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State of Rhode Island, Department of Environmental Management ,
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Agency Announcements

HOLIDAY - DÍA FERIADO

In celebration of Thanksgiving Day, our offices and call centers will be closed on Thursday, November 28, 2024. Regular business hours will resume on Friday, November 29 at 8:30 a.m.

En celebración del Día de Acción de Gracias, nuestras oficinas y centros de llamada estarán cerrados el jueves, 28 de noviembre de 2024. El horario laboral regular se reanudará el viernes, 29 de noviembre a las 8:30 am.

  1. Home
  2. Natural Resources Bureau
  3. Fish & Wildlife
  4. Conservation & Research
  • Natural Resources Bureau
  • Initiatives
    • Special Use and Event Policy/Process
    • RI Parks Study
    • RI Great Outdoors Pursuit
    • Accessibility in Parks
    • Environmental Justice
    • Lower Blackstone River Fish Passage
    • Youth Swim Lesson Grants
  • Agriculture and Forest Environment
    • Agriculture
      • RI Grown: Buy Fresh, Get Local
        • RI Seafood
        • Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)
      • Regulatory Services
        • CAPS Program
        • Pest Alerts: ID or Report a Pest
        • Nursery Licensing, Inspection & Certification
        • RI Organic Program
        • Apiary Registration
        • Deer Damage Permits
        • GAP Grower Certification Program
        • Don't Move Firewood
        • Animal Food Safety Standards
      • Animal Health
        • Ag Tourism - Biosecurity
        • Livestock
        • Avian Influenza
        • Canine Respiratory Disease
        • Rabies
        • Pet Owner Resources
        • Forms & Applications
        • Animal Health FAQs
        • USDA Timeline for RFID Adoption
        • Reportable Diseases & Conditions
        • Emergency Response Plan
        • Bringing an Animal into RI
      • Pesticides
        • Pesticide Law & Regulations
        • Pesticide Licensing and Training
        • Agricultural Products Registration
        • Worker Protection Standard
        • Listed Pesticide Products
        • Obsolete Pesticides Collection Program
        • Forms & Applications
        • Pesticide FAQs
      • Ag Business Development & Assistance
        • Grant Opportunities
          • Local Agriculture and Seafood Act (LASA) Grants Program
          • RI Agricultural Energy Program
          • Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program (RFSI)
          • Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP)
          • Specialty Crop Block Grant Program - Mini Grant Program
        • RI Grown Farmers Markets
        • Agricultural Products Registration
        • Food Export Assistance
        • Harvesting RI
        • Agriculture Census Data
      • Produce Safety
        • What is FSMA's Produce Safety Rule?
        • Learn about Produce Safety
        • Planning Tools
          • Record Keeping
          • Produce Safety Rule Resources
          • Draft a Produce Safety Plan
        • On-Farm Readiness Review
          • RI Water Quality Program
        • RI Produce Safety Improvement Grants
        • Apply for Exemption
        • COVID-19 Resources for RI Farmers
      • Farmland Preservation
        • Farmland Access Clearinghouse
        • The Farm, Forest and Open Space Act
      • Mosquito Abatement
        • Mosquito Control
        • Facts About Mosquitoes
        • Salt Marsh Water Management
        • Asian Tiger Mosquito (Aedes albopictus)
      • Boards, Councils and Commissions
        • Pollinator Working Group
        • RI Seafood Marketing Collaborative
        • Ag & Food Links
      • Agriculture Forms/Applications
      • Agriculture Regulations
      • Staff
    • Forest Environment
      • Forest Fire Program
        • Homeowner and Community Resources
        • Volunteer Fire Department Assistance
        • Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant Program
        • Fire Incident Report & Hose Request
        • Smokey Bear Costume Loan
        • Wildfire Danger Report
      • Forest Health Program
        • Current Threats to Forest Health
        • Emerald Ash Borer in Rhode Island
        • Emerald Ash Borer Response Plan
        • Lymantria dispar - LDD (formerly gypsy moth) in Rhode Island
          • Frequently Asked Questions
          • Life Cycle
          • History
          • Management & Control
          • Tips For Hiring a Tree Company
      • Forest Stewardship Program
      • State Land Stewardship
        • State Land Stewardship: Forest Thinning and Timber Harvests
      • Urban and Community Forestry Program
        • U&C Forestry Grant Program
        • Tree City USA
        • Arborist Licenses
        • Find a Licensed Arborist
        • Trees and Storms
        • Tree Care and Maintenance
        • Urban Forest Management for Communities
        • Nature-based Solutions to Improve our Health and the Environment
      • Forest Legacy Program
      • Forestry Info & Literature
        • Forest Action Plan (SFAP)
        • Farm, Forest & Open Space Guide
        • RI's Forest Based Economy (2015)
        • Forests of Rhode Island Annual Report
        • RI Forest Change (2012)
        • RI Forest Facts Annual Summary
        • The Value of Rhode Island Forests
        • Forest Resources Management Plan (2005)
        • Alternative Forest Businesses
      • “Core Forest” Determinations for Renewable Energy Developments
      • Forms & Applications
      • Regulations
      • Staff
    • DAFE Permit Application Portal
      • How to use the Permit Application Portal
  • Boating Registration & Licenses
