The following announcement from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management was forwarded to The Block Island Times:
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) reminds hikers, bike riders, horseback riders, and all other visitors that, for safety reasons, they must wear solid, daylight fluorescent orange when in state management areas and undeveloped state parks beginning on Saturday, September 12 – the start of deer season. With COVID, more and more people are using state parks, wildlife management areas, and other outdoor spaces. Some may not be aware of the law to wear orange to prevent hunting accidents.
“Whether for hiking, fishing, or fighting cabin fever and getting some fresh air, the COVID pandemic has underlined how much it means to people to get outside and recreate,” said DEM Director Janet Coit. “Rhode Island’s beautiful management areas and undeveloped state parks are wonderful locales for staying healthy and active while reducing stress and practicing physical distancing. We are informing new users of these outdoor areas, however, that deer season opens September 12 and all visitors to parks and management areas must wear at least 200 square inches of blaze orange to make themselves more visible to hunters
