Rhode Island Hunting Seasons 2023-2024 New Dates & Rules

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Rhode Island is a great place for hunters to indulge in their pastime while also seeing the state’s stunning landscapes. Whether you’re a seasoned outdoorsman or just getting your feet wet, you’ll enjoy Rhode Island’s several hunting seasons. We’ll go through the several hunting seasons in Rhode Island and the regulations and permits you’ll need to take part in this thrilling outdoor pastime.

Rhode Island Hunting Seasons

Rhode Islanders love to spend time in the great outdoors, and the state’s several hunting seasons allow them to do just that. The deer season begins on September 15 and ends on January 31, while the deer shotgun season runs from September 9 through December 20 and again from December 26 through February 16.

Any anyone using a state managed area between the second Saturday in September and the last day in February, and the third Saturday in April and the last day in May, must wear 200 square inches of solid daylight bright orange, regardless of whether or not they are hunting. Rhode Island is a great place to go hunting, whether you’re a seasoned pro or just getting started.

Rhode Island Hunting Season
Rhode Island Hunting Season

Deer Season

Deer SeasonZonesHunting Start DatesHunting End Dates
Archery (Youth only)Zone 19-Sep10-Sep
Archery (Youth only)Zone 223-Sep24-Sep
ArcheryZone 115-Sep31-Jan-24
ArcheryZone 21-Oct31-Jan-24
Archery: Patience and Prudence Islands (Youth only)Zone 328-Oct29-Oct
Archery: Patience and Prudence IslandsZone 31-Nov31-Jan-24
Archery: Block IslandZone 4October 12, 13, 16-20, 23-27, 30, 31
Muzzleloader (Youth only)Zones 1, 228-Oct29-Oct
MuzzleloaderZones 1, 24-Nov26-Nov
Muzzleloader (Private land only, antlerless deer only)Zones 1, 226-Dec2-Jan-24
ShotgunZone 12-Dec17-Dec
ShotgunZone 22-Dec10-Dec
Shotgun (Private land only, antlerless deer only)Zones 1, 226-Dec2-Jan-24
Archery, Muzzleloader & Shotgun: Block Island (Zone 4)November 1-3, 6-9, 13, 14, 16, 17, 20, 21, 27-30, December 1, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11-15, 18, 19, 21, 22, January 2-5, 8-12, 16-19, 22-26, 29-31, 2024, February 1, 2, 5-9, 12-16, 2024
Special Season for Disabled Hunters: Patience and Prudence Islands (Zone 3)24-Oct27-Oct

Turkey Season

Turkey SeasonHunting Start DatesHunting End Dates
Fall Archery1-Oct-2331-Oct-23
Youth15-Apr-2321-Apr-24
Paraplegic20-Apr-2321-Apr-24
Spring25-Apr-2319-May-24

RI Small Game Hunting Season

Coyote Season

SpeciesHunting Start DatesHunting End DatesDaily Bag Limit
Coyote – State Land15-Sep29-Feb-24Unlimited
Coyote – State Land25-Apr19-May-24Unlimited
Coyote – Private LandNo closed seasonNo closed seasonUnlimited

Raccoon Season

SpeciesHunting Start DatesHunting End DatesBag Limit
Raccoon Season1-Oct29-Febunlimited

Pheasant Season

SpeciesHunting Start DatesHunting End DatesDaily Bag Limit
Youth Pheasant14-Oct15-Oct2
Youth Pheasant21-Oct29-Feb-242

Quail Season

SpeciesHunting Start DatesHunting End DatesBag Limit
Bobwhite Quail21-Oct29-Feb3

Rabbit Season

SpeciesHunting Start DatesHunting End DatesBag Limit
Cottontail Rabbit21-Oct29-Feb3

Squirrel Season

SpeciesHunting Start DatesHunting End DatesBag Limit
Gray and Red Squirrel21-Oct29-Feb5, singly or in aggregate

Fox Season

SpeciesHunting Start DatesHunting End DatesBag Limit
Red, Gray Fox21-Oct29-Febunlimited

