Deer Hunting
DEEP provides hunters with a variety of opportunities to harvest deer in Connecticut. Unique deer seasons are based on equipment used to harvest deer. These seasons include:
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Archery, including the Archery-only Lottery
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State Land Shotgun, which includes the Lottery and No-Lottery Seasons
To participate in the archery deer season, a hunter must purchase a Small Game and Deer Archery Permit. Whereas all firearms season hunters must first purchase a Firearms Hunting License and a separate permit which corresponds to a specific equipment type. To hunt with a revolver, a hunter must purchase a Firearms Hunting License, Private Land Shotgun/Rifle Deer Permit, and a Revolver Deer Endorsement.
Review additional deer hunting information, such as chronic wasting disease, epizootic hemorrhagic disease, replacement tags, prohibited activities, hunter surveys, and more.
Reported Deer Harvest for the 2024 Deer Hunting Season (running tally this is updated regularly)
New to deer hunting or interested in taking up the activity again? The Deer Hunting Roadmap helps you get started!
Archery Deer Season
Season Dates
- Jan. 1 - Jan. 31 Private Land (Zones 11-12) (zone map)
- Sept. 15 - Dec. 31 Private Land (All zones; zone map)
- Sept. 16 - Dec. 31 State Land Bowhunting Only Areas
- Sept. 16 - Nov. 19 and Dec. 25 - Dec. 31 State Land
Bag Limit: 2 either sex and 2 antlerless (4 total); additional bag of 1 either sex and 1 antlerless (2 total) during the Jan. 1-31 season on private lands in zones 11 and 12.
Hunting Hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise until sunset.
License and Permits: Small Game and Deer Archery Permit. Must show proof of completion of Connecticut's CE/FS bowhunting course (since 1982) or its equivalent from another state or country when purchasing a small game and deer archery permit. On and after January 1, 2002, permits to hunt with a bow and arrow under the provisions of this chapter shall be issued only to qualified applicants who have successfully completed the conservation education bow hunting course as specified in section 26-31 or an equivalent course in another state.
Legal Bows: For the purposes of hunting deer and turkey, legal bows include long, recurved, or compound bows with a minimum draw weight of 40 pounds and crossbows. Mechanical string release devices are permitted. Projectiles coated with any drug, poison or tranquilizing substance are prohibited.
Crossbows: The use of crossbows for hunting deer, turkey and all other species is permitted. Legal crossbows must have a minimum draw weight of 125 pounds and permanent fixed rifle type stock with a functional mechanical safety device. Adjustable crossbow stocks are permitted, but folding stocks are not. The bolt (arrow) length must be at least 18 inches, excluding the broadhead. Crossbows are considered loaded when fully drawn with a bolt in place. Telescopic sights are permitted.
Arrowheads: Legal arrowheads for hunting deer and turkey must have at least two blades and must be at least 7/8 inch wide at its widest point. Arrowheads that are designed to open on impact are legal provided they meet the above requirement.
Tagging and Reporting: See Tagging and Reporting Requirements. (2024 Harvest Tags and instructions)
Special Conditions:
Sunday Hunting: Archery deer hunters (including landowners hunting with a bow during the Free Landowner Deer Season) can hunt on Sundays on private land only in ALL Deer Management Zones (zone map). All archery deer hunting on Sundays must take place at least 40 yards away from blazed hiking trails.
Possession of a Firearm - Possession of a firearm while archery hunting is prohibited.
Minimum Acreage: There is no minimum acreage requirement for bowhunting.
Private Land Permission - Signed written consent of the landowner on official DEEP forms (PDF Word form) for the current season must be carried while hunting.
State Land Hunting - See the CT Interactive Hunting Area Map for a listing of lands open to archery deer hunting. Certain state lands that do not allow firearms deer hunting are designated as bowhunting only areas. These lands are open to deer bowhunting during the state land shotgun and muzzleloader deer seasons (Nov. 20 - Dec. 24).
Fluorescent orange - Bowhunters are required to wear 400 sq. in. of fluorescent orange from Nov. 20 - Dec. 31. Bowhunters may remove fluorescent orange clothing while in a tree stand at least 10 feet off the ground.
Decoys - Decoys may be used during the early and late archery deer seasons, but must be covered with 400 sq. in. of fluorescent orange during transport. Decoys cannot be used during the Nov. 20 - Dec. 31 time period.
Replacement Tags - Available for this permit type.
Notice: Saturday, November 9 through Saturday, November 16, 2024 (excluding Sunday) are Junior Deer Hunter Training Days and junior hunters with firearms deer permits may be hunting with firearms.
Details on permits to bowhunt on Aquarion Water Company property
Archery-only Lottery Deer Hunting
Season Dates
- Sept. 16 - Dec. 31
Bag Limit: 2 either sex and 2 antlerless; hunters will use the archery deer permit tags.
Hunting Hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise until sunset.
License and Permits: Archery deer/small game license and an archery-only lottery permit. Only one archery-only lottery deer permit may be bought each year.
Legal Bows: Description of legal bows and arrows for deer hunting. Mechanical string release devices are permitted.
