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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-HUNTING DATES AND REGULATIONS All hunters, including archers, are required to wear 500 square inches of fluorescent orange during the shotgun season. Throughout the shotgun deer season, all other users of state management areas must also wear at least 500 square inches of solid, daylight fluorescent orange material; thereafter, the requirement drops to 200 square inches through the end of February, and during the spring turkey-hunting season. The shotgun season for taking either-sex and antlerless deer – female deer or male deer with antlers less than three inches long – on the mainland commences Saturday, December 1 and continues through December 9. Hunters can utilize both state and private land during that period. The shotgun season continues for taking both either-sex and antlerless deer, on private land only, from December 10 through December 16. Antlerless deer permit holders may also continue to hunt private land December 29-30 and January 5-6 this season. Hunters are required to check their deer at state operated stations during opening weekend. For East Bay hunter convenience, a check station will be open at Ft. Wetherill in Jamestown at that time. East Bay hunters may also utilize Main Bait & Tackle in Fall River, MA. DEM Encourages Private Landowners to Allow Deer Hunting on Their Land The Department is encouraging more private landowners to allow hunters to hunt on their property during deer-hunting seasons. As a reminder to deer hunters, annual written permission is required for all deer hunting on private lands. DEM has developed a courtesy card, available on the DEM website, for hunters and landowners to sign, which gives the dates for permissions, and contains A Hunter's Pledge regarding principles of conduct. The season for shotgun deer hunting on Block Island opens on November 26 and will be open on select weekdays through February 29th, as published in the state's 2007- 2008 Hunting and Trapping Abstract. Hunters should call the New Shoreham Police Department at 466-3220 for check station information. Permit Focus is on Reducing Overabundant Deer Herd DEM is focusing on providing opportunities to harvest additional antlerless deer as an effective method to reduce the state's overabundant deer herd, according to Michael Lapisky, Chief of DEM's Division of Fish and Wildlife. Hunters generally 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. The permits, which can be purchased at any time, may be used in any order. On Block Island only private land will be open, but hunters may take an unlimited number of deer, and may purchase up to five permits at a time. 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 vendors 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. The new "All Outdoors" Permit Package is $112.50. The "All Outdoors" package, which must be purchased from DEM's Division of Licensing, entitles hunters to buy all nine mainland deer permits at one time for $112.50, and receive two additional mainland permits free of charge. The two permits are valid for either sex or antlerless deer during their respective seasons. Hunters wishing to purchase the "All Outdoors" package must show previous Rhode Island firearm and archery permits or proof of both hunter and archery safety course cards. A limit of 500 "All Outdoors" permit packages will be printed this first year, on a first come first serve basis. 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. For instance, 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. Opportunities for Hunters to Help For the sixth year, 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. Hunters 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 DEM's 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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