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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 CONTROLLED ARCHERY HUNT ON PORTION OF BEAVERTAIL STATE PARK NOVEMBER 13 THROUGH JANUARY 31 PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management announces that a special archery deer-hunting season will open on Monday, November 13 in a portion of Beavertail State Park in Jamestown. Archers, under special conditions, will be allowed to take up to three deer — one of either sex and two antlerless — from a brushy area north of the mowed trail and the northern parking lot. Signs will be posted in the area, notifying visitors to the park of the hunt.The special season, endorsed by the Jamestown Town Council on a 4-0 vote at their November 6 meeting, is aimed at managing the size of the deer herd on the island. Lori Gibson, supervising wildlife biologist at DEM, estimates that there are about 400 deer on the island of Jamestown, and the hunt is the first step toward keeping the population under control. "The large number of deer on the island," Gibson says, "is harming native vegetation, including rare and endangered plants at Beavertail, adding to the tick population, and causing collisions with cars - 17 to date this year. Further expansion of the herd will harm other native wildlife utilizing the same habitat and cause nutritional deficiencies in the deer themselves." The season will be open Monday through Friday through December 31, then daily through January 31, from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. The wearing of fluorescent orange is not required by either archers or the general public visiting Beavertail during this special hunting season, although hikers within the hunt area may wish to consider wearing such coloring. However, notes Gibson, bow hunting has a high safety record. "Bow hunters usually work from tree stands, and aim downward from a close distance when deer pass by." Archers, limited to 10 per day, must each have a proficiency card, which they must show while obtaining their permits at the Jamestown Police Station, and carry with them while hunting. When obtaining their permits, archers will be provided a map including safety zone, parking restrictions, and a list of special conditions they must follow. Information about the special hunt, including a map of the area, can be found on DEM's website, www.dem.ri.gov, by clicking on "Fish and Wildlife" under "Offices and Divisions" then "Wildlife Management and Hunter Education". Additional information about the special hunt can be obtained from staff at DEM's Division of Fish and Wildlife Great Swamp office at 789-0281. -30- |
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