Link to DEM Home Page Link to State of RI web site RIDEM graphical banner, showing land and water scene
Navigation button, HomeNavigation button, ProgramsNavigation button, TopicsNavigation button, MapsNavigation button, PublicationsNavigation button, NewsNavigation button, EventsNavigation button, SearchNavigation button, HelpNavigation button, Contact
Home > News > News Item


 
News Release
RI Department of Environmental Management
235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908
(401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462
For Release: September 28, 2005
Contact: Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402
Stephanie Powell 222-4700 ext. 4418

DEM OFFERS SPECIAL DEER SEASONS ON PRUDENCE ISLAND AND IN NARRAGANSETT FOR PARAPLEGICS/DOUBLE AMPUTEES
Free Lodging at Prudence Research Reserve Cottage Available to Disabled Hunters

PROVIDENCE -- Two special deer hunting seasons for hunters who are paraplegics, or double amputees, will be offered by the Department of Environmental Management on Prudence Island and in Narragansett in October. The Prudence Island hunt will be offered from October 11 to October 14 at the South End Management Area, and the Narragansett hunt will be offered at Fort Greene Army Reserve from October 18 to October 21.

DEM's Division of Fish and Wildlife has offered special hunting opportunities for disabled hunters for over 35 years. According to Lori Gibson, supervising wildlife biologist at DEM, the program continues to be very popular, offering an average of 10-12 participants the experience of big game hunting. DEM alters the general deer hunting regulations during the special hunt to allow the use of vehicles and other mechanized devices that would ordinarily be prohibited. Paraplegic hunters are also permitted to use shotguns on the island and in Fort Greene, where taking deer is otherwise restricted to archery hunting.

DEM Offers Disabled Hunters Lodging in Cottage at Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve on Prudence Island

This year, DEM Director W. Michael Sullivan, PhD has made arrangements so that disabled hunters will be able to stay in the cottage at the Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve on Prudence Island during the special hunt. Lodging is available for up to 10 individuals, including disabled hunters and their assistants, at no charge, and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. The duration of the stay may be limited based upon the number of requests received. Interested hunters must contact Paul Hebert at the Prudence Island research reserve at 683-4236 for reservations by October 7.

As in the past, hunters taking advantage of the special seasons must hold valid hunting licenses and must have taken hunter education courses. Hunters are permitted to bring assistants who need not be licensed, but who may not hunt or carry a firearm. All deer harvested during the special hunt must be checked prior to leaving Prudence Island.

For more details on the special deer hunting seasons for disabled individuals or to check on the availabilty of accommodations at the research reserve cottage on Prudence Island, contact Paul Hebert at the Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve on Prudence Island at 683-4236. To purchase a deer permit, contact DEM's Division of Licensing at 222-3576 weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

-30-
For General Information 222-6800 • After Hours Emergencies 222-3070 • Disclaimer