A Candid Interview With The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Commissioner
Gary Moore
February 26, 2026
Vermont Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Jason Batchelder appeared on my show on WYKR last Thursday and listeners heard a very candid discussion about issues involving Fish and Wildlife and learned a lot about the man who is now the Commissioner.
We learned that he was born in Pointe-Claire, Quebec, near Montreal and moved with his parents to Derby when he was very young. He went to nursery school in Stanstead, Quebec and graduated from North Country High School in Newport.
Much of his free time was spent wandering the woods and hunting and fishing.
As a youth he spent a lot of time in the Woodsville, NH area where his mother grew up and his grandfather, Ezra Mann, owned the drug store.
After high school, Jason joined the Coast Guard. Following his service, he enrolled in the University of Southern Maine where he studied French.
He has only been Commissioner for a year but his involvement with Fish and Wildlife goes way back to his time serving as a natural resource instructor at the Kehoe Conservation Camp and also as a Deputy Warden in the Derby area.
Jason became a full time Warden in 2004 and has been stationed in Wilmington, Barre, Norwich, Eden, and St. Johnsbury. The later was as the district supervisor after being promoted to Lieutenant. He was promoted to Chief Warden in 2014 and worked out of headquarters in Montpelier. After retiring, he became a stay at home Dad for a year which he found very satisfying.
He returned to work in 2023 and served as Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation. Two years later the position at Fish and Wildlife came open and he was appointed, returning to the Department he loved.
He lives in Elmore with his wife and three children in a house they built eleven years ago.
It is clear that he knows this region of the state very well as much of his life has been spent here.
The legislature is in session and he spends a lot of time there answering questions and testifying to the various committees.
One of the hot topics currently is posting of land. The department had floated the idea that land be posted January 1 for the ensuing year. It got a lot of pushback even though it was a suggestion, not a change in law. He said his position is that the, “The best choice is to post any day they want.”
There are four bills in the legislature dealing with posting of land. One would not require signs, only purple paint marking the boundaries. That bill is not supported by the Department.
Jason emphasized the need to respect private land and the landowners.
The proposal to return mountain lions pushed by the group, Mighty Earth,
certainly is getting a lot of discussion. The Department wrote an op-ed and sent it to the state’s media explaining its position on the controversial proposal.
Jason pointed out than any re-introduction would affect the region including New England, New York and Quebec as the apex predators would not abide by state boundaries.
He said, “We want to be on the right side of history.” The question is, “Is it responsible?”
He added, “If they belong here, they will make their way back on their own.”
Another topic getting a lot of discussion is the proposal for a license to use F&W lands, they call an Area License. There is a lot of misinformation about the proposal. He pointed out that it no longer involves lands owned by Fish and Wildlife, only boat accesses. A motorboat registration, or a hunting, fishing or trapping license would exempt you from needing the license.
Sportsmen have long complained that they paid to purchase and maintain the boat launches through license fees and excise taxes on sporting goods while others who launch canoes, kayaks and sail boats pay nothing.
The Department is advocating for funding in the Governor’s budget for two in-depth studies.
One study currently underway to compare Vermont to ten other states, including New Hampshire, to see if Fish and Wildlife is doing things right is a priority.
Another would look at the hatchery’s to see if anything should be done differently to increase efficiency.
The Commissioner pointed out that the Department budget is $31 million which means he is running a very lean operation.
He announced that on Saturday, April 18, in Pawlet, a celebration will be held and a plaque to commemorate the re-introduction of the wild turkey to Vermont will be held.
“Our greatest success story” he proudly exclaimed.
In closing our interview Jason said, “I just want to thank everyone who supports us.”
Rev. George L. Fox Memorial Chapel
We had planned to attend the dedication of the Rev. George L. Fox Memorial Chapel in Gilman on Saturday, February 7. Unfortunately, Linda had to go to DHMC to have her chemo pump removed rather than have it done at NVRH as she has over the past seven months. We could not be in Lebanon and Gilman, some 90 miles apart, at the same time.
Disappointed, we arranged to visit this past Saturday when the Chapel board was meeting. We were given a tour by Rev. Fox’s granddaughter, Lisa Hirbour.
I wrote about our visit to the Chapel last fall when the museum was still in the planning stages. It is now nearly complete with displays chronologically depicting the life and service of Rev. Fox, one of “The Four Chaplains” who had given up their life vests and their lives so others could live when their ship was sunk during WWII. It also honors his wife Isadore who was also a Methodist minister who continued his legacy of service after his death.
In addition to the church in Gilman, Fox also served the church in East Concord where there is a Vermont State historical maker honoring him. He served in many churches around Vermont including in Waits River, West Topsham and Thetford.
I urge you to check out the website, https://revfoxmemorialchapel.org/ and schedule a visit to learn more about Rev. George L. Fox, “The Four Chaplains” and Vermont’s connection to the historic event.
