For Release: November 20, 1998

Contact: Steven Hall 222-2284

PROVIDENCE - Although there are warning signs posted at state wildlife management areas, many visitors do not seem to be aware that they must wear fluorescent orange during the hunting season which is now underway, says Steven Hall, Chief of the Department of Environmental Management's Division of Enforcement.

"Rhode Island has an excellent hunter safety record, thanks in part to our hunter education program," says Hall. "But those who do not hunt may not be aware that they, too, for safety's sake, must don protective gear."

Between now and the end of February, hikers, joggers, bikers, motorcyclists, birdwatchers, horseback riders and others sharing the state's wildlife management areas with hunters must don at least 200 square inches of bright, protective fluorescent orange gear. The orange must be solid daylight fluorescent material worn above the waist and visible in all directions, in the form of a hat and/or a vest.

Paid for primarily by hunters - purchased and operated through funds collected by sales of hunting licenses and through grant money from federal taxes on sales of hunting equipment - state wildlife management areas are used extensively by non-hunters as well as hunters.

DEM manages a total of more than 46,000 acres at 24 state wildlife management areas.