Why It Matters: On May 14, 2025, “The State Assault Weapons Ban Act” (S. 359) was heard by the Rhode Island Senate Judiciary Committee. A companion bill (H. 5436) had previously mirrored this path in its respective chamber earlier this year. This sweeping anti-firearm package would impact commonly owned rifles, shotguns and handguns with significant …
Rhode Island State “Assault” Weapons Ban Imminent Read More »
Summary Often cited for its potential safety risks, fanning or reaping of turkeys statistically has not proven to be an unsafe act as some anecdotally claim. Simply, the data does not exist to back up the claim that the act or practice of fanning or reaping wild turkeys has a track record of casualties. Additionally, …
Fanning or Reaping as a Method of Taking Turkeys Read More »
Why It Matters: Earlier this year, Rhode Island Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Co-Chair, Sen. Gordon Rogers introduced Senate Bill 2154 (SB 2154)– An Act Relating to Fish and Wildlife – Birds, which allows the taking of wild turkeys by using a crossbow in compliance with rules and regulations promulgated by DEM.) SB 2154 increases opportunities for …
New Opportunities for Ocean State Turkey Hunters Read More »
Why It Matters: Trapping is unique in that it can be used for predator and furbearer management, harvest, to maintain healthy ecosystems, manage invasive species, and can also be used to capture live wildlife for research and management purposes. Restraining traps have been particularly critical in conservation efforts by allowing state agencies to capture and …
Why It Matters: State fish and wildlife agencies are instrumental in setting the frameworks that result in the successful conservation and management of a state’s fish, wildlife, and their habitats. Sportsmen and women (including hunters, anglers, recreational shooters, and trappers) have played a crucial role in funding conservation efforts in the United States for over …
Contact: Joe Mullin, New England States Senior Coordinator In conjunction with the firearms deer hunting seasons that are slowly opening across the northeast region, state fish and wildlife agencies are also hard at work preparing for a different pursuit – trout. In a press release from Rhode Island’s Department of Environmental Management (DEM), it’s recognized …
Stocked Waters in Rhode Island Offer a Great Opportunity for Anglers This Fall Read More »
Contact: Joe Mullin, New England States Senior Coordinator Rhode Island’s sporting community may have additional hunting and fishing opportunities headed its way, as a the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) recently published the 2020 Final Hunting and Fishing Plan (Plan) for the Rhode Island National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Complex. While the Plan does vary …
USFWS Revises Rhode Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex Hunting and Fishing Plan Read More »
Contact: Joe Mullin, New England States Senior Coordinator On June 8, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) submitted a letter of support to the Rhode Island National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Complex in support of its proposed Hunting and Fishing Plan. Overall, the proposal would permit various forms of hunting – including that on migratory bird, big …
The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) announced the addition of the bipartisan Rhode Island Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus – Co-Chaired by Senators Frank Lombardo and Gordon Rogers – to the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses (NASC). The Caucus will serve as the voice for sportsmen and women in the Ocean State, which is home to 179,000 hunters …
Rhode Island Becomes 49th State to Join the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses Read More »
Summary Over the last decade, many states have expanded opportunities for archery hunters wishing to use crossbows. Incorporating crossbow hunting opportunities into game management may increase hunter recruitment and retention, and crossbows can be valuable tool for controlling game populations, particularly in suburban and urban areas. Introduction Over the past decade, many states have eliminated …
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