HUNTING SEASONS IN RHODE ISLAND 2025–26: Deer Hunting, Big Game and Small Game, Licenses, and Regulations Guide

Plan your 2025–26 RI hunt with our state‑by‑state guide—season dates, bag limits, licenses, bow & rifle rules, and key game species from white‑tailed deer to turkey to ducks. Whether you’re drawing a compound bow at first light in Westerly woodlands, slipping shorelines for early teal, or tracking coyote year‑round on private land, the Ocean State’s forests, farmlands, and tidal marshes deliver premier big game and small game opportunities under clear regulations. What Is There to Hunt in Rhode Island? Rhode Island supports a variety of game: Big Game: White‑tailed deer, wild turkey, black bear (limited draw) Small Game & Upland Birds: Cottontail rabbit, gray squirrel, pheasant (WMAs), ruffed grouse, woodcock Waterfowl & Migratory Birds: Ducks (mallard, teal, black duck), Canada geese, mergansers, coots, rails, mourning dove Furbearers & Predators: Coyote, raccoon, fox, opossum From the Pawcatuck River swamps to aquidneck Island woodlands, Rhode Island hunters enjoy healthy state animal populations and a well‑timed calendar. What Animals Can You Hunt Year‑Round in Rhode Island? On private lands with landowner permission—and the proper license—you may take unprotected or nuisance species such as coyote, raccoon, and opossum year‑round with no closed season and no bag limits, aiding predator control. Public Wildlife Management Areas enforce posted season and method restrictions. Rhode Island Big Game Hunting Seasons 2025–26 White‑Tailed Deer Youth Archery Weekend: Oct 10–11, 2025 Archery: Oct 12 – Nov 30, 2025 Firearms: Dec 1 – Dec 14, 2025 Muzzleloader: Dec 15 – Dec 21, 2025 Late Antlerless: Jan 2 – Jan 18, 2026 Bag limit: one antlered buck per season; antlerless by special permit. Seasons vary by zone—check local maps. Wild Turkey (Spring) Spring Youth Hunt: Apr 11–17, 2026 Spring General: Apr 18 – May 31, 2026 Fall Archery: Sept 1 – Sept 30, 2025 (WMAs only) Spring turkey licenses cover shotgun and bow; youth days foster mentoring and early‑season success. Black Bear Draw Hunts Only: Sept 1 – Sept 30, 2025 Bear tags issue by lottery; harvested bears must be tagged and reported per DEM rules. Rhode Island Small Game & Waterfowl Seasons 2025–26 Small Game & Upland Birds Rabbit & Squirrel: Oct 1 – Jan 31, 2026 Ruffed Grouse & Woodcock: Oct 1 – Nov 30, 2025 Pheasant (WMAs): Oct 15 – Jan 31, 2026 (2/day) Mourning Dove: Sept 1 – Nov 20, 2025 Shotguns with non‑toxic shot required; upland dogs allowed in WMAs under posted rules. Waterfowl & Migratory Birds Early Teal: Sept 6 – Sept 27, 2025 Duck & Goose: Nov 15 – Feb 6, 2026 (zones split) Youth Waterfowl Day: Oct 18, 2025 Rails & Coots: Sept 1 – Nov 9, 2025 Shooting Hours: Sunrise – sunset; Federal Duck Stamp, HIP, and state waterfowl permit required Tidal marshes at Ninigret and Trustom support peak migrations; daily duck bag limit is 7 with sub‑limits. Bag Limits by Species White‑Tailed Deer: 1 buck per season; antlerless by permit Wild Turkey: 2 per spring; 1 fall archery Black Bear: 1 per draw permit Ducks: 7/day; species sub‑limits (2 teal, 2 black duck) Geese: 5/day Rails & Coots: 15 & 15/day Rabbit & Squirrel: 8/day each Coyote & Furbearers: No limits on private lands Bag limits maintain sustainable big game and small game harvests. License & Tags Information for Rhode Island Hunters (2025–26) All hunters must carry a valid RIDEM hunting license and required permits: Resident Hunting License: $27; Nonresident: $160 Deer Tags: $20 each (antlered); antlerless by separate fee Turkey Permit: $10; youth tags free by application Waterfowl Permit: $8; Federal Duck Stamp & HIP required Bear Permit: $25 (draw only) Furbearer Permit: $10; includes opossum, raccoon, fox Licenses fund habitat restoration, wildlife research, and compliance enforcement. Applications for draw hunts open midsummer. Hunting Methods: Bow, Rifle, Muzzleloader RIDEM authorizes: Archery: Compound and recurve bows, crossbows (in archery seasons) Firearms: Center‑fire rifles, shotguns (slugs & buckshot) during gun seasons Muzzleloaders: Single‑shot black‑powder firearms during designated window Dogs & Bait: Permitted for waterfowl retrievers and upland dogs in WMAs; bait for predator control on private lands Ensure compliance with caliber, draw weight, and non‑toxic shot requirements for each season. Regulations & Resources RIDEM regulations cover: Shooting Hours: Sunrise – sunset (special youth day allowances) Zone Maps & Boundaries: Online WMAs, deer and waterfowl zones Harvest Reporting: Mandatory for deer, turkey, bear within 48 hrs via RIDEM portal Special Areas: Wildlife management areas, refuge wetlands, and CWD monitoring zones Before you head out, always verify season dates, bag limits, and license requirements on the official Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) website to stay compliant and ensure a legal, ethical hunt. This guide was created based on information from Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM): https://www.eregulations.com/assets/docs/guides/24RIHD_LR.pdf With well‑defined seasons, clear bag limits, and streamlined license systems, Rhode Island delivers exceptional hunting for white‑tailed deer, wild turkey, ducks, and more. Prepare your bow or rifle, secure proper tags, and experience the Ocean State’s rich wildlife heritage on your 2025–26 hunt.