For Release: August 27, 1997

Contact: James Myers 277-1267 or 789-0281

Stephanie Powell 277-2771 ext. 4418

PROVIDENCE - The RI Department of Environmental Management's Division of Fish and Wildlife has announced that the Prudence Island deer season for paraplegic or double amputee hunters will be October 14 through October 17 from one half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset. The hunters will be the first to hunt deer on the island this fall, and the only ones allowed to use firearms other than bow and arrow on the island. This is the 29th year DEM has offered this special season.

Licenses can be obtained from the licensing office at DEM's headquarters, 235 Promenade Street, Providence. Application forms can be obtained in person, or by calling the licensing office at 277-3576.

Hunters participating in this special season must comply with the following regulations:

• Deer may be taken by the hunters only. Hunters can bring assistants who need not be licensed, but who may not hunt or carry firearms at any time.
• All hunters and assistants must register with the officer-in-charge on the island upon entering and leaving. All deer wounded but not recovered must be reported as soon as possible to the officer-in-charge.
• Ammunition is limited to 10, 12, 16, or 20 gauge slugs. Buckshot is allowed by special permit only, 00 or larger. Muzzle loading firearms may be used as defined under muzzle loading deer season regulations.
• All deer must be checked by the officer-in-charge before leaving Prudence Island.
• Hunting permitted on private lands only with written permission of the landowner, countersigned by the chief of police or his representative on the island.
• Limit: one deer either sex.
• A hunter who has taken a deer may assist fellow hunters, but may no longer carry a firearm in the field.