If you are planning to visit Connecticut for latest hunting pursuit, here is a comprehensive summary of everything you need to know to go outdoors including, up-to-date schedules, licenses, bag limits and more.
Connecticut Hunting Seasons
| Private Land (Zones 11 and 12) | Deer Bowhunting | 1-Jan - 31-Jan |
| Private Land (All Zones) | 15-Sep - 31-Dec |
| State Land Bowhunting Only Areas | 15-Sep - 30-Dec |
| State Land | 15-Sep - 14-Nov |
| No Lottery Season | Deer Shotgun - State Controlled Areas | 15-Nov - 5-Dec |
| Archery-Only Lottery | Deer Lottery | 15-Sep - 30-Dec |
| State Land Lottery “A” Season | 15-Nov - 24-Nov |
| State Land Lottery Regular Season | 15-Nov - 5-Dec |
| Private Lands | Deer Shotgun/Rifle/Revolver | 15-Nov - 5-Dec |
| Landowner | Deer Shotgun/Rifle/Revolver | 1-Nov - 30-Dec |
| Private Land | Deer Muzzleloader | 6-Dec - 30-Dec |
| State Land | 6-Dec - 19-Dec |
| Spring Turkey | |
| State and Private Lands | 26-Apr - 27-May |
| |
| Fall Turkey | |
| Archery -Private Land (Zones 11 and 12) | 2-Jan - 31-Jan |
| Archery -Private Land (All Zones) | 15-Sep - 30-Dec |
| Archery -State Land Bowhunting Only Areas | 15-Sep - 30-Dec |
| Archery -State Land | 15-Sep - 14-Nov |
| Archery -State Land | 20-Dec - 30-Dec |
| Firearms (State and Private Lands) | 7-Oct - 31-Oct |
CT Junior Hunter Training Days
| Spring Wild Turkey | April 15-22, 2023 (excluding Sunday) |
| Waterfowl | Two Saturdays in fall |
| Pheasant | 14-Oct-23 |
| Deer | Nov 4-11, 2023 (excluding Sunday) |
Furbearers
| Gray Squirrel | 2-Jan - 28-Feb |
| 1-Sep - 30-Dec |
| Cottontail Rabbit | 2-Jan - 28-Feb |
| European Hare | 21-Oct - 30-Dec |
| Snowshoe Hare | 2-Jan - 31-Jan |
| 18-Nov - 30-Dec |
| Red Fox | 2-Jan - 28-Feb |
| Gray Fox | 21-Oct - 30-Dec |
| Trapping Only | 1-Jan - 15-Mar-23 | No limit |
| 1-Dec - 31-Dec |
| Trapping Only | 1-Jan - March 15 | 8 Bag limit |
| 5-Nov - 31-Dec |
| Trapping Only | 1-Jan - March 15 | No limit |
| 5-Nov - 31-Dec |
| Trapping Only | 1-Jan - March 15 | No limit |
| 5-Nov - 31-Dec |
| Trapping Only | 1-Jan - March 15 | No limit |
| 5-Nov - 31-Dec |
| Trapping Only | 1-Jan - March 15 | No limit |
| 5-Nov - 31-Dec |
| Carcass collection mandatory | 20-Nov - 31-Dec | Limit of 2 |
CT Upland Birds
| 21-Oct-23 - 30-Dec-23 |
| 2-Jan-24 - 28-Feb-24 |
| 21-Oct-23 - 30-Dec-23 |
| 2-Jan-24 - 28-Feb-24 |
| 21-Oct-23 - 30-Dec-23 |
| 2-Jan-24 - 28-Feb-24 |
| Ruffed Grouse Season | 21-Oct-23 - 30-Nov-23 |
| Dates | Allowed Days | Shooting Hours |
| Aug 12 - Oct 13, 2023 | Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays | One-half hour before sunrise until one-half hour after sunset |
| Oct 21 - Dec 1, 2023 |
| Jan 13 - March 23, 2024 | Mondays through Saturdays |
CT Migratory Birds Season
| 1-Sep - 30-Dec-23 | 8 Bag limit and 24 Possession Limit |
|
| Virginia and Sora Rails | 1-Sep - 14-Oct-23 | 25 Bag limit and 75 Possession Limit |
| 25-Oct - 30-Nov-23 |
| Clapper and King Rails | 1-Sep - 14-Oct-23 | 10 Bag limit and 30 Possession Limit |
| 25-Oct - 30-Nov-23 |
| Migratory Bird Hunting (Connecticut) | Information |
| Species Included | The hunting season includes ducks, geese, woodcock, snipe, rails, and crows. |
| Zone Definitions | North Zone: The portion of the state north of Interstate 95. South Zone: The portion of the state south of Interstate 95. |
| Regulation Changes | • Mallard bag limit in the Atlantic Flyway is reduced to 4 birds, with no more than 2 hens.
