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Federation Position on Bennington Teacher The Vermont Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs has followed with great interest the news reports of the Bennington teacher "silencing" of a student discussing hunting. Click here: Parents: Teacher silenced son on hunting: Rutland Herald Online If all of the facts have been correctly reported in the media the student's hunting activities discussion occurred at a time when it was appropriate for students to discuss personal activities. In addition, the teacher apparently used her own disdain for hunting as the standard to inappropriately impose her power to rebuke the student's discussing his hunting activities. The teacher did not know or respect the fact that in Vermont hunting is a constitutional right. Chapter II § 67: Click here: The Vermont Statutes Online The federation believes that this public school teacher has abused her authority to inappropriately censor a student's discussion of lawful and ethical hunting experiences. The action of the teacher extends beyond the impact to this lone student. Other students must be aware that this teacher strongly disapproves of hunting and that if they were discussing hunting in a favorable light they would risk the reproach of this teacher. Therefore, the Vermont Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs believes the teacher was wrong to censor the student from discussing hunting. Further, that the Bennington school system, and all Vermont school systems, should protect the right of students to discuss hunting/shooting, fishing and trapping at points in the school day when discussion of other lawful personal activities are permitted.