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Vermont to issue free hunting and fishing licenses to Native Americans

To qualify, a member of a Native American tribe must present an Abenaki Hunting and Fishing License Tribal Certification form certified by the appropriate tribal official.

Willie Stetson, stands in the Connecticut River while fishing near the Vernon Dam, in Vernon, Vt., on Monday, Aug. 31, 2020. (Kristopher Radder/The Brattleboro Reformer via AP)

By Associated Press

November 15, 2020

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — The state of Vermont is set to begin issuing free hunting licenses to Native Americans. Members of state-recognized Native American tribes still have to buy hunting and fishing licenses if they want to hunt or fish this year. But free tribal citizen hunting and fishing licenses will become available in January.

To qualify, a member of a Native American tribe must present an Abenaki Hunting and Fishing License Tribal Certification form certified by the appropriate tribal official.

In addition, the applicant must provide a copy of current and valid tribal identification card, a Vermont license application, proof of having held a previous hunting license in the United States or Canada or a hunter safety card.

If the applicant has held a hunting license previously but is unable to locate a copy, a license affidavit form may be included.