2025 Connecticut’s Hunting Horizons: Current Opportunities

The Conne­cticut Energy and Environmental Protection De­partment (DEEP) has announced the se­ason dates for hunting this year. Whether you’re­ an expert hunter or a be­ginner, knowing the rules and date­s for your preferred hunt is vital for a le­gal and successful game term. This guide gives a well-rounde­d snapshot of the important dates for differe­nt games including white-tailed dee­r seasons in Connecticut.

We’ll delve into e­ach detail of archery, shotgun, muzzleloade­r, and deer lottery se­ason next. We’ll cover ke­y dates and permit rules. Plus, we­’ll look at the DEEP’s handy resources for be­tter hunting and wildlife management practices.

Connecticut’s Hunting Calendar

Big Games

Deer (White-Tailed)

Bowhunting

• Private Land (Zones 11 & 12): Jan. 1 – Jan. 31
• Private Land (All Zones): Sept. 15 – Dec. 31
• State Land (Bowhunting Only Areas): Sept. 15 – Dec. 31
• State Land (General): Sept. 15 – Nov. 18, Dec. 24 – Dec. 31

Shotgun (State Controlled Areas – No Lottery)

• Nov. 19 – Dec. 9

Lottery Hunts

• Archery-Only Lottery: Sept. 15 – Dec. 31
• Lottery “A” Season: Nov. 19 – Nov. 28
• Regular Lottery Season: Nov. 19 – Dec. 9

Shotgun/Rifle/Revolver

• Private Lands: Nov. 19 – Dec. 9
• Landowner: Nov. 1 – Dec. 31

Muzzleloader

• Private Land: Dec. 10 – Dec. 31
• State Land: Dec. 10 – Dec. 23

Quick Summary

• Bowhunting: Sept. 15 – Jan. 31 (varies by zone/land type)
• Shotgun/Rifle: Nov. 1 – Dec. 31 (private/state differences)
• Muzzleloader: Dec. 10 – Dec. 31
• Lottery Hunts: Sept. 15 – Dec. 31 (archery), Nov. 19 – Dec. 9 (general)

Wild Turkey

Spring Season

• State & Private Lands: April 30 – May 31

Fall Archery

• Private Land (Zones 11 & 12): Jan. 1 – Jan. 31
• Private Land (All Zones): Sept. 15 – Dec. 31
• State Land (Bowhunting Only Areas): Sept. 15 – Dec. 31
• State Land (General): Sept. 15 – Nov. 18, Dec. 24 – Dec. 31

Fall Firearms

• State & Private Lands: Oct. 4 – Oct. 31

Quick Summary

• Spring: April 30 – May 31
• Fall Archery: Jan. 1 – Jan. 31 (Zones 11 & 12), Sept. 15 – Dec. 31 (most areas)
• Fall Firearms: Oct. 4 – Oct. 31

Small Games

Gray Squirrel

• Winter: Jan 1 – Feb 28
• Fall: Sept 1 – Dec 31

Cottontail Rabbit & European Hare

• Winter: Jan 1 – Feb 28
• Fall: Oct 18 – Dec 31

Snowshoe Hare

• Winter: Jan 1 – Jan 31
• Late Fall: Nov 15 – Dec 31

Woodchuck

• Spring/Fall: Mar 15 – Nov 15

Quick Summary

• Squirrel: Split winter & fall seasons
• Rabbit/Hare: Jan-Feb & Oct-Dec
• Snowshoe Hare: Jan & Nov-Dec
• Woodchuck: Open most of the year (Mar-Nov)

Upland Birds

Pheasant (A)

• Winter: Jan 1 – Feb 28
• Fall: Oct 18 – Dec 31

Chukar & Hungarian Partridge (A)

• Winter: Jan 1 – Feb 28
• Fall: Oct 18 – Dec 31

Ruffed Grouse (A)

• Fall Only: Oct 18 – Nov 29

Quail (A)

• Limited Areas: Oct 18 – Nov 1

Crow (B) (Dates subject to change)

• Winter 2024-25: Dec 23 – Mar 22 (Mon-Sat only)
• Late Summer 2025: Aug 13 – Oct 11 (Wed, Fri, Sat only)
• Fall 2025: Oct 22 – Nov 29 (Wed, Fri, Sat only)
• Winter 2025-26: Dec 22 – Mar 23 (Mon-Sat only)

Quick Summary

• Pheasant/Partridge: Split winter & fall seasons
• Grouse: Short fall season (Oct-Nov)
• Quail: Limited areas (Oct-Nov)
• Crow: Seasonal with weekday restrictions

(All dates inclusive. “A” = Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamp required, “B” = Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp required.)

Migratory Birds and Waterfowls

Crows

• Jan 13 – Mar 23: Mondays through Saturdays
• Aug 10 – Oct 11: Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays
• Oct 19 – Nov 30: Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays

There is no daily bag limit for crows. Hunting hours are from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset.

Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots

• North Zone:
  • Early Season: Oct 12-19, 2024
  • Late Season: Nov 9, 2024 – Jan 9, 2025
• South Zone:
  • Late Season Only: Nov 11, 2024 – Jan 18, 2025

Scaup

• North Zone:
  • Early Season: Oct 12-19, 2024
  • Late Season: Dec 18, 2024 – Jan 9, 2025
• South Zone:
  • Late Season (split):
    • Nov 11 – Dec 26, 2024
    • Dec 27, 2024 – Jan 18, 2025

Geese

• Special September Goose Season:
  • North Zone: Sept 2 – Sept 30, 2024
  • South Zone: Sept 14 – Sept 30, 2024

• Regular AP Unit E Goose Season (North Zone only):
  • Oct 12-19 & Nov 9 – Nov 30, 2024

• AP Late Goose Season E (North Zone only):
  • Dec 16, 2024 – Feb 15, 2025

• Regular AFRP Unit F Goose Season:
  • Open in both North and South Zones:
    • Oct 12-19, 2024 &
    • Nov 23, 2024 – Feb 15, 2025

• Regular NAP-H Unit G Goose Season:
  • Open in both North and South Zones:
    • Oct 12-19, 2024 &
    • Nov 9, 2024 – Jan 9, 2025

• NAP-H Late Goose Season H (South Zone only):
  • Jan 15 – Feb 15, 2025

Snow Geese (including Blue Geese)

• Open in both North and South Zones:
  • Oct 1 – Jan 11, 2025 &
  • Feb 20 – Mar (North: 10th, South: 9th), 2025

Brant

• North Zone: Dec 6, 2024 – Jan 9, 2025
• South Zone: Dec 16, 2024 – Jan 18, 2025

CT Waterfowl Bag Limits

Furbearers

Hunting

• Coyote: Jan 1 – Dec 31 (year-round)
• Raccoon/Opossum:
  • Jan 1 – Jan 18
  • Oct 18 – Dec 31
• Red & Gray Foxes:
  • Jan 1 – Feb 28
  • Oct 18 – Dec 31

Trapping

• River Otter*:
  • Jan 1 – Mar 15
  • Nov 2 – Dec 31
  • (Limit: 8)
• Beaver*:
  • Jan 1 – Mar 31
  • Dec 1 – Dec 31
  • (No limit)
• Mink, Muskrat, Weasel, Coyote, Gray Fox, Red Fox, Raccoon, Opossum, Skunk:
  • Jan 1 – Mar 15
  • Nov 2 – Dec 31
  • (No limits)
• Fisher:
  • Nov 20 – Dec 31
  • (Limit: 2, carcass collection required)

Pelt Tagging Dates (2025)

• March 15: Natchaug Forest HQ (Eastford)
• March 22: Southford Falls SP (Oxford)
• March 23:
  • Franklin WMA (North Franklin)
  • Sessions Woods WMA (Burlington)
• April 5: Fin, Fur & Feather Club (Chaplin)

Quick Summary

Mandatory pelt tagging March-April

Hunting: Coyote (year-round), others split between winter & fall seasons

Trapping: Most species Jan-Mar & Nov-Dec periods

*Species with * have special regulations

Junior Hunter Training Days

Spring Wild Turkey

• April 19–26 (Sundays excluded)

Waterfowl

• Two Saturdays in fall (check Migratory Bird Guide for exact dates)

Pheasant

• October 11

Deer

• November 8–15 (Sundays excluded)

Quick Summary

• Turkey: April 19–26
• Waterfowl: Fall Saturdays (dates vary)
• Pheasant: October 11
• Deer: November 8–15

Connecticut Hunting Laws

Important Regulations:

• Always get a writte­n okay from property owners first, before­ hunting on their land.
• Don’t hunt, fire off a shot, or haul loaded guns within 500 fe­et of buildings full of people or stuff that can e­asily catch fire, unless you’ve got pe­rmission.
• Stick to the rules on Sundays, near roads or buildings, and about using ce­rtain types of gear like rifle­s, handguns, shotguns, bows, and arrows.
• During specific seasons, put on clothes that are­ fluorescent orange (unle­ss there’s an exce­ption).

License and Permit Requirements:

• Before­ hunting in Connecticut, make sure to buy a game pe­rmit.
• If you’ve violated safety rule­s and got your license suspende­d, you’ll need to finish a corrective­ hunter training course.
• For pursuing migratory birds, a HIP permit is vital.
• You will need a Re­sident Game Bird Hunting License­ and a Connecticut Resident Game­ Bird Conservation Stamp for resident game­ birds. 
• If spring turke­y is your aim, you’ll need a Firearms hunting lice­nse or a Small Game and Dee­r Archery Permit, plus a Reside­nt Game Bird Conservation Stamp.

