The following refuge units are open for hunting and/or fishing as governed by applicable Federal and State regulations, and are listed in alphabetical order with additional refuge-specific regulations.
(a) Block Island National Wildlife Refuge -
(1) Migratory game bird hunting. We allow hunting of duck, merganser, and coot on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) We require hunters to possess and carry a signed refuge hunting brochure valid for the current season.
(ii) We only allow portable or temporary blinds, and decoys must be removed from the refuge following each day's hunt (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
(iii) We allow the use of dogs consistent with State regulations. Dogs must be under direct control of the hunter at all times.
(2) [Reserved]
(3) Big game hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) We require hunters to possess and carry a signed refuge hunting brochure valid for the current season.
(ii) We only allow portable or temporary stands and blinds that must be removed from the refuge on the last day of the deer hunt (see § 27.93 of this chapter). Stands and blinds must be marked with the hunter's State hunting license number.
(4) Sport fishing. We allow saltwater fishing from refuge shorelines.
(b) John H. Chafee National Wildlife Refuge -
(1) Migratory game bird hunting. We allow hunting of duck, goose, merganser, and coot on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) We require hunters to possess and carry a signed refuge migratory game bird hunting brochure valid for the current season.
(ii) We only allow portable or temporary blinds and decoys that must be removed from the refuge following each day's hunt (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
(iii) We allow the use of dogs consistent with State regulations.
(2) Upland game hunting. We allow hunting of coyote and fox on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following condition: We only allow the incidental take of coyote and fox during the refuge deer hunting season with a signed refuge hunting brochure valid for the current season.
(3) Big game hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer and wild turkey on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) We require every hunter to possess and carry a personally signed refuge hunting brochure valid for the current season.
(ii) We only allow portable or temporary stands and blinds that must be removed from the refuge on the last day of the deer hunt (see § 27.93 of this chapter). We prohibit permanent tree stands. Stands and blinds must be marked with the hunter's State hunting license number.
(4) Sport fishing. We allow saltwater fishing in designated areas of the refuge.
(c) Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge.
(1) [Reserved]
(2) Upland game hunting. We allow hunting of coyote and fox on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following condition: We only allow the incidental take of coyote and fox during the refuge deer hunting season. We require hunters to possess and carry a signed refuge hunting brochure valid for the current season.
(3) Big game hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer and turkey on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) We require hunters to possess and carry a signed refuge hunting brochure valid for the current season.
(ii) We only allow portable or temporary stands and blinds that must be removed from the refuge on the last day of the deer hunt (see § 27.93 of this chapter). We prohibit permanent tree stands. Stands and blinds must be marked with the hunter's State hunting license number.
(4) Sport fishing. We allow saltwater fishing from refuge shorelines.
(d) Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge.
(1) [Reserved]
(2) Upland game hunting. We allow hunting of fox and coyote on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following condition: We only allow the incidental take of fox and coyote during limited, periodic hunts with a signed hunt application (see paragraph (d)(3)(i) of this section).
(3) Big game hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) We require every hunter to possess and carry a personally signed hunt application (FWS Form 3-2439, Hunt Application - National Wildlife Refuge System).
(ii) We only allow hunting of big game during limited, periodic hunts.
(iii) We only allow portable tree stands and blinds. You must clearly label any tree stand or blind left on the refuge overnight with your refuge permit number. You must remove your tree stand(s) and/or blind(s) from the refuge on the last day of the refuge-authorized deer hunt (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
(4) Sport fishing. We allow saltwater fishing on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) Anglers may only saltwater fish at Sachuest Beach shoreline from September 16 through March 31.
(ii) Anglers may night-fish after legal sunset with a refuge permit (FWS Form 3-2358, National Wildlife Refuge System Fishing/Shrimping/Crabbing/Frogging Application).
(e) Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge -
(1) Migratory game bird hunting. We allow hunting of duck, goose, merganser, coot, and mourning dove on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following condition: We allow the use of dogs consistent with State regulations.
(2)-(3) [Reserved]
(4) Sport fishing. We allow saltwater fishing on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following condition: Anglers may saltwater fish from September 16 through March 31.
[85 FR 54138, Aug. 31, 2020]