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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 2008-2009 SHOTGUN DEER HUNTING SEASON DATES AND REGULATIONS PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management announces the seasons and general rules for shotgun deer hunting in Rhode Island. 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 begins on Saturday, December 6 and continues through December 14. 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 15 through December 21. Antlerless deer permit holders may also continue to hunt private land on December 27 & December 28, and on January 3 & January 4 this season.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. Hunters are required to check their deer at state operated stations during opening weekend. For the convenience of hunters in the East Bay area, Main Bait & Tackle in Fall River, Massachusetts has been designated as a RI state-operated check station during the first three days of shotgun deer season. Private Landowners Encouraged 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 24 and will be open on select weekdays through February 27th, as published in the state's 2008- 2009 Hunting and Trapping Abstract. Hunters should call the New Shoreham Police Department at 466-3220 for check station information. Hunters generally may purchase one permit to take a deer of either sex, and may purchase two permits to take antlerless deer. 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 "All Outdoors" Permit Package is $112.50, and has been modified this year. The new package, which must be purchased from DEM's Division of Licensing, still entitles hunters to buy 11 mainland deer permits at one time for $112.50. However, this year, on a trial basis, hunters are allowed to use six antlerless permits in any combination during the appropriate season. 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 250 "All Outdoors" permit packages have been printed this year, and about 100 are still available on a first-come, first-served 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, and no Sunday hunting or firearm deer hunting is permitted in Sapowet Management Area. Opportunities for Hunters to Help For the seventh 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 law 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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