Grouse Season

SpeciesHunting Start DatesHunting End DatesBag Limit
Ruffed GrouseClosedClosedN/A

RI Waterfowl Season

Youth Waterfowl Hunting Season

SpeciesHunting Start DatesHunting End Dates
Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days28-Oct29-Oct

Goose Season

Goose SeasonHunting Start DatesHunting End DatesDaily Bag Limit
Early Season1-Sep30-Sep15
Regular Season18-Nov26-Nov2
Regular Season2-Dec21-Jan-242
Late Season27-Jan-2410-Feb-245
Snow Goose (Including Blue Goose)7-Oct25-Jan-2421

Brant Season

SpeciesHunting Start DatesHunting End DatesBag Limit
Brant23-Dec21-Jan1

Ducks Season

SpeciesHunting Start DatesHunting End DatesDaily Bag Limit
Ducks13-Oct16-Oct6
Ducks22-Nov26-Nov6
Ducks2-Dec21-Jan-246
Harlequin DuckClosedClosedN/A
Sea Ducks13-Oct16-Oct6
Sea Ducks22-Nov26-Nov6
Sea Ducks2-Dec21-Jan-246

Scaup Season

SpeciesHunting Start DatesHunting End DatesDaily Bag Limit
Scaup13-Oct16-Oct1
Scaup22-Nov26-Nov1
Scaup2-Dec1-Jan-241
Scaup2-Jan-2421-Jan-242

Mergansers Season

SpeciesHunting Start DatesHunting End DatesDaily Bag Limit
Mergansers13-Oct16-Oct6
Mergansers22-Nov26-Nov6
Mergansers2-Dec21-Jan-246

Coots Season

SpeciesHunting Start DatesHunting End DatesDaily Bag Limit
Coots13-Oct16-Oct6
Coots22-Nov26-Nov6
Coots2-Dec21-Jan-246

Swans Season

SpeciesHunting Dates
SwanNo Season

Migratory Shore and Upland Game Bird Seasons

Crow Season

SpeciesHunting Start DatesHunting End DatesDaily Bag Limit
Crow11-AugOctober 1 (Fri, Sat, Sun)Unlimited
Crow21-Oct11-DecUnlimited
Crow15-DecMarch 30, 2024 (Fri, Sat, Sun)Unlimited

Rail Season

SpeciesHunting Start DatesHunting End DatesBag Limit
King/Clapper Rail1-Sep9-Nov1
Sora/Virginia Rail1-Sep9-Nov3

Snipe Season

SpeciesHunting Start DatesHunting End DatesBag Limit
Snipe1-Sep9-Nov5

Dove Season

SpeciesHunting Start DatesHunting End DatesDaily Bag Limit
Mourning Dove9-Sep8-OctNot specified
Mourning Dove21-Oct3-Dec15
Mourning Dove9-Dec24-DecNot specified

Woodcock Season

SpeciesHunting Start DatesHunting End DatesBag Limit
Woodcock Season21-Oct4-Dec3

Rhode Island Trapping Season

SpeciesHunting Start DatesHunting End DatesSeason Bag LimitPelt Tagging
Mink1-Nov31-Jan-24noneno
Muskrat1-Nov31-Jan-24noneno
Skunk1-Nov31-Jan-24noneno
Raccoon1-Nov31-Jan-24noneno
Opossum1-Nov31-Jan-24noneno
Weasel1-Nov31-Jan-24noneno
Red Fox1-Nov31-Jan-24noneno
Gray Fox1-Nov31-Jan-24noneno
Rabbit1-Nov31-Jan-24noneno
Coyote – PrivateNo closed seasonnoneno
Coyote – State Land1-Nov31-Jan-24noneno
Beaver – Private*1-Nov14-Mar-2420yes
Beaver – State Land*1-Dec29-Feb-24
Fisher*1-Dec24-Dec2yes

RI Hunting License & Permits

All hunters are required to have valid hunting permits on their person at all times when hunting. In addition to the potential suspension or revocation of a hunting license for rule infractions, licensed hunters and trappers are also liable to having their gear inspected.