• AP Canada goose season returns to a 45-day season with a 3-bird daily bag limit.
|
| Required Stamps | Waterfowl hunters 16 and older need a federal Duck Stamp and Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp. |
| Stamp Purchase | • Various retail locations sell the 2023 Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp for $17 ($9 for junior hunters aged 12 to 17).
• On December 31, 2023, the stamp expires.
• Hunters planning early 2024 must buy the 2024 stamp by January 1, 2024. |
| Conservation Efforts | Proceeds from the Connecticut Migratory Bird Stamp are dedicated to wetland habitat management, acquisition, and improving hunter access. |
| Reporting Leg Bands | Hunters are encouraged to report waterfowl leg bands to the U.S. Geological Survey at www.reportband.gov. |
| Junior Hunter Training Days | Junior Waterfowl Hunter Training Days will be held on September 30 and November 4, 2023, for participants 17 years and younger. |
| Ethical and Legal Hunting | The agency discourages poaching and promotes ethical hunting. Report violations to the 24-hour DEEP hotline at 1-800-842-4357. |
| Additional Information | Season dates, bag limits, restrictions, and resources are available in the 2023-2024 Migratory Bird Hunting Guide online. |
| |
Waterfowl
| Early | North Zone | 7-Oct- 14-Oct | 6 Bag limit and 18 Possession Limit |
| South Zone | 12-Oct - 14-Oct |
| Late | North Zone | 10-Nov - 10-Jan |
| South Zone | 16-Nov - 20-Jan |
| Early | North Zone | 7-Oct - 14-Oct | 15 Bag limit and 45 Possession Limit |
| South Zone | 12-Oct - 14-Oct |
| Late | North Zone | 10-Nov - 10-Jan |
| South Zone | 16-Nov - 20-Jan |
| Early | North Zone | 7-Oct - 14-Oct | 6 Bag limit and 18 Possession Limit |
| South Zone | 12-Oct - 14-Oct |
| Late | North Zone | 10-Nov - 10-Jan |
| South Zone | 16-Nov - 20-Jan |
| Zones | Dates | Bag | Possession |
| North | 7-Oct - 14-Oct | 1 | 3 |
| 10-Nov - 18-Dec |
| 19-Dec - 10-Jan | 2 | 6 |
| South | 29-Dec - 20-Jan |
| 12-Oct - 14-Oct | 1 | 3 |
| 16-Nov - 28-Dec |
| North Zone | 7-Dec - 10-Jan | 1 Bag limit and 3 Possession Limit |
| South Zone | 18-Dec - 20-Jan |
| Zones | | Bag | Possession |
| Canada Goose Season | | | | |
| AP Unit | North | 10-Oct - 14-Oct | 3 | 9 |
| 10-Nov - 15-Dec |
| AP Late Season | 27-Dec - 15-Feb | 5 | 15 |
| AFRP Unit | 10-Oct - 14-Oct |
| 21-Nov - 15-Feb |
| South | 10-Oct - 14-Oct |
| 21-Nov - 15-Feb |
| NAP-H Unit | North | 10-Oct - 14-Oct | 2 | 6 |
| 10-Nov - 12-Jan |
| South | 10-Oct - 14-Oct |
| 10-Nov - 12-Jan |
| NAP-H Late Season | 15-Jan - 15-Feb | 5 | 15 |
| | | | |
| Snow Geese (includes Blue Geese) | North | 2-Oct - 13-Jan | 25 | No limit |
| 21-Feb - 9-Mar |
| South | 2-Oct - 13-Jan |
| 21-Feb - 9-Mar |
| CT Trapping | Begins at | Ends at | Limits |
| River Otter | 1-Jan | 15-Mar | 8 |
| 5-Nov | 31-Dec | 8 |
| Beaver | 1-Jan | 31-Mar | No limit |
| 1-Dec | 31-Dec |
| 5-Nov | 31-Dec |
| Mink | 1-Jan | 15-Mar |
| 5-Nov | 31-Dec |
| Muskrat | 1-Jan | 15-Mar |
| 5-Nov | 31-Dec |
| Weasel | 1-Jan | 15-Mar |
