Hunting in Rhode Island

Despite being one of the smaller states in the United States, Rhode Island has excellent hunting chances. The eastern half of the state provides excellent game opportunities, with reasonable bag restrictions. Deer and turkeys are two of the most popular games in the state. There are also numerous small game animals to hunt.

Rhode Island hunting laws

In Rhode Island, hunting is strictly regulated. There are regulations, requirements, and laws that hunters must follow in order to take a game in the state, much like in the rest of the United States. The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management is in charge of hunting laws, rules, and regulations, as well as determining hunting seasons and licensing requirements.

The following are some of the most important hunting regulations, requirements, and legislation in Rhode Island:

Safety regulations for hunters

If you were born after June 1, 1975, Rhode Island requires you to finish a hunter education course before purchasing any Rhode Island hunting license that allows you to engage in hunting activities without supervision.

Children under the age of 16 do not need to attend a hunter education course and can hunt with the assistance of a licensed hunter.

There is an exemption to this rule for those who are 16 or older and want to obtain a Rhode Island hunting license without first completing a hunter education course. They will need to be excused from the hunting course certificate. They will, however, be able to hunt only under the supervision of a licensed adult hunter, who must be at least 21 years old.

Regulation of Game-Playing

When it comes to hunting in Rhode Island, the term “taking” refers to attempting to take, chasing, harassing, hunting, killing, or capturing games, wildlife, or fish in any way that results in possession of the games, wildlife, or fish.

Game mammal and bird hunting

In Rhode Island, the following hunting firearms are permitted for taking game birds and mammals:

Bows with recurves
Longbows
Pistols
Rifles
Shotguns
Bows with Compounds
Air rifles
Pistols
Crossbows.

Prey such as owls, falcons, and hawks can also be used in bird games.

The minimum draw weight for bow weapons is 35 pounds. It is also permissible to employ handheld releases. Furthermore, if you are using arrows and bolts for deer and turkey shooting in Rhode Island, you must equip them with broadheads that have at least two sharp ends and a width of 7 or 8 inches.

It is illegal to use precharged pneumatic air pistols that fire more than one bullet. It is likewise illegal in Rhode Island to use arrows and bolts with less than.30 calibers for deer shooting, but.20 calibers are permitted for turkey hunting.

Precharged pneumatic air guns are ones that are commercially designed and charged with the help of an external compression source to let them discharge bolts, arrows, and other forms of hunting projectiles.

Taking deer using muzzle loaders

Muzzleloaders that only fire one bullet must be at least.30 caliber before they can be used to kill deer. Muzzleloaders that fire at least two bullets must be at least.20 gauge before they can be used to kill deer.

Ways to Take Game and Wildlife in Rhode Island That Are Prohibited

It is illegal to use a centerfire semi-automatic weapon with an ammunition capacity of more than 5 rounds.
It is illegal in Rhode Island to hunt deer with non-expanding military ball ammo.
It is illegal to hunt any game with automatic weapons.
It is illegal to take deer and turkeys with air guns that are not PCP-powered.
It is illegal to use PCP air pistols that release bullets of less than.30 caliber when hunting deer and less than.20 caliber when hunting turkeys.
It is prohibited to employ explosive arrows or arrows that will inject medicines into games and wildlife.
It is illegal to hunt with artificial lighting, chemicals, traps, snares, nets, drugs, live decoys, prerecorded game sounds and cries, poison, and so on.
It is illegal to fire at games from vehicles such as motorboats, powerboats, or sailboats that are powered. Vehicles that have been totally turned off or sail at anchor are exempt. Before attempting to hunt animals from a car, hunters must check that the vehicle is not moving.
It is illegal to play herding games with vehicles such as aircraft, drones, and boats.
It is illegal to take turkeys with the assistance of hunting dogs.
Taking a roosting turkey is prohibited.
It is illegal to take turkeys within 100 yards of their feeding station.
It is illegal to hunt a deer while it is swimming or fawning.
It is illegal to use any hunting bow weapon with a draw weight less than 35 pounds.
The use of hunting dogs without collars is prohibited. Dog collars must have information such as the owner’s name and address.
It is illegal to use hunting dogs on privately held land without first receiving permission from the proprietor.
It is illegal to expose substances such as chemicals, anesthetics, pharmaceuticals, baits, tranquilizers, and so on to game birds and animals.
It is illegal to fire or attempt to fire or harass fish and birds from aircraft, including drones. Exceptions are permitted for people who possess a valid state or federal license.

While hunting, trespassing

Even if you have a Rhode Island hunting license, you are not required to trespass on private property in the state. Before hunting on private land, you must first seek permission from the landowner or the management in charge.

Trespassing while in possession of a firearm or any hunting weapon is a crime in Rhode Island. This is punished by either a $5000 fine or a 5-year prison sentence, or both.

While hunting, open carry is permitted.

In the state, open carry is permitted while hunting, including bow hunting.

However, it is unlawful to use a firearm to take an animal when bow hunting, and each hunter is only allowed one gun.