Tagging and Reporting: See Tagging and Reporting Requirements. (2024 Harvest Tags and instructions)
State Land Lottery Deer Hunting
Season Dates
- Nov. 20 - Nov. 29 State Land Lottery "A" Season
- Nov. 20 - Dec. 10 State Land Regular Lottery Season
Bag Limit: 1 either sex on state land areas; variable on Controlled Hunt Areas.
Hunting Hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise until sunset.
License and Permits: Firearms hunting license and a state land lottery permit or a controlled hunt area lottery permit. Only one Firearms State Land Lottery Deer permit may be bought each year.
Legal Firearms: 12, 16, or 20 gauge breech loading shotgun loaded with single soft alloy projectile ammunition. Rifled or smoothbore barrels allowed. Shotgun must not be capable of holding more than 3 shells. Muzzleloaders (select for details).
Tagging and Reporting: See Tagging and Reporting Requirements. (2024 Harvest Tags and instructions)
Special Conditions: Junior Deer Hunter Training Days on Saturday, November 9 through Saturday, November 16, 2024 (excluding Sunday).
State Land No-Lottery Deer Hunting
Season Dates:
- Nov. 20 - Dec. 10
Bag Limit: 1 either sex
Hunting Hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise until sunset.
License and Permits: Firearms hunting license and a State Land No-Lottery Permit. You may buy only one type of State Land Shotgun Deer Permit. So, you should not purchase a State Land No-Lottery Permit if you plan on applying for a State Land Lottery Permit.
Legal Firearms: 12, 16, or 20 gauge breech loading shotgun loaded with single soft alloy projectile ammunition. Rifled or smoothbore barrels allowed. Shotgun must not be capable of holding more than 3 shells. Muzzleloaders (select for details). Telescopic sights and shotgun converters are permitted for muzzleloaders.
Tagging and Reporting: See Tagging and Reporting Requirements. (2024 Harvest Tags and instructions)
Open Areas: See the CT Interactive Hunting Area Map
Special Conditions: Junior Deer Hunter Training Days on Saturday, November 9 through Saturday, November 16, 2024 (excluding Sunday).
Private Land Shotgun/Rifle/Revolver Deer Hunting
Season Dates:
- Nov. 20 - Dec. 10
Bag Limits:
- Statewide (except Zones 2 and 4A): 1 either sex and 1 antlerless
- Zones 2 and 4A: 1 either sex ("Antlerless Only" tag NOT valid)
- Zone 7: 1 additional antlerless
- Zones 11 and 12: 2 additional antlerless
- Deer Management Zone map
Hunting Hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise until sunset.
License and Permits: Firearms hunting license and Private Land Shotgun/Rifle Deer permit. Note: Revolver Deer Endorsement is also required if using a revolver.
Legal Firearms: 12, 16, or 20 gauge breech loading shotgun loaded with single soft alloy projectile ammunition. Rifled or smoothbore barrels allowed. Centerfire rifle 6mm (.243 caliber) or larger or revolver .357 caliber or larger may be used if the landholding is 10 or more acres and the landowner has authorized use on the consent form. To use a revolver, you must also have Revolver Deer Endorsement for the current season. Muzzleloaders (select for details). Telescopic sights and shotgun converters are permitted for muzzleloaders. No minimum acreage required for shotguns or muzzleloaders.
Tagging and Reporting: See Tagging and Reporting Requirements. (2024 Harvest Tags and instructions)
Special Conditions:
Private Land Permission - Signed written consent of the landowner on official DEEP forms (PDF Word form) for the current season must be carried while hunting.
Replacement Tags - Available for this permit type.
Junior Deer Hunter Training Days on Saturday, November 9 through Saturday, November 16, 2024 (excluding Sunday).
Landowner Deer Hunting
Season Dates:
- Nov. 1 - Dec. 31
Bag Limit: 2 deer; 1 either sex and 1 antlerless
Hunting Hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise until sunset.
Free Landowner Permits are available only to persons owning 10 or more contiguous acres of land. Additional permits are available for their spouses, lineal descendants, parents, grandparents, and siblings. Archery deer hunting is allowed on private land only on Sundays in ALL Deer Management Zones (zone map).
License and Permits: Free Landowner Deer Permit. Appropriate hunting license required if landowner does not live on qualifying property. Note: Revolver Deer Endorsement is also required if using a revolver. For hunting with a bow or crossbow, landowners must have a certificate indicating successful completion of a Connecticut Conservation Education/Firearms Safety bowhunting course (or recognized equivalent).
Legal Firearms: 12, 16, or 20 gauge shotgun loaded with single soft alloy projectile ammunition. Rifled or smoothbore barrels allowed. Centerfire rifle 6mm (.243 caliber) or larger, revolver .357 caliber or larger, or muzzleloader (.45 caliber minimum). To use a revolver, you must also have Revolver Deer Endorsement for the current season.
Legal Bows: For the purposes of hunting deer and turkey, legal bows include long, recurved, or compound bows with a minimum draw weight of 40 pounds and crossbows. Mechanical string release devices are permitted. Projectiles coated with any drug, poison or tranquilizing substance are prohibited.
