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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 ISSUES PRELIMINARY DEER SEASON TALLY PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management's Division of Fish and Wildlife has released preliminary deer hunting figures for the 2006-2007 deer hunting seasons. According to data collected from the Division's vendors and biological check stations, 2,315 deer were taken, 357 less than last season.A total of 1,211 deer were taken during the muzzle-loader season, 7 more than last year, and 585 deer were taken during the shotgun season, a decrease from last year. Mainland archery hunters took 352 deer, 85 less than last season. Prudence and Patience Island archery hunters took 104 deer, 42 percent less than last year, which was expected due to efforts to reduce the herd in prior years. An additional six deer were taken on Prudence Island during the special hunt by paraplegics and double amputees. Block Island hunters took 17 deer during the archery portion, and 115 less than last year's total of 169. Many impressive deer were taken this season. One muzzle-loader hunter checked in a 9-point deer from South Kingstown weighing 229 pounds dressed. The largest deer taken by shotgun was an 8-point deer taken in Exeter that weighed 185 pounds. The two largest deer taken by archery, both weighing 210 pounds and both with 8 points, were taken in Foster. Most of the data from the various hunting seasons was collected at the state's four biological check stations and 14 vendor-operated check stations, where hunters were required to check their deer within 24 hours of taking. Data on health, weight, age, sex, and antler beam are analyzed after the season, providing a major source of information to guide the Division's deer management program. The Division continues to focus on managing the antlerless population on private land to keep the deer herd in balance with habitat and the concerns of the residents. Deer have high reproductive capabilities and can exceed available habitat if not controlled. This is especially true on islands where a rapid increase in the number of deer can cause severe habitat damage, as well as increasing the risk of Lyme disease. Deer/Auto Collisions Still High Noteworthy this year was a large number of auto/deer collisions. A total of 1,213 deer were reported stuck, a small decrease over last year's record of 1,261. The highest number of deer were struck by vehicles in North Kingstown (115) and South Kingstown (110). Statewide, more deer were struck by vehicles in November than in any other month, though in 2006 that number – 185 – was a decrease from the 238 struck in November of the previous year. Wildlife officials note that efforts to reduce auto/deer collisions are a challenge because many occur in urban and suburban areas with limited deer management options. A final report on the 2006-2007 deer harvest data and deer/vehicle collisions will be available on DEM's website, www.dem.ri.gov, later this spring. -30- |
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