Hunter harassment exists in Rhode Island, and it comprises the following:

Nobody is permitted to disturb or interfere with hunting activity while in a licensed area.
Any of the following constitutes a violation of the law:
Pursue or disturb wildlife in order to hinder a licensed hunter from lawfully taking game.
Restriction, disturbance, or harassment of a hunter engaged in authorized hunting activities
Using any sort of stimulation to upset wildlife in such a way that hunting is prevented or made more difficult
Construct obstacles to restrict movement and access to a property licensed for animal hunting or trapping.
Position yourself or herself in the path of a hunter’s live fire.
Influence the environment of a privately or publicly owned property where lawful hunting is conducted.
trespass on any privately or publicly owned property in the state without the authorization of the competent government or the property’s owner.

Hunting Licenses, Permits, and Tags in Rhode Island

In Rhode Island, there are numerous hunting licenses, permits, and tags available. Rhode Island hunting licenses are priced differently depending on age and domicile.

The following hunting licenses, permits, and tags are available in Rhode Island:

Hunting License for Rhode Island Residents

These licenses are exclusively available to Rhode Island citizens. Among them are the following:

Gold Sportsman’s Permit

This hunting license includes a variety of game permits for deer, turkeys, waterfowl, lobsters, and other animals. The license also allows you to fish in both saltwater and freshwater in Rhode Island. In Rhode Island, there are two sorts of gold sportsman licenses: one that is valid for one year and one that is valid for five years. A one-year license costs $100, while a five-year license costs $494.

Youth Gold Sportsman’s Permit

This license provides the same benefits as the standard Gold Sportsman’s License; however, it is exclusively available to juvenile residents aged 8 to 15. They must also have taken a hunter safety course. The permission will be valid until they reach the age of 17. It will set you back $100.

Military Gold Sportsman’s Permit

This license provides the same benefits as the standard Gold Sportsman’s License, but it is only accessible to Rhode Island residents who are retired or active members of the military, or who are members of the US armed forces or the Rhode Island National Guard. The license is priced at $20.

Ordinary Sportsman’s Permit

In Rhode Island, this license includes a turkey and waterfowl permit. It also permits holders to fish in freshwater in Rhode Island. It will set you back $80.5.

Silver Sportsman’s License for Senior Citizens

This license includes permits for turkey and waterfowl, as well as fishing in Rhode Island’s freshwaters. It is only available to inhabitants of the state who are 64 or older. In Rhode Island, there are two sorts of silver sportsman’s licenses. The one for a year costs $13.5, while the one for five years costs $67.5.

Annual Hunting License in Rhode Island

Residents can use this license to participate in various hunting seasons. However, permits may be required to hunt game with the license. Rhode Island has two types of yearly licenses. A one-year certificate costs $17, while a five-year certificate costs $79.

Youth Hunting Permit

This hunting license is for children aged 8 to 15 who have completed a hunting safety course. The license will be valid until they reach the age of 17. It is priced at $17.

License for Hunting and Freshwater Fishing

This license allows holders to hunt and fish in freshwater in Rhode Island. It will set you back $32.5.

License for Saltwater and Freshwater Fishing

This license allows individuals to hunt and fish in both the ocean and freshwater in Rhode Island. It is priced at $48.

Hunting and fishing licenses for people with disabilities

This license allows disabled Rhode Island citizens to hunt and fish in both sea and freshwater in Rhode Island. They will also have access to some game permits, and all of this is free of charge.

Senior Hunting and Fishing Licenses

This license is exclusively available to inhabitants of the state who are 65 or older, and it is free of charge.

Non-Resident Hunting License in Rhode Island

These are non-resident Rhode Island out-of-state hunting licenses. Among them are the following:

Annual Nonresident Hunting License

Non-residents will be able to participate in various Rhode Island hunting seasons with this license. However, depending on the animal season, they may need to obtain a game permit. It is $151.5.

Nonresidents: A 10-day hunting license is required.

Nonresidents will be able to hunt in Rhode Island for ten days with this license. It will set you back $46.5.

Permits and tags for fishing in Rhode Island

Similarly to hunting, the state of Rhode Island issues fishing licenses, permits, and tags based on the applicant’s residency, kind of water body, and age. Among them are the following:

Saltwater Fishing License for Residents

In Rhode Island, this fishing license will cover saltwater fishing from shorelines and watercraft. It does not, however, include fishing while diving or swimming.

It is available to Rhode Island citizens in three varieties. The first one, which is only valid for a year, will cost $17. The second one, which is valid for five years, costs $79. The third option, which is available to residents’ youths until they reach the age of 17, costs $17.

Saltwater Licenses for Non-Residents

Nonresidents will be able to fish in saltwater on Rhode Island as a result of this. Nonresident saltwater licenses are classified into three classes. The first is valid for three days and costs $17. The second is valid for seven days and costs $30. The third is good for a year and costs $47.

Residents and nonresidents can obtain saltwater permits and tags.

