Section 250-RICR-60-00-9.13 - Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo)A. Turkey Seasons Dates (all dates inclusive):1. Paraplegic Spring Turkey Season: The full weekend (Saturday/Sunday) prior to the Thursday Statewide Spring Turkey Season opener.2. Youth Turkey Season: The Monday through Sunday, inclusive, prior to the Thursday Statewide Spring Turkey Season opener.3. Statewide Spring Turkey Season: The last Thursday of April extending twenty-five (25) days, inclusive of the Thursday opener.4. Fall Archery Turkey Season: October 1 to October 31.B. The Spring Turkey Season bag limit and possession limit is two (2) bearded turkeys. 1. No more than one (1) turkey may be taken on State lands.C. The Fall Archery Turkey Season bag limit and possession limit is one (1) either sex turkey.D. A separate turkey permit must be purchased to hunt in each season.1. Spring Season: A hunter may purchase, possess and use one (1) all lands turkey permit and one (1) private land only turkey permit for the taking of one (1) bearded turkey on each permit.a. Hunters may take two (2) turkeys on the same day or one (1) each on separate days provided they purchase two (2) spring turkey permits and at least one (1) turkey is taken on private property.2. Fall Season: A hunter may purchase, possess and use one (1) fall either sex archery turkey permit, valid on both State and private property.E. Paraplegic Spring Turkey Season: 1. Spring Turkey Permit Required.2. Hunting in this season will be limited to paraplegic hunters only as evidenced by possession of a permanent disability hunting license.3. A first-time hunter must make application for a permanent disability hunting license as prescribed by the DEM.4. None of the hunter's assistants will be allowed to hunt or carry firearms at any time.5. Bag limit is two (2) wild turkeys as described in § 9.13(D)(1) of this Part.F. Youth Turkey Season: 1. Wild Turkey hunting is permitted during the special Youth Turkey Hunt for those hunters twelve (12) to fifteen (15) years of age.2. Youth hunters must possess a Spring Turkey Permit.3. Junior hunters (ages twelve (12) to fourteen (14)) as defined in § 9.6 of this Part, in possession of a valid Rhode Island Junior Hunting License must be accompanied by at least one (1) qualified licensed adult, age twenty-one (21) years or older, who holds a valid Rhode Island hunting license.4. An adult may accompany no more than two (2) junior hunters at one (1) time.5. The accompanying adult is prohibited from carrying a firearm and hunting wild turkey.6. Youth hunters age fifteen (15) do not have to hunt in the immediate company of a licensed adult.7. Bag limit is two (2) wild turkeys as described in § 9.13(D)(1) of this Part.G. Shooting hours: 1. Spring season shooting hours are one half (1/2) hour before sunrise to 1:00 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time.2. Fall season shooting hours are one half (1/2) hour before sunrise until sunset.H. Authorized firearms and archery equipment: methods of take are limited to shotguns, no larger than ten (10) gauges with shot sizes no larger than four (4); and by archery equipment except for crossbows.1. Long bow, re-curve bow and compound bow must be set at not less than forty (40) pounds for archers using fixed blade broadheads, and a minimum of fifty (50) pounds for archers using mechanical broadheads.2. Only broadhead tipped arrows with at least two (2) metal cutting edges are allowed. All broadheads must be seven eighths of one inch (7/8") or greater at the widest point including mechanical broadheads measured in the "open" position.3. Only one (1) firearm or archery implement may be possessed in the field per individual hunter, while hunting wild turkey.4. Possession of a firearm while hunting for turkey during the fall archery season is prohibited.5. Hunters using archery equipment to take wild turkey must have taken and successfully completed a bow hunter education course. Crossbows are a prohibited method of taking wild turkey. See § 9.13(M) of this Part.I. Tagging Requirements: Anyone harvesting a wild turkey must immediately notch the month, day and hour of kill on the printed paper tag. The carcass and notched tag must remain in the possession of the hunter after the kill and while removing the carcass from the field. Should the hunter leave the carcass prior to removal from the field, the notched tag must be attached to and remain with the carcass. After removal from the field, the notched tag must be attached to and remain with the carcass until the carcass is prepared for consumption or taxidermy.J. Reporting Requirements: The successful harvest of a wild turkey must be reported to DEM within twenty-four (24) hours of the date and time of the harvest. A confirmation number will be issued and must be recorded on the notched tag. The notched tag with confirmation number must remain attached to the carcass until prepared for consumption or taxidermy.K. The Division retains the right to sample any and all tissues deemed necessary.L. Prohibited Activities: 1. The use of any unauthorized firearm, live decoy(s), baiting, cooperative drive(s), electric calling devices, or any other devices to capture or ensnare turkeys is prohibited.2. Stalking or attempting to sneak up on a turkey to get a shot is prohibited.3. Hunters are prohibited from hunting unless they have a turkey calling device (non-electric) in their possession. Calling is the only legal method for hunting wild turkey. An individual with a valid Rhode Island hunting license may call turkeys for another hunter that possesses a valid turkey permit.4. No person shall hunt, pursue, shoot, attempt to shoot, or possess any wild turkey unless they possess on their person a valid Rhode Island hunting license and a valid turkey hunting permit.5. The shooting of any wild turkey while on the roost is prohibited.6. Crossbows are prohibited for turkey hunting.250 R.I. Code R. 250-RICR-60-00-9.13
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