Migratory Bird Hunting

Waterfowl Seasons and Bag Limits

Season	Dates	Daily Bag Limit	Restrictions
Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days*	October 28 - 29	Same as regular season, listed below	Open to youth hunters age 12-15 accompanied by a licensed adult 21 years of age or older; may take ducks, sea ducks, geese, gallinules, and brant.
Canada Goose Early Season	September 1 - 30	15	Shooting hours are ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset for September season only.
Canada Goose Regular Season	November 18 - 26 and December 2 - January 21, 2024	2	Special permits are required for the South Shore Management Area and may be obtained through the online licensing system or the DFW. Field reservations are required. See Goose Hunting for more information.
Canada Goose Late Season	January 27 - February 10, 2024	5	Limited to Providence, Bristol and Kent counties and portions of Washington County as described in RIHR §9.11(B)(3)(d). A map depicting the area open to hunting is found on State Lands Map and also available on the Department of Environmental Management’s website.
Snow Goose (Including Blue Goose)	October 7 - January 21, 2024	25	No possession limit
Brant	December 23 - January 21, 2024	1	-
Ducks	October 13 - 16, November 22 - 26, December 2 - January 21, 2024	6	The daily bag limit shall contain no more than: Mallard: 4 (2 hens) Black Duck: 2 Canvasback: 2 Pintail: 1 Redhead: 2 Wood Duck: 3 Scaup: see below Sea Ducks: see below Other Duck Species: 6
Scaup	October 13 - 16, November 22 - 26, December 2 - January 1, 2024	1	The daily bag limit of scaup is part of the duck daily bag limit of 6.
	January 2 - 21, 2024	2
Sea Ducks	Same as ducks	4	The daily bag limit is 4, in aggregate, but not to exceed 3 Scoter, 3 Eider (1 hen), or 3 Long-tailed Ducks. The daily bag limit of sea ducks (4) is part of the duck daily bag limit of 6.
Mergansers	Same As Ducks	5	-
Coots	Same As Ducks	15	-
Swans	No Season	-	-
Harlequin Duck	Closed	Caution: Harlequin ducks are found in sea duck hunting areas along rocky coastal shores, specifically in the vicinity of Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge, Middletown and Beavertail Pt., Jamestown. The female Harlequin duck is similar in appearance to female bufflehead, goldeneye, or scoter, and can be mistaken for these species.
The possession limit shall contain no more than three (3) times the daily bag limit listed above. * See Youth and Disabled Hunting Opportunities for more information on Youth and Disabled Hunter Opportunities.

Migratory Shore and Upland Game Bird Seasons and Bag Limits

Season	Dates	Bag Limits
Crow	August 11 - October 1 (Fri, Sat, Sun Only) October 21 - December 11 (inclusive) December 15 - March 30, 2024 (Fri, Sat, Sun Only)	Unlimited
King/Clapper Rail	September 1 - November 9	1
Sora/Virginia Rail	September 1 - November 9	3
Snipe	September 1 - November 9	5
Mourning Dove	September 9 - October 8 October 21 - December 3 December 9 - 24	15
Woodcock	October 21 - December 4	3

The possession limit shall contain no more than three (3) times the daily bag limit listed above.