    • Online Boat Renewal
    • Boat Registrations
    • Hunting Licenses & Permits
    • Fishing Licenses
    • Rhode Island Outdoors
    • Commercial / Recreational Marine Fisheries
    • Staff
    • Directions
  • Coastal Resources
    • Berthing Management Portal
    • Services
    • Directions
    • Rules & Regulations
    • Staff List
  • Fish & Wildlife
    • Online Hunting, Fishing & Shellfish Licenses
    • Outreach & Education
      • Aquatic Resource Education Program
      • Wildlife Outreach Program
        • Rhody Critter Kits
      • Hunter Education
        • About In-Person Testing
        • Events & Course Schedules
        • Rhode Island Youth Training & Mentored Hunts
        • Archery Proficiency Testing
        • Frequently Asked Questions
        • Become a Hunter Education Instructor
        • History
      • Game Recipes
    • Freshwater Fishing
      • Boating
        • Online Boat Registration Renewals
        • Boating Safety Certification
        • Pumpout Locations
        • Marine Mammal Response
        • Stop Invasive Species Sign
      • Freshwater Fishing FAQs
      • Trout Stocked Waters
      • Public Boat Launching Sites
      • Fishing Award Programs
    • Wildlife & Hunting
      • Hunter FAQs
    • Conservation & Research
      • RI State Wildlife Action Plan
      • Agriculture Lease Opportunities
    • Learn About RI Wildlife
      • Report Wildlife Observations
    • Great Swamp Range
    • Handgun Safety Certification (Blue Card)
    • Licenses & Applications
      • Rhode Island Outdoors
      • List of License Agents
      • Freshwater Fishing Licenses & Applications
        • License Applications
        • License Fees
      • Hunting Licenses & Applications
        • License Applications
        • License Fees
      • Additional Forms, Permits & Apps
    • Map & Charts
      • Data & Maps
      • Hunting Areas
    • Reports & Publications
      • Sportfish Records
      • WILD RI Journal
      • WILD Rhode Island Explorer
      • Amphibians of Rhode Island
      • Dragonflies and Damselflies of Rhode Island
      • Inland Fishes of Rhode Island
      • Additional Reports
      • Additional Publications
      • Reptiles of Rhode Island
    • Rules & Regulations
      • Abstract Magazines
        • RI Hunting & Trapping
        • Waterfowl Hunting
        • Freshwater Fishing
        • Saltwater Fishing
      • Tagging & Checking Wild Turkeys
      • Hunting Regulations for the Season (250-RICR-60-00-9)
      • Falconry Regulations for the Season (250-RICR-60-00-7)
      • Fishing Regulations for the Season (250-60-00-10)
      • Freshwater Sizes and Limits
      • Special Use & Event Policy
      • RIGL Title 20 - Fish & Wildlife
      • Additional Regulations
    • Staff
  • Law Enforcement
    • About the Division of Law Enforcement
      • History & Overview
      • Become an Officer
      • Staff
    • Boat & RV Registration
    • Boating Safety Certification
    • Boat / Marine Pumpouts
    • Divisional Units
      • Marine Unit
      • Upland Unit
      • Response Unit
      • Criminal Investigation Unit
    • Forms & Applications
    • Hunting & Fishing Licenses
    • Records Requests & Day Logs
    • Regulations
    • Policies
    • Staff
  • Marine Fisheries
    • Calendar
    • RI Marine Fisheries Council
      • Marine Fisheries Council Minutes and Recordings
      • Advisory Panel Agendas and Minutes
      • Public Hearing Archive
      • Director's Decisions on Marine Fisheries
    • Marine Fisheries Regulations
    • Commercial Fishing / Dealer Resources
      • Marine Fisheries Regulations
      • Minimum Size & Possession Limits
      • Commercial Licensing, Logbooks & Reporting
      • RI Quota Monitored Species Tracking Graphs
      • Shellfish & Aquaculture
      • Shellfish Harvester Education & Certification
      • State Pier Info - DEM Coastal Resources
      • Forms & Permit Applications
      • Fishery Relief Assistance Programs
    • Recreational Saltwater Fishing
      • Recreational Saltwater Fishing
      • Recreational Saltwater Fishing Regulations
      • Minimum Size & Possession Limits
      • APAIS Program
      • About Recreational Saltwater Licenses
      • Online Recreational Fishing License
      • Recreational Shellfishing
    • Aquaculture
    • Forms & Permit Applications
    • Fisheries Science & Research
      • Surveys
      • Publications
      • RI Quota Monitored Species Tracking
      • Offshore Wind Development
      • RI Marine Fisheries Institute
      • New England Fishery Management Council
      • Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council
      • Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission
      • US Fish & Wildlife Service
    • Additional Resources
      • RI Tide Charts
      • Marine Mammal Response
      • Marine Aquatic Education
      • RI Sportfish Records
      • National Weather Service
      • RIDOH: Shellfish Inspection Program
      • NOAA Fisheries
      • US Coast Guard
      • US Fish & Wildlife
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Boating Resources
      • Online Boat Registration Renewals
      • Boating Safety Education
      • Marine Pumpout Locations
      • Public Boat Launching Sites
    • Staff
    • Marine Fisheries Minimum Sizes & Possession Limits
  • Narragansett Bay NERR
  • Parks and Recreation
  • Planning & Development
    • Capital Projects
    • Land Conservation
    • Land & Water Conservation Fund
    • Grant Opportunities
    • Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan
      • About the SCORP
    • Map Room
    • Staff
  • Directions
  • Staff

