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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 OCTOBER 1 START OF ARCHERY DEER HUNTING SEASON Archery hunters must wear 200 square inches of fluorescent orange clothing to and from stands during muzzleloader deer season. All hunters must wear 500 square inches of fluorescent orange clothing during all portions of shotgun deer seasons. The mainland archery deer-hunting season allows for the taking of either-sex and antlerless deer on both state and private land. Hunters may purchase one permit to take a deer of either sex, and two permits to take antlerless deer. Conanicut/Aquidneck Island hunters may purchase an additional suite of permits for the Island hunts, one for taking a deer of either sex and two for taking antlerless deer. The permits, which can be purchased at any time, may be used in any order. Although a hunting permit from the state is all that is necessary when deer hunting at state management areas, it is necessary when hunting on privately-owned land for hunters to obtain, in advance, written permission from the landowner, and to carry it while hunting. DEM, in an effort to further manage the state's deer population as well as reduce the over 1,200 annual auto-deer collisions that affect public safety, is encouraging more private landowners to allow hunters to hunt deer on their property during deer-hunting seasons. DEM Director W. Michael Sullivan, Ph.D. reiterated his hope that an increasing number of landowners would welcome hunters who agree to abide by a code and principles supported by the Department. Those principles include treating the landowner's land with respect, knowing the property boundaries, and respecting the rights of abutting property owners. DEM has standardized its hunter-landowner courtesy card, which is available at sports clubs, and also on the DEM website, www.dem.ri.gov, by clicking on "Topics," then "Wildlife." The small card has space for the hunter's name, the location of the property for which permission is granted, the dates when the hunter is allowed to be on the property, and the landowner's name and signature. Deer permits are available at DEM's Office of Boat Registration and Licensing at DEM Headquarters, 235 Promenade Street in Providence on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and at selected hunting venders throughout Rhode Island. The cost of each deer permit for residents is $12.50; for non-residents, the cost is $25.50 for each permit. For the archery season only, the DEM is offering an "Earn-A-Buck" deer tag, available only at the Division of Licensing. A hunter may obtain an additional either sex permit by providing affidavits and deer tags showing proof of the taking of two female deer or deer with no visible antlers from the mainland. This is a change from last season. Deer-hunting hours remain one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. All deer taken must be tagged immediately, and checked within 24 hours at either a vendor-operated or state-operated check station, or by an authorized representative of DEM. Hunters should check DEM regulations for specific regulations as to where hunting is allowed, and should also check with local authorities for additional hunting restrictions. In the 2007-2008 Rhode Island Hunting and Trapping Abstract, Fin and Feather Lodge is listed as a vendor deer check station. Unfortunately this vendor has recently closed their business; therefore it is no longer a check station. Please refer to the abstract for the other available vendors. For the sixth year, the DEM is joining much of the country in conducting a systematic Chronic Wasting Disease surveillance program, and will ask hunters at the state check stations to assist by donating heads of yearlings and adults harvested in state. However, hunters may also participate by contacting DEM's Division of Fish and Wildlife's field headquarters at 789-0281 for approval to submit fresh samples labeled with the location of harvest. Hunters are also asked to call DEM's enforcement office at 222-3070 to report any sick or emaciated deer, or any deer displaying abnormal behavior. DEM reminds hunters that they can donate their surplus game, properly processed, packaged, and refrigerated, to a number of local food kitchens through the Hunters and Fishermen for the Hungry program, coordinated by the Division of Fish and Wildlife in cooperation with the Rhode Island Food Bank. The Division maintains a list of locations, updated regularly, where fish and game may be donated, and has also prepared a booklet with guidelines on handling game and fish for donations, as well as a collection of game and fish recipes for the food kitchens. All of this information is available on DEM's website, www.dem.ri.gov, by clicking on "Topics", then "Wildlife/Hunter Ed" under "Outdoor Recreation/Fisheries". An information packet is also available by calling the Division at 789-0281. -30- |
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