Inside the Providence metro, Newport leads Rhode Island's Buck Index at 79. Every county in the state is marked metro in this snapshot, so there is no separate outside leader. Washington follows at 70, Kent at 64, Providence at 63 and Bristol at 49. All five counties are rated. The county order compares documented big-buck history per estimated bow-huntable acre on a national scale. That gives hunters a specific county comparison, while leaving permits and the actual property to be checked separately.
KEY FINDINGS
- Inside the Providence metro, Newport leads at 79. Every Rhode Island county is marked metro in this snapshot, so there is no separate outside leader. A big metro means a Census metro area of 1 million people or more.
- Newport leads at 79, followed by Washington at 70. Kent is third at 64, Providence fourth at 63 and Bristol fifth at 49.
- No two counties share a displayed score. The five rated counties run from 49 to 79, with a median of 64. No county reaches 80 in this snapshot.
- All five counties are included. The score is a relative Buck Index, not an official county harvest rate.
Rhode Island county finder
Where does your county rank?
Derived FDR scores on a national 0 to 100 scale. History: 2011 through 2025. Captured October 17, 2026. Order uses the underlying rate before rounding. Zero is a valid score. Not rated means the county has no qualifying bow-huntable acreage or is mostly inside city limits. Counties marked metro sit inside a Census metro area of 1 million people or more.
5 of 5 entries shown
| State rank | County | Buck Index |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Newport Providence metro | 79 |
| 2 | Washington Providence metro | 70 |
| 3 | Kent Providence metro | 64 |
| 4 | Providence Providence metro | 63 |
| 5 | Bristol Providence metro | 49 |
01County comparison
Newport leads, with Washington and Kent next
Newport holds first place at 79 and Washington second at 70. Kent's 64 holds third place, ahead of Providence at 63 and Bristol at 49.
The national scoring frame matters: Newport's 79 sits on a 0 to 100 scale built for the whole country, so the score reads against that wider comparison.
02County comparison
Kent and Providence sit one point apart
Washington follows Newport at 70, and Kent and Providence sit one point apart at 64 and 63. Kent is third and Providence fourth in the order. Bristol closes the list at 49, the lowest rated score in the state.
The five rated counties span a displayed range from 49 to 79. Newport's 79 sits well above Bristol's 49.
03County comparison
Bristol sits in a different band from the top four
Newport ranks first at 79, and Bristol ranks fifth at 49. A county-level comparison shows that gap directly, while a regional impression would average it away.
Washington's 70 is above Kent's 64 and Providence's 63 under this measure. That is a documented difference in county history after the acreage adjustment. Explaining that gap would require evidence beyond the score.
04County comparison
Check the season rules before choosing a county
The state wildlife agency's archery deer season notice gives the agency context for timing. This report does not allocate harvest totals to counties. Before a county becomes a trip, check the current season rules for the exact ground being considered.
The state wildlife agency's general hunting information is the next step for access and rules. Start with a county you can actually hunt, then compare the substitutes that fit the same trip. Access may matter more than the index for that choice.
05Basis of this report
Snapshot window, scaling and limits
FDR derived this October 17, 2026 snapshot from the 2011 through 2025 history window, estimated bow-huntable acreage and national scaling, 0 to 100. Scores are not harvest odds, population density or guaranteed access, and they are sensitive to reporting and modeled-area choices.
Compare the other states in the FDR county report series.
NOTES AND SOURCES
- Derived FDR scores on a national 0 to 100 scale. History: 2011 through 2025. Captured October 17, 2026. Order uses the underlying rate before rounding. Zero is a valid score. Not rated means the county has no qualifying bow-huntable acreage or is mostly inside city limits. Counties marked metro sit inside a Census metro area of 1 million people or more.
Fully Drawn Research is an independent data analysis desk, not affiliated with any state wildlife agency, transportation agency, mapping provider or outfitter. FDR county scores and interpretations are independent analysis. A county ranking does not evaluate an individual property.
Keep reading
FDR Scout puts county harvest history like this on the map of the ground you hunt. Open Scout →