2023-24 Waterfowl Highlights

1. Mallard bag limit has been increased to four (4) of which two (2) may be hen mallards.
2. The brant season has been reduced to 30 days seen on Goose Hunting. The bag limit for brant is one (1).
3. Sea Duck changes:
   1. There is no longer a special sea duck season. The sea duck season is now the same as the duck season.
   2. Sea duck daily bag limit is now 4. Species restrictions include no more than 3 scoters, 3 eider (1 hen), and 3 long-tailed ducks.
   3. Sea ducks are now part of the daily duck bag of 6.
4. There is no longer a special restriction on hooded mergansers.
5. Pintail daily bag limit remains one (1) bird per day.
6. Permit and reservations are required to hunt geese at the South Shore Management Area during the regular season. Permits will be issued online and at the DFW Great Swamp Field office (see Goose Hunting for details).
7. Goose and other waterfowl harvest reporting is no longer required for South Shore Management Area.
8. All migratory bird hunters must possess a Rhode Island Harvest Information Program (HIP) Permit, available through the online licensing system.
9. All waterfowl hunters sixteen (16) years of age and older must possess a RI State Waterfowl Stamp and Federal Duck Stamp.
10. Discharge of a firearm within five hundred (500) feet of an occupied dwelling is prohibited.
11. Cripples may be pursued, shot and retrieved from a boat under power in tidal waters seaward of the first upstream bridge; crippled birds must be immediately killed.
12. All regulations pertaining to migratory bird hunting also pertain to falconry hunting (special permit required, contact the DFW for more details).
13. Non-toxic shot is required per Federal regulation for all dove, duck and goose hunting in Field 1 at South Shore Management Area.

Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp

The law requires that each waterfowl hunter sixteen (16) years of age and over must carry on his or her person a valid Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (“Federal Duck Stamp”) signed in ink across the face. Waterfowl hunters must also possess a RI State Waterfowl Stamp, signed in ink across the face, or a State Waterfowl Stamp Certification obtained through the web-based online licensing system rio.ri.gov. Those wishing to obtain a RI waterfowl stamp ($8.00) in person may do so at the Division of Fish and Wildlife, Great Swamp Field Headquarters: 277 Great Neck Rd, West Kingston, RI 02892, Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. A limited number of “hunter” edition stamps will be printed and available for purchase.

Harvest Information Permit - HIP

All migratory bird hunters are required by Federal Law to obtain a RI Harvest Information Program (HIP) Permit, obtainable through the online licensing system at rio.ri.gov, and at hunting license vendors, DEM headquarters in Providence, and participating town clerks statewide.

For more information, call 401-789-0281 or email [email protected]. A HIP certification must be included on your license document to hunt migratory birds.

RI Duck Stamp: About The Artist

Summer Blair created “Flying Long-Tailed Duck” which showcases great artistic ability and local Rhode Island scenery. She has always loved art since she was little. Any chance she got, she would draw or create something, and now that has transformed into her fully dedicated passion. She took a full year of art in Junior High and now is on the art pathway at her high school. Additionally, she is a member of the National Art Honors Society and it is her pride and joy. Art is a form of expression for her and always has been a great comfort in her life. She has participated in the Duck Stamp competition through her entire school career and has always put in the most effort to make beautiful art in awareness of preserving wildlife. She is truly honored to have her artwork as the face of this year’s RI Duck Stamp!

Non-Toxic Shot Requirements

No shot other than non-toxic may be used to hunt, pursue, or attempt to take waterfowl, rails, or snipe within the State of Rhode Island including any jurisdictional tidal water extending from mean high water out seaward to three miles. Non-toxic shot includes steel, bismuth-tin, tungsten-iron, tungsten-polymer, tungsten-matrix, and tungsten-nickel-iron-shot or any other shot as approved by United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Tin shot is prohibited. All shot larger than BB is prohibited; including duplex loads containing shot larger than BB.

Hunting Restrictions

No person shall take migratory game birds:

