About Our Group

Levi Brown

Year: Sophomore

Majors: Wildlife Biology; Natural Resource: Resource Ecology
Clubs: UVM Shooting Sports

Having lived in Weathersfield, Vermont my whole life, it was only natural for me to preoccupy myself with my environment, seeing as how there was really not much more to do in my childhood. Coming from a family full of hunters and outdoorsmen (and women), I figured it was my obligation to soon join the ranks. This lead to my interest in obtaining my hunter's certification at the Green Mountain Conservation Camps. Throughout my years as a camper and a junior counselor at the camp, I was introduced to the moral code carried by honorable hunters: ethics. To me, hunting ethics are very personal and can even influence decisions beyond hunting. Although I don't hunt personally, many of my friends and family do. In this project, I hope to introduce their sides of the story to try to gain a better understanding behind the practice and what it means to them.

Julienna Brooks

Major: Environmental Studies: Ecology and Conservation

Clubs: DREAM (mentoring program)

Julienna grew up in Union, Maine, a small town in the Mid Coast area. Nature has always been a huge part of her life, whether it be hiking, running, cross-country  skiing or exploring the woods. While Julienna does not hunt, many of her family members do and she grew up around people for whom hunting was a huge component of life. With an interest in environmental education and cultivating excitement for the outdoors, she sees hunting as an important tradition to keep alive and a powerful way for children to connect with the outdoors.


Emily Sack

Year: Sophomore

Major: Wildlife Biology and Natural Resource: Resource Ecology

Clubs: UVM Taekwondo

I have lived in a small town in upstate New York my entire life and have a small city next to my town on one side and a large amount of farms on the other. Nature has always been a big part of my life and was the place I escaped to and had adventures as a kid. The woods around my house and neighborhood were where I spent most of my time with my brothers and their friends. Wildlife also plays a huge role in my life. Ever since I saved a fish from these two teenage boys at our reservoir I have been in love with animals, wanting to protect them as much as I could whether it’s trapping spiders in the house and putting them safely back outside or taking care of an injured mouse I found in our driveway. I come from a family of nature and animal lovers and that influenced my views and beliefs. Although I don’t hunt, I hope to get a better understanding about the tradition and learn more about it.


Kristina Westgaard

Year: Sophomore
Major: Wildlife Biology and Natural Resources: Resource Ecology with an Animal Science minor
Clubs: UVM Wildlife and Fisheries
Society


I have lived in Londonderry, New Hampshire, a small town in southern New Hampshire filled with apple orchards for most of my life. Living in this unique setting, I was exposed to cities and urban life as well as untouched natural places. I think this is what encouraged me to explore and ultimately appreciate nature and what it has to offer. I am not a hunter myself, but members of my family as well as some friends are very involved in the hunting community. Throughout my life, my views on hunting have changed drastically through education and understanding of the practice. This past fall, I volunteered with the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department working at biological deer check stations, which allowed me to work with hunters and biologists firsthand. I am currently very interested in the biology and implementation of population management, which is what I hope to focus on and contribute with during this project.


Emily Peterson
Year: Sophomore
Majors: Wildlife Biology and Natural Resources: Resource Ecology
Clubs: UVM Wildlife and Fisheries Society


I have lived for my entire life in Scotia, New York, a village just outside the forgotten industrial city of Schenectady.  Growing up, I spent much of my time outside, getting acquainted with the ecology of my small town yard.  Often I would also venture out into the relative wilderness of the Glenville Hills or the Adirondacks.  I was taught to appreciate all of the gifts of nature and view life as precious.  As the child who always rescued worms from the sidewalk after rainstorms, I have always had mixed feelings about hunting.  Before I really knew anyone who hunted or anything about the practice of hunting, I was totally against it.  As I have become exposed to more diverse people and viewpoints, I have grown less wary of it.  I wouldn't say that I support hunting fully--certainly not all types of hunting--but I do see some of its merits.  During the duration of this project, I hope to gain a better understanding of hunting and its various facets.


Amanda Adams
Year: Sophomore
Major: Wildlife and Fisheries Biology

I lived my entire life in Latrobe, PA, a small town in southwest Pennsylvania. My entire family including my sister, mom and myself are all hunters. I enjoy to bike, hike, hunt and fish. I do most of these things with my family. I think that my upbringing lead me to my major. At UVM I am a member of the Wildlife and Fisheries Society, SEEDS, and am a mentor for Big Buddies. I am excited to work on this project to explore the public's opinion on hunting and ethics. I have never seen a moose in Vermont, but I am excited to explore the management and culture of moose hunting in Vermont.