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News Release
RI Department of Environmental Management
235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908
(401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462
For Release: August 12, 2008
Contact: Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402

DEM WILL HOLD HEARING ON PROPOSED WATERFOWL SEASON AND FALCONRY REGULATIONS ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 28
Outing to Precede Hearing

PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management will hold a public hearing on proposed regulations governing the upcoming migratory waterfowl hunting season and proposed regulations governing the practice of falconry on Thursday, August 28. The hearing on both subjects will be held at 7 p.m. at the North Kingstown Community Center on Beach Street in North Kingstown, off Route 1A just south of Wickford. As in past years, the Division will also conduct a presentation on the breeding status of waterfowl in the Canadian Provinces.

Prior to the hearing, at 5:30 p.m., the Department will have an outing for sportsmen and women on the grounds of the community center. Calling demonstrations, carving and dog training and retrieval will be featured. Attendees are welcome to bring a picnic dinner as the event coincides with the dinner hour and the community center overlooks scenic Narragansett Bay. Door prizes and light refreshments will be provided.

The proposed waterfowl regulations establish hunting seasons, bag limits, and methods of take for the 2008-2009 season. Michael Lapisky, Chief of DEM's Division of Fish and Wildlife, notes that there are some changes in the Federal waterfowl regulations with which the state must comply. Changes made in the proposed Rhode Island regulations are subject to federal approval.

Major changes from last season include the increase in the daily bag limit for wood ducks with a three bird bag limit. In addition, the number of days open for Atlantic Brant has been increased from 50 days to 60 days with a three bird per day bag limit. The canvasback season has been closed due to a decrease in population numbers. Finally, the scaup season shall consist of a 40 day season with a one bird bag limit and a 20 day season with a two bird bag limit located towards the end of the season.

There are no substantial changes to the upcoming falconry regulations, Lapisky notes, adding that there are only ten falconers in Rhode Island.

Early goose permits (September season) will be available at the hearing.

The proposed regulations are available on DEM's website, www.dem.ri.gov, by clicking on "Fish and Wildlife" under "Programs". They are also available at DEM's Division of Fish and Wildlife headquarters in the Oliver Stedman Government Center, 4808 Tower Hill Road in Wakefield, or by calling the Division at 789-3094 weekdays.

Comments will be accepted at DEM's Division of Fish and Wildlife, at the above address, through Thursday, August 28 at 4 p.m. or via e-mail to michael.lapisky@dem.ri.gov by that date. They will also be accepted at the hearing.

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rev. 6/9/09