DEM ISSUES REMINDERS TO ARCHERY DEER HUNTERS

PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management has several reminders for archery deer hunters, now that the season, which runs through January 31, has opened.

• Hunting hours begin one-half hour before sunrise, and end one-half hour after sunset.
• All harvested deer must be tagged immediately and checked within 24 hours at one of 13 vendor-operated or four state-operated check stations, listed below.
• 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.
• 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 4 - November 26). During the shotgun deer season, (December 2 – December 10 on the mainland and December 11 – December 15 on private land) archers must wear at least 500 square inches of fluorescent orange at all times.
• The archery deer safety zone has been reduced from 500 feet to 200 feet.
• 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 21 and November 12:

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