RHODE ISLAND LAWS & REGULATIONS

Curious on Rhode Island Hunting Laws and Regulations?

Our mission is to ensure that the Freshwater and Wildlife Resources of the State of Rhode Island will be conserved and managed for equitable and sustainable use. When hunting season begins, all hunters must have a valid hunting license as well as other required permits and stamps depending on the hunted specie. Hunters also must have a copy of their photo ID as well as a hard copy of their hunting license. It is prohibited that hunters shoot within 300 yards of public roads or an occupied building and shooting in a powered-on vehicle. No hunter shall hunt surpassing the daily limit and while being under the influence of alcohol or drugs. It is also illegal to hunt on private land without the consent of the land owner.

*Visit Rhode Island’s Hunting Regulations For More Information*

FEATURED ANIMALS

turkey

Rhode Island wild turkey population hovers between 4,000 and 5,000 birds, with flocks in every city and town, with the exception of Block Island and Jamestown. To successfully hunt turkey in Rhode Island, hunters must have a hunting license along with a turkey permit. Hunters tags must be notched (day, month and hour of harvest) before moving the bird for photos or to leave the woods. All successful hunters must report their harvest by midnight on the day of the harvest. The daily limit varies based on fall, spring, and youth. In the fall, either one(1) sex bird can be taken, and in the spring and youth season, two (2) bearded birds can be taken.

General Season: April 23 – May 23, 2021
Archery Season: Oct. 1 – 31

*Seasons differ based on fall, spring and youth seasons – Visit Rhode Island Turkey Seasons for specific dates*

White-Tailed Deer

As the only species of deer in Rhode Island, the white-tailed deer is unmistakable. State law required all deer hunters have a valid hunting license along with a deer permit. All archery deer hunters must have taken and successfully completed bow hunter education classes or hold a prior year archery deer permit in order to obtain a current year archery deer permit. Hunters tags must be notched (day, hour and month of harvest) before moving the deer for photos, field dressing or to leave the woods and must report their deer harvest within 24 hours. The daily hunt count varies within different zones.

General Season: Oct. 24 – Feb. 26, 2021
Archery Season: Sept. 26 – Feb. 26, 2021

*Seasons differ based on zones – Visit Rhode Island’s Seasons and Daily Bag Limits for more information*

Canada Goose

Beuth estimated that there are between 3,000 and 7,000 Canada geese that live in Rhode Island year-round. All hunters are required to have a valid huting license along with a HIP Permit and a goose stamp. All regular season Canada goose hunters are required to report their harvest through the online licensing system. The daily bag limit varies on different seasons.