For Release: October 21, 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 has announced that the season for archery deer hunting on Patience and Prudence Islands will be from November 1 to January 15.

To hunt on the islands, archers must have: a current hunting license and archery deer permit specifically for the islands; a current proficiency card valid after January 1, 1996; written permission to hunt on private land, countersigned by the chief of police or his island representative; and, on state lands, a reservation for the first three weekends of the season. Archery hunting is open to all hunters on state land on weekdays and after November 17. Bow hunters with a valid deer archery permit may take raccoon and fox on Prudence Island during legal deer hunting hours. No special permit is required, and there is no bag limit.

After checking the first deer taken on the Islands, an archer may purchase an addition Prudence/Patience deer permit to take an addition deer on the Islands, valid between November 18 through January 15.

Prudence Island deer hunting will end north of Division Rock when 85 deer have been taken, including those from Patience; and hunting will end south of Division Rock when 85 deer have been taken, including those taken during the special season hunt. All deer, whether taken on state or private land, must be ear-tagged immediately and brought to the check station before leaving the island. Patience Island deer may be checked on Prudence Island or by a conservation officer or DEM agent at a vendor check station on the mainland.

Michael Lapisky, DEM's Deputy Chief of Wildlife Resources, reminds hunters of several additional rules for hunting on the Islands:

• The driving of deer while bow hunting, or participating in driving deer for bow hunters, is prohibited at all times.
• Archers are required to use either a long bow or compound bow with non-expandable broadheads with a fixed cutting edge, and all arrows in hunters' possession must be marked with the name and address of the hunter.
• The construction and use of permanent tree stands, or nails, spikes, bolts, or climbing devises that can damage trees is prohibited on state property, and on private property without the permission of the owner.

Prudence/Patience Islands deer permits can be purchased at license vendors and on Prudence Island at Canario's General Store, 113 Daniels Avenue. A list of vendor check stations and more information on hunting on the Islands is available in the 1997-98 Rhode Island hunting abstract available from the division at 277-3075.