With the shotgun deer season in Rhode Island set to open on Saturday, Dec. 7, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is reminding hunters and the public about the mandatory wearing of fluorescent orange clothing.
During the entire shotgun season, all users of state management areas and undeveloped state parks must wear 500 square inches of solid, daylight fluorescent orange clothing. This includes hunters and is effective on opening day, Saturday, Dec. 7. The orange clothing must be visible above the waist. A vest and hat combination that measures 20 inches by 25 inches wide provides the required 500 square inches.
DEM is also reminding deer hunters that all deer harvested during the first two days of the season, Dec. 7 and Dec. 8, must be physically checked in one of six designated biological check stations. This includes deer taken with archery equipment. Patience Island, Prudence Island, and Block Island deer are exempt and must be reported via DEM’s Rhode Island Outdoors online licensing system.
There are seven check stations around the state, including one new location added this year. The new Smithfield Sportsman Club and George Washington Management Area locations join the Arcadia Management Area, Carolina Management Area, Great Swamp Management Area, and Tiverton Rod and Gun Club. The Durfee Hill Management Area check station will be closed for renovations this season. The George Washington Management Area offers a nearby alternative.
Check stations operate daily from 8 AM to 6 PM during the opening weekend. Hunters bringing their deer to a check station are not required to report their harvest online prior to going to the check station. Outside check stations, hunters must report their deer harvest online within 24 hours.
For complete information on check station locations, hunting regulations, and other requirements, hunters can visit the DEM website at www.dem.ri.gov/orange.
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) assisted a What’sUpNewp journalist with the reporting included in this story.
