On behalf of Governor Dan McKee, I am excited to release the tenth annual Rhode Island Hunting and Trapping Regulation Guide for Rhode Islanders and visitors who enjoy wildlife and the great outdoors. We hope its information about the ins and outs of harvesting game animals will help novice and seasoned hunters alike.
Hunting has a long tradition in Rhode Island, supporting family customs, connecting people with nature, and attracting tourism to the state. Although I am not an active hunter, I know and respect the valuable history of hunting in Rhode Island and how hunting skills and experiences are passed on generation to generation in many Rhode Island families.
The support of Rhode Island hunters allows DEM to acquire and protect wildlife habitat, study local species, and educate the public on the importance of conservation and management. This year, the Division of Fish and Wildlife held its eighth consecutive Youth Waterfowl Mentored Hunt and also partnered with The Light Foundation for the third annual spring Mentored Youth Wild Turkey Hunt. These events continue to help instill responsibility and respect in Rhode Island youth hunters. DEM is committed to building opportunities for young people to experience and enjoy the outdoors and inspiring the next generation of responsible hunters, outdoor enthusiasts, and leaders.
New this year are many additional acres for open public hunting! Both through state land purchases including a new 128-acre parcel in North Kingstown and through solid partnerships and cooperation with towns and private organizations, hunters can find access to hunt and trap in every county within a short distance. We are proud of the partnerships that we have forged and know that respectful hunters in Rhode Island will help ensure that these partnerships, and these lands, stay open for recreational access.
I hope this guide, funded through your contributions to the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act (Pittman-Robertson Act), enhances your hunting experiences, while encouraging you to be respectful of the environment and fellow hunters. Enjoy the excitement of the outdoors in beautiful Rhode Island and the tranquility and connection to nature that hunting brings. And thank you for being part of conservation efforts that will provide benefits for generations to come!
Terrence Gray, PE
Director
Environmental Police Chief’s Message
Welcome to the hunting and trapping abstract for the State of Rhode Island. You will find all the necessary information within this guide, and a list of resources, locations and programs that are offered. Rhode Island, while small, has a great deal to offer for outdoor enthusiasts such as white-tailed deer, waterfowl, small game, and upland game hunting, along with a tremendous trout stocking program for our freshwater bodies of water. Saltwater anglers can fish the many miles of shoreline, take a charter boat, or use recreational boating to access some of the best fishing on the east coast.
The Division of Fish and Wildlife offers hunter education courses operates a state-of-the-art shooting range at the Great Swamp and provides many other programs for you to learn from and explore. All of the programming is provided to ensure that those hunting and fishing in our state, do so in an ethical manner with the greatest regard for the outdoor environment, and the wildlife inhabitants. Fish and Wildlife has a highly educated and dedicated staff that work to provide wildlife habitat, game management, and trout and salmon stocking programs to benefit the outdoorsmen.
The Environmental Police work together with all divisions of the department, to provide resource protection through conservation law enforcement. Our officers are highly educated and trained to provide a diverse and thorough background in natural resources. Officers are responsible for all state lands, private lands for hunting and fishing oversight, as well as the marine environment. Hunting, fishing, and boating safety and enforcement are the primary functions of the division. Officers are provided with an incredible assortment of tools to insure the protection of our natural resources for future generations.
Please venture into the great outdoors that Rhode Island has to offer. While we are called the Ocean State, our other natural resource divisions are as impressive as the water side vistas. We ask that you visit and enjoy in a manner that is respectful to the outdoor environment, lands and waters of our state and maintain these areas in a pristine condition so that others can enjoy them as you have.
As Chief, I welcome you to Rhode Island and ask that everyone do their part to protect the natural resources of this small but incredibly diverse state. Go out and explore, enjoy and take in all that Rhode Island has to offer.
Sincerely,
Dean Hoxsie, Chief
RI Environmental Police
(401-222-3070)
