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
Content Highlights
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
Deer Season
Deer Season
Zones
Hunting Start Dates
Hunting End Dates
Archery (Youth only)
Zone 1
9-Sep
10-Sep
Archery (Youth only)
Zone 2
23-Sep
24-Sep
Archery
Zone 1
15-Sep
31-Jan-24
Archery
Zone 2
1-Oct
31-Jan-24
Archery: Patience and Prudence Islands (Youth only)
Zone 3
28-Oct
29-Oct
Archery: Patience and Prudence Islands
Zone 3
1-Nov
31-Jan-24
Archery: Block Island
Zone 4
October 12, 13, 16-20, 23-27, 30, 31
Muzzleloader (Youth only)
Zones 1, 2
28-Oct
29-Oct
Muzzleloader
Zones 1, 2
4-Nov
26-Nov
Muzzleloader (Private land only, antlerless deer only)
Zones 1, 2
26-Dec
2-Jan-24
Shotgun
Zone 1
2-Dec
17-Dec
Shotgun
Zone 2
2-Dec
10-Dec
Shotgun (Private land only, antlerless deer only)
Zones 1, 2
26-Dec
2-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-Oct
27-Oct
Turkey Season
Turkey Season
Hunting Start Dates
Hunting End Dates
Fall Archery
1-Oct-23
31-Oct-23
Youth
15-Apr-23
21-Apr-24
Paraplegic
20-Apr-23
21-Apr-24
Spring
25-Apr-23
19-May-24
RI Small Game Hunting Season
Coyote Season
Species
Hunting Start Dates
Hunting End Dates
Daily Bag Limit
Coyote – State Land
15-Sep
29-Feb-24
Unlimited
Coyote – State Land
25-Apr
19-May-24
Unlimited
Coyote – Private Land
No closed season
No closed season
Unlimited
Raccoon Season
Species
Hunting Start Dates
Hunting End Dates
Bag Limit
Raccoon Season
1-Oct
29-Feb
unlimited
Pheasant Season
Species
Hunting Start Dates
Hunting End Dates
Daily Bag Limit
Youth Pheasant
14-Oct
15-Oct
2
Youth Pheasant
21-Oct
29-Feb-24
2
Quail Season
Species
Hunting Start Dates
Hunting End Dates
Bag Limit
Bobwhite Quail
21-Oct
29-Feb
3
Rabbit Season
Species
Hunting Start Dates
Hunting End Dates
Bag Limit
Cottontail Rabbit
21-Oct
29-Feb
3
Squirrel Season
Species
Hunting Start Dates
Hunting End Dates
Bag Limit
Gray and Red Squirrel
21-Oct
29-Feb
5, singly or in aggregate
Fox Season
Species
Hunting Start Dates
Hunting End Dates
Bag Limit
Red, Gray Fox
21-Oct
29-Feb
unlimited
Grouse Season
Species
Hunting Start Dates
Hunting End Dates
Bag Limit
Ruffed Grouse
Closed
Closed
N/A
RI Waterfowl Season
Youth Waterfowl Hunting Season
Species
Hunting Start Dates
Hunting End Dates
Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days
28-Oct
29-Oct
Goose Season
Goose Season
Hunting Start Dates
Hunting End Dates
Daily Bag Limit
Early Season
1-Sep
30-Sep
15
Regular Season
18-Nov
26-Nov
2
Regular Season
2-Dec
21-Jan-24
2
Late Season
27-Jan-24
10-Feb-24
5
Snow Goose (Including Blue Goose)
7-Oct
25-Jan-24
21
Brant Season
Species
Hunting Start Dates
Hunting End Dates
Bag Limit
Brant
23-Dec
21-Jan
1
Ducks Season
Species
Hunting Start Dates
Hunting End Dates
Daily Bag Limit
Ducks
13-Oct
16-Oct
6
Ducks
22-Nov
26-Nov
6
Ducks
2-Dec
21-Jan-24
6
Harlequin Duck
Closed
Closed
N/A
Sea Ducks
13-Oct
16-Oct
6
Sea Ducks
22-Nov
26-Nov
6
Sea Ducks
2-Dec
21-Jan-24
6
Scaup Season
Species
Hunting Start Dates
Hunting End Dates
Daily Bag Limit
Scaup
13-Oct
16-Oct
1
Scaup
22-Nov
26-Nov
1
Scaup
2-Dec
1-Jan-24
1
Scaup
2-Jan-24
21-Jan-24
2
Mergansers Season
Species
Hunting Start Dates
Hunting End Dates
Daily Bag Limit
Mergansers
13-Oct
16-Oct
6
Mergansers
22-Nov
26-Nov
6
Mergansers
2-Dec
21-Jan-24
6
Coots Season
Species
Hunting Start Dates
Hunting End Dates
Daily Bag Limit
Coots
13-Oct
16-Oct
6
Coots
22-Nov
26-Nov
6
Coots
2-Dec
21-Jan-24
6
Swans Season
Species
Hunting Dates
Swan
No Season
Migratory Shore and Upland Game Bird Seasons
Crow Season
Species
Hunting Start Dates
Hunting End Dates
Daily Bag Limit
Crow
11-Aug
October 1 (Fri, Sat, Sun)
Unlimited
Crow
21-Oct
11-Dec
Unlimited
Crow
15-Dec
March 30, 2024 (Fri, Sat, Sun)
Unlimited
Rail Season
Species
Hunting Start Dates
Hunting End Dates
Bag Limit
King/Clapper Rail
1-Sep
9-Nov
1
Sora/Virginia Rail
1-Sep
9-Nov
3
Snipe Season
Species
Hunting Start Dates
Hunting End Dates
Bag Limit
Snipe
1-Sep
9-Nov
5
Dove Season
Species
Hunting Start Dates
Hunting End Dates
Daily Bag Limit
Mourning Dove
9-Sep
8-Oct
Not specified
Mourning Dove
21-Oct
3-Dec
15
Mourning Dove
9-Dec
24-Dec
Not specified
Woodcock Season
Species
Hunting Start Dates
Hunting End Dates
Bag Limit
Woodcock Season
21-Oct
4-Dec
3
Rhode Island Trapping Season
Species
Hunting Start Dates
Hunting End Dates
Season Bag Limit
Pelt Tagging
Mink
1-Nov
31-Jan-24
none
no
Muskrat
1-Nov
31-Jan-24
none
no
Skunk
1-Nov
31-Jan-24
none
no
Raccoon
1-Nov
31-Jan-24
none
no
Opossum
1-Nov
31-Jan-24
none
no
Weasel
1-Nov
31-Jan-24
none
no
Red Fox
1-Nov
31-Jan-24
none
no
Gray Fox
1-Nov
31-Jan-24
none
no
Rabbit
1-Nov
31-Jan-24
none
no
Coyote – Private
No closed season
none
no
Coyote – State Land
1-Nov
31-Jan-24
none
no
Beaver – Private*
1-Nov
14-Mar-24
20
yes
Beaver – State Land*
1-Dec
29-Feb-24
Fisher*
1-Dec
24-Dec
2
yes
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 Catagories
Fee (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 License
No Fee
No fee
over 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-ResidentTourist 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 Catagories
Fee (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) Permit
No Fee
No 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.
Each deer hunting license is specific to gender, weapon, and hunting location.
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:
Type
License
Permit
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;
John Lewis, the passionate founder of HuntingSeasons.org, is committed to promoting responsible hunting and a profound love for the wilderness. With years of expertise, his platform serves as a reliable guide for hunting enthusiasts, advocating ethical practices and nature preservation.