For Release: September 26, 1997

Contact: James Myers 277-1267

Stephanie Powell 277-2771 ext. 4418

PROVIDENCE - The RI Department of Environmental Management's Division of Fish and Wildlife reminds hunters that archery season for deer opens on the mainland statewide Wednesday, October 1 and continues until January 31. Hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.

Hunters may take two deer of either sex, one with a first archery permit, and one with a second archery permit. Hunters will be allowed to purchase a second permit only after the first deer has been checked. All deer must be ear-tagged immediately and checked within 24 hours. Hunters may check their deer at a vendor or state operated check station.

Written permission from landowners is required to hunt deer on private land in Rhode Island, Michael Lapisky, DEM Deputy Chief of Wildlife Resources said. Some cities and towns have more restrictive hunting ordinances, so he urges hunters to check with local authorities prior to hunting. Snake Den State Park in Johnston will not be open for archery deer season.

Reminding hunters of the regulations concerning fluorescent orange, Lapisky said that archers are permitted to remove their orange while in their tree stands, but still must wear a minimum of 200 square inches while traveling to and from the stand during muzzle loading season October 27 - November 30. However, during the shotgun deer season - December 6 through December 19 - archers are required to wear 500 square inches of fluorescent orange at all times, he added.

Lapisky said the prospects for the upcoming season appear excellent due to the effects of last year's mild winter and this year's abundant mast crop. One indication of an increased deer herd is the 630 deer struck by automobiles last year - a record high number.

*List of check stations attached