For Release: July 29, 1998

Contact: Lori Suprock 222-1267 or 789-0281

PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management's Division of Fish and Wildlife announces that it will accept applications between August 1 and September 15 for hunting in the Northwest Cooperative hunting area later this year.

The Northwest Cooperative is privately owned land in Glocester where owners are working cooperatively with DEM to allow deer hunting on their land.

Both archery and muzzleloader deer hunters must have state permits to hunt in the Northwest Cooperative. The proposed archery season will be between October 1 and January 31; the proposed muzzleloader season will be between November 1 and November 30. Season dates will be confirmed after the August 12 public hearing on 1998-99 seasons and bag limits.

To obtain an application for a permit, send a 9 1/2" by 4" (legal sized), stamped, self-addressed envelope to: Northwest Coop, DEM Division of Fish and Wildlife, PO Box 218, West Kingston, RI 02892. Please indicate which permit is requested.

Shotgun hunters are reminded they do not need a special permit to hunt during shotgun season (proposed for December 5 through 13), but must check in and out of the Durfee Hill check station daily if hunting in the Northwest Cooperative area.

The combined August 12 hearing on 1998-1999 proposed hunting season regulations, the 1999-2000 proposed freshwater fishing regulations, and proposed changes to management area regulations concerning special events and motorcycle use will be held at 7 p.m. at the Warwick Police Station, 99 Veteran's Memorial Drive in the Apponaug section of Warwick, easily accessible from Route 95. The meeting room is handicapped accessible.

The proposed regulations are available at the DEM Fish and Wildlife Division office in the Oliver Stedman Government Center, 4808 Tower Hill Road, Wakefield, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.