| 5-Nov | 31-Dec |
| Coyote | 1-Jan | 15-Mar |
| 5-Nov | 31-Dec |
| Gray Fox | 1-Jan | 15-Mar |
| 5-Nov | 31-Dec |
| Red Fox | 1-Jan | 15-Mar |
| 5-Nov | 31-Dec |
| Raccoon | 1-Jan | 15-Mar |
| 5-Nov | 31-Dec |
| Opossum | 1-Jan | 15-Mar |
| 5-Nov | 31-Dec |
| Skunk | 1-Jan | 15-Mar |
| 5-Nov | 31-Dec |
| Fisher (Carcass collection mandatory) | 20-Nov | 31-Dec | 2 |
Licenses & Fees
Hunting and trapping licenses, stamps, and permits are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week via the DEEP’s Online Outdoor Licensing System and certain sporting goods stores and municipal offices (although availability and restrictions may vary). You can sign and store an online license on your phone, but you’ll need to visit a licensing bureau to get a printed copy.
Licenses are available Monday through Friday at the Wildlife Division’s Sessions Woods, Franklin Field Offices, and the DEEP Western District Headquarters. To find out whether license sales are prohibited, contact the DEEP’s Eastern or Marine Districts. 12 to 15-year-olds pay half the price for license and permit fees, while 16 and 17-year-olds pay the full amount. For young hunters, the Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp is $9. (12-15 years old).
| License/Permit | Valid For | Non-resident Fee | Resident Fee |
| Licenses |
| Firearms Hunting (age 16-17) | Hunting with firearms | $19.00 | $10 |
| Hunting & Inland Fishing (Firearms) | Hunting & inland fishing | $38.00 | $19 |
| Firearms Hunting & All Waters Fishing | Hunting & all waters fishing | $40.00 | $20 |
| Firearms Hunting & Marine Fishing | Hunting & marine fishing | $25.00 | $13 |
| 3-Day Non-Resident Bird Hunting | 3 days bird hunting | $35.00 | - |
| Junior Firearms | Ages 12-15 hunting | $11.00 | $11.00 |
| Senior Firearms | 65+ hunting | - | Free |
| Small Game & Archery Deer | Archery hunting deer & small game | $41.00 | $21 |
| All Waters Fishing, Small Game & Archery Deer | | $65.00 | $33 |
| Junior Archery Deer & Small Game | Ages 12-15 archery hunting | $19.00 | $10.00 |
| Trapping | Trapping furbearers | $250.00 | $34.00 |
| Resident Trapping (16-17) | | - | $17.00 |
| Junior Trapping | Under 16 trapping | - | $11.00 |
| Senior Trapping | 65+ trapping | - | Free |
|
| Permits |
| Lottery "A" | state land | $19.00 | $10 |
| Regular Season Lottery | state land | $19.00 | $10 |
| No Lottery | state land | $19.00 | $10 |
| Private Land Shotgun, Rifle, or Revolver | private lands | $19.00 | $10 |
| Muzzleloader (state land) | state land | $19.00 | $10 |
| Muzzleloader (private land) | private lands | $19.00 | $10 |
| Landowner | 10 or more acres that are adjacent | Free | Free |
Hunting Regulations
- Sunday hunting is illegal unless you are an archery deer hunter in a Deer Management Zone. Private preserves, certified dog training facilities, and sanctioned field trials are the only exceptions. Bowhunters may kill deer on private property on Sundays in all Deer Management Zones, but they must keep 40 yards away from blazed hiking paths.
