Rhode Island 2025-26 Hunting Season Dates
Quick answer
Rhode Island's listed 2025-26 archery deer season runs Sep 15, 2025-Jan 31, 2026.
Youth Wild Turkey opens Apr 20, 2026 and closes Apr 26, 2026.
Regular Season Coots opens Oct 10, 2025 and closes Jan 25, 2026.
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to Rhode Island DEM.
- archery deer
- Sep 15, 2025-Jan 31, 2026
- spring turkey
- Apr 20-26, 2026
- waterfowl
- Oct 10, 2025-Jan 25, 2026
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Key seasons by species
We summarize official agency information and link to the source for verification. Regulations can change, and zone details matter. Always confirm final dates, bag limits, permits, and legal requirements with Rhode Island DEM before hunting.
Deer
17 listed rowsWhite-tailed Deer
Archery (includes Crossbow) - Youth Only
Sep 13-14, 2025
Youth only
Zone: Zone 1
White-tailed Deer
Archery (includes Crossbow)
Sep 15, 2025-Jan 31, 2026
Crossbows included
Zone: Zone 1
White-tailed Deer
Archery (includes Crossbow) - Youth Only
Sep 27-28, 2025
Youth only
Zone: Zone 2
White-tailed Deer
Archery (includes Crossbow)
Oct 1, 2025-Jan 31, 2026
Crossbows included
Zone: Zone 2
White-tailed Deer
Archery
Oct 16-31, 2025
Specific dates: Oct 16, 17, 20-24, 27-31; Check local ordinance; proficiency testing required
Zone: Zone 4 (Block Island)
White-tailed Deer
Archery - Youth Only
Oct 25-26, 2025
Youth only
Zone: Zone 3 (Patience & Prudence Islands)
White-tailed Deer
Muzzleloader - Youth Only
Oct 25-26, 2025
Youth only
Zone: Zones 1 & 2
White-tailed Deer
Special Season for Disabled Hunters
Oct 28-31, 2025
Limited to paraplegic and double amputee hunters only; special permit required
Zone: Zone 3 (Patience & Prudence Islands)
White-tailed Deer
Muzzleloader
Nov 1-30, 2025
Zone: Zones 1 & 2
White-tailed Deer
Archery
Nov 1, 2025-Jan 31, 2026
Archery only including crossbows; proficiency testing required
Zone: Zone 3 (Patience & Prudence Islands)
White-tailed Deer
Archery, Muzzleloader & Shotgun
Nov 3, 2025-Feb 13, 2026
Specific dates: Nov 3-7, 10, 12-14, 17, 18, 20, 21, 24, 25; Dec 1, 2, 4, 5, 8-12, 15, 16, 18, 19; Jan 2, 5-9, 12-16, 20-23, 26-30, 2026; Feb 2-6, 9-13, 2026
Zone: Zone 4 (Block Island)
White-tailed Deer
Shotgun
Dec 6-21, 2025
Zone: Zone 1
Show 5 more deer rows
White-tailed Deer
Shotgun
Dec 6-14, 2025
Zone: Zone 2
White-tailed Deer
Muzzleloader - Late Season
Dec 26, 2025-Jan 2, 2026
Private land only, antlerless deer only
Zone: Zones 1 & 2
White-tailed Deer
Shotgun - Late Season
Dec 26, 2025-Jan 2, 2026
Private land only, antlerless deer only
Zone: Zones 1 & 2
White-tailed Deer
Shotgun - Late
Dec 26, 2025-Jan 2, 2026
Private land only, antlerless deer only
Zone: Zones 1 & 2
White-tailed Deer
Muzzleloader - Late
Dec 26, 2025-Jan 2, 2026
Private land only, antlerless deer only
Zone: Zones 1 & 2
Turkey
Wild Turkey
Fall Archery
Oct 1-31, 2025
No firearms during fall archery season
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Youth
Apr 20-26, 2026
Youth hunters ages 12-17; no more than 1 turkey on state lands during spring season
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Paraplegic
Apr 25-26, 2026
Limited to paraplegic hunters; spring turkey permit required; no more than 1 on state land
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Spring
Apr 30-May 24, 2026
No more than 1 turkey on state lands; each turkey requires individual permit; crossbows now legal
Zone: Statewide
Waterfowl
14 listed rowsBrant
Regular Season
Dec 27, 2025-Jan 25, 2026
Season remains 30 days; bag limit remains 1
Zone: Statewide
Canada Goose
Early Season
Sep 1-30, 2025
Shooting hours 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset for September season only
Zone: Statewide
Canada Goose
Regular Season
Nov 22, 2025-Jan 25, 2026
Dates: November 22-30 and December 6-January 25, 2026; Special permits required for South Shore Management Area; field reservations required
Zone: Statewide
Canada Goose
Late Season
Jan 31-Feb 14, 2026
Limited to specific counties as described in RIHR 9.11(B)(3)(d)
Zone: Providence, Bristol, Kent counties and portions of Washington County
Coots
Regular Season
Oct 10, 2025-Jan 25, 2026
Same season dates as ducks
Zone: Statewide
Ducks
Regular Season
Oct 10, 2025-Jan 25, 2026
Dates: Oct 10-13, Nov 26-30, Dec 6-Jan 25, 2026. Mallard 4 (2 hens), Black Duck 2, Canvasback 2, Pintail 3, Redhead 2, Wood Duck 3, Scaup see restrictions, Sea Ducks see restrictions, Other 6
Zone: Statewide
Ducks, Sea Ducks, Mergansers, Coots
Youth Waterfowl
Oct 25-26, 2025
Open to youth hunters age 12-17 accompanied by a licensed adult 21 years or older. May take ducks, sea ducks, geese, and brant.