Lisa Hirbour told me, “We are providing tours by appointment only at this time but are flexible. People should reach out to glfox.memorialchapel@gmail.com to book. We hope to have more regular hours soon.”
Bits and Pieces
The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department has proposed issuing 85 moose hunting permits in Wildlife Management Unit E in the northeastern corner of the state in a continued effort to reduce the impact of winter ticks on moose in that area. This is a reduction from the 180 permits approved by the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board in 2023, 2024 and 2025. No permits are recommended for the rest of the state.
The department plans to issue 60 either-sex moose hunting permits and 20 antlerless moose permits for the moose seasons this October. This is expected to result in a harvest of about 42 moose, or about 6 percent of the moose population in WMU-E.
The 2026 Moose Harvest Recommendation is available on Vermont Fish and Wildlife’s website. From the Home page, click on Hunt and then Moose. Comments may be provided until March 31 by emailing ANR.FWPublicComment@vermont.gov.
***
Public hearings on the status of migratory game bird populations and proposed 2026 migratory game bird hunting seasons for the interior zone of Vermont and Lake Champlain zone in New York and Vermont will be held Tuesday, March 10 and Thursday, March 12.
The annual Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board informational hearings will be held from 6:30 to 9 p.m. on March 10 and March 12. Information to attend the hearings is as follows:
Tuesday, March 10, (in person only) Senior Citizens building at the Whitehall Recreation Center, 28 Williams Street, Whitehall, New York 12887
Thursday, March 12, (in person only) Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, 111 West Street, Essex Junction, Vermont.
The proposed 2026 Migratory Game Bird Seasons are available on Vermont Fish and Wildlife’s website by typing “Board Rules” in the search window. A video explaining the proposal will be available on the website after the hearings. Comments may be provided until March 31 by emailing ANR.FWPublicComment@vermont.gov.
***
The New Hampshire Outdoor Expo will be Friday–Sunday, March 6–8 at the Hampshire Dome, 34 Emerson Road, Milford, NH.
See the latest innovations in freshwater and saltwater fishing, hunting, camping, kayaking, and boating. Try out the best gear, talk to top manufacturers and guides, and learn from world-class industry professionals.
Stop by the NH Fish and Game Department booth to talk about fishing at your favorite Granite State waterbodies. To learn more visit www.nhoutdoorexpo.com.
***
Registration is open for summer youth programs at Barry Conservation Camp in Berlin. The camp offers weekly, overnight summer camp programs for boys and girls, ages 8–17. Barry Camp is operated by UNH Cooperative Extension 4-H in partnership with the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. Kids who enjoy hands-on learning about outdoor skills and the environment will love Barry Camp.
To learn more about Barry Conservation Camp, or to register, visit www.wildlife.nh.gov/education/barry-conservation-camp.
***
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s Marine Division is inviting anglers to participate in their annual monitoring efforts through the Striped Bass Angler Survey. Participating volunteer anglers complete logbooks, which provide the Marine Division with information about their fishing trips. The volunteer angler surveys help the Department gather length data on catch-and-release fish that cannot be obtained through annual creel surveys.
If you are interested in participating in the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s Striped Bass Volunteer Angler Survey, please visit https://forms.office.com/g/gzFvP5Y9yc or contact Emerald Wright at 603-868-1095 or via email at Emerald.Wright@wildlife.nh.gov.
***
Mark Breen reports in the Fairbanks Museum's Skywatch Almanac that on February 28, 2015: “Only February in St. Johnsbury, VT that remained entirely below freezing.”
And we though this month was cold.
Mark also provided the February Records and Averages
Warmest: 31.3°F/1981 Coldest: 6.1°F/1934
Wettest: 4.93”/1981 Snowiest: 60.5”/1969
Parting Shots
I wrote about a scholarship for youths to attend Buck Lake Conservation Camp that honors Brendan and Dorothy Whittaker as a lead for this column.
The press release from the Northeast Wilderness Trust included the following.
“But Whittaker would like the scholarship to elevate more than just him and his professional accomplishments. ‘None of these achievements were solely my own,’ he said. ‘They were all done by wonderfully dedicated staff.’ He expressed a wish that the dedication and service of
Edward Kehoe and Gary Moore, both former commissioners of Vermont Fish and Wildlife (then known as “Fish and Game”), are also honored by the scholarship.”
I was very surprised but deeply appreciative that Brendan named me.
***
As I write this Saturday morning I am looking out my office window and it is a beautiful scene. About eight inches of fresh snow is awaiting my shoveling and plowing. I taught area firefighters in Barre last night and had the slowest trip home I can remember.
The road in Barre City, Route 302 to Orange and Route 25 to Bradford had not been plowed.
