Deer Hunting Season for Block Island, Rhode Island
2014 - - - 2015
After numerous meetings and phone calls I can honestly say that this is the way the Hunting Season for the Whitetail Deer on Block Island will be commenced this 2014-2015 hunting season.I have the first account in print of the details of the hunt at my computer and it is as follows;
The article was sent to this scribe by my new friend, Block Island Town Manager, Nancy Dodge
The purpose of this article is to clarify for everyone what the fall and winter hunting season will entail this year. As you all should remember, the Town, through the auspices of DEM, contracted with White/Buffalo last winter to preform a culling of the deer population. For various reasons, that operation never took place, and the Town Deer Task Force began considering a variety of alternatives for this upcoming season.
Based on the recommendations of the Town Solicitor and the Deer Task Force, the Town will buy deer tails from resident hunters.. A resident hunter will be paid $150.00 for each deer tail legally taken and processed through the town check station. The check station will be located behind the state garage on Ocean Avenue ( unless a alternative site is selected) and will be operated by the Town. A resident is anyone who has a valid Rhode Island hunting license and meets the residency requirements of Section 2-2 of the Town Ordinances. That ordinance reads in salient part: " a resident is defined as one who resides full-time in the town. Full time residency status is not affected by absence due to enrollment at an educational institution or fulfilling a military obligation providing that the resident is also a registered Block Island voter. Full time Block Island residency status is not affected by absence, whatever the reason, or up to three months in any calendar year providing that the resident is also a Block Island voter...."
As always, all exiting law regarding the need for landowner permission as well as all current hunting rules and regulations will apply during the upcoming hunting season.
In order for a resident hunter to receive payment, the deer carcass must be presented at the check station where the hunter will detach and sell the tail to the Town representative. Hunters are solely responsible for the disposition of the remainder of the deer carcass.
Payments for the purchase of deer tails will be processed through the Town finance office and will be mailed out every two weeks. The Town may decide to stop the purchase of deer tails at any time. If this does occur, notice will be given by posting in the newspaper and on the Town website. Funds for the purchase of deer tails will be provided by private donations and not from Town funds, although Town funds may be used to set up the check station in cooperation with DEM. Non-resident hunters will continue to be reimbursed for the price of deer tags as in the past.
Archery hunting will begin on October 14, 2014, shotgun and muzzleloader hunting will begin on November 3, 2014, and the hunting season will continue through February 27, 2015. Hunting is prohibited on holidays and weekends.
The Town encourages private landowners to grant hunting permission to island hunters. To that end, we are creating a registry to pair island hunters with landowners who are willing to have their lands hunted this year if they have not done so in the past. Island hunters are asked to contact Bonnie Ryan in the Town Clerk's office (401-466-3200) to give their names and contact information which will then be shared with landowners. A list of island hunters and their contact information will be posted on the Town's website and we urge landowners to make the connection if they have no objection to hunting on their land, (Rhode Island General law section 32-6-3 states: "Except as specifically recognized by or provided in } 32-6-5, an owner of land who either directly or indirectly invites or permits without charge any person to use that property for recreational purposes does not thereby: (1) Extend any assurance that the premises are safe for any purpose; (2) Confer upon that person the legat status of an invitee or licensee to whom a duty of care is owed; nor (3) Assume responsibility for or incur liability for any injury to any person or property caused by an act of omission of that person.")
Every landowner who wishes to allow hunting on their property is not required to give blanket permission but can choose selected times during the season where it will be allowed and those arrangements can be made with the hunters to whom permission is given. It is the Town's hope that everyone will cooperate and work together to increase the number of deer taken this coming year. If you have any questions, please call Town Hall at 401-466-3200 or the Town Manager 401-466-3210.
The small isolated island is 9.75 miles and has a average 80-90deer per mile. Biologist say 8-10 is healthy on the mainland with natural predators, Black Bear, Coyote Packs, Bobcat, and Fishers, which Block Island has none. The Human Society will cry foul about the plan without researching it closely like I have. Did you know that more whitetail deer are killed in Rhode Island by Automobiles than Hunters! Our current population estimate from Brian Tefft, R.I. DEM. at our last meeting in Arcadia State Park was a healthy 15,000 to 16,000 thousand in the Ocean State because of our Sportsman Fund, State Dem's and the Pitman Act of 1934 which add a surcharge from the manufactures of 12% which is split up amongst the States to use for Natural Resourses and from the sales of licenses, stamps and permits.
In 1900 our great Country decimated the population of the Whitetail Deer to a mere 100,000
In 2013 the United States Government estimate the current population at 38 Million, Quite a great success story by proper Wildlife Management and United States Sportsmen picking up the Tab !
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| Brian Parenteau Sportsman can legally harvest 11 deer a season With Archery, Muzzel Loader and Shotgun Seasons |
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| Lorenda DayCoombs professional Guide |
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| Archery Season will commence on October 14, 2014 |
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| Virginia White Tail Deer, smaller than the mainland. |
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| Since 1967 when 4 Virginia White-Tail were introduced, the herd has grown to 1,000 |
