Rhode Island

10, 12, 16, and 20 gauge shotguns firing single slugs or sabots are legal for deer during the shotgun deer season (centerfire rifles are strictly prohibited for deer hunting statewide in Rhode Island). 3-shell capacity limit applies. Buckshot is prohibited for deer hunting.

Minimum .45 caliber single-barrel muzzleloaders. Modern in-line muzzleloaders with 209 ignitions, sabots, and magnifying scopes are fully legal during the dedicated November and December muzzleloader seasons on state management areas and private lands. Black powder or commercial synthetic powders only.

Compound, recurve, and longbows with minimum 40 lb draw weight. Broadheads must have minimum 7/8-inch cutting width. Fixed and mechanical broadheads legal. Archery season runs from September 15 through January 31 on private lands (and through December on state lands).

Fully legal for ALL licensed hunters during both the archery deer season and modern firearm seasons without requiring a medical disability permit. Crossbows must have a minimum draw weight of 125 lbs, a working safety, and shoot bolts with hunting broadheads measuring at least 7/8 inch wide.

10, 12, 16, 20 gauge shotguns with non-toxic steel, bismuth, or tungsten shot required for waterfowl hunting along Narragansett Bay, coastal salt ponds, and Block Island. 3-shell capacity plug mandatory.

500 square inches of fluorescent hunter orange (solid daylight fluorescent orange hat and jacket/vest) mandatory during all shotgun and muzzleloader deer seasons statewide. Written landowner permission required for private land hunting.