The following are some of the Rhode Island fishing permits that are available to both residents and non-residents of the state:

Snook Permit for the Year

This is the one-year permit required for snook fishing in Rhode Island. It costs $10 and is available to both residents and nonresidents.

Snook Permit for 5 Years

This permit is exclusively available to Rhode Island residents and is valid for 5 years. It will set you back $50.

Annual Spiny Lobster License

This is the one-year permission required to transport Spiny to Rhode Island. It is $5 and is available to both residents and nonresidents.

Permit for a 5-Year Spiny Lobster

This is another Rhode Island resident-only permit that is valid for 5 years. It will set you back $25.

Tags Taron

Tarpon tags can only be used to catch tarpon in Rhode Island. They cost $51.5 and are available to both locals and nonresidents.

Combination licenses for residents

Residents of Rhode Island can obtain one of two types of fishing combination licenses. The first one, which costs $32.5, allows them to fish in both saltwater and freshwater. The second is a combination of saltwater and freshwater fishing, as well as state hunting. It is priced at $48.

Hunting Season in Rhode Island

Rhode Island, like the rest of the western United States, provides excellent climatic and weather conditions for hunting. The state’s hunting seasons differ depending on the type of game and the firearm or hunting weapon used to take it.

The following species will be hunted in Rhode Island during the 2020–21 hunting season:

Deer hunting season in Rhode Island

Archery Season (September 15th to December 31st)
Shotgun and Rifle Season (Public Lands: November 18th to December 8th; Private Lands: November 2nd to December 31st)
Muzzleloader Season (December 9th to December 31st for private land and December 9th to December 22nd for state land)

Turkey Season in Rhode Island

Fall Archery Season (September 15th to September 31st)
Fall Firearm Season (October 3rd to October 31st)

Small Game Hunting Season in Rhode Island

Cotton Rabbit Season (October 1st to December 31st)
Squirrel Season (September 1st to December 31st)
Woodchuck Season (March 16th to November 16th)
Chukar Partridge Season (October 17th to December 31st)
Quail Season (October 17th to November 2nd)
Pheasant Season (October 17th to December 31st)
Grouse Season (October 17th to December 30th)

Season dates for each species may fluctuate depending on the hunting zones in Rhode Island.

Game and Fish in Rhode Island

The following are some of the fauna and games accessible for hunting in Rhode Island:

Deer hunting in Rhode Island

Whitetail deer shooting in Rhode Island is not a revered sport in and of itself, but the deer horns serve as trophies for hunters. Deer hunting is popular in Rhode Island because of the tasty deer meat known as venison.

Turkey hunting in Rhode Island

In Rhode Island, turkey hunting is a lot of fun. In this state, the game is quite unique. They are difficult to hunt since they blend in well with their surroundings and are really effective games.

Hunting for ducks in Rhode Island

Duck hunting is a popular activity in Rhode Island. Ducks are quite swift, with the ability to traverse a mile in one minute. Ducks can travel as far as South America and back during their annual migration.

Goose hunting in Rhode Island

In Rhode Island, there are a variety of geese accessible for hunting. It is one of the states most popular with goose hunters in the United States. Snow geese, blue geese, and Canada geese are the most common goose species in the state.

Pheasant hunting in Rhode Island

Pheasant hunting in Rhode Island is not for the faint of heart. Pheasants blend in with their surroundings and use this to hide from hunters. Pheasants are plentiful in Rhode Island, as they are in most regions of the country. They live in parts of the state such as meadows, woodland areas, and field areas.

Quail hunting in Rhode Island

Quail hunting is a popular activity in Rhode Island. They live in the state’s fields and farming towns. They come in a variety of color combinations, including black, grey, and brown. They are also quite difficult to hunt.

Grouse hunting in Rhode Island

Because of their hues, grouses can blend with their surroundings and hide from hunters. They are common in Rhode Island and live in farming regions, wooded areas, meadows, and fields.

Shooting Ranges in Rhode Island

The following are some of the shooting ranges in Rhode Island that are open to the public:

East Warren Rod and Gun Club is located in East Warren, New Jersey.
Excellent Swamp Range
Peace Dale Shooting Range

Hunting Land in Rhode Island for Sale and Lease

Rhode Island hunting lands for sale include the following:
4.16 acres in South Kingstown, Rhode Island (Washington County).
3.13 acres in South Kingstown, Rhode Island (Washington County)
1.8 acres in Narragansett, Rhode Island (Washington County)
42.8 acres in Foster, Rhode Island (Providence County).
5.4 acres in Coventry, Rhode Island (Kent County).
1.84 acres in North Kingstown, Rhode Island (Washington County)
0.96 acres in Warren, Rhode Island (Bristol County).
0.11 acres in Coventry, Rhode Island (Kent County).
0.46 acres in Westerly, Rhode Island (Washington County)
2 acres in Richmond, Rhode Island (Washington County)

There are currently no hunting leases available in Rhode Island.