Rhode Island Deer Hunting Season 2025, 2026
Recorded deer windows for Rhode Island, including history and unverified dates.
Recorded dates, not hunting permission
Status assessment: 2026-10-14 UTC (static build snapshot). Static activity badges and day counts use this build assessment, not a live check. Interactive finder results show their own UTC assessment day.
1 of 4 recorded windows have date-review evidence. Other rows remain unverified. Historical records are retained and are not a current-season promise.
Check your current agency regulations, GMU or zone, hunt code, license and access restrictions before hunting. An agency link or successful publication fetch does not verify a row. Reviewed base dates do not cover every license-specific exception.
Date evidence: Official date source. Review dates apply only to the stated row scope, not an entire state or current license eligibility.
Rhode Island Deer Season Calendar
Find all deer hunting season dates for Rhode Island including archery, rifle, muzzleloader, and shotgun seasons for 2025, 2026.
Deer Season Coming Soon
Seasons opening in the next 60 days
Dec 5-31, 2026
Date window reviewed 2026-10-09; verify license-specific exceptions. Actual active250-RICR-60-00-9 amendment effective07/28/2026, official linked final rule:9.7(B) Westerly Zone1;9.7(C)(3), PDF6 first Saturday in December through Dec31 inclusive, calculated Dec5–31,2026; not old-guide Dec20 cutoff. Only private-land adult legal-antlered shotgun subset reviewed, not individual permission.9.7(A)/(G), PDF5/7 correct permit for each deer before hunting and annual written permission carried while hunting; current hunting license.9.7.1, PDF8/9 maximum two antlered statewide across all seasons/methods, not two per season or zone; correct antler classification/tag/bag must be checked.9.7.5, PDF11 shotgun capacity at most five shells or lawful one-piece plug; 10/12/16/20 gauge; single lead/alloy projectile including rifled slug/sabot, no buckshot.9.7(F) hours sunrise/sunset±30minutes; date activity is not hourly permission. Check local discharge/parcel/access/orange/tagging/reporting/CWD/bait/weapon restrictions/current amendments. No other towns/zones/public/cooperative/federal/island/special/youth/archery/muzzleloader/antlerless coverage; four history rows/license metadata unverified. DEM index403 and March proposed redline not read as current facts; active SOS HTML/final PDF read, not two independent publications.
All Deer Seasons
4 seasons for Rhode Island deer hunting
Sep 15, 2025 - Jan 31, 2026
Unverified date record; agency review required. Extended archery
Dec 5-31, 2026
Date window reviewed 2026-10-09; verify license-specific exceptions. Actual active250-RICR-60-00-9 amendment effective07/28/2026, official linked final rule:9.7(B) Westerly Zone1;9.7(C)(3), PDF6 first Saturday in December through Dec31 inclusive, calculated Dec5–31,2026; not old-guide Dec20 cutoff. Only private-land adult legal-antlered shotgun subset reviewed, not individual permission.9.7(A)/(G), PDF5/7 correct permit for each deer before hunting and annual written permission carried while hunting; current hunting license.9.7.1, PDF8/9 maximum two antlered statewide across all seasons/methods, not two per season or zone; correct antler classification/tag/bag must be checked.9.7.5, PDF11 shotgun capacity at most five shells or lawful one-piece plug; 10/12/16/20 gauge; single lead/alloy projectile including rifled slug/sabot, no buckshot.9.7(F) hours sunrise/sunset±30minutes; date activity is not hourly permission. Check local discharge/parcel/access/orange/tagging/reporting/CWD/bait/weapon restrictions/current amendments. No other towns/zones/public/cooperative/federal/island/special/youth/archery/muzzleloader/antlerless coverage; four history rows/license metadata unverified. DEM index403 and March proposed redline not read as current facts; active SOS HTML/final PDF read, not two independent publications.
Nov 17-29, 2025
Unverified date record; agency review required. Shotgun season
Dec 1-31, 2025
Unverified date record; agency review required. Muzzleloader season
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Hunting Method Legend
Zone-Specific Information
Rhode Island has different deer hunting dates by zone. This page shows seasons for: Westerly Zone1 private-land adult legal-antlered shotgun — current individual shotgun deer permit. Check the official state regulations for detailed zone maps and boundaries.
Important Note for Rhode Island
Only Westerly Zone1 private adult legal-antlered shotgun Dec5–31 reviewed from active July28,2026 rule/SOS linked final PDF, not old Dec20 cutoff or proposed redline. Permit per deer/current license/annual written permission carried; two antlered statewide all seasons/methods.10/12/16/20gauge single lead/alloy slug/sabot; five-shell capacity/one-piece plug, no buckshot. Sunrise/sunset±30minutes, date activity not hourly permission. Local discharge/parcel/access/orange/tagging/reporting/CWD/bait/current amendments need checks. Other towns/zones/public/cooperative/federal/island/special/youth/other weapons/antlerless/four history rows/license metadata unverified. DEM index403; not individual permission.
Rhode Island Deer Hunting FAQ
Common questions about deer hunting in Rhode Island
When is deer season in Rhode Island?
Recorded windows, not one continuous season: 2025-09-15 to 2026-01-31; 2026-12-05 to 2026-12-31; 2025-11-17 to 2025-11-29; 2025-12-01 to 2025-12-31. Historical and unverified records may be included. Check each row's evidence and your current GMU/hunt code and license before hunting.
When does archery deer season start in Rhode Island?
Recorded archery deer window: Sep 15, 2025 to Jan 31, 2026. Unverified date record; agency review required. Extended archery
Does Rhode Island have a muzzleloader deer season?
Recorded muzzleloader deer window: Dec 1, 2025 to Dec 31, 2025. Unverified date record; agency review required. Muzzleloader season
Are there different deer hunting zones in Rhode Island?
Yes, Rhode Island has zone-specific deer seasons. The zones include: Westerly Zone1 private-land adult legal-antlered shotgun — current individual shotgun deer permit. Check the season calendar above for zone-specific dates.
Do I need a license to hunt deer in Rhode Island?
Yes, you need a valid Rhode Island hunting license and any required deer tags or permits. Check with the Rhode Island wildlife agency for current license requirements and fees.
Other Species in Rhode Island
More hunting seasons available
Deer Hunting in Other States
Compare deer seasons across states
View All Rhode Island Hunting Seasons
See recorded windows and their review status for other species in Rhode Island.
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