• With a trap, snare, net, crossbow, rifle, pistol, swivel gun, shotgun larger than 10-gauge, punt gun, battery gun, machine gun, fishhook, poison, drug, explosive or stupefying substance.
• With a shotgun capable of holding more than three shells, unless it is plugged with a one-piece filler that is incapable of removal without disassembling the gun.
• From a sink box (a low floating device, having a depression affording the hunter a means of concealment beneath the surface of water).
• From or with the aid or use of a car or other motor-driven land conveyance or any aircraft, except that paraplegics and single or double amputees of the legs may take from any stationary motor vehicle or stationary motor-driven land conveyance.
• From or by means of any motor boat or sail boat unless the motor has been completely shut off and/or the sail furled, and its progress has ceased.
• By the use or aid of live decoys. All live, tame or captive ducks and geese shall be removed for a period of 10 consecutive days prior to hunting, and confined within an enclosure which substantially reduces the audibility of their calls and totally conceals such tame birds from the sight of migratory waterfowl.
• Using records or tapes of migratory bird calls or sounds, or electrically amplified imitations of bird calls.
• By driving, rallying or chasing birds with any motorized conveyance or any sail boat to put them in the range of hunters.
• By the aid of baiting (placing feed such as corn, wheat, salt, or other feed to constitute a lure or enticement), or on/over a baited area. Hunters should be aware that a baited area is considered to be baited for 10 days after removal of the bait, and it is not necessary for the hunter to know an area is baited to be in violation.
• Dual Violation: Violation of state migratory bird regulations is also a violation of Federal regulations.

Closed Areas

Providence, East Providence, Pawtucket – That portion of the Seekonk River north of the railroad bridge to a line across the Seekonk River running between the intersection of Gulf Road and River Drive (Providence side) to the southerly abutment of the railroad bridge at the outlet of Omega Pond (East Providence side), shall be closed to waterfowl hunting. The discharge of firearms while waterfowl hunting on the Seekonk River is restricted to discharge toward open water (seaward).

Warwick – Brush Neck Cove, so-called, in its entirety. Mill Cove, so-called, in its entirety, including the beachfront. Buttonwoods Cove, so-called, in its entirety.

North Kingstown – Mill Cove, Wickford, so called, in its entirety. Fishing Cove, Wickford, area west of a line to be determined bisecting Cornelius Island. All discharge of firearms while waterfowl hunting is restricted to discharge in an easterly direction from the above line. The Division of Fish and Wildlife will establish the line of demarcation.

Charlestown – Watchaug Pond and Poquiant Brook, or hunting within 100 yards upland of the shore or bank of same.

Tiverton – That unnamed estuary in Tiverton, north of Seapowet Avenue and east of Jack’s Island, bounded on the west, south, and east shore by the Audubon Society of RI’s Emilie Ruecker Wildlife Refuge, and as posted by Audubon Society of RI and Department of Environmental Management signs. The affected area includes the inlet of this estuary and marshland on the north side of this outlet.

Middletown – Sachuest Point (NWR) shoreline below mean high water to mean low water surrounding the National Wildlife Refuge property is closed to all hunting: No hunting along shoreline.

Lincoln/Central Falls – Pursuant to RIGL 11-47-49.1, discharge of a firearm within the Blackstone Valley Flood Plains or Marshes, also known as “Valley Marshes” is prohibited.

Additional Restrictions

Barrington – The Barrington River between Central Bridge at Massasoit Avenue and Barrington Bridge #123 at County Road is closed to hunting, except for that section on the river east of Puritan Avenue (41.745873° N, -71.309876° W) and west of the point southwest of Seabrook Court (41.744189° N, -71.306622° W). Hunting shall be restricted to the water areas below the vegetation line. Discharge of firearms while waterfowl hunting is restricted to discharge toward open water (seaward).

Bristol – Walker Island – discharge of firearms while waterfowl hunting is restricted to discharge toward open waters (seaward).

East Providence – Check local ordinances for restrictions. The discharge of firearms while waterfowl hunting is restricted to discharge toward open water (seaward).

Warwick – Rock Island and its adjacent groin extending northward off Narragansett Parkway. The discharge of firearms while waterfowl hunting is restricted to discharge toward open water (seaward).

Cranston – Washouset Point (Pawtuxet Cove) north to Fields Point, including Stillhouse Cove; the discharge of firearms while waterfowl hunting is restricted to discharge towards open water (seaward). No hunting from the shoreline or from a watercraft within five hundred (500) feet of occupied buildings (RIGL 20-13-7).

Little Compton – All waterfowl hunters must have the following to hunt the Simmons Mill Pond only in the Simmons Mill Management Area: (a) waterfowl decoys; (b) retrieving breed of hunting dog, and/or a boat without motor, or canoe without motor.

