Vermont...

[PseudoCop]

I'll be driving around in Vermont in early June and I'm weighing my options as far as gun shops and gun shows as well as historical sites, I'll be traveling up from Albany when I start my trip to give you an idea.

It's my first time really visiting the state and the idea of retiring to VT has always been an appealing idea for me, I like what I hear about the state and its gun laws.

Suggestions are welcome.

 

[qajaq59]

Well, let's see. If your a white water kayaker or canoeist you could do the White River. It's a fun run and there used to be some great trout fishing in there.
Or if you want some solitude, you could go way up into northern VT and paddle up the Moose river into the victory bog, up in Victory, VT. That is pretty country and a great place to camp in a tent. We once carried over 14 beaver dams and got way up into virgin territory up there for several days. The trout just about jump into the boat and you'll see tons of wild life. The deer hunting is good up in Victory as well, but you can't do that in June.
There is also the Green Mountains. Used to be a good spot to off road, hike or hunt. Not sure if vehicles are still allowed these days though.

One thing you MUST bring is bug repellent. Those black flies will eat you alive if you don't.

As far as retiring there, don't get arthritic as you age because the cold up there will kill you if you do.

 

[renegade1alpha]

I love Vermont! Only been there once but I want to go back again some day.

I love their gun laws too! Not a felon? Carry a gun. Doesn't get much simpler than that.

 

[Vermont]

As far as historic sites, Fort Ticonderoga would probably be the one most worth going to. I know, I know...It's not even in Vermont, but it's close enough, and it was captured in part by Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys. Mount Independence is nearby (in Vermont) and has trails going to the remains of Revolutionary War fortifications.

Gun shows will be scarce and I've never been to one in Vermont so I don't know if they are any good. If you're in the Burlington area and looking for a gun shop, Powderhorn in Williston seems like a popular place. I've only been there once, but they were more than willing to let me handle whatever I wanted to see.

I don't know of any places to shoot that don't require memberships, but I'm sure they are out there. I've heard rumors. Ask around. There is a place to shoot trap and 5 stand in Williston if you're into that (http://www.shootncsc.com/About.html). I've just gotten into guns within the last year, so I'm not too familiar with all the gun related opportunities around here.

If you're into the outdoors, there are lots of day hikes you can do. Mt. Elmore is an easy hike and there is a fire tower you can climb at the top. Mt. Mansfield is a nice one too. You can take the Gondola part way up and then hike to the summit. Or if you don't want to spend money on the gondola you can hike the whole way. If you find the marker at the summit, you can stand on the highest point in Vermont.

There are decent beaches in Burlington on Lake Champlain.

That's about it. If you like beautiful mountains, relatively few people, and good gun laws you're coming to the right place.

 

[newman32]

I'm actually heading up to VT sometime this month. Probably not Memorial Day w/e, but sometime before the end of June I guess.

VT is a beautiful place, and I've been going there since about 1991 on various trips - and it is definitely a cool place to visit, but I decided long ago I would not want to live there. While they have great gun laws (or lack thereof) the State is pretty much "Blue" politically. Really Blue. But then, maybe that's your thing, I don't know!

If you're already in Albany, why don't you keep driving East a bit and check out NH, whose gun laws aren't so shabby either (not as good as VT, but not bad at all). The political climate in NH is a lot different than that in VT, and you have a lot of the same natural beauty that VT has.

I hope to move from NJ to NH one day soon, and I'll still visit VT!

 

[yourang?]

lots of great shops!

bj's and powderhorn are around burlington
both great shops....great sales people and very helpful

parros is more east towards montpelier...cant remember
the town, but the have a good shop too and also has lots
of stuff for police too...right off the interstate (89?)

use google or the phone book to get the particulars....

all have great selections

dont think you can walk out with handguns...they will have to be
ffl'd to your ffl....long guns shouldnt be a problem, though

 

[qajaq59]

Keep in mind that VT has no down hill. You chase your bear dogs up hills all night, then you have to go up a hill to get back to your truck.

 

[Vermont]

State is pretty much "Blue" politically

For the most part that's true. Blue with a strong libertarian streak. It may seem like those things don't go together, but it seems to be working pretty well here. Outside of Chittenden county, it shifts more towards the libertarian side (even leaning towards red)

Don't let politics stop you from enjoying a place. It doesn't make the mountains less beautiful, or the guns less powerful or even less plentiful. It doesn't make the fish stop biting, and it doesn't keep the deer out of the fields at dusk. It doesn't make the sap stop flowing from the maple trees, nor the milk from the cows. Come on back for another visit.

 

[Sans Authoritas]

Ethan Allen who was, of course, from Connecticut himself. ; )

-Sans Authoritas

 

[h0ss]

Traveling over from Albany, eh? Are you planning on passing through Bennington?

There are probably a couple gun shows in Vermont each year. We had one right here in Bennington a few months ago, but it was tiny and i only stayed in it for about 10 minutes. Usually in or around Barre, they have a nice sized one about two floors. Thats already passed though. They host that one in February.

As far as historical sites, again, if you do end up coming east from Albany and taking 279 into (or past!) Bennington, consider stopping in Old Bennington and visiting the Bennington Battle Monument. It marks the site that weapons were stored in the revolutionary war. You can take the elevator up near the top of it. I think its only a few bucks for tickets.

 

[trueg50]

Parro's is the gunshop to go to.

It is located in Waterbury VT, just a few miles off the interstate.

Also R&L Archery in Barre is great too.

Vermont is very Liberal, however that is only in Burlington (we have an expression up here that Burlington is a nice place because it is so close to Vermont) once you get out in the country, it is more sane.

The Barre Gunshow was a few months ago, that was the real big one, that is actually the only worthwhile gun show I know of.

As for the comments about Victory VT, yes it is a nice and out of the way place, used to camp there with my Scout troop. About the only place to find moose in Vermont.

Definately love the laws here though, any age to buy from a private sale, 18 for ammo, 21 for firearm, and thats about it.

 

[PseudoCop]

Thanks for all the info, I've plugged the names into google and found some good stuff, as far as hiking and kayaking goes I've done a bit but I'm willing to do some more and I'm more of right wing libertarian than anything else but I can deal with blue staters ever extreme blue staters.

If nothing else they're fun to tease.

Once again thanks.