Syndicated columnist Gary W. Moore may be reached by e-mail at gwmoore1946@icloud.com or at Box 454, Bradford, VT 05033.
copyright 2026 Gary W. Moore
We learned that he was born in Pointe-Claire, Quebec, near Montreal and moved with his parents to Derby when he was very young. He went to nursery school in Stanstead, Quebec and graduated from North Country High School in Newport.
Much of his free time was spent wandering the woods and hunting and fishing.
As a youth he spent a lot of time in the Woodsville, NH area where his mother grew up and his grandfather, Ezra Mann, owned the drug store.
After high school, Jason joined the Coast Guard. Following his service, he enrolled in the University of Southern Maine where he studied French.
He has only been Commissioner for a year but his involvement with Fish and Wildlife goes way back to his time serving as a natural resource instructor at the Kehoe Conservation Camp and also as a Deputy Warden in the Derby area.
Jason became a full time Warden in 2004 and has been stationed in Wilmington, Barre, Norwich, Eden, and St. Johnsbury. The later was as the district supervisor after being promoted to Lieutenant. He was promoted to Chief Warden in 2014 and worked out of headquarters in Montpelier. After retiring, he became a stay at home Dad for a year which he found very satisfying.
He returned to work in 2023 and served as Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation. Two years later the position at Fish and Wildlife came open and he was appointed, returning to the Department he loved.
He lives in Elmore with his wife and three children in a house they built eleven years ago.
It is clear that he knows this region of the state very well as much of his life has been spent here.
The legislature is in session and he spends a lot of time there answering questions and testifying to the various committees.
One of the hot topics currently is posting of land. The department had floated the idea that land be posted January 1 for the ensuing year. It got a lot of pushback even though it was a suggestion, not a change in law. He said his position is that the, “The best choice is to post any day they want.”
There are four bills in the legislature dealing with posting of land. One would not require signs, only purple paint marking the boundaries. That bill is not supported by the Department.
Jason emphasized the need to respect private land and the landowners.
The proposal to return mountain lions pushed by the group, Mighty Earth,
certainly is getting a lot of discussion. The Department wrote an op-ed and sent it to the state’s media explaining its position on the controversial proposal.
Jason pointed out than any re-introduction would affect the region including New England, New York and Quebec as the apex predators would not abide by state boundaries.
He said, “We want to be on the right side of history.” The question is, “Is it responsible?”
He added, “If they belong here, they will make their way back on their own.”
Another topic getting a lot of discussion is the proposal for a license to use F&W lands, they call an Area License. There is a lot of misinformation about the proposal. He pointed out that it no longer involves lands owned by Fish and Wildlife, only boat accesses. A motorboat registration, or a hunting, fishing or trapping license would exempt you from needing the license.
Sportsmen have long complained that they paid to purchase and maintain the boat launches through license fees and excise taxes on sporting goods while others who launch canoes, kayaks and sail boats pay nothing.
The Department is advocating for funding in the Governor’s budget for two in-depth studies.
One study currently underway to compare Vermont to ten other states, including New Hampshire, to see if Fish and Wildlife is doing things right is a priority.
Another would look at the hatchery’s to see if anything should be done differently to increase efficiency.
The Commissioner pointed out that the Department budget is $31 million which means he is running a very lean operation.
He announced that on Saturday, April 18, in Pawlet, a celebration will be held and a plaque to commemorate the re-introduction of the wild turkey to Vermont will be held.
“Our greatest success story” he proudly exclaimed.
In closing our interview Jason said, “I just want to thank everyone who supports us.”
Rev. George L. Fox Memorial Chapel
We had planned to attend the dedication of the Rev. George L. Fox Memorial Chapel in Gilman on Saturday, February 7. Unfortunately, Linda had to go to DHMC to have her chemo pump removed rather than have it done at NVRH as she has over the past seven months. We could not be in Lebanon and Gilman, some 90 miles apart, at the same time.
Disappointed, we arranged to visit this past Saturday when the Chapel board was meeting. We were given a tour by Rev. Fox’s granddaughter, Lisa Hirbour.
I wrote about our visit to the Chapel last fall when the museum was still in the planning stages. It is now nearly complete with displays chronologically depicting the life and service of Rev. Fox, one of “The Four Chaplains” who had given up their life vests and their lives so others could live when their ship was sunk during WWII. It also honors his wife Isadore who was also a Methodist minister who continued his legacy of service after his death.
In addition to the church in Gilman, Fox also served the church in East Concord where there is a Vermont State historical maker honoring him. He served in many churches around Vermont including in Waits River, West Topsham and Thetford.
I urge you to check out the website, https://revfoxmemorialchapel.org/ and schedule a visit to learn more about Rev. George L. Fox, “The Four Chaplains” and Vermont’s connection to the historic event.
Lisa Hirbour told me, “We are providing tours by appointment only at this time but are flexible. People should reach out to glfox.memorialchapel@gmail.com to book. We hope to have more regular hours soon.”