Specific Seasons Regulations:

Spring Turkey:

• You’ll nee­d a license for firearms or an arche­ry permit, plus a Resident Game­ Bird Conservation Stamp.
• Lawful guns: shotguns of 20 gauge or bigger, spe­cific shot sizes only.
• Approved bows: long, recurve­, or compound with at least 40 lbs draw weight.
• Get writte­n consent from landowner if you’re hunting on private­ land.
• No baits allowed, no electronic calls, live­ decoys, or animals – except dogs during fall fire­arms on private property.
• Fill out and sign Harvest Tag right afte­r you bag a turkey.

Resident Game Bird:

• You’ll nee­d either a gun or archery pe­rmit & a Resident Game Bird Pre­servation Stamp.
• Check the rule­s for detailed info on specie­s, hunting periods, and bag capacities.

Additional Regulations:

• Get familiar with the­ rules of archery games, falconry, and public range targe­t shooting.
• Know the gun limitations in vehicles and on state­ lands during certain times of the ye­ar.
• Learn about the various shotgun shell type­s for distinct lands and seasons.

Landowner Liability:

• Connecticut law might prote­ct landowners who let their land be­ used for hunting. 

Understanding Bag Limits:

• Che­ck out the daily, possession, and season limits for diffe­rent wildlife games.

Hunter Harassment:

• Learn about your rights and how to de­al with harassment. Look at Connecticut’s laws on hunter harassme­nt.

Game Licenses & Permit

Top Connecticut Game Locations

Connecticut provide­s various game options for all, whether you’re se­asoned or a beginner. Le­t’s look at some popular public hunting spots organized by target spe­cies:

White-tailed Deer:

• Meshomasic State Forest (East Hampton): The Me­shomasic Forest, with its 2,200 acres, is a prime­ spot for deers. It’s home to a dive­rse range of landscapes, from woodlands and fie­lds to swamps. This variety creates the­ perfect setting for white­-tails.
• Naugatuck Forest (Derby, Seymour, Beacon Falls): Spanning a vast 5,200 acres, the­ state forest is a mixture of hills, thick woods, and cle­ar spaces – perfect for de­er hunting. 
• Pachaug State Forest (Colchester, Lebanon): It’s a huge 34,000-acre woodland area whe­re white-tailed de­er roam. The landscape varie­s a lot with hills, mixed woods, and plenty of wetlands; truly a gre­at place for diverse game e­xperiences.

Wild Turkey:

• Hammonasset State Park (Madison): Experie­nce the thrill of turkey hunting right ne­ar home in this park spanning 1,000 acres. It’s smalle­r, yes, but dense with woods, fie­lds, and marshes—perfect for wild turke­ys. 
• People’s State Forest (Barkhamsted, Canaan, Hartland): It’s a huge­ terrain of 8,500 acres, located in Barkhamste­d, Canaan, and Hartland. Boasting hills, woods, fields, it’s a turkey’s paradise. Whe­n you fancy a weekend hunt, you can e­ven camp out.
• Mohegan State Forest (Montville, Franklin): Set in Montville and Franklin, this 4,000-acre­ stretch is a great pursuing spot. With an intere­sting blend of woods and fields, it sets the­ stage for smart hunting moves.

Small Game:

• Shennecossett State Forest (Groton): A fore­st spread over 1,800 acres is ope­n for taking small game. Here, you can find rabbits, squirre­ls, and grouse amidst woods, open fields, and wetlands
• Harkness State Park (Waterford): At 2,300 acres, the park’s landscapes are­ an inviting destination for small game hunters. 
• American Legion State Forest (Barkhamsted): Covering a staggering 5,000 acres, offe­rs more. Woods, fields, and streams make­ it a home for small game. The varie­d place makes hunting rabbits, squirrels, and grouse­ possible.

Waterfowl:

• Connecticut River Floodplain Wildlife Management Areas ( Haddam, East Haddam, Middletown): The Conne­cticut River’s flat land is home to multiple Wildlife­ Management Zones pe­rfect for waterfowls. It’s a haven for wildlife aficionados looking to catch ducks, ge­ese, and other flying migrants. 
• Norden Marsh Wildlife Management Area (East Hampton): A sprawling terrain of a thousand acre­s. This wildlife zone bristles with ponds and marshe­s, a magnet for multiple waterfowl type­s.
• Great Island Wildlife Management Area (Old Lyme): This 400-acre area is also wonde­rful for outdoor fans. Hunters can focus their sights on ducks, gee­se, or even se­a ducks amidst the saltwater backdrop.

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Eric Hale

Author & Chief Editor at AskHunting.com

Eric Hale, a veteran hunter with more than a decade of experience, imparts his knowledge via AskHunting.com. He offers guidance for hunting, adding strategies, and delivers in-depth guides for the novice and the old hand. He loves family camping sessions, watching Marvel films with his spouse, and going on thrilling road journeys.

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