Zone: Statewide
Ducks, Sea Ducks, Mergansers, Coots - Youth
Youth Waterfowl
Oct 25-26, 2025
Open to youth hunters age 12-17 accompanied by licensed adult 21 years of age or older
Zone: Statewide
Mergansers
Regular Season
Oct 10, 2025-Jan 25, 2026
Same season dates as ducks
Zone: Statewide
Scaup
Regular Season
Oct 10, 2025-Jan 5, 2026
Dates: Oct 10-13, Nov 26-30, Dec 6-Jan 5, 2026; Jan 6-25 bag limit increases to 2
Zone: Statewide
Scaup
Late Season
Jan 6-25, 2026
Zone: Statewide
Sea Ducks
Regular Season
Oct 10, 2025-Jan 25, 2026
No more than 3 Scoter, 3 Eider (1 hen), or 3 Long-tailed Ducks; no longer a special sea duck season
Zone: Statewide
Show 2 more waterfowl rows
Snow Goose (including Blue Goose)
Regular Season
Oct 11, 2025-Jan 25, 2026
No possession limit
Zone: Statewide
Waterfowl (Youth)
Youth Waterfowl
Oct 25-26, 2025
Open to youth hunters age 12-17 accompanied by licensed adult 21 years or older; may take ducks, sea ducks, geese, and brant
Zone: Statewide
Dove
Mourning Dove
First Segment
Sep 1-30, 2025
Possession limit is 3 times daily bag limit
Zone: Statewide
Mourning Dove
Second Segment
Oct 18-Dec 16, 2025
Possession limit is 3 times daily bag limit
Zone: Statewide
Pheasant
Ring-necked Pheasant
Youth
Oct 11-13, 2025
Youth Pheasant Hunt at Great Swamp WMA South Kingstown, Durfee Hill WMA Glocester, Eight Rod Farm WMA Tiverton
Zone: Great Swamp WMA, Durfee Hill WMA, Eight Rod Farm WMA
Ring-necked Pheasant
Youth Hunt
Oct 11-13, 2025
Youth pheasant hunt; Game Bird Permit required
Zone: Great Swamp WMA, Durfee Hill WMA, Eight Rod Farm WMA
Ring-necked Pheasant
Youth Pheasant
Oct 11-13, 2025
Youth pheasant weekend now includes the following Monday (Columbus Day). Youth hunt at Great Swamp, Durfee Hill, and Eight Rod Farm WMAs.
Zone: Great Swamp WMA, Durfee Hill WMA, Eight Rod Farm WMA
Ring-necked Pheasant
Regular Season
Oct 18, 2025-Feb 28, 2026
Game Bird Permit required; pheasants stocked at Arcadia, Black Hut, Big River, Buck Hill, Carolina, Durfee Hill, Eight Rod Farm, Great Swamp, Nicholas Farm, Sapowet Marsh, and Simmons Mill Pond
Zone: Statewide (stocked WMAs)
Ring-necked Pheasant
Regular Season
Oct 18, 2025-Feb 28, 2026
Game Bird Permit required. Pheasants stocked prior to opening day then twice weekly until December. No stocking in January/February. Stocked areas: Arcadia, Black Hut, Big River, Buck Hill, Carolina, Durfee Hill, Eight Rod Farm, Great Swamp, Nicholas Farm, Sapowet Marsh, Simmons Mill Pond.
Zone: Statewide
Ring-necked Pheasant
Regular Season
Oct 18, 2025-Feb 28, 2026
Game Bird Permit required; stocked areas include Arcadia, Black Hut, Big River, Buck Hill, Carolina, Durfee Hill, Eight Rod Farm, Great Swamp, Nicholas Farm, Sapowet Marsh, Simmons Mill Pond
Zone: Statewide (stocked management areas)
Ring-necked Pheasant
Block Island Season
Nov 19, 2025-Jan 7, 2026
Specific dates: Nov 19, Nov 26, Dec 3, Dec 17, Jan 7, 2026. Only male pheasants (roosters) may be taken. Non-toxic shot required. Written landowner permission required.
Zone: Block Island
Ring-necked Pheasant - Block Island
Regular Season
Nov 19, 2025-Jan 7, 2026
Specific days only: Nov 19, 26; Dec 3, 17; Jan 7, 2026. Only male pheasants may be taken. Non-toxic shot required.