Bits and Pieces
The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department has proposed issuing 85 moose hunting permits in Wildlife Management Unit E in the northeastern corner of the state in a continued effort to reduce the impact of winter ticks on moose in that area. This is a reduction from the 180 permits approved by the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board in 2023, 2024 and 2025. No permits are recommended for the rest of the state.
The department plans to issue 60 either-sex moose hunting permits and 20 antlerless moose permits for the moose seasons this October. This is expected to result in a harvest of about 42 moose, or about 6 percent of the moose population in WMU-E.
The 2026 Moose Harvest Recommendation is available on Vermont Fish and Wildlife’s website. From the Home page, click on Hunt and then Moose. Comments may be provided until March 31 by emailing ANR.FWPublicComment@vermont.gov.
***
Public hearings on the status of migratory game bird populations and proposed 2026 migratory game bird hunting seasons for the interior zone of Vermont and Lake Champlain zone in New York and Vermont will be held Tuesday, March 10 and Thursday, March 12.
The annual Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board informational hearings will be held from 6:30 to 9 p.m. on March 10 and March 12. Information to attend the hearings is as follows:
Tuesday, March 10, (in person only) Senior Citizens building at the Whitehall Recreation Center, 28 Williams Street, Whitehall, New York 12887
Thursday, March 12, (in person only) Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, 111 West Street, Essex Junction, Vermont.
The proposed 2026 Migratory Game Bird Seasons are available on Vermont Fish and Wildlife’s website by typing “Board Rules” in the search window. A video explaining the proposal will be available on the website after the hearings. Comments may be provided until March 31 by emailing ANR.FWPublicComment@vermont.gov.
***
The New Hampshire Outdoor Expo will be Friday–Sunday, March 6–8 at the Hampshire Dome, 34 Emerson Road, Milford, NH.
See the latest innovations in freshwater and saltwater fishing, hunting, camping, kayaking, and boating. Try out the best gear, talk to top manufacturers and guides, and learn from world-class industry professionals.
Stop by the NH Fish and Game Department booth to talk about fishing at your favorite Granite State waterbodies. To learn more visit www.nhoutdoorexpo.com.
***
Registration is open for summer youth programs at Barry Conservation Camp in Berlin. The camp offers weekly, overnight summer camp programs for boys and girls, ages 8–17. Barry Camp is operated by UNH Cooperative Extension 4-H in partnership with the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. Kids who enjoy hands-on learning about outdoor skills and the environment will love Barry Camp.
To learn more about Barry Conservation Camp, or to register, visit www.wildlife.nh.gov/education/barry-conservation-camp.
***
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s Marine Division is inviting anglers to participate in their annual monitoring efforts through the Striped Bass Angler Survey. Participating volunteer anglers complete logbooks, which provide the Marine Division with information about their fishing trips. The volunteer angler surveys help the Department gather length data on catch-and-release fish that cannot be obtained through annual creel surveys.
If you are interested in participating in the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s Striped Bass Volunteer Angler Survey, please visit https://forms.office.com/g/gzFvP5Y9yc or contact Emerald Wright at 603-868-1095 or via email at Emerald.Wright@wildlife.nh.gov.
***
Mark Breen reports in the Fairbanks Museum's Skywatch Almanac that on February 28, 2015: “Only February in St. Johnsbury, VT that remained entirely below freezing.”
And we though this month was cold.
Mark also provided the February Records and Averages
Warmest: 31.3°F/1981 Coldest: 6.1°F/1934
Wettest: 4.93”/1981 Snowiest: 60.5”/1969
Parting Shots
I wrote about a scholarship for youths to attend Buck Lake Conservation Camp that honors Brendan and Dorothy Whittaker as a lead for this column.
The press release from the Northeast Wilderness Trust included the following.
“But Whittaker would like the scholarship to elevate more than just him and his professional accomplishments. ‘None of these achievements were solely my own,’ he said. ‘They were all done by wonderfully dedicated staff.’ He expressed a wish that the dedication and service of
Edward Kehoe and Gary Moore, both former commissioners of Vermont Fish and Wildlife (then known as “Fish and Game”), are also honored by the scholarship.”
I was very surprised but deeply appreciative that Brendan named me.
***
As I write this Saturday morning I am looking out my office window and it is a beautiful scene. About eight inches of fresh snow is awaiting my shoveling and plowing. I taught area firefighters in Barre last night and had the slowest trip home I can remember.
The road in Barre City, Route 302 to Orange and Route 25 to Bradford had not been plowed.
Syndicated columnist Gary W. Moore may be reached by e-mail at gwmoore1946@icloud.com or at Box 454, Bradford, VT 05033.
copyright 2026 Gary W. Moore
Gary and Linda Moore and Lisa Hirbour in front of a photo of Rev. George L. Fox
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