North Kingstown – Waterfowl hunting on Belleville Pond is restricted to the northwest segment of the large pond as designated by DEM signs. The discharge of firearms is restricted toward open waters. Waterfowl hunting is permitted after November 15 by town ordinance. Firearms must remain cased until individual reaches hunting area (blind or boat).

Check local ordinances for shooting or hunting restrictions.

Wanton Waste

All migratory game birds killed or crippled shall be retrieved, if possible, and retained in the custody of the hunter in the field.

Tagging

No person shall give, put or leave any migratory game birds at any place or in the custody of another person unless the birds are tagged by the hunter with the following information:

1. The hunter’s signature
2. The hunter’s address
3. The total number of birds involved, by species
4. The dates such birds were killed

No person or business shall receive or have in custody any migratory game birds belonging to another unless such birds are properly tagged.

Possession of Live Birds

Wounded and recovered birds shall be immediately killed and included in the daily bag limit.

Dressing

No person shall completely field dress any migratory game bird (except doves and band-tailed pigeons) and then transport the birds from the field. The head or one fully feathered wing must remain attached to all such birds while being transported from the field to one’s home or to a migratory bird preservation facility.

Shipment

No person shall ship migratory game birds unless the package is marked on the outside with: (a) the name and address of the person sending the birds, (b) the name and address of the person to whom the birds are being sent, and (c) the number of birds, by species contained in the package.

Importation

For information regarding the importation of migratory birds killed in another country, hunters should consult 50 CFR 20.61 through 20.66. One fully-feathered wing must remain attached to all migratory birds being transported between the port of entry and one’s home or to a migratory bird preservation facility. No person shall import migratory game birds killed in any foreign country, except Canada, unless such birds are dressed (except as required in 20.63), drawn, and head and feet are removed. No person shall import migratory game birds belonging to another person.

Reference

Federal regulations related to migratory game birds are located in Title 50, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 20.

Hunting on National Wildlife Refuges

More restrictive regulations may apply to National Wildlife Refuges open to public hunting. For additional information on Federal regulations, contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Agent, 401-364-9124.

Proper Harvest Care

Most wild animals in Rhode Island are healthy. However, diseases and viruses can be present with any wildlife species as well as associated parasites (e.g., ticks). Some wildlife diseases can be transmitted to humans, pets, domestic and other wild animals. The DFW monitors for diseases in multiple species, such as Chronic Wasting Disease and Epizootic Hemorrhagic disease (EHD) in deer, Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease 2 (RHDV2) and Tularemia in rabbits, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in waterfowl and a variety of other diseases in game and non-game animals.

If you do harvest an animal that is or seems sick, contact DFW (401-789-0281 or [email protected]). The DFW strongly advises hunters to adhere to the following procedures when handling harvested game:

• Do not handle or butcher game animals that are obviously sick or are found dead.
• Do not eat, drink, or smoke while cleaning game.
• Wear rubber gloves or cover hands with plastic when cleaning game.
• Wash your hands with soap and hot water for at least 20 seconds after handling game.
• Carry disinfecting wipes or an alcohol-based gel into the field with you for immediate use after handling game.
• Wash tools and working surfaces with soap and water, then disinfect with a 10% solution of chlorine bleach.
• Cook game meat thoroughly, reaching an internal temperature of 165° F.
• Clean birds in an area that poultry and pet birds cannot access. There should be a solid barrier between your game cleaning area and where birds are housed
• Keep a separate pair of shoes to be worn only in the game cleaning area. Clean and disinfect all footwear when coming in and out of the cleaning area.
• Use dedicated tools for cleaning game; do not mix tools that you use around domestic animals or pets.
• Double bag carcass parts, tying both bags shut.
• Place bags in a container that children, domestic animals, and wildlife cannot access.
• Tick-borne diseases pose a hazard to both hunters and their dogs. Use tick repellents and always conduct tick checks after returning from the field.