For Release: August 21, 1998

Contact: Charles Allin 222-1267 or 789-0281

PROVIDENCE - A public hearing on proposed waterfowl hunting seasons and bag limits will be held by the RI Department of Environmental Management's Division of Fish and Wildlife on Thursday, September 3 at 7 p.m. at the North Kingstown Community Center, Beach Street, Wickford.

The proposed seasons and bag limits are similar to last year, says Michael L. Lapisky, DEM Deputy Chief of Wildlife Resources. Hunters in the Atlantic Flyway will be allowed to hunt 60 days with specific bag limits.

Rhode Island is proposing to continue the two resident Canada goose seasons, including 15 days in September, and an experimental late season beginning in mid-January. Special permits would be required for each season.

In addition to the special resident Canada goose seasons, there will be a regular statewide Canada goose season this year. A 40-day season with a two bird daily bag is proposed.

Atlantic Brant numbers are similar to last year; therefore, the same conditions are proposed, including a split season with a two bird bag limit per day.

A Youth Waterfowl Hunter day will be offered to encourage hunters 15 years old and younger the opportunity to duck hunt one day outside the regular duck season. The young hunters must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older who has passed the required hunter safety course and has a current Rhode Island hunting license and necessary federal and state duck stamps. Youth hunters will be allowed the daily bag limits for ducks, mergansers, and coot only. Adults will not be permitted to hunt or carry a shotgun on that day.

Copies of the proposed regulations are available at DEM's Division of Fish and Wildlife, Oliver Stedman Government Center, 4808 Tower Hill Road, Wakefield, weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Written comments will be accepted at the Division through 4 p.m. on September 3, or at the public hearing that evening.

After the hearing, comments will be reviewed and the proposed dates and limits will

be forwarded to the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service for final approval. Waterfowl Abstracts should be available before the end of September at DEM's Division of Fish and Wildlife and at all vendors who sell duck stamps.