Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

Emergency Burn Ban In Effect 10/26/24 - An emergency burn ban is now in effect for all Connecticut State Parks, Forests, and Wildlife Management areas, prohibiting the use of all outdoor grills, firepits, and campfires, and the kindling and use of flame outdoors. DEEP and local agencies are working to contain several active fires across the state. Please avoid all affected State Parks and Forests, as well as the blue-blazed Mattabesett Trail. The Enduro Trail in Voluntown and portions of North Stonington within the Pachaug State Forest are closed at this time. Rocky Neck State Park is also closed until further notice due to a brush fire. Please note that today's forest fire danger report remains at a 'very high' or 'extreme' level. More information about the current fire danger, burn ban and recommended safety measures can be found here

Sport License Suspension Guidelines

In accordance with Connecticut General Statute (C.G.S.) 26-61,
  • the payment of a fine,
  • forfeiture of a bond or
  • a plea or judgment of guilty
for fishing, hunting and trapping violations may result in the suspension of all sport fishing, hunting and trapping licenses and privileges.  Both Connecticut General Statutes and Regulations of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and United States Fish and Wildlife Service include a suspension penalty for fish and game violations.
 
Upon notification of suspension it is required by law to
  • immediately cease all fishing, hunting and trapping activity and
  • surrender all sport licenses within ten (10) business days to the Division of State Environmental Conservation (EnCon) Police. 
The opportunity to attend a License Suspension Meeting to request a possible restoration or reinstatement of one or more license privileges is available.  To schedule a meeting contact the EnCon Police at (860) 424-3012. 
 
In addition, C.G.S. 26-31(g) requires completion of a remedial hunter education course for the safety violations listed below prior to reinstatement of hunting privileges.  Hunting privileges will remain indefinitely suspended and the opportunity to attend the License Suspension Meeting will not be allowed until successful completion of the remedial course. 

Statutes:

  • 26-62:  Hunting related injuries/death to any person, animal other than a wild animal or damage to property of another
  • 26-73:  Hunting on Sunday
  • 26-74:  Use of motor vehicle in hunting
  • 26-91:  Taking of migratory birds –Violations for hunting before or after legal hunting hours
  • 53-204:  Hunting from a public highway
  • 53-205:   Loaded weapon in a motor vehicle
  • 53-206d:  Carrying of firearm while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drug
  • 53a-217e:  Negligent Hunting

Regulations:

Behavior and Actions of Hunters
  • 26-66-1:
    (c) Hunting before or after legal hours
    (d) Hunting within 500' of occupied buildings
    (e) Discharging toward people/animals or across public roadways
  • 26-86a-6: Hunting before or after legal hours
View the complete list of fish and game violations that incur suspension and the suspension time periods.  The suspension periods are the minimum penalties for first offenses unless noted otherwise. 

For additional information please contact the Division of State Environmental Conservation Police at (860) 424-3012 or deep.EnConPolice@ct.gov. 

Content last updated May 27, 2021