training will be held Friday, September 12- Sunday, September 14 at the Kehoe Conservation Camp in Castleton.
If you love your woodlands, enjoy seeing wildlife and want to learn how a healthy forest can enhance wildlife habitat, provide recreational and timber benefits this program is for you. Learn about forest ecology, wildlife history and managing your woodlands. The program connects you with resource professionals, landowners and others while learning how you can steward your woodlands. To learn more, apply online, see a sample agenda or download an application visit the website at vtcoverts.org or contact Lisa Sausville at lisa@vtcoverts.org.
I attended in 1998 and can attest how valuable the course was.
The course is filling up fast so don’t wait.
***
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department reminds residents and visitors that wild animals should be left alone, with one reason being the potential for the transfer of rabies or other animal diseases that could have serious health impacts on people. Last week Fish and Game’s Law Enforcement Division was notified of a person in the state who became ill after being bitten by a racoon kept as a pet. Removing wildlife from its habitat for any purpose is illegal in New Hampshire. Residents and visitors are encouraged to leave wildlife alone, touching or feeding animals can have serious consequences for animals and people alike.
If you are bitten or scratched by a wild animal, contact your health care professional immediately about possible exposure treatment. Rabies can be treated if caught early.
Anyone with questions about rabies can call the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Infectious Disease Control at 603-271-4496. To read more about rabies and wild animals, visit https://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/wildlife/diseases.html
***
Mark Breen reports in the Fairbanks Museum's Skywatch Almanac that July 15, “It is ‘St. Swithin’s Day’ - unofficially the Patron Saint of weather people due to the weather saying associated with him - ‘If it rains on St. Swithin’s Day, it will rain 40 days more.’”
July 18, 1953: “A blistering heat wave pushed thermometers over the 100-degree mark, including 102°F in Bellows Falls, VT.”
Parting Shots
Linda and I went to East Ryegate last week to attend the talk sponsored by the Ryegate Historical Society on the History of New England Postcards.
Kevin Johnson of the Penobscot Marine Museum presented a most informative program about the history of post cards, which he illustrated with cards depicting scenes in Ryegate and around Vermont as well as other places in New England.
Go to https://penobscotmarinemuseum.org/ to learn more about the museum’s collection of post cards. Then go to the digital museum and type in your town and be amazed at what you will see.
Among the Bradford items, were photos of the Bradford Inn that once dominated the south end of Main Street and what I knew as the Webbler Farm which my parents once owned that stood at what is now the entrance to Oxbow High School.
***
Saturday evening we went to the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Highland Center for Lynda Cohen Performing Arts Series concert featuring singer-songwriter Mark Erelli. To learn about future concerts which are free, go to visit www.outdoors.org/concerts.
***
Not all of the weekend was fun. Saturday, we went to Corinth for the committal service for my best friend who died a year ago this month. I was asked by the family to deliver the eulogy which was difficult but it did allow me to remember so many good times shared over 72 years. Tom and I became friends in 1952 when his family moved to Bradford and became our closest neighbors on Fairground Road. When he married in 1968, I was his best man and he mine in 1970.
Syndicated columnist Gary W. Moore may be reached by e-mail at gwmoore1946@icloud.com or at Box 454, Bradford, VT 05033.
copyright 2025 Gary W. Moore
Governor Scott announced two appointments last week that will impact hunting, fishing and the environment. Jason Batchelder will be Commissioner of the Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Misty Sinsigalli will be Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation.
Scott said, “Jason has served in state government in a variety of roles and has always been a strong leader and trusted member of my team. With his experience at the Department of Fish and Wildlife, I believe he’ll hit the ground running and serve Vermonters well as commissioner.”
Batchelder should be a great fit for Fish and Wildlife. He was a warden for many years and became the colonel in 2014, serving until he retired in 2022. He knows the issues and the players.
Most recently Batchelder served as Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation for nearly two years which, like Fish and Wildlife and Forest Parks and Recreation, is part of the Agency of Natural Resources.
He replaces interim Commissioner Andrea Shortsleeve. A resident of Elmore, Batchelder enjoys hunting and fishing of all kinds. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard and is a graduate of the University of Southern Maine. He and his wife Megan have three children.
Scott selected Misty Sinsigalli to replace Batchelder as Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation. She joins the department having previously worked as a disaster recovery lead for the water and environmental programs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development.
“Misty’s experience at the federal level, as well as her lived experience growing up in Vermont, will be important as we balance conservation with the housing we desperately need in the state,” Scott said.
Bits and Pieces
Tune in to WYKR 101.3 FM or 1100 AM on Thursday at 6 p.m. for The Outdoor Edge. My guest will be New Hampshire Fish and Game Conservation Officer Nick Masucci.
***
Vermont’s fish and wildlife summer course for educators will be held July 20-25 this year at the Buck Lake Conservation Camp in Woodbury, and there is still room for a few more participants.
Tuition is $710 for the course. Three graduate level credits through Vermont State University, books, food and overnight facilities are included. A limited number of partial scholarships are available.
