For Release: November 6, 1998

Contact: Lori Suprock 222-1267 or 789-1636

PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management's Division of Fish and Wildlife has announced that the season for shotgun deer hunting in Providence, Kent and Washington Counties opens December 5^th and continues through December 18^th, although from December 14^th through the 18^th deer may only be taken from private lands.

Hunters must obtain written permission to hunt on private land and should check with local authorities for additional hunting restrictions. Hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.

Shotgun deer hunters may purchase two deer permits for use at any time during the entire shotgun season. The first permit allows for the taking of one deer of either sex. The second permit allows for the taking of one antler-less deer, from private land only. Permits may be used in any order. Shotgun deer permits are available at DEM's Office of Boat Registration and Licensing, 235 Promenade Street, Providence weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., or at selected hunting license vendors throughout the state.

"To curb the expanding deer herd growth on private property, we are employing management techniques that are designed to shift hunting pressure away from state lands," said Michael Lapisky, DEM Deputy Chief for Wildlife Resources. "In addition, to effectively reduce deer populations, hunting pressure is being directed toward antler-less deer, defined as males or females with antlers under three inches."

Shotgun hunters may hunt deer in the Northwest Cooperative Deer Hunting Area December 5^th through the 13^th by checking in and out daily at the Durfee Hill Check Station. Shotgun hunting is prohibited in the Northwest Cooperative area December 14^th through the 18^th.

From December 5^th through the 13^th, all deer taken must be tagged immediately and checked within 24 hours at a state-operated check station. During the five-day private land portion of the season, from December 14^th through the 18^th, deer may be checked at either a vendor check station or by an authorized representative of DEM.

To avoid invalidating a deer permit by tagging a deer with an incorrect tag, the Division suggests that hunters with multiple deer permits mark the back of the tag, in waterproof ink, with the permit type.

Permitted firearms for the shotgun season are limited to 10, 12, 16, and 20 gauge shotguns. Ammunition is limited to rifled slugs or sabot rounds and buckshot size 00 or larger. Buckshot is prohibited in 20 gauge shotguns.

The Division reminds shotgun deer hunters that they are required to wear a minimum of 500 square inches of fluorescent orange at all times, placed on the chest, head, and back.