250 R.I. Code R. 250-RICR-60-00-9.17

Current through December 26, 2024

Section 250-RICR-60-00-9.17 - General

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

B. Taking of moose (Alces alces), black bear (Ursus americanus), bobcat (Lynx rufus), or any other species for which there is no promulgated season by any method is prohibited except as provided under special permit issued by the Director of the Department of Environmental Management.

C. The importation, exportation, possession, liberation, rehabilitation or sale, offer for sale, barter, or offer for barter of mute swans and their eggs is prohibited, except by special permit issued by the Director of the Department of Environmental Management or his/her designee.

D. The importation, exportation, possession, liberation, or sale, offer for sale, barter, or offer for barter of any live or pen-reared wild turkey or eggs of a wild turkey is prohibited. The possession of any dead untagged wild turkey is prohibited.

E. Wanton Waste - No person shall kill or cripple any game species pursuant to these Regulations without making a reasonable effort to retrieve the animal and retain it in his/her actual custody.

F. There is no closed season for monk parakeets (Myiopsitta monachus), rock dove (Columbia livia), house sparrow (Passer domesticus), or European starling (Sturnus vulgaris).

G. 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 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 muzzleloader deer season.

4. Two hundred (200) square inches by archery deer hunters when traveling to/from an elevated stand during the muzzleloader deer season. Once in an elevated stand, archery deer hunters are exempt from the orange requirement during the muzzleloader deer season.

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

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 seasons 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. Spring turkey hunters

e. First segment mourning dove hunters

f. All users in areas limited to Archery only by Regulation

g. Raccoon hunters when hunting at night

H. Waterfowl hunting is permitted no more than ten feet (10') above mean high water on Prudence Island, except during the early waterfowl season, as established by Federal Regulation and during November 1 - 30, inclusive.

I. Shooting at any animal at any time, while such animal is on a telephone line, pole, or tower, or electric line, pole, or tower, or any communication device is prohibited.

J. It is prohibited to import or possess game birds for the purpose of liberation or stocking of said game birds into the State of Rhode Island without first having received a permit to do so from the Department. Imported game birds shall comply with all requirements set forth in Part 40-05-1 of this Title, the Rules and Regulations Governing the Importation of Domestic Animals. Persons holding a shooting preserve license and/or game propagation permit may liberate game birds in connection with field trials and shooting preserves (see R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 20-2-16.1, 20-2-29, 20-17-1 through 20-17-11, 20-19-2, and 20-19-3).

K. Feeding and baiting wildlife, including the leaving out of food of any kind where accessible to wildlife, is not permitted at any time for any purposes except:

1. Under a license or permit issued by the Department pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 20-1-18 for bona fide scientific research;

2. By planting, cultivating, or harvesting of crops directly associated with bona fide agricultural practices, including planted wildlife food plots;

3. By distribution of food material for livestock directly associated with bona fide agricultural practices; by distribution of food material for legally possessed captive wildlife, pursuant to a permit;

4. By cutting of trees or brush; or

5. Elevated bird/squirrel feeders providing seed, grain, fruit, worms or suet for birds or squirrels located within one hundred feet (100') of an occupied dwelling.

6. The placement or use of carcasses or meat parts thereof is allowed on private property for the purpose of hunting coyote. The placement or use of carcasses or meat parts thereof is prohibited for the purpose of hunting coyote on State lands.

7. For baiting of furbearers as associated with legal trapping activities in accordance with these Regulations.

L. It is unlawful to carry or have in a vehicle or conveyance a loaded firearm, or archery equipment with a nocked arrow, outside legal shooting hours. Provided the hunter is stationary, his/her firearm or archery equipment may be loaded no more than fifteen (15) minutes before the start of legal shooting hours. Firearms and archery equipment must be unloaded immediately at the end of legal shooting hours.

M. The use of drones or other remotely operated unmanned aircraft systems and devices to drive or disturb wildlife or aid in the take of wildlife for the purpose of hunting is prohibited.

N. The use or possession of laser sights that project a beam, infrared or night vision equipment is prohibited to hunt, recover, take or while in the possession of any harvested wildlife.

O. All hunters must have taken and successfully completed a bow hunter education class to hunt with archery equipment.

P. Pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-47-9.1, a law enforcement officer is authorized to possess a loaded firearm, including a concealed firearm, while in or upon any part of a Public Reservation except when engaged in authorized hunting activities when possessing any firearm other than the authorized firearm or archery equipment allowed pursuant to the governing RIDEM Hunting Regulation for the specific hunting activity is prohibited.

Q. A person is authorized to possess blank guns for the purpose of dog training in designated areas pursuant to § 9.16(T) of this Part from January 1st to September 30th.

250 R.I. Code R. 250-RICR-60-00-9.17

Amended effective 7/31/2019
Amended effective 8/2/2020
Amended effective 7/31/2021
Amended Effective 11/17/2021
Amended effective 7/31/2022
Amended effective 6/28/2023
Amended effective 8/2/2023
Amended effective 8/8/2024