The placement or installation of tree stands on state land and co-op properties prior to August 15th.

The use or possession of deer scents/lures that contain natural cervid (including deer, moose, elk) urine, gland oil, feces, tissue, blood or any other bodily fluids.

When transporting deer decoys for the purpose of hunting, persons must wear 500 square inches of fluorescent orange visible from all sides as is currently required for shotgun deer hunting. However, deer decoys may be used throughout the extent of the open archery season on private lands in towns where hunting with a firearm is prohibited but use of archery equipment is permitted. Decoysĭeer decoys may be used on private lands in Zone 1 between September 15 and October 31, and in Zone 2 between October 1 and October 31 while archery hunting only. Special archery adaptive aids for use with vertical held bows may be used by all hunters without a special 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.

Crossbows must be set at not less than one hundred twenty five (125) pounds minimum draw weight.

All broadheads must be seven eighths (7/8) of an inch or greater at the widest point including mechanical broadheads measured in the “open” position.

Only broadhead tipped arrows with at least two (2) metal cutting edges are allowed.

Long bow, re-curve bow and compound bow must be set at not less than forty (40) pounds for archers using fixed blade broadheads, and a minimum of fifty (50) pounds for archers using mechanical broadheads.

Archers may use a long bow, re-curve bow, compound bow or crossbow for hunting deer.

A muzzleloader is considered unloaded when the percussion cap, primer or pan powder is removed.

Possession of modern shotgun shells while hunting with a muzzleloader is prohibited. Powder is limited to manufacturers’ specifications.

Ammunition for muzzleloader deer season is limited to a single projectile, including round ball, maxi ball type, or sabots.

Only single barrel or double barrel firearms that must be loaded from the muzzle are permitted. 45 caliber or larger using percussion caplock, flintlock, and in-line ignition systems using percussion caps, rifle, or shotshell primers.

Firearms for muzzleloader deer season are limited to.

All shotgun deer season fluorescent orange requirements will be enforced.

Hunters taking a deer must tag the deer with the shotgun deer tag immediately after taking. Muzzleloaders will be permitted during the shotgun season provided hunters possess a current shotgun deer permit and comply with muzzleloader restrictions.Shotguns of 10, 12, 16, or 20-gauge are allowed.Ammunition permitted for shotgun deer season is limited to a single lead or alloy projectile, including rifled slugs or sabot round.No person shall hunt, pursue, shoot or attempt to shoot any deer with a shotgun capable of holding more than five shells, unless it is plugged with one-piece filler, which is incapable of removal without disassembling the gun.

Check local ordinances for further restrictions in specific towns. Please note: Only one firearm or bow may be possessed in the field per individual hunter while hunting deer. Maintain quality deer hunting opportunities recognizing the strong tradition of hunting in Rhode Island and the important role hunting plays in wildlife conservation.Provide a deer management program that maintains a healthy deer population that is sustainable and ecologically appropriate.Note: All deer wounded, but not recovered, must be reported to DEM within 24 hours. The need to reduce auto strikes and address nuisance deer complaints are important deer management issues in addition to DEM’s goal to preserve and maintain quality deer hunting for sportsmen. Special Season for Disabled Hunters: Patience & Prudence Islands (Zone 3)ĭeer management zones (see State Lands Map) have been established for harvesting deer in accordance with specific management goals for RI. (Zones 1, 2 - Private land only, antlerless deer only) October 11-14, 17-21, 24-28, 31 (Check local ordinance)ĭecember 26 - Janu(Zones 1, 2 Private land only, antlerless deer only) Archery: Patience & Prudence Islands (Zone 3)

Youth archery shooting blocks