Hunting in Rhode Island: 3 Animals To Hunt in the Fall

If you’re seeking hunting opportunities in Rhode Island, fall is the time to plan your trip. For most species, hunting seasons begin in the fall, giving you a wide variety of small and large game to choose from.

You may trap animals, in addition to using rifles and archery. Hunters must have a current Rhode Island hunting license and must obtain permission from the owner before hunting on private lands.

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According to Rhode Island’s Hunting and Trapping Regulation Guide, you can legally hunt the following animals in the fall.

Rabbit and Hare
The cottontail rabbit and hare hunting season begins in mid-October. There is a daily bag limit of three for the rabbit and one for the hare. You may hunt using muzzle-loading rifles with no greater than .40 caliber with round ball and patch, and with air rifles of between .177 and .22 caliber. You also may trap rabbits starting at the beginning of November. Trapping requires a special trapping license from the Department of Environmental Management. If you want to trap on state management areas, you also need a permit from the Division of Fish and Wildlife, Great Swamp Field Headquarters.

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Deer
Deer hunting season begins in September for archery. For muzzleloaders and shotguns, it begins in September, November, or December, depending on the area. There are also special deer hunts for specific types of hunters. Youth, for example, can hunt on Patience and Prudence Islands in mid-October, and there’s a special hunt for paraplegic hunters at both locations in early to mid-October. Both of these hunts are archery only. Deer may be hunted between one half-hour before sunrise and one half-hour after sunset.

Wild Turkey
The fall archery season for wild turkey takes place in October. You may bag one bird of either sex for the entire season. Hunters aren't allowed to use dogs, live decoys, or electric calling devices to lure turkeys. Hunters may, however, use non-electric calling devices and must carry such a device while hunting. Calling is the only legal method of hunting turkeys in Rhode Island. Also, you must tag your turkey immediately after killing it.

This article is for information only. Please check current regulations before hunting.

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