RI Department of Environmental Management
235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908
(401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462
| For Release: | February 7, 2003 |
| Contact: | Gail Mastrati
222-4700 ext. 2402 Stephanie Powell 222-4700 ext. 4418 |
DEM ANNOUNCES THAT WILD TURKEY PERMITS ARE AVAILABLE FOR SALE
PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management's Division of Fish and Wildlife announces that permits for the spring turkey season are now available. For the first time turkey permits will have a fee attached and will be sold at designated license vendors across the state and at DEM's Office of Boat Registration and Licensing. There no longer is a lottery or individual application required to obtain a turkey permit, nor is there a limitation on the number of permits that can be sold.Last year, the Rhode Island General Assembly modified state law to require those hunting wild turkey to obtain, in addition to a regular hunting license, a separate turkey permit at a cost of $7.50 to resident hunters and $20 to non-resident hunters. The fees collected from the permits will be used to support DEM's turkey management program in such ways as turkey habitat acquisition, turkey restoration, and research.
The restoration of the wild turkey continues to be a major success story in Rhode Island and throughout the United States, with hunters enjoying increasing harvests and hunting opportunities. By applying the techniques of wildlife management, habitat restoration, and hunting regulations, biologists have brought the wild turkey to prominence again as America's number one gamebird. There are now close to five million birds in 49 states.
Rhode Island's wild turkey population is currently estimated at over 3,000 birds. The state's first turkey hunting season in modern times occurred in 1986 and has been held annually since that time. Last year, turkey hunters harvested 256 birds in Rhode Island, a new record in the state.
This year's spring turkey season in Rhode Island will begin April 30 and run through May 26. The bag limit remains at one bird per season.
Hunters can purchase turkey permits at the Department's licensing office at DEM Headquarters, 235 Promenade Street in Providence, and at the following license vendors:
Big Bear Hunting and Fishing in Harmony
Hope Valley Bait and Tackle in Hope Valley
Sandy Bottom Bait and Tackle in Coventry
Fin and Feather Lodge in East Greenwich
Snowhurst Farm in Chepachet
Main Bait and Tackle Shop in Fall River
Pete's Bait and Tackle Shop in Woonsocket
Quaker Lane Bait in North Kingstown
Gun and Dive Shop in Westerly
Hope Valley Bait and Tackle in Hope Valley
Sandy Bottom Bait and Tackle in Coventry
Fin and Feather Lodge in East Greenwich
Snowhurst Farm in Chepachet
Main Bait and Tackle Shop in Fall River
Pete's Bait and Tackle Shop in Woonsocket
Quaker Lane Bait in North Kingstown
Gun and Dive Shop in Westerly
For further information on turkey permits or wild turkey hunting, contact the DEM's Division of Fish and Wildlife at 789-3094.
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