State Lands
There are over 55,000 acres of land designated as state management areas in Rhode Island.
Access management area maps from the Rhode Island Division of Fish and Wildlife at the Great Swamp Field Office or view them online through the RI DEM Maps page.
Regulations are designed and enforced to promote conservation of the state’s natural resources for their future enjoyment and to ensure human safety in the outdoors. Hunting and trapping is allowed during the open seasons. In order to effectively manage and safeguard these open areas for people, wildlife, and habitat, the following regulations are to be followed:- Except for fishing, hunting, launching, and/or mooring of boats, all management areas are closed 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise, except by written permit (250-RICR-100-00-9).
- Camping is prohibited on all areas with the exception of portions designated at Arcadia and George Washington Management Areas. Contact the Division of Forest Environment for camping information (401) 539-2356.
- The use of motorcycles is prohibited except in designated portions of Arcadia Management Area.
- The use of ATVs is prohibited statewide.
- The blocking of any gate, road, or access in state management areas is prohibited and subject to fines (250-RICR-100-00-7).
- Horseback riding is prohibited in the Great Swamp Management Area during small game and shotgun deer season (250-RICR-100-00-9).
- Groups of 10 or more people must obtain a special use permit from the DEM Management Area Stewardship Committee. For permit details, call 401-539-2356 or visit the RI DEM Special Use and Event Policy page.
- Target or trap shooting on state lands is only allowed on provided ranges (RIGL 32-2-4).
Undeveloped State Parks and Other Public Reservations
Hunting is permitted in the following:
- Galilee Bird Sanctuary is open to hunting. Deer hunting is limited to archery equipment only.
- Cocumcussoc and Washington Grove
- Burlingame State Park North Camp is open to deer and turkey hunting only
- Snake Den is open to archery deer hunting only.
- Ninigret Conservation Area/East Beach is open for hunting from October 1st through the last day in February, except that, deer hunting is open for archery September 15th through the end of archery deer season. No firearm deer hunting allowed.
- J. L. Curran is open to shotgun and archery hunting only, within the posted designated areas; this area is closed to mourning dove hunting.
Dogs on Management Areas
No dogs shall be trained, run, exercised or be permitted to run at large on state management areas from March 15–August 15, inclusive, without written permission of the Management Area Stewardship Committee , except in specified dog training areas (below). Walking of dogs on a leash of not more than twenty-five (25) feet in length shall be permitted on roads and trails only. All dogs being utilized in hunting or training activities must wear a collar bearing the name and address of the owner and the handler must hold in possession a valid dog license or tag but it does not need to be on the dog.
Special Dog Training Areas
Dog training is allowed in designated areas located within Arcadia Management Area (Midway Trail) in Exeter, Nicholas Farm Management Area (north of Trestle Trail) in Coventry, and Black Farm Management Area in Hopkinton open January 1–September 30, from sunrise to sunset. The use of live birds is by special permit only. A hunting license is required when training dogs on wild game on state management areas, except when participating in state sanctioned field trials.
Bay Islands
Prudence Island
Written permission of the landowner, countersigned by the Portsmouth police chief, must be obtained to hunt private property on Prudence Island. Small game hunting is allowed on Prudence Island except on the Heritage Property during the open archery deer season. North Prudence is located north of the State gate, at the northern terminus of Neck Farm Road. Raccoon open hunting season for Prudence Island is the first day of January through the last day of February with written permission of the landowner. Bow hunters with a valid archery deer permit may take raccoon on Prudence Island during legal deer hunting hours beginning on the first day of November and ending on the last day of January.
The special deer season for disabled hunters is limited to paraplegic and double amputee deer hunters by special permit only. Permits are available at the RI DEM Office of Boat Registration and Licensing (401-222-3576).Other Restrictions
Dutch Island: Closed to hunting and all other access.
East and West Island: No trespassing April 1–August 15, for nesting birds.
Dyer Island and Hope Island: No trespassing April 1–August 15, for nesting birds. All domestic animals prohibited except hunting dogs during small game, migratory upland game bird and waterfowl seasons.
Gould Island: Temporarily closed to all access and hunting due to remediation.
Patience Island: Closed to small game and upland game bird hunting, except for coyote. All domestic animals prohibited except hunting dogs during the waterfowl season.
See Something, Say Something
By Scott Buchanan
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. You can report wildlife observations to the Rhode Island Division of Fish and Wildlife through one of six taxa-specific reporting apps, available on the RI DEM Wildlife Observation Reporting page. 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!
