Good morning Steve,
Yes ,I had heard the same thing. The expressed opinion of most hunters was a later spit was preferable. Apparently Vermont Fish & Wildlife didn't agree. Long term climate data for the fall still shows a higher probability of a warmer Oct/Nov/Dec.
These are the dates I was given by our Regional Biologist who got them from VF&W.
The SE zone proposed dates for Ny ; 10/1-10/10 -11/12 -12/31. I was expecting to see something more in line with these dates for Lake Champlain .