Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge (NWR)
Hunting and Fishing Program for 2023-2024
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will provide big game and waterfowl hunting opportunities at Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge (refuge) during the 2023-24 refuge hunting season. Hunting opportunities for goose, dove, duck, coot, and merganser are available at Field 1, in coordination with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) as part of the South Shore Management Area (Figure 1). Saltwater fishing opportunities are available in designated areas from September 16 through March 31. The Trustom Pond water body is closed to hunting and fishing.
Similar to last year, the refuge will provide limited, archery-only hunting opportunities for white-tailed deer hunting at Trustom Pond Unit. Hunting is by refuge permit only, with season and weapon restrictions. Hunters will be selected through a lottery drawing. The lottery will open on September 1, 2023. Rhode Island Archery Proficiency Certification is required for all permitted hunters, see more information at https://dem.ri.gov/. State safety regulations apply, including safety setbacks.
2023 Program Details:
- Trustom Pond hunting unit is open to archery-only white-tailed deer hunting.
- There are two (2), one-week hunting sessions permitted: 11/01 – 11/07/2023 and 12/6 – 12/12/2023
- Ten (10) hunters will be permitted to hunt during each hunt session.
- Lottery entries and permits are available online at rhodeislandpermits.recaccess.com. Hunters may submit one lottery entry and will indicate a preference for hunting session.
- Cost to enter the lottery is $5.00. If selected to hunt, the permit cost is $15.00.
- Permitted hunters are allowed to take fox and coyote during their deer hunting session.
- Hunters must use designated parking on the National Wildlife Refuge.
- Trustom Pond NWR will be closed to all other activities during the deer hunting sessions.
- Field 1 is open to goose, duck, coot, merganser, and mourning dove hunting (September – January) consistent with the State seasons.
- No hunting or fishing allowed on the Trustom Pond water body.
For questions, call the refuge office at 401-364-9124 or email us at rhodeislandcomplex@fws.gov
