The Water is Still COLD!

Spring is here and summer is coming but please remember that the water warms up much more slowly than the air and so the water (especially in the ocean/bay but also in rivers, lakes and ponds) is still very cold. So, when heading out to go paddling please remember to wear clothing that will keep you warm even if you get wet (e.g, a wetsuit or drysuit or at a minimum wool or synthetics) and use extra caution, especially on the bay and on larger lakes and rivers, and always, always: Remember to wear your life jacket!

Hunting Season Reminder

Remember, in Rhode Island all users of state management areas and other designated undeveloped state parks must wear at least 200 square inches (e.g., a hat or vest) of solid daylight fluorescent orange clothing from the third Saturday in October to the last day of February and from the last Thursday in April to the last day in May, except during shotgun deer season (generally in December) when all users must wear 500 square inches of solid daylight fluorescent orange clothing (e.g., a hat and a vest). For more details contact RI DEM or the park or management area you plan to visit.

Similar regulations apply in Massachusetts except that hunting is not permitted on Sunday so orange clothing is not required on Sundays. For more information contact the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife or the park or forest you plan to visit.