Vermont
New Vermont law bans sale of bear paws, organs
MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) – Bear hunting season starts Sunday and it comes with a reminder from Vermont Fish and Wildlife about new laws meant to discourage the re-selling of bear organs.
Officials say the sale of bear paws and internal organs is now prohibited. Bear meat can be sold in Vermont during the open hunting season and for 20 days after the season ends. But the meat cannot be bought or sold to be transferred out of the state.
“Vermont State Game Wardens have investigated cases where people from out of state have approached Vermont hunters to purchase bear paws and gallbladders which are valuable in Asian countries,” Vermont Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Christopher Herrick said in a statement. “Vermont was one of the few states that still allowed the sale of bear paws and gall bladders that are re-sold on the black market.”
The head and hide of legally hunted black bears can be sold at any time.
Click here for more on bear hunting and regulations from Vt. Fish and Wildlife.
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