DEM Patrols on Block Island Show High Rate of Hunter Compliance with Conservation Laws

Published on Thursday, November 30, 2023

PROVIDENCE, RI – Having conducted three marked hunting patrols on Block Island thus far this fall, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) has found a high level of compliance with state conservation laws among hunters, issuing only one citation for a hunter not wearing solid, daylight fluorescent orange while hunting with a shotgun.

For public safety, wearing solid, daylight fluorescent orange articles of clothing is mandatory during the designated hunting seasons. Throughout shotgun deer season, DEM requires all recreational users of state management areas and undeveloped state parks to wear 500 square inches of solid, daylight fluorescent orange clothing while using these areas. 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.

The DEM Division of Law Enforcement (DLE) conducted patrols on Block Island on Nov. 9, 17, and 20 and has more patrols planned. Environmental Police Officers (EPOs) checked licenses, that any deer taken were harvested on state land or with the appropriate permission on private land, and that hunters and other users of recreational areas were wearing sufficient blaze orange clothing. Through the enforcement fish and game laws and regulations, EPOs help to maintain stable populations of fish and wildlife species.

By regulation, it is permissible to hunt deer on Block Island by archery, muzzleloader, and shotgun with an unlimited antlerless deer bag limit. Archery season starts in October and extends into February; muzzleloader and shotgun seasons run from November through February. For complete information on hunting on the island, visit The Town of New Shoreham’s website.

“DEM Environmental Police Officers work each day to serve our communities, protect natural resources, promote safe and fun outdoor experiences, and keep the public safe,” said DEM Director Terry Gray. “In partnership with local, state, and federal law enforcement, DEM looks forward to continuing to support the work our EPOs do in every corner of Rhode Island.”

“With no natural predators on the island, managing the deer population is a huge challenge,” said New Shoreham Police Chief Paul Deane. “As much as we welcome hunters, our two biggest concerns are entrails being left in the field and the discharge of firearms within 500 feet of occupied dwellings. We ask hunters who have bagged and field-dressed a deer to take the carcass to the town landfill, which will accept it for free, and to make sure you only hunt the property that you have written permission to hunt and respect the rights of other landowners.”

For more information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit http://www.dem.ri.gov/. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM or on Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM) for timely updates.