250 R.I. Code R. 250-RICR-100-00-1.23

Current through October 15, 2024

Section 250-RICR-100-00-1.23 - Hunting Regulations

A. The possession of a valid Rhode Island hunting, or combination hunting and fishing license, shall serve as a permit to hunt Public Reservations, including Undeveloped State Parks where hunting is allowed, and Tidal Lands pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws Titles 20 and 18, and R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 20-18-2 and 20-18-3.

B. A valid hunting license is required for any State designated hunting season.

C. A permit to trap within a Public Reservation may be obtained from the Division of Fish and Wildlife.

D. The carrying of firearms and archery equipment on Public Reservations at any time is prohibited except as provided for in § 1.17 of this Part.

E. Individual hunters, when pursuing small game, must check in, and out of State Management Area Hunter Check Stations each day they are open for upland season. Check station dates will be listed in the current Hunting and Trapping Season Abstract.

F. Dog training and all hunting, except for bow hunting for deer, and waterfowl hunting, as provided, is prohibited on State Land during the five (5) day period prior to small game season, unless otherwise provided (See Animals, Including Horses and Dogs, § 1.8 of this Part).

G. No person shall engage in any activity that interferes or interrupts lawful hunting on a Management Area or Public Reservation.

H. Fluorescent Orange Requirement:

Fluorescent orange safety clothing is required during the hunting season statewide for all hunters. To meet this requirement, safety clothing must be solid daylight fluorescent orange. Fluorescent camouflage does not meet this requirement. The hunter orange must be worn above the waist and be visible in all directions. Examples that meet the orange requirements are a hat that covers two hundred (200) square inches or combination of hat and vest covering five hundred (500) square inches. The following orange requirements apply:

1. Two hundred (200) square inches by small game hunters during the small game season.

2. Two hundred (200) square inches by fall turkey hunters while traveling.

3. Two hundred (200) square inches by muzzleloader deer hunters during muzzleloading season.

4. Two hundred (200) square inches by archers during muzzleloader deer season when heading to/from an elevated stand.

5. Five hundred (500) square inches by all hunters and other users (including archers) during shotgun deer season.

6. Those hunters using pop-up blinds during the firearms deer season must display two hundred (200) square inches of fluorescent orange visible on the outside of the blind from all directions. Hunters must also wear orange in accordance with the rules for the specific season while in the blind.

7. Exempt from fluorescent orange requirements are:

a. Waterfowl hunters hunting from a boat or blind, over water or field, when done in conjunction with decoys.

b. Archery deer hunters (except during muzzleloader and shotgun deer season).

c. Hunters crow hunting over decoys.

d. First segment dove hunters.

e. Not required in areas limited to archery only by Regulation.

8. All users of State Management Areas and designated Undeveloped State Parks not exempt under § 1.23(H)(7) of this Part, including but not limited to: hikers, bikers and horseback riders, are required to wear two hundred (200) square inches of solid daylight fluorescent orange from the second Saturday in September to the last day of February, and the third Saturday in April to the last day in May annually. Five hundred (500) square inches required for all hunters (including archers) and other users during shotgun deer season.

I. A hunting license is required when training dogs on wild game on State Management Areas, except when participating in State-sanctioned field trails.

J. Complete dressing of game birds and mammals on State Property is prohibited.

Field dressing (removal of entrails only) is permitted. Head, skin, feathers, wings, tails, etc., shall remain attached to the carcass.

K. Dogs on State Management Areas allowed only under the following rules:

1. No dogs are allowed to be trained, run, or exercised or be permitted to run at large on State Management Areas from March 15th to August 15th, inclusive, without written permission of the State Land Management Council, except as otherwise provided in these Regulations.

2. Walking of dogs on a leash of not more than twenty-five feet (25') in length is permitted on roads and trails only.

3. All dogs being utilized in hunting or training activities must wear a collar bearing the name and address of the owner and the handler must hold in possession a valid dog license or tag but it does not need to be on the dog.

L. Dog Training Areas: Dog training shall be allowed on designated areas only, between January 1st and September 30th. During this period, dogs may run freely provided they are under the command of the trainer by voice, training collar, or check cord.

1. Areas designated for training dogs are: the Black Farm Management Area; the Nicholas Farm Management Area north of the Trestle Trail; and the Arcadia Midway Trial Area confined to the developed field complex east of Brook Trail, south of Austin Farm Road and west of the established field edges comprising the Midway fields area. Field trial areas are as depicted on maps drawn by the Division of Fish and Wildlife.

2. Training hours shall be sunrise to sunset.

3. All persons using areas for dog training shall possess a valid hunting license.

4. All dogs using areas shall be licensed and have proof of rabies vaccinations and all dogs being utilized in hunting or training activities must wear a collar bearing the name and address of the owner and handler must possess a valid dog license tag.

5. Training with live birds is permitted provided the bird is released unharmed.

6. Shooting of live birds for training purposes is prohibited.

7. Sanctioned field trial events may be held at the following locations by requesting a Special Use Permit application from the State Lands Management Council: Arcadia, Carolina, Durfee Hill Marsh, and Burlingame (Durfee) Pond, and Nicholas Farm.

M. John L. Curran State Park

1. All hunting shall be within the inner boundaries of the buffer zones marked as posted by the RIDEM.

2. Only shotguns and archery equipment may be possessed or used while hunting.

3. The hunting of and/or possession of Mourning Dove or Wild Pigeons (Rock Dove) is prohibited.

N. Ninigret Conservation Area/East Beach

Designated as an Undeveloped State Park and is open for small game and archery deer hunting only.

O. Simmons Mill Pond Management Area

Deer hunting using archery, muzzleloader and shotgun is permitted while hunting within the Simmons Mill Pond Management Area in Little Compton. Sunday hunting is allowed.

P. Hillsdale Management Area

Hunting is prohibited.

250 R.I. Code R. 250-RICR-100-00-1.23

Amended effective 8/27/2019
Amended effective 8/2/2020
Amended effective 7/12/2021
Amended effective 4/21/2022