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Formerly from Riverton, Vermont, Fish & Game Warden Chad Barrett and his family have lived in Waterbury Center for about 9 years.
Hey, Warden Barrett, we couldn't help but notice the tarantula in this photo! "I am is the only exotic wildlife specialist in the Department and therefore I respond all over the state assisting other Wardens on identifying and handling exotics."
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So what exactly IS a Game Warden? "I am a Law Enforcement officer that concentrates on Fish & Wildlife laws and regulations.
Each of us Wardens has a district. Mine includes the towns of Waterbury, Duxbury, Moretown, Bolton, Waitsfield, Fayston, Warren, and Granville."
What it is about being a Game Warden that appeals to you? "I have always loved the outdoors since I was a small child and I want to protect that environment for others to enjoy as I do. I am mostly outdoors, no cubical or office to report to every day!"
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Warden Barrett with K9 Ranger (retired)
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How do you spend your time when you're on the Waterbury Reservoir? "I usually spend my time observing visitors to make sure they are complying with the laws and regulations. I also stock the Reservoir every year with trout. I respond to calls of injured animals that may be on the waters or shores, and I do search and rescue for lost individuals on or near the water.
The Reservoir is the only body of water in my district that attracts lots of diverse recreation. We work most of the weekends because that is when most of the people are enjoying the outdoors. I can usually be seen in my 15-foot Boston Whaler patrol boat or in my 12-foot kayak. I do occasionally walk the edge of the Reservoir patrolling for damage made by people; this is usually destruction of State property such as the unauthorized cutting of trees."
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How do Reservoir visitors usually react to you? "Usually well. I try to treat people how they want to be treated.
There is an occasional situation where things may not be so smoothly, but usually after a little education the interaction ends on a positive note. Lots of my interaction with people is doing compliance checks."
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So let's say you come across someone who appears to be violating VT State Parks rules. What would you do? "It depends on the severity of the violation. Some of the State Parks rules regarding remote camping issues I refer to the State Park. When it comes to cutting down trees, or otherwise destroying State property, we do take action."
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So how does the Game Warden interact with VT State Parks staff? "We work in conjunction with one other. Since our jobs are very different, when we notice something the other may need to know about, we communicate it to the other -- from things like disturbances on the water at night or illegal boating issues. We have seemed to work well with each other over the years. The VT State Park Rangers work under the Department of Forest and Parks and I work under the Department of Fish and Wildlife. Both are part of the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources."
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How is the Game Warden's job related to - or different than - the VT State Police who also patrol the Reservoir? "We are both law enforcement officers and do both patrol the Reservoir. The State Police are in search of mostly boating violations, this is how we are similar. Where we differ is that my primary job is Fish and Wildlife violations which could be fishing without a license, taking a fish out of season, taking short fish, and other related violations, the State Police do not enforce these wildlife laws and regulations."
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Tell us a little about some wildlife that a Reservoir visitor might encounter. "Visitors can encounter multiple species of fish. There are plenty of amphibians. There are lots of birds including bald eagles, osprey, loons, ducks, geese and great blue herons. There have been moose and I have seen deer and bear swimming across the water. Visitors may also see fox, raccoons, skunks, beavers, otter, mink, and fisher."
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Is there an interesting or amusing story you could tell us about your time on the Reservoir? "Once I responded to a call of a family that was in their canoe and were lost at night because 'a loud animal sound' chased them from their remote campsite. The next morning, I found moose tracks nearby."
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What else would you like the Reservoir Community to know about you, or your role here? "I’m here to help everyone enjoy the all the recreational opportunities the Reservoir has to offer. Feel free to flag me down if you see me and need any information about the area. Again, I want to give all people the ability to enjoy the outdoors like my family and I do."
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Warden Barrett holds a reticulated python between 17 and 18 feet long in 2015, in North Clarendon, Vt. The homeowner got the female snake and a slightly smaller male from a person in New York, but turned them over to game wardens because he doesn't have a license to keep them and they are too big. The wardens sent the snakes to the Rainforest Reptile Shows in Massachusetts, which will care for them.
(AP Photo/Wilson Ring)
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Warden Barrett (right) and trainee Robert Currier stand in a field in Middlesex during the start of a long shift looking for game violations by poachers.
Photo courtesy VT Fish & Wildlife.
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To learn more about becoming a Vermont Fish & Game Warden:
http://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/about_us/law_enforcement
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OUR MISSION
Friends of Waterbury Reservoir is a Vermont-registered 501(C)3 non-profit organization committed to protecting and enhancing the ecological, recreational, historical, and community values of the Waterbury Reservoir.
We accomplish this through:
• Reservoir stewardship
• Research and community involvement
• Collaboration with all stakeholders
• Connecting people and place
OUR VISION
The Waterbury Reservoir is a thoughtfully-maintained, safe, and clean public-access recreation area located at the crossroads of world-class resort towns and yet offers a remote experience for users. The Waterbury Reservoir is recognized as a unique resource and an important conservation and economic asset for the people of the state of Vermont.
OUR CORE VALUES
We believe it is essential to:
• Strengthen relationships with stakeholders including neighbors, businesses, governments and other organizations and extend our role as convener and supporter;
• Build a community of water- and land-based Reservoir users; and
• Support stewardship and conservation of the natural world on and around the Reservoir.
We believe it is important to:
• Provide access, and promote responsible recreation as a means to engage people directly and pass on timeless values;
• Honor the history of the communities that existed on the Reservoir and their contribution to the area;
• Collaborate with other organizations in accomplishing shared goals; and
• Use outdoor recreation as a vehicle to help youth engage with and learn about the natural world.
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