For Release: September 29, 1999

Contact: Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402

PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management has announced the archery deer hunting season on the Rhode Island mainland will be open from October 1 through January 31, 2000. Hunting hours begin one-half hour before sunrise, and end one-half hour after sunset.

All deer must be tagged immediately and checked within 24 hours at one of six vendor-operated or four state-operated check stations, listed below. After checking their first deer, hunters may purchase a second permit to take an additional deer of either sex.

To avoid having a deer permit invalidated by tagging a deer with an incorrect tag, hunters should use waterproof ink to mark the back of their tags with the permit type. Hunters may obtain up to five tags - each one specifying a hunting season (archery, muzzleloader, etc.) The tags look very similar, especially at dusk. If the wrong tag is affixed - even by accident - the permit is invalidated.

Anyone hunting on private land must obtain written permission from the landowner and carry this authorization with them at all times. Some municipalities impose additional hunting restrictions; therefore, hunters should check with local authorities prior to hunting.

Last season, 238 deer - 160 males and 78 females - were taken by bow on the mainland. The largest deer taken by bow was an 8-point deer in Scituate, dressing out at 235 pounds.

For safety precautions, archers must wear a minimum of 200 square inches of fluorescent orange when travelling to and from a stand during the muzzleloader deer season (November 6 - November 28). During the shotgun deer season, they must wear at least 500 square inches of fluorescent orange at all times.

Archery deer permits are available from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays at DEM's Office of Boat Registration and Licensing, located at 235 Promenade Street in Providence, and at selected hunting license vendors throughout the state. All hunters are required to complete a bowhunter education course. Information on courses can be obtained by calling 789-7055.

Hunters may check their archery deer at the following state-operated check stations, from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset, on weekends between October 16 and November 7:

They may also utilize the following vendor-operated check stations, whose hours may vary. Please call to verify times: