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Rhode Island

Hunting

Hunting

Division of Fish & Wildlife

State of Rhode Island

Governor

Daniel McKee

RI Department of Environmental Management

Director

Terrence Gray

Deputy Director Natural Resources Bureau

Jason McNamee

Division of Fish and Wildlife

Wildlife Section

277 Great Neck Road

West Kingston, RI 02892

(401) 789-0281

[email protected]

Phil Edwards, Chief

Jay Osenkowski, Deputy Chief - Wildlife

Emily George, Supervising Wildlife Biologist

David Kalb, Supervising Wildlife Biologist

Leland Mello, Supervising Wildlife Biologist

Lizzi Bonczek, Upland Game Bird Biologist

Jennifer Brooks, Volunteer Coordinator/Bat Biologist

Katherine Burns, Pollinator Atlas Entomologist

Amanda Cugno, Lands and Compliance Manager

Melissa Curry, Administrative Assistant

Gabrielle DeMeillon, Biological Technician

Dylan Ferreira, Deer & Rabbit Biologist

Amanda Freitas, Community Liaison

Mary Gannon, Wildlife Outreach Coordinator

Jennifer Kilburn, Waterfowl Biologist

Morgan Lucot, Furbearer Biologist

Sarah Riley, Chief Implementation Aid

John Veale, Habitat Biologist

Hunter Safety Education

RI DFW Education Center

1B Camp E-Hun-Tee

Exeter, RI 02822

(401) 539-0013

Branton Elleman, RSO Supervisor

Dana Kopec, Technical Assistant

Dan Lehman, Hunter R3 Specialist

Madison Proulx, Technical Assistant

Division of Law Enforcement

235 Promenade Street

Providence, RI 02908

24hr Violation Line: (401) 222-3070

Dean Hoxsie, Chief

Report Game Violations

RIDEM Environmental Police Officers have broad responsibilities associated with the statewide enforcement of various state environmental laws and regulations, including those associated with hunting, freshwater fishing, and marine fisheries. Officers are always present and on guard to protect these valuable natural resources for all of our citizens.

You can assist them by reporting wildlife violations to the 24 hour hotline at DEM.

Turn In Poachers! – 401-222-3070 24 Hours/7 days week

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.

Hunter with canada geese

Photo by Tyler Laplume

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!

Notice about illegal possession or removal from the wild of any native reptile or amphibian

“It is the policy of the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management to offer its services and accommodations to all orderly persons, and, as required, to all properly licensed persons, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, or disability.” If you believe that you have been discriminated against in any program, activity, facility, or if you desire further information, please write to the Office for Equal Opportunity, U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of the Secretary, Washington, D.C. 20240.