Division of Fish & Wildlife

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. to [email protected] and if space allows, it may be used in next year’s edition.

See Something, Say Something

By Scott Buchanan, Herpetologist, RI DEM

One of the great joys of spending time outdoors is an unexpected close encounter with wildlife. Whether a young fawn with spots still visible, or an ambling box turtle, crossing paths with any one of the many thousands of species that occur in Rhode Island can create a memory that lasts a lifetime. This emotional response can be so powerful that the temptation to collect the animal arises, whether to possess as a pet, or because of the perception that the animal may be in danger because it is alone. But it is important for all Rhode Islanders to remember that our native wildlife belongs in the wild.

Rhode Island has strict laws that govern the possession and take of native species. While many species can be fished, hunted, trapped, or harvested under certain conditions and times of year, these laws protect all native species from undue collection. As per Rhode Island Division of Fish and Wildlife Regulations (250-RICR-40-05-3), all native wildlife are expressly prohibited from importation and ownership without a state-issued permit.

While it may disappoint some to learn that wildlife laws restrict most collection, there are ways that you can ensure your encounter with wildlife has lasting meaning. The illegal collection of wildlife is a problem in Rhode Island, and because wildlife are a shared resource among all members of the public, it should be viewed as a shared responsibility to report violations. If you encounter someone actively collecting or in possession of native wildlife, it should be reported to RIDEM Law Enforcement by calling (401)-222-3070. And finally, you can report wildlife observations to the Rhode Island Division of Fish and Wildlife (https://dem.ri.gov/natural-resources-bureau/fish-wildlife/wildlife-hunting/report-wildlife-observations) using one of six taxa-specific apps. These reports by community scientists can have great significance by helping to identify a new population of threatened or endangered wildlife, or to identify a road mortality hotspot.

The conservation of wildlife in Rhode Island is a big task that requires the help of the public. Please remember that you can play a big part — if you see something, say something!