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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 ANNOUNCES DATES, RULES FOR SHOTGUN DEER SEASONS ON THE MAINLAND AND BLOCK ISLAND PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management has announced the seasons and rules for shotgun deer hunting on both the mainland and Block Island.The season for shotgun deer hunting throughout mainland Rhode Island will be open from November 29 through December 7 in Providence, Kent and Washington Counties on both state and private land, continuing through December 14 on private land only. There is no shotgun season in the Northwest Cooperative Deer Hunting Area from December 8 to December 14. Hunters must check their deer at state run biological check stations during the November 29 to December 7 portion of the season. Check station hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., except for the Durfee Hill station, which will operate from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. During the private land only season, hunters must check their deer at a vendor check station. The season for shotgun deer hunting on Block Island opens on Monday, December 1 and continues December 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 18, 19, January 5, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 20, 22, 23, 26, 27, 29, 30, and February 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13. All deer must be checked at the island check station, at the home of Arthur Rose, West Side Road, and have a metal leg seal attached prior to leaving the island. Wildlife biologists from DEM's Division of Fish & Wildlife say that prospects for the season remain good, though an ample acorn crop is keeping some deer from being on the move. Last year 457 deer were taken during the mainland shotgun season, the largest of which was a 195 pound dressed deer from Cranston. Exeter reported the most deer harvested last year at 64. On Block Island, 126 deer were reported taken by shotgun. As in past years, DEM is focusing on reducing the deer herd by increasing the take of antlerless deer. However, access to private land continues to be a limiting factor. Hunters are urged to contact landowners early for permission to hunt on private land. Hunters may purchase two permits to take two deer: one shotgun deer permit and a bonus antlerless deer permit for private land only. Permits can be used for taking deer of either sex and may be used in any sequence. On Block Island, hunters may purchase up to five permits. Deer permits cost $12.50 each for Rhode Island residents and $25.50 for non-residents. Shotguns are limited to 10, 12, 16, and 20 gauge, plugged to 5 shell maximum. Buckshot is limited to 00 buck or larger and is prohibited in 20 gauge. Deer hunters can carry only buckshot, sabot rounds, or rifled slug while hunting. Hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. All deer must be ear-tagged immediately and checked within 24 hours. Anyone hunting on private land must obtain written permission from the landowner and carry this authorization at all times. Several towns, including Block Island, require countersigned written permission by the chief of police. Deer hunters must wear a minimum of 500 square inches of florescent orange, as must all users in management areas during the shotgun season. Additional information about deer permits, check station locations, and hunting rules and regulations is available in the 2003-2004 Rhode Island Hunting and Trapping Abstract available from DEM's Division of Licensing at 235 Promenade Street in Providence, or from hunting license vendors. The abstract is posted on DEM's website at www.dem.ri.gov by clicking on Programs, then Fish & Wildlife, then Regulations, then Hunting Regulations Abstract. -30- |
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