A course description, schedule of activities and registration information are available by email from Alison.Thomas@vermont.gov
Buck Lake Conservation Camp is located east of Route 14, north of Woodbury Village.
***
The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department reminds hunters that muzzleloader season antlerless deer permit applications are available on its website until Thursday, July 31.
The muzzleloader seasons on October 30-November 2 and December 6-14 will have antlerless permits available for 19 of Vermont’s 21 Wildlife Management Units.
Landowners who post their land may not apply for a landowner priority muzzleloader antlerless deer permit. They are eligible to apply in the regular lottery for an antlerless deer permit.
“Our goal is to balance deer numbers with what the habitat can support,” said Nick Fortin, deer and moose project leader for the Fish and Wildlife Department. “To maintain a healthy and sustainable deer population, the 2025 recommendation aims to stabilize deer numbers in much of the state while reducing deer numbers in some areas.”
A lottery drawing of the permit recipients will be held September 9.
***
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is holding an Introduction to Wing Shooting Class on Saturday, August 9, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Owl Brook Hunter Education Center in Holderness. It is offered free of charge.
For those interested in becoming waterfowl or upland bird hunters, this event will provide new wing shooters with an overview of how to target birds on the fly. Attendees will learn about shotguns, chokes, shooting techniques, and ammunition in the classroom, and then venture to the shotgun range where they will apply their new skills practicing various shot types with clay targets in motion.
Pre-registration is required and will be conducted on a first-come, first-served basis. Register now by visiting Events | New<> Hampshire Fish and Game. Firearms and ammunition will be provided, including all necessary safety items.
For more information about this class, contact Tom Flynn or Eric Geib at the Owl Brook Hunter Education Center at 603-536-1290.
***
The fall Coverts Cooperator Training will be held Friday, September 12- Sunday, September 14 at the Kehoe Conservation Camp in Castleton.
If you love your woodlands, enjoy seeing wildlife and want to learn how a healthy forest can enhance wildlife habitat, provide recreational and timber benefits this program is for you. Learn about forest ecology, wildlife history and managing your woodlands. The program connects you with resource professionals, landowners and others while learning how you can steward your woodlands. To learn more, apply online, see a sample agenda or download an application visit the website at vtcoverts.org or contact Lisa Sausville at lisa@vtcoverts.org.
I attended in 1998 and can attest how valuable the course was.
The course is filling up fast so don’t wait.
***
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department reminds residents and visitors that wild animals should be left alone, with one reason being the potential for the transfer of rabies or other animal diseases that could have serious health impacts on people. Last week Fish and Game’s Law Enforcement Division was notified of a person in the state who became ill after being bitten by a racoon kept as a pet. Removing wildlife from its habitat for any purpose is illegal in New Hampshire. Residents and visitors are encouraged to leave wildlife alone, touching or feeding animals can have serious consequences for animals and people alike.
If you are bitten or scratched by a wild animal, contact your health care professional immediately about possible exposure treatment. Rabies can be treated if caught early.
Anyone with questions about rabies can call the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Infectious Disease Control at 603-271-4496. To read more about rabies and wild animals, visit https://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/wildlife/diseases.html
***
Mark Breen reports in the Fairbanks Museum's Skywatch Almanac that July 15, “It is ‘St. Swithin’s Day’ - unofficially the Patron Saint of weather people due to the weather saying associated with him - ‘If it rains on St. Swithin’s Day, it will rain 40 days more.’”
July 18, 1953: “A blistering heat wave pushed thermometers over the 100-degree mark, including 102°F in Bellows Falls, VT.”
Parting Shots
Linda and I went to East Ryegate last week to attend the talk sponsored by the Ryegate Historical Society on the History of New England Postcards.
Kevin Johnson of the Penobscot Marine Museum presented a most informative program about the history of post cards, which he illustrated with cards depicting scenes in Ryegate and around Vermont as well as other places in New England.
Go to https://penobscotmarinemuseum.org/ to learn more about the museum’s collection of post cards. Then go to the digital museum and type in your town and be amazed at what you will see.
Among the Bradford items, were photos of the Bradford Inn that once dominated the south end of Main Street and what I knew as the Webbler Farm which my parents once owned that stood at what is now the entrance to Oxbow High School.
***
Saturday evening we went to the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Highland Center for Lynda Cohen Performing Arts Series concert featuring singer-songwriter Mark Erelli. To learn about future concerts which are free, go to visit www.outdoors.org/concerts.
***
Not all of the weekend was fun. Saturday, we went to Corinth for the committal service for my best friend who died a year ago this month. I was asked by the family to deliver the eulogy which was difficult but it did allow me to remember so many good times shared over 72 years. Tom and I became friends in 1952 when his family moved to Bradford and became our closest neighbors on Fairground Road. When he married in 1968, I was his best man and he mine in 1970.
Syndicated columnist Gary W. Moore may be reached by e-mail at gwmoore1946@icloud.com or at Box 454, Bradford, VT 05033.
copyright 2025 Gary W. Moore
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