PROVIDENCE - The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announces that permits for the deer hunting season, which includes the "All Outdoors" package, will go on sale starting Wednesday, August 15.
Deer permits are sold as antlered deer (buck) permits or antlerless deer permits. Hunters must have the appropriate deer tag in their possession to legally harvest any antlered or antlerless deer. Deer permits are available as individual purchases or resident hunters may purchase one "All Outdoors" package permit for use in Zones 1 and 2 to take up to seven deer during the established seasons. This option is popular because it gives the hunter the flexibility to choose which season(s) to hunt and use their permits. A limit of 350 "All Outdoors" packages will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Licenses and permits are available for purchase online or at DEM's Office of Boating Registration & Licenses in Providence, as well as participating sales agent locations across the state.
The cost of each deer permit for residents is $12.50 online or $13.00 at a sales agent; for non-residents, the cost is $25.50 online or $26.50 at a sales agent for each permit. The cost for the resident "All Outdoors" deer permit is $75.00 online or $78.00 at a sales agent. There is an enhanced access fee applied to purchases at sales agent locations. The enhanced access fee is $2 per license and $0.50 per permit for residents; for non-residents, the additional fee is $3 per license and $1.00 per permit. Enhanced access fees are used to offset the administrative costs to bill, track, and account transactions at sales agent locations and support system development, operation, support, and maintenance. Visit www.dem.ri.gov/huntfish to access the online system or for the list of sales agent locations.
The deer hunting season kicks off with a youth archery season in Zone 1 on September 8 and 9, followed by the September 15 opener for all archers in Zone 1. Zone 2 opens to youth archers on September 29 and 30 followed by the October 1 opener for all archers. For more information on seasons, bag limits, zones and regulations, review the 2018-19 hunting abstract at http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/bnatres/fishwild/pdf/huntabs.pdf.
To help hunters get ready for the upcoming season, DEM Division of Fish and Wildlife will also host a free informational seminar on deer hunting this month. The program is designed to educate hunters of all ages and experience on ways to increase their success hunting whitetail deer. To date, more than 45,000 people have completed a hunter safety course in Rhode Island, helping to dramatically reduce related accidents in the state and elsewhere.
WHEN: Saturday, August 25, 9 AM-4PM
WHERE: DEM Division of Fish & Wildlife Education Center, 1-B Camp E-Hun-Tee Place, Exeter
The workshop is open to the public and will include classroom and field activities. Participants will learn about where to hunt, clothing and equipment, practicing for success, tree stand tips, scouting, calls and calling, reading signs, animal recovery techniques, and field dressing tips. The session will be led by hunter education instructors from DEM's Division of Fish & Wildlife. The program will be held rain or shine, and appropriate dress for weather conditions is suggested. Participants are encouraged to bring their own lunch, snacks, and beverages. Space is limited and registration is required. For more information or to register, visit www.dem.ri.gov/hunting or contact Jessica Pena in the DEM Division of Fish & Wildlife at jessica.pena@dem.ri.gov.
Deer hunting has a long tradition in Rhode Island, supporting family customs, connecting people with nature, and attracting tourism to the state. Hunters and anglers purchase around 70,000 licenses, permits, stamps, and tags each year and contribute more than $235 million to Rhode Island's economy. Revenue generated from license and permit sales support Rhode Island fish and wildlife conservation programs. A critical source of funding, these monies are leveraged to match federal Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program dollars that support outdoor recreational opportunities for fishing, hunting, and boating in Rhode Island.
More information about Rhode Island's hunting and fishing licensing system is available at www.dem.ri.gov/huntfish. The site also acts as a portal to help plan adventures that make the most of Rhode Island's great outdoors. The site links to information on hunting and fishing opportunities, trails and natural areas through a variety of maps, as well as certification information for hunter safety and boating safety.
For more information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit www.dem.ri.gov. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM or on Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM) for timely updates.