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PROVIDENCE, RI – The Department of Environmental Management (DEM) invites Rhode Islanders to kick off 2023 and celebrate the New Year by joining a #FirstDayHike at Fort Wetherill State Park in Jamestown on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023. First Day Hikes are part of a nationwide initiative led by America’s State Parks to encourage people to get outdoors. Last year, nearly 85,000 people rang in the New Year, collectively hiking over 176,366 miles throughout the country on the hikes. This hike, the seventh such event DEM has hosted, is set for 11 AM to 1 PM.
“DEM is excited to ring in the New Year with a First Day Hike at Fort Wetherill State Park,” said DEM Director Terry Gray. “The ocean views at Wetherill are awesome and what better way to kick off the New Year than by getting outside and enjoying nature? Whether you are a first-time visitor to Fort Wetherill or a regular, we hope that the hike inspires you to make Rhode Island’s State Parks an important part of your wellness and recreation routine in 2023 and beyond.”
DEM will be offering commemorative pins to participants. Divisions of the DEM Natural Resources Bureau will be on hand offering information about agency programs and services. Leashed dogs are allowed if the leash is no longer than six feet. A local historian will be on site offering education about Fort Wetherill. Children must be always accompanied by an adult. The 1.2-mile walk is wheelchair-accessible and stroller-friendly. The walk will be held rain or shine, so DEM encourages participants to dress accordingly.
Fort Wetherill State Park, situated upon 100-foot-high granite cliffs across the water from Fort Adams State Park, is a former coastal defense battery and training camp. Known for its spectacular view of Newport Harbor and the East Passage of Narragansett Bay, Fort Wetherill has been a popular sight for viewing the numerous Tall Ship Events and America’s Cup Races. The area also is a major attraction for scuba diving, with diving clubs using the facilities at the boat ramp year-round. Additionally, the park offers family and group picnicking, boating, fishing, hiking, and opportunities to explore the 61.5-acre property. This walk is part of DEM’s Strategic Mission to promote and increase outdoor recreation in Rhode Island.
For more information on the First Day Hike, please visit the RI Parks website. For information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit www.dem.ri.gov.
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PROVIDENCE, RI – The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) reminds Rhode Islanders that solid, fluorescent orange must be worn in all state management areas and undeveloped state parks during the designated hunting seasons. Throughout shotgun deer season, which opens on Saturday, Dec. 3, users of these recreational areas and hunters must wear 500 square inches of solid, daylight fluorescent orange clothing. An orange vest and hat worn above the waist that’s 20 inches long by 25 inches wide has 500 square inches of surface area. During the shotgun deer season, archers and waterfowl hunters are exempt from wearing orange in areas of the state that are limited to archery hunting only and waterfowl hunters hunting only from a boat or blind, over water or field, and when done in conjunction with decoys.
DEM also is reminding Rhode Island deer hunters that all deer taken during the first two days of shotgun deer season – Saturday, Dec. 3, and Sunday, Dec. 4 – must be physically checked at one of five state-run biological check stations. This includes deer taken with archery equipment. Exempt from this requirement are deer taken on Patience Island, Prudence Island, and Block Island; these must be reported using the online licensing system.
Operating Hours are 8 AM until 6 PM daily. The five check stations are located at:
• Arcadia Management Area: Route 165, Ten Rod Road at Wood River, Exeter, Phone: 539-7117
• Carolina Management Area: Pine Hill Road, Richmond, Phone: 364-3483
• Durfee Hill Management Area: Reynolds Road (Route 94), Glocester, Phone: 568-6753
• Great Swamp Management Area: 277 Great Neck Road, West Kingston, Phone: 789-1636
• Tiverton Rod and Gun Club: 1529 Fish Road, Tiverton, Phone: 624-3959
Deer hunters are required to obtain written permission annually for all deer hunting on private lands. DEM’s Division of Fish & Wildlife (DFW) has developed a courtesy card, available on the DEM website, for hunters and landowners to sign that gives the dates for permissions and contains A Hunter’s Pledge regarding principles of conduct. DEM encourages private landowners to allow hunters to hunt deer on their property, where feasible, during deer hunting seasons as this is a sound management technique that benefits deer habitats and regulates population growth.
Check stations allow biologists and volunteers to collect samples and take data that provide insight into the overall health of Rhode Island’s deer herd. Outside of check stations, hunters are required to report their deer harvest online within 24 hours of harvest. Deer must be tagged in the field, with a valid deer tag for the appropriate season, immediately upon taking. Those who do not have internet service or cellular data access may call DFW at 401-789-0281 8:30 AM-4 PM Monday-Friday to report their harvest.
Hunter education is offered as part of DFW Hunter Education Program. Safety training is required by law in Rhode Island for beginning hunters. To date, more than 40,000 people have completed a hunter safety course, helping to reduce hunting-related accidents in the state and elsewhere. A complete schedule of hunter educational offerings is available here. For more information on seasons, bag limits, zones, and regulations, review the 2022-23 Hunting and Trapping Abstract.
DEM works to protect and enhance wildlife habitat in Rhode Island forests and management areas to ensure healthier, more diverse, and abundant wildlife populations. Hunting has a long tradition in Rhode Island, supporting family customs, connecting people with nature, and attracting tourism to the state. Hunters provide funding for wildlife conservation through their purchase of firearms and ammunition through the Wildlife and Sportfish Restoration Program, and through the purchase of their state hunting licenses. 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.
A hunting license can be purchased online on DEM’S Rhode Island Outdoors (RIO) portal. DEM’s website, www.dem.ri.gov/huntfish also acts as a portal to help plan adventures that make the most of Rhode Island’s great outdoors. It 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 services, visit www.dem.ri.gov. Follow DEM on Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM), Facebook, or Instagram (@rhodeisland.dem and @ri.fishandwildlife).