Zone: Block Island
Ring-necked Pheasant (Rooster only)
Block Island Season
Nov 19, 2025-Jan 7, 2026
Only male pheasants (roosters); specific dates only: Nov 19, Nov 26, Dec 3, Dec 17, Jan 7, 2026; written landowner permission required; steel or non-toxic shot only
Zone: Block Island
Quail
Bobwhite Quail
Regular Season
Oct 18, 2025-Feb 28, 2026
Game Bird Permit required
Zone: Statewide
Grouse
Ruffed Grouse
Regular Season
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
Season is closed
Zone: Statewide
Rabbit
Cottontail Rabbit
Regular Season
Oct 1, 2025-Feb 28, 2026
Zone: Statewide
Squirrel
Gray and Red Squirrel
Regular Season
Sep 13, 2025-Feb 28, 2026
Zone: Statewide
Furbearer
Beaver
Trapping - Private Land
Nov 1, 2025-Mar 14, 2026
Special permit required in addition to RI trapping license; pelt tagging required
Zone: Private Land
Beaver
Trapping - State Land
Dec 1, 2025-Feb 28, 2026
Special permit required in addition to RI trapping license; pelt tagging required
Zone: State Land
Coyote
Trapping - Private Land
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
No closed season on private lands; no pelt tagging required
Zone: Private Land
Coyote
Trapping - State Land
Nov 1, 2025-Feb 28, 2026
No pelt tagging required
Zone: State Land
Fisher
Trapping Season
Dec 1-24, 2025
Special permit required in addition to RI trapping license; pelt tagging required
Zone: Statewide
Gray Fox, Red Fox, Mink, Muskrat, Opossum, Rabbit, Squirrel, Raccoon, Skunk, Weasel
Trapping Season
Nov 1, 2025-Jan 31, 2026
No pelt tagging required; trapping license required
Zone: Statewide
Small Game
Cottontail Rabbit
Regular Season
Oct 1, 2025-Feb 28, 2026
Zone: Statewide
Raccoon
Regular Season
Oct 1, 2025-Feb 28, 2026
Shooting hours 6:00 PM October 1 until 11:59 PM of the last day of February
Zone: Statewide
Red and Gray Fox
Regular Season
Oct 18, 2025-Feb 28, 2026
Same dates as pheasant/quail season per table
Zone: Statewide
Migratory Birds
Crow
Regular Season
Aug 8, 2025-Apr 4, 2026
Dates: Aug 8-Sep 28 (Fri, Sat, Sun Only); Oct 18-Dec 8 (inclusive); Dec 19-Apr 4, 2026 (Fri, Sat, Sun Only); Crow hunters not required to obtain HIP Permit
Zone: Statewide
King/Clapper Rail
Regular Season
Sep 1-Nov 9, 2025
Zone: Statewide
Snipe
Regular Season
Sep 1-Nov 9, 2025
Zone: Statewide
Sora/Virginia Rail
Regular Season
Sep 1-Nov 9, 2025
Zone: Statewide
Woodcock
Regular Season
Oct 18-Dec 1, 2025
Zone: Statewide
Coyote
Coyote
Regular Season - Private Land
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
No closed season on private lands; centerfire rifles no larger than .229 caliber permitted Apr 1-Sep 30 on private land
Zone: Private Land
Coyote
Private Land Season
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
No closed season on private lands; electronic calls may be used
Zone: Private Land
Coyote
Trapping - Private Land
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
No closed season on private land; trapping license required
Zone: Private Land
Coyote
Regular Season - State Land
Sep 15, 2025-Feb 28, 2026
Also open April 30-May 24, 2026 during spring turkey season; electronic calls permitted
Zone: State Land
Coyote
State Land Season
Sep 15, 2025-Feb 28, 2026
Also open during spring turkey season April 30-May 24, 2026; electronic calls may be used
Zone: State Land
Coyote
Trapping - State Land
Nov 1, 2025-Feb 28, 2026
Trapping license required
Zone: State Land
Coyote
Spring Turkey Season Concurrent
Apr 30-May 24, 2026
Open on state lands during spring turkey season only.
Zone: State Land
Coyote
Spring Season - State Land
Apr 30-May 24, 2026
During open spring turkey hunting season; electronic calls permitted
Zone: State Land
Coyote
Spring Turkey Season - State Land
Apr 30-May 24, 2026
Open during spring turkey hunting season
Zone: State Land
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Rhode Island Hunting Season FAQ
When does deer season start in Rhode Island?
September 15, 2025 is the first listed deer opener for Rhode Island; it is archery (includes crossbow) white-tailed deer Sep 15, 2025-Jan 31, 2026.
When is Rhode Island's firearm deer season?
Rhode Island does not have a firearm deer row in the current data set yet. Check Rhode Island DEM for firearm, rifle, or general deer season details.
When does spring turkey open in Rhode Island?
April 20, 2026 is the first listed spring turkey opener for Rhode Island; the listed window is Apr 20-26, 2026.
Do I need a license to hunt in Rhode Island?
Yes. Hunters generally need the appropriate Rhode Island hunting license, and some seasons may require tags, permits, stamps, or zone-specific authorizations. Confirm final requirements with Rhode Island DEM.