A valid hunting license acts as a permit for hunting in state management areas, as well as in select TNC and state co-op hunting areas; however, special licenses are required for shooting deer, waterfowl, and turkey on state lands between the months of October and February.

Licenses Cost

RI Hunting License CatagoriesFee (Agency)Fees (Online)Note
Resident Hunting License$23.00 $21.00 Must be age of 15 or older. Rhode Island requires young hunters to be accompanied by a 21-year-old adult with a valid hunting license.
Resident Combination License$40.00 $38.00 Hunting & Fishing
Resident Junior Hunting License $17.00 $14.00 12-14 years old. 12-14-year-olds Rhode Island requires young hunters to be accompanied by a 21-year-old adult with a valid hunting license.
Permanent Resident Combination LicenseNo FeeNo feeover 65 or disabled. (If you are 65 or older, or if you have a permanent handicap, you may get a free permanent license at the DEM Office of Boat Registration and Licensing, from any licensing seller, or online.)
Resident Trapping License$17.00 $15.00
Non-Resident Hunting License$58.00 $55.00 Must be age of 15 or older. Rhode Island requires young hunters to be accompanied by a 21-year-old adult with a valid hunting license.
Non-Resident Tourist Hunting License$23.00 $20.00 3-day
Non-Resident Junior Hunting License$43.00 $40.00 12-14 years old. 12-14-year-olds Rhode Island requires young hunters to be accompanied by a 21-year-old adult with a valid hunting license.
Non-Resident Trapping License$53.00 $50.00 if reciprocal privileges allowed
Active Military Personnel Hunting License$23.00 $21.00

Permits Cost

RI Hunting Permit CatagoriesFee (Agency)Fees (Online)Note
Resident All Outdoors Package Permit$81.00 $78.00 Two (2) antlered deer licenses and five (5) antlerless deer permits are included in the All Outdoors Deer Permit Package. These permits may be utilized in any combination during open deer seasons in Zones 1 and 2, up to the zone bag restrictions.
Resident Deer Permit$13.50 $13.00 Permits for hunting deer vary by zone, allowed weapon, and gender.
Non-Resident Deer Permit$27.50 $26.50 Permits for hunting deer vary by zone, allowed weapon, and gender.
Resident Turkey Permit$8.50 $8.00
Non-Resident Turkey Permit$22.50 $21.50
RI Game Bird Permit$17.51 $17.00
State Waterfowl Stamp$8.51 $8.00
Migratory Bird (H.I.P) PermitNo FeeNo fee

Note:

  • Young hunters in Rhode Island must be accompanied by a 21-year-old adult with a valid hunting license.
  • If you are 65 or older or have a permanent handicap, you may get a free permanent license through the DEM Office of Boat Registration and Licensing, any licensing provider, or online.
  • Two antlered and five antlerless permits are included in the All Outdoors Deer Permit Package. In Zones 1 and 2, these permits may be used in any combination, subject to bag limitations.
  • Non-residents must pay a Game Bird Permit fee of $20.00 and a State Waterfowl Stamp fee of $10.00.

For Migratory Birds (HIP): The HIP certification and the survey are not optional for those who pursue migratory birds as a hobby. The online-platform, licensing providers, and DEM offices all provide free HIP permits. Better data gathering is one way that the HIP program is making a difference in the way that migratory bird resources are managed.

Enhanced Access Fee (EAF)

Full service providers charge an Enhanced Access Fee to assist cover the costs of maintaining the licensing infrastructure (EAF). The following is a breakdown of the costs:

TypeLicensePermit
Resident$2 $0.50
Non-Resident$3 $1.00

Note: There is no EAF for Recreational Saltwater Fishing or No Cost Licenses and permits.

Hunting Regulations

Restrictions on Participation: Hunting with more than five people, target or trap shooting outside of designated ranges, hunting under the influence of intoxicating substances, spotlighting wild animals and birds from September 15th to the end of February, and shooting at animals on telephoto lenses are all illegal in Rhode Island. Furthermore, at no point is it acceptable to feed or bait wild animals.