Conservation & Research

The Division of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) shares management responsibility for more than 60,000 acres of land distributed across 15 towns and all counties and is responsible for managing thousands of species of wildlife, including freshwater species. The division serves a wide and diverse segment of the public, from outdoor recreationists ― such as hunters, hikers, mountain bikers, and wildlife watchers ― to the general public and municipalities concerned with nuisance wildlife.

The DFW is primarily funded through the Federal Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration (WSFR) Program, administered by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). There are over 9,000 licensed hunters in Rhode Island, whose license revenue is used to match the federal funds. Annual appropriations for WSFR’s State Wildlife Grants (SWG) Program provide an additional, smaller, yet less restricted pot of money that can be put toward the conservation of all Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) as identified in the RI Wildlife Action Plan. WSFR funding is used to monitor populations of the state’s deer, turkey, waterfowl, and other game animals, as well as to maintain hunting areas and provide a shooting range for the public at the Great Swamp Management Area. This funding also assists in land acquisition for the DFW, helping to secure valuable habitats for wildlife, both game and non-game species, in perpetuity.

In addition to wildlife research and monitoring programs that include migratory birds, New England Cottontails, and predator species like bobcats and coyotes, the Division also spearheads projects that expand hunting and fishing opportunities in Rhode Island.

A red and black songbird sits on a tree branch

Wildlife Action Plan (WAP)

A monarch butterfly sits on a yellow flower

The Rhode Island Pollinator Atlas

Printed Publications

  • WILD RI Journal
  • Wild RI Explorer Magazine
  • Amphibians of Rhode Island
  • Dragonflies and Damselflies of Rhode Island
  • Inland Fishes of Rhode Island
  • The Second Atlas of Breeding Birds in Rhode Island
  • Reptiles of Rhode Island

Wildlife Resources

  • Wildlife FAQs
  • Wildlife Factsheets
  • Report Wildlife Observations
  • Wildlife Rehabilitators List
  • Rules & Regulations
  • Applications & Forms
  • Animal-Proof Your Home
  • Additional Reports
Wildlife Section, Annual Report 2019 PDF file, about 19mbmegabytes
Wildlife Section, Annual Report 2020 PDF file, about 16mbmegabytes
Wildlife Section, Annual Report 2021 PDF file, about 24mbmegabytes
Wildlife Section, Overview of Programs & Responsibilities PDF file, about 42mbmegabytes
Wildlife Section, Annual Report 2023 PDF file, about 22mbmegabytes
Furbearer Harvest Report 2023-2024 PDF file, about 1mbmegabytes
Trapping in Rhode Island PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes
Where Do You Stand on Hunting and Trapping PDF file, about 2mbmegabytes
2023–2024 Pheasant Program Summary PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes
2022-23 Pheasant Program Summary PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes
Pheasant Stocking Program (2021-22 Season) PDF file, about 1mbmegabytes
Small Game Hunter Harvest Report 2014-2015 PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes

DFW Deer Summary Reports

White-Tailed Deer Harvest Information 2017-2018 PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes
White-Tailed Deer Harvest Information 2018-2019 PDF file, about 2mbmegabytes
White-Tailed Deer Harvest Information 2019-2020 PDF file, about 1mbmegabytes
White-Tailed Deer Harvest Information 2020-2021 PDF file, about 1mbmegabytes
White-Tailed Deer Harvest Information 2021-2022 PDF file, about 1mbmegabytes
White-Tailed Deer Harvest Information 2022-2023 PDF file, about 1mbmegabytes
White-Tailed Deer Harvest Information 2023-2024 PDF file, about 2mbmegabytes
White-Tailed Deer Hunter Survey 2023-2024 PDF file, about 2mbmegabytes
2023 Wild Turkey Program Summary PDF file, about 1mbmegabytes
2022 Wild Turkey Program Summary PDF file, about 3mbmegabytes
2021 Wild Turkey Program Summary PDF file, about 1mbmegabytes
Wood Duck Box Program Summary (2022 Season) PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes
RI Reptile and Amphibian Rules and Regulations Factsheet PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes
Relocating Wildlife Is Prohibited In Rhode Island PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes
Rabies Protocol Manual PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Surveillance PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes
Chronic Wasting Disease Surveillance Plan (Deer Hunters) PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) - Quick Reference for RI Hunters PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes
Eastern Chronic Wasting Disease Endemic States and Border Counties PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes
Chronic Wasting Disease Regulation Summary PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes
Bowhunter Sighting Log Summary PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes
Diseases Affecting Wetland Wildlife and How To Properly Sanitize Gear to Protect Wetland Wildlife PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes
Five Reasons Why Feeding Waterfowl is Harmful PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes
  • DEM News Releases
  • Print Publications
  • Amphibians of RI
  • Dragonflies and Damselflies of RI
  • Inland Fishes of RI
  • The Second Atlas of Breeding Birds in Rhode Island
  • WILD Rhode Island Journal
  • WILD Rhode Island Explorer Magazine
  • Volunteer Newsletter
  • A Natural Community Classification of RI
  • Additional Publications

Report Wildilfe

Guide for Reporting Herp Sighting PDF file, about 3mbmegabytes
Report Wild Turkey Brood Guide PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes
Reporting Deer Observations PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes
Bee Observer Submision Guide PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes

Survey Results

Survey Results: Rhode Island Hunters' Sentiment Toward Hunting and Wildlife Management PDF file, about 2mbmegabytes
2022 Wild Turkey Program Summary PDF file, about 3mbmegabytes
2021 Wild Turkey Program Summary PDF file, about 1mbmegabytes
2023 Wild Turkey Program Summary PDF file, about 1mbmegabytes

DFW Wildlife Factsheets

Ringneck Pheasant Factsheet PDF file, about 993kbkilobytes
American Woodcock PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes
Beavers of Rhode Island PDF file, about 1mbmegabytes
Bobcat PDF file, about 2mbmegabytes
Butterflies of Rhode Island PDF file, about 3mbmegabytes
Canada Geese PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes
Eastern Coyote PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes
Factsheet: American Black Bears PDF file, about 1006kbkilobytes
Factsheet: Bats PDF file, about 2mbmegabytes
Fisher PDF file, about 2mbmegabytes
Flower Flies of Rhode Island PDF file, about 2mbmegabytes
Foxes in Rhode Island PDF file, about 1mbmegabytes
Frogs & Toads of Rhode Island PDF file, about 2mbmegabytes
Mute Swans PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes
Osprey PDF file, about 1mbmegabytes
Porcupine PDF file, about 3mbmegabytes
Rabbits PDF file, about 1mbmegabytes
Raccoon PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes
Raptor Nests on Manmade Structures: Conflicts and Resolutions PDF file, about 2mbmegabytes
Reducing Deer Damage in Your Garden PDF file, about 6mbmegabytes
River Herring PDF file, about 1mbmegabytes
Salamander PDF file, about 1mbmegabytes
Shrews PDF file, about 1mbmegabytes
Skunk PDF file, about 1mbmegabytes
Snakes of Rhode Island PDF file, about 1mbmegabytes
Solving Problems with Backyard Wildlife PDF file, about 2mbmegabytes
Squirrel & Chipmunks PDF file, about 1mbmegabytes
Turtles of Rhode Island PDF file, about 1mbmegabytes
Virginia Opossums PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes
Vultures PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes
White-tailed Deer PDF file, about 1mbmegabytes
Wild Bees of Rhode Island PDF file, about 2mbmegabytes
Wild Turkey PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes
Wood Duck PDF file, about 2mbmegabytes
Woodchucks PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes
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Stay Informed - Fish & Wildlife Newsletter

Subscribe to our monthly e-newsletter to stay up-to-date on DEM Division of Fish & Wildlife's news, events, and volunteer opportunities!

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Contact Division of Fish & Wildlife

Phillip Edwards, Chief
Christine Dudley, Deputy Chief, Freshwater & Diadromous Fisheries
Jay Osenkowski, Deputy Chief, Wildlife
Sarah Riley, Chief Implementation Aide

Phone: 1-401-789-0281
Fax: 1-401-783-7490
[email protected]
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