For Release: September 20, 1999

Contact: Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402

Click here for 1999-2000 Waterfowl Hunting Seasons And Regulations Summary

PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management's Division of Fish and Wildlife has established regulations for the 1999-2000 waterfowl hunting and falconry hunting seasons, which begin in October.

There are two changes to waterfowl regulations. The daily limit for brant has been reduced from four to two birds, because of a nesting failure by the breeding brant population in northern Canada.

Also, Mill Cove in Wickford has been closed in its entirety to hunting, and Fishing Cove in Wickford has been closed to hunting in an area west of a line bisecting Cornelius Island due to increased development of housing in the area. All discharge of firearms while waterfowl hunting in the open portion of Fishing Cove is restricted to an easterly direction from the line.

The changes in falconry regulations increase the testing requirements for falconers to progress from an apprentice to a general falconer level. Requirements include a practical written test, as well as field-testing. Falconry, a limited sport in Rhode Island, has grown in popularity in New England.

Due to a printing delay, this year's mandatory state Duck Stamps will not be available until early to mid-October. DEM is offering a grace period through the early duck-hunting season, October 8 through October 11, during which hunters will not need to show an affixed state stamp.

DEM reminds migratory bird hunters that Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program (HIP) permits are now available at all hunting license vendors in the state. Federal law requires all hunters to carry a HIP permit while hunting migratory game birds. In Rhode Island, this includes ducks, geese, rails, coot, snipe, doves, and woodcock. The permits must be carried as of September 26.

To obtain a permit, hunters must fill out a revised and more user-friendly HIP questionnaire provided by the vendor, which includes their previous season's hunting success. The hunter will then receive a free, numbered HIP stub to carry with the current hunting license. Completed permits will be sent to the US Fish and Wildlife Service for review, and the service will select a sample of hunters to participate in a more intensive survey for the upcoming season.

The Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program, which began last year, was designed to gather comprehensive information on the impact of hunting on wildlife resources, according to Michael Lapisky, Deputy Chief of Wildlife Resources at DEM's Division of Fish and Wildlife. "The HIP permit will allow the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and states nationwide to gather important harvest information on migratory game birds, which is critical for the effective management of those populations," Lapisky said. "The program is essential for ensuring the future of migratory bird hunting," he added, "and we in the Division of Fish and Wildlife thank Rhode Island hunters for their participation in this new and valuable national program."

Abstracts detailing the upcoming waterfowl season and bag limits are available at license vendors, and at DEM's Division of Fish and Wildlife at the Oliver Stedman Government Center on Tower Hill Road, in Wakefield. For more information, contact the Division at 222-3075.

Click here for 1999-2000 Waterfowl Hunting Seasons And Regulations Summary