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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 SHOTGUN DEER SEASON OPENS ON MAINLAND ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27; ALREADY OPEN ON BLOCK ISLAND The season for shotgun deer hunting throughout mainland Rhode Island will be open from Saturday, November 27 through December 5 in all Rhode Island counties on both state and private land, continuing through December 12 on private land only. Deer hunters must wear a minimum of 500 square inches of florescent orange, as must all users in management areas during the shotgun season. This is the first time that shotgun deer hunting has been permitted in the East Bay; however, hunters are urged to check their local ordinances, as some towns do not permit discharge of firearms or Sunday hunting. In DEM's East Bay management areas, only archery hunting is permitted in Simmons Mill, no Sunday hunting is permitted in Eight Rod Farm, and no firearm deer hunting is permitted in Seapowet Management Area. Hunters are also reminded that there is no shotgun season in the Northwest Cooperative Deer Hunting Area from December 6 to December 12. Hunters must check their deer at state-run biological check stations during the November 27 to December 5 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 opened on Monday, November 15 and will be open on select weekdays through February 18th. The individual dates are listed in the 2004-05 Rhode Island Hunting and Trapping Abstract. All deer must be checked at the island check station, at the home of Arthur Rose on West Side Road, and must have a metal leg seal attached prior to leaving the island. Wildlife biologists from DEM's Division of Fish and Wildlife say that prospects for the season are good and deer should be on the move due to the lack of acorns. Last year, 413 deer were taken during the mainland shotgun season, the largest being an 8-point, 204-pound dressed deer from Scituate. On the mainland, Exeter reported the most deer harvested last year at 56. Block Island reported 131 deer 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 shotgun deer: one either-sex deer permit and one antlerless deer permit for private land only. Permits 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. Hunters are asked to submit deer heads for Chronic Wasting Disease surveillance. The state quota is 150 samples, about one-third of which has been collected. Many samples are still needed from the East Bay, as well as Kent and Providence Counties. Check station operators will be available to assist hunters with sample submissions. All heads must be fresh and include hunter name, address, and location of kill. The surveillance is a continuing part of DEM's efforts to keep Rhode Island deer herds free of Chronic Wasting Disease. Chronic Wasting Disease is a progressive neurological disease that is always fatal to deer and elk. It has been found in wild deer and elk in limited areas of several midwest and mountain states, and two Canadian provinces. As in the past, 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. Additional information about deer permits, check station locations, and hunting rules and regulations is listed in the 2004-2005 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 can also be found on DEM's website at www.dem.ri.gov, by clicking on "Programs", then "Fish & Wildlife", then "Regulations". -30- |
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