Meet the Connecticut DEEP Wildlife Division

Our mission is to advance the conservation, use, and appreciation of Connecticut's wildlife resources.

We are a part of the Bureau of Natural Resources within the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). The Bureau is charged with managing the state’s natural resources (particularly fish, wildlife, and forests) through a program of research, management, public education, and regulation. The Wildlife Division is comprised of several important programs that work together to conserve and manage wildlife:

• Wildlife Diversity (which covers birds, reptiles and amphibians, small mammals including bats, invertebrates, and state and federally listed species.)
• Habitat
• Technical Assistance with Wildlife
• Outreach and Education
• Wetland Habitat and Mosquito Management
• Furbearer
• White-tailed Deer/Moose
• Wild Turkey
• Small Game (rabbits, etc.) and Migratory Birds (waterfowl, rails, and upland game birds)
• Conservation Education/Firearms Safety (Hunter Safety)
• Natural Diversity Data Base (environmental review)

Did You Know . . .

• Our bimonthly magazine, Connecticut Wildlife, and monthly electronic newsletter, Wildlife Highlights, can keep you up-to-date on wildlife in our state.
• You can follow us on social media on our CT Fish and Wildlife Facebook page, Instagram, and Twitter.
• You can find extensive information to learn about Connecticut’s wildlife and discover outdoor activities.
• Assistance is available for dealing with distressed wildlife and nuisance wildlife problems.
• We manage habitat on state land and assist private landowners to provide a diversity of wildlife, including rare species.
• We teach hunters and trappers about being safe and ethical, and inform them about the various regulated hunting and trapping seasons.
• There are opportunities to participate in Community Science Projects and our iNaturalist Project to help us document wildlife in our state.
• The Natural Diversity Data Base provides information on state-listed plant and animal species and natural communities.
• Anglers and hunters contribute over $13 million annually to fund DEEP Fish and Wildlife programs, including through the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Program.
• The Recovering America's Wildlife Act, if passed in the U.S. Congress, will provide much needed funding for state fish and wildlife agencies to conserve our natural resources for future generations. #RecoverWildlife
• We offer educational programs and events at the Sessions Woods and Belding Wildlife Management Areas, as well as Discover Outdoor Connecticut Day.
• The DEEP Wildlife Division has a long and interesting history in Connecticut.
• There is so much more to discover about Connecticut's wildlife . . .

    

Do you need additional help and advice concerning nuisance wildlife? Check out www.wildlifehelp.org and select "Connecticut" as your state to get started. WildlifeHelp.org is supported by the Northeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and the Northeast Wildlife Damage Management Cooperative.

Content last updated July 16, 2020.