Deer Hunting Seasons and Limits

Name: eRegulations
Price range: $

Hunter wearing camouflage gear and an orange hat kneels beside a harvested white-tailed deer in the woods with a compound bow resting nearby during Rhode Island’s archery season. — A successful Rhode Island bowhunter poses with a white-tailed deer during archery season, showcasing ethical hunting practices and the importance of wildlife conservation. Photo by Jasper Coutu.

Deer Hunting Seasons

Season	Dates
Archery (includes Crossbow)	September 13–14 (Youth only, Zone 1) September 27–28 (Youth only, Zone 2) September 15–January 31, 2026 (Zone 1) October 1–January 31, 2026 (Zone 2)
Archery: Patience & Prudence Islands (Zone 3)	October 25–26 (Youth only) November 1–January 31, 2026
Archery: Block Island (Zone 4)	October 16, 17, 20–24, 27–31 (Check local ordinance)
Muzzleloader	October 25–26 (Youth only Zones 1, 2) November 1–30 (Zones 1, 2) December 26–January 2, 2026 (Zones 1, 2 Private land only, antlerless deer only)
Shotgun	December 6–21 (Zone 1) December 6–14 (Zone 2) December 26–January 2, 2026 (Zones 1, 2 - Private land only, antlerless deer only)
Archery, Muzzleloader, Shotgun (Zone 4)	November 3–7, 10, 12–14, 17, 18, 20, 21, 24, 25 December 1, 2, 4, 5, 8–12, 15, 16, 18, 19 January 2, 5–9, 12–16, 20–23, 26–30, 2026 February 2–6, 9–13, 2026
Special Season for Disabled Hunters: Patience & Prudence Islands (Zone 3)	October 28–31

2025–2026 Season Bag Limits
Statewide (all zones & methods combined)	2 Antlered Deer, (Zone 3: no more than 1 Antlered Deer)
Zone 1	3 Antlerless Deer*
Zone 2	2 Antlerless Deer*
Zone 3	2 Antlerless Deer*
Zone 4	Unlimited Antlerless Deer
* Antlerless limits are per zone and hunters may harvest each limit within each zone in a hunting year cumulative across all weapons/seasons.

Photo Submissions

Want to share your story or photo of a successful hunt in next year’s magazine? If so, we want to know everything: time of day, location, target species, weight, length and any other animal specific data you wish to provide. We would love to share your success with everyone! That is, if you want to give up your secrets!

Send your photo of deer, turkey, pheasant, etc. by email and if space allows, it may be used in next year’s edition.