Welcome to 2026-27 Rhode Island Hunting

Significant Regulation Changes & Highlights 2026–2027

• Deer Hunting
  • Zones 1 and 2 now have the same archery deer season dates. September 15–January 31, 2027.
  • Muzzleloader deer season now extends to the day before shotgun season starts. November 7–December 4.
  • Zones 1 and 2 now have the same shotgun deer season which has been extended. December 5–31.
  • The antlerless only private land only season during the muzzleloader and shotgun season has been removed.
  • Zone 3
    • Archery deer season has been expanded to begin the Monday after Columbus day. October 19–January 31, 2027.
    • Paraplegic deer season is now the Tuesday-Friday following Columbus day. October 13–16.
    • Youth season is now after the paraplegic season and before regular season. October 17–18.
    • Heritage Property is now open during the entire Zone 3 archery deer season
  • Beavertail State Park allows archery deer hunting on weekends.
• Hunting Co-ops
  • Addition of 115 acres to Town of Bristol Minturn archery deer hunting property.
  • Canonchet Preserve (TNC) now allows muzzleloaders and shotguns for deer hunting.
  • Harrington Preserve (TNC) now allows all hunting.
• Small Game Hunting
  • Red/gray fox hunting season has been reduced to Nov. 7–December 31.
  • Falconry is an allowable method of take for small game, which includes squirrel, woodchuck, rabbit, skunk, opossum.
  • Coyote shooting hours on private land extended to ½ hour before sunrise until midnight.
• Trapping
  • Bag limit for muskrat is 15.
  • For the taking of weasels and squirrels, the use of rat or mouse-sized body gripping (i.e., “snap traps”) are permitted. Such traps must be set in artificial cubbies.
• Waterfowl
  • There is now an Active Military and Veterans waterfowl season. November 10–11. See Migratory Bird Hunting.
  • For the Canada goose regular season, the daily bag limit includes white-fronted geese.
• General
  • Target shooting is prohibited on Public Management Areas except in designated areas.
  • The use of drones or other remotely operated unmanned aircraft systems and devices to drive or disturb wildlife or aid in the take and or recovery of wildlife for the purpose of hunting is prohibited.
  • Organized wildlife killing contests that involve entry fees or monetary prize rewards, where animal carcasses pelts and or meat are not utilized, or that result in wanton waste are prohibited.
  • Guide regulations have been updated. See Hunting Guide Permit.