Rhode Island hunting bill to be voted on Wednesday

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The Senate Environment and Agriculture Committee will vote on two bills that aim to protect large forests and prevent the captivity of wild and domestic animals.

The first bill would prohibit the captive hunting of domestic or wild animals.

If passed, it would be illegal to restrict an animal from escaping or fleeing from a confined area during a hunt.

This act would not prohibit the release of game birds for hunting on licensed shooting preserves.

The committee will also vote on a proposal to change the definition of a “core forest.”

The bill would update the definition to include single or multiple parcels totaling 250 acres or greater and at least 25 yards from mapped roads.

Today’s vote is scheduled for 3 p.m.