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News Release RI Department of Environmental Management 235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908 (401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462
DEM REOPENS PURCHASE PERIOD FOR BONUS MUZZLELOADER LATE SEASON ANTLERLESS DEER PERMITS PROVIDENCE -- The Department of Environmental Management today filed emergency regulations reopening the period for hunters to purchase a bonus permit for antlerless deer during muzzleloader deer hunting season next month. The permit will allow hunters to take one antlerless deer - a female deer, or male deer with antlers less than three inches long - on private land from December 20 to December 26. The new regulations allow hunters who had not previously purchased a bonus tag to do so; prior regulations required that the bonus permits be purchased prior to the opening of muzzleloader deer season on October 27. Since few hunters obtained them by that date, DEM is extending their opportunity to purchase a bonus permit as a tool in managing the state's deer herd.DEM uses the "bonus" management strategy to slow growing deer populations on private property by shifting hunting pressure from state lands, according to Lori Gibson, supervising wildlife biologist at DEM. The focus on antlerless deer is an effective method to reduce herds. To date, Gibson said, more than 600 deer have been taken by muzzleloader in the state. Gibson expects the harvest to be close to 1,000. The season for muzzleloader deer hunting on state land, and the bonus antlerless season for hunting on private land, closed on November 16, and will open again on private land from December 20 to December 26. The bonus muzzleloader deer permits may be purchased from now until the end of the season on December 26. They are available at DEM's Office of Boat Registration and Licensing, 235 Promenade Street in Providence, weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and at selected hunting license vendors throughout Rhode Island. Resident permits cost $12.50, and non-resident permits cost $25.50. Hunters must obtain written permission to hunt on private land and should check with local authorities for additional hunting restrictions. Muzzleloader hunters are limited to using black power or approved substitutes and are required to wear a minimum of 200 square inches of fluorescent orange at all times. Deer hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. All deer taken must be tagged immediately, and checked within 24 hours at either a vendor or state operated check station or by an authorized representative of DEM. -30- |
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