Rhode Island Hunting Seasons & Prices
2026 big-game season dates and license/tag prices.
Rhode Island offers 2026 hunting seasons for whitetail and turkey across archery, any method, muzzleloader, and firearm methods. Seasons run from September 12, 2026 through May 23, 2027. A hunting license (annual) costs $24 for residents and $65 for nonresidents.
Planning reference only — always confirm dates and prices with the state wildlife agency before applying, buying a license, or hunting.
Season dates
Whitetail
| Season | Method | Opens | Closes | Notes | Track |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archery Youth (Zones 1 & 2) | Archery | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 13, 2026 | Youth only. | 🔔 |
| Archery (Zones 1 & 2) | Archery | Sep 15, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | Crossbows included. | 🔔 |
| Special Season for Disabled Hunters (Zone 3) | Any method | Oct 13, 2026 | Oct 16, 2026 | Patience and Prudence Islands. | 🔔 |
| Archery (Zone 4 - Block Island) | Archery | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 30, 2026 | Open days only: Oct. 15, 16, 19-23 and 26-30. Check local ordinance. | 🔔 |
| Archery Youth (Zone 3 - Patience & Prudence Islands) | Archery | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | Youth only. | 🔔 |
| Archery (Zone 3 - Patience & Prudence Islands) | Archery | Oct 19, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | 🔔 | |
| Muzzleloader Youth (Zones 1 & 2) | Muzzleloader | Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | Youth only. | 🔔 |
| Archery, Muzzleloader & Shotgun (Zone 4 - Block Island) | Any method | Nov 2, 2026 | Feb 12, 2027 | Open days only: Nov. 2-6, 9, 10, 12, 13, 16, 17, 19, 20, 23, 24, 30; Dec. 1, 3, 4, 7-11, 14, 15, 17, 18, 21, 22; Jan. 4-8, 11-15, 19-22, 25-29, 2027; Feb. 1-5, 8-12, 2027. | 🔔 |
| Muzzleloader (Zones 1 & 2) | Muzzleloader | Nov 7, 2026 | Dec 4, 2026 | 🔔 | |
| Shotgun (Zones 1 & 2) | Firearm | Dec 5, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | Muzzleloaders are permitted during the shotgun season with a current shotgun deer permit. | 🔔 |
Turkey
| Season | Method | Opens | Closes | Notes | Track |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall Archery | Archery | Oct 1, 2026 | Oct 31, 2026 | 1 either-sex bird. No firearm may be possessed during the fall archery season. | 🔔 |
| Spring Youth | Any method | Apr 19, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | 🔔 | |
| Spring Paraplegic | Any method | Apr 24, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | 🔔 | |
| Spring | Any method | Apr 29, 2027 | May 23, 2027 | 2 bearded birds; no more than one may be taken on state lands. Shooting hours end at 1:00 p.m. | 🔔 |
License & tag prices
| License | Resident | Nonresident | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hunting License (annual) | $24 | $65 | |
| Deer Tag | $14 | — | |
| Resident All Outdoors Package (2 antlered + 5 antlerless) | $84 | — |
Deer hunters buy a hunting license plus deer tags; the resident All Outdoors package bundles antlered and antlerless permits. Season dates for 2026-27 are added here once RI DEM publishes them.
Source: Rhode Island DEM hunting license, stamp & permit fees (dem.ri.gov)
Rhode Island hunting FAQ
- When does whitetail season open in Rhode Island in 2026?
- Rhode Island's 2026 whitetail archery season opens September 12 and runs through September 13. Always confirm exact dates with the state wildlife agency before hunting.
- What big-game species can you hunt in Rhode Island?
- In 2026, Rhode Island has hunting seasons for whitetail and turkey.
- How much is a Rhode Island hunting license for nonresidents?
- A hunting license (annual) in Rhode Island is $65 for nonresidents and $24 for residents.