The Control of Firearms: Outside of designated shooting times, it is prohibited to be in possession of a loaded weapon or archery equipment. In contrast, hunters have up to 15 minutes before their allotted shooting time to load their rifle or archery equipment before engaging in a shot within legal shooting hours. No. 2 lead shot or smaller may be used, and the use of laser sights or night vision equipment is forbidden. Centerfire rifles no bigger than.229 caliber may be used during daylight hours from April 1st to September 30th, but rimfire rifles of any caliber are prohibited. It’s illegal to shoot a gun or use an arrow when archery hunting within 500 or 200 yards of an inhabited building without authorization.

Conservation and Wildlife Laws: Any wild animal, bird, amphibian, reptile, mollusc, or crab, or their dead bodies, parts, eggs, or progeny, are covered under the Lacey Act of 1900, which governs the interstate and international commerce of wildlife (excluding migratory birds protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act). Transferring, exporting, or selling animals in violation of state or international regulations, or transporting items without appropriate labeling or tagging, are all violations that may result in legal repercussions for the offenders. The federal government, with allowances for state control, enforces the 1918 Migratory Bird Treaty Act, an international agreement to conserve migratory bird populations. Except for certain hunting seasons, the Act protects all birds and all of their parts, nests, and eggs.

Dress Code:  Fluorescent orange is the compulsory color for hunters to wear during hunting seasons. During shotgun deer seasons, all hunters and users of state management areas and undeveloped state parks are required to wear at least 200 square inches of orange, with the exception of those who are hunting small game, autumn turkeys, or deer with muzzleloaders. This orange requirement exemption applies to archery deer hunters in elevated stands during the muzzleloader season, as well as nighttime raccoon hunters, crow hunters over decoys, spring turkey hunters, first segment dove hunters, and waterfowl hunters in boats or blinds over water or fields with decoys. During the months of September through February and April through May, visitors to state management areas and undeveloped state parks are obliged to wear fluorescent orange clothing. In this case, fluorescent camouflage is insufficient.

Rhode Island Hunting Contacts

Phone Number:

(401) 222-2353

Email:

rulesregs@sos.ri.gov

FAQs related to RI Hunting Season

Can I hunt on private land in Rhode Island without permission?

Without the consent of the landowner, it is not permitted to hunt on private property in Rhode Island.

Are there any special requirements for hunting migratory birds in Rhode Island?

In order to legally hunt migrating birds in Rhode Island, each hunter must first get certified via the state’s Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program (HIP) and complete an associated survey. The internet system, licensing providers, and DEM offices all provide free HIP permits.

Are there any requirements for other users of state management hunting areas in Rhode Island?

From the second Saturday in September until the last day in February and from the third Saturday in April until the last day in May, all other users of Rhode Island’s state managed areas, including hikers, bicyclists, and horseback riders, are required to wear 200 square inches of solid daylight neon orange. This regulation was put in place to enable hunters single out non-hunters in the region.

Are there any restrictions on the use of firearms while hunting in Rhode Island?

Yes, there are restrictions on the use of firearms while hunting in Rhode Island. For instance, it is against the law to have a rifle or shotgun that is loaded and mounted in a moving vehicle, and it is unlawful to fire a gun within 500 feet of an inhabited structure unless you have authorization to do so. Rifles bigger than.22 caliber rimfire are prohibited at all times, and only lead shot no larger than No. 2 may be used.

Are there any prohibited activities while hunting in Rhode Island?

In Rhode Island, there are a number of things you can’t do when out on a hunt. Target or trap shooting outside of designated ranges; hunting while under the influence of intoxicating substances; spotlighting wild animals and birds between September 15 and February 28; shooting at animals on telephone or electric lines; hunting in groups of more than five people; hunting in state parks (except in undeveloped ones); hunting on posted land without landowner permission; hunting in state parks (except in undeveloped ones); hunting in groups of more than five people;

Dates & Regulations Source: DEM Rhode Island

John Lewis

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