- During the Private Land Shotgun/Rifle and Muzzleloader seasons, “Antlerless Only” tags are not acceptable in Zones 2 and 4A. Some places just honor “Either Sex.”
- It is illegal to intentionally load a weapon to enter or leave a game area. During deer and turkey hunting, if there is no live cartridge in the chamber, a person may have a loaded rifle or shotgun one hour before dawn.
- Any tool with a live round in the chamber or an attached magazine, such as a rifle or shotgun, muzzle-loaded firearm with a primer, flintlock firearm with powder in the pan, bow and arrow with an arrow notched on the bow, drawn crossbow with a bolt in place, or high-velocity air gun is considered a loaded hunting implement.
- It is prohibited to go outdoors when intoxicated or high.
- It is illegal to shoot from a public street and aim at a person, building, or animal.
- On state property, ATVs and other motorized vehicles are prohibited for hunting, shooting, and other purposes (with some exceptions for disabled individuals).
- Hunting is prohibited from October 8 to 1/2 hour before dawn on October 15, except for rails in marshes, waterfowl, squirrels, deer, turkeys, and coyotes, as well as approved private shooting preserves or field trials.
- Electronic calling devices may be used to take deer, ravens, coyotes, and other small animals.
- Westport, has a hunting prohibition.
- Trap or target shooting is prohibited on state-owned or public grounds except at an established range. Target shooting, shotgun patterning, and rifle sighting are available at state-maintained shooting ranges.
- Wooster Mountain State Park is home to Danbury’s Cooperative Shooting Range. Clay target shooting is available at Wooster Mountain Shooting Range; for hours and fees, contact (203) 794-9821.
- In Naugatuck State Forest, the High Rock Shooting Association, Inc. manages the High Rock Cooperative Shooting Range. Saturday and Sunday between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Closures are posted on the website.) You must have a state pistol permit and pay $5 per hour at the range to fire pistols. High Rock Shooting Association may be contacted at (203-720-1101) or their website.
- The Meshomasic State Forest shooting range is accessible through Toll Gate Road. Paper targets are free of charge. Reservations are required.
- The Nye Holman Field Archery Range is located on South River Road near Tolland. The field course is always open to the public, and only field points are awarded (arrows with broadheads are strictly prohibited).
- Falconry requires a permit. Falconers are allowed to attend any small public game or waterfowl shooting place and must follow the same restrictions. Entering private property needs explicit authorization. Like small game and waterfowl hunters, Falconers must wear bright orange and get licenses, stamps, and permits. A falconry permit is required for non-residents.
What are the clothing requirements for hunting in Connecticut?
From September 1st until the end of February, all hunters in Connecticut (even those with deer damage licenses) must wear 400 square inches of neon orange above the waist and an orange cap in order to comply with the rules. This regulation is intended to improve hunter security and visibility., make a question for this
Can I hunt pheasants in Connecticut?
Pheasant can be legally taken in Connecticut. With a daily bag restriction of two and a season bag maximum of ten, the pheasant season typically lasts from January to February and October to December. Youth and junior hunters may also shoot pheasants and local birds, including ruffed grouse, quail, and chukar.
Do I need to complete a hunter and trapper education program in Connecticut?
If you’re new to hunting or trapping in Connecticut, completion of an education program is mandatory. This curriculum encompasses comprehensive lessons in advanced hunting techniques, as well as safety education in handling guns, bowhunting, and trapping.
John Lewis, the passionate founder of HuntingSeasons.org, is committed to promoting responsible hunting and a profound love for the wilderness. With years of expertise, his platform serves as a reliable guide for hunting enthusiasts, advocating ethical practices and nature preservation.
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