Crossbows: The use of crossbows for hunting deer, turkey and all other species is permitted. Legal crossbows must have a minimum draw weight of 125 pounds and permanent fixed rifle type stock with a functional mechanical safety device. Adjustable crossbow stocks are permitted, but folding stocks are not. The bolt (arrow) length must be at least 18 inches, excluding the broadhead. Crossbows are considered loaded when fully drawn with a bolt in place. Telescopic sights are permitted.
Arrowheads: Legal arrowheads for hunting deer and turkey must have at least two blades and must be at least 7/8 inch wide at its widest point. Arrowheads that are designed to open on impact are legal provided they meet the above requirement.
Tagging and Reporting: See Tagging and Reporting Requirements. (2024 Harvest Tags and instructions)
Fluorescent Orange - Landowners hunting deer on their own land are not required to wear 400 square inches of fluorescent orange, but their spouses, lineal descendants, parents, grandparents, and siblings are required to do so.
State Land Deer Muzzleloader Hunting
Season Dates:
- Dec. 11 - Dec. 24
Bag Limit: 1 either sex
Hunting Hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise until sunset.
License and Permits: Firearms hunting license and State Land Muzzleloader Deer Permit.
Legal Firearms: Muzzleloading rifle or shotgun (select for details). Telescopic sights and shotgun converters are permitted for muzzleloaders. No minimum acreage required for muzzleloaders.
Tagging and Reporting: See Tagging and Reporting Requirements. (2024 Harvest Tags and instructions)
Special Conditions: State Land Hunting - See the CT Interactive Hunting Area Map for a listing of state lands open to muzzleloader deer hunting.
Private Land Deer Muzzleloader Hunting
Season Dates:
- Dec. 11 - Dec. 31
Bag Limits:
- Statewide (except Zones 2 and 4A): 1 either sex and 1 antlerless
- Zones 2 and 4A: 1 either sex
- Zone 7: 1 additional antlerless
- Zones 11 and 12: 2 additional antlerless
- Deer Management Zone map
Hunting Hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise until sunset.
License and Permits: Firearms hunting license and Private Land Muzzleloader Deer Permit.
Legal Firearms: Muzzleloading rifle or shotgun (select for details). Telescopic sights and shotgun converters are permitted for muzzleloaders. No minimum acreage required for muzzleloaders.
Tagging and Reporting: See Tagging and Reporting Requirements. (2024 Harvest Tags and instructions)
Special Conditions:
Zones 2, 4A Restriction - “Antlerless Only” tag NOT valid in deer management zones 2 and 4A. Only the “Either-sex” deer tag will be valid in zones 2 and 4A.
Private Land Permission - Signed written consent of the landowner on official DEEP forms (PDF Word form) for current season must be carried while hunting.
Replacement Tags - Available for this permit type.
2024 Deer Lottery
A lottery is conducted to award a limited number of permits for deer hunting on certain state lands and controlled hunt areas. To hunt these areas you must apply for a deer lottery permit.
State Land and Controlled Hunt Lottery
Season Dates
Nov. 20 – Nov. 29 Lottery “A” Season
Nov. 20 – Dec. 10 Lottery Regular Season
Bag Limits: 1 either sex on state land areas; variable on controlled hunt areas.
Hunting Hours: ½ hour before sunrise to sunset.
License and Permits: Firearms hunting license and a state land lottery permit or a controlled hunt area lottery permit. Only one of these permit types may be bought each year. Lottery permits for state land and controlled hunt areas may be applied for starting January 2, 2024, starting at 9:30 AM. Persons rejected for a lottery permit may obtain a state land no-lottery permit. However, you may buy only one type of state land shotgun deer permit. So, if you are selected for the deer lottery, you cannot purchase a state land no-lottery permit. (Deer Lottery Instructions)
Legal Firearms: 12, 16, or 20 gauge breech loading shotgun loaded with single soft alloy projectile ammunition. Rifled or smoothbore barrels allowed. Shotgun must not be capable of holding more than 3 shells. Muzzleloaders (select for details). Telescopic sights and shotgun converters are permitted for muzzleloaders.
Tagging and Reporting: See Tagging and Reporting Requirements. (2024 Harvest Tags and instructions)
Archery-only Lottery
The Archery-only Lottery distributes a limited number of permits, providing access to new controlled hunt areas and allowing landowners to develop hunt programs that may consist of hunters attending a mandatory pre-hunt meeting and/or passing a background check. The archery-only lottery will not affect the hunter’s ability to receive a firearms lottery permit nor will it impact the ability to bow hunt other state lands. In the future, when multiple archery-only lottery areas are available, like the firearms lottery, bowhunters will only be allowed to receive one archery-only area permit. Follow deer lottery application instructions for the archery-only controlled hunt lottery. The archery-only lottery will run through January 31 and no permits will be available to youth hunters 12 to 17 years old.
Season Dates: Sept. 16 – Dec. 31
Bag Limits: 2 either sex and 2 antlerless; hunters will use the archery deer permit tags.
Hunting Hours: ½ hour before sunrise to sunset.
License and Permits: Archery deer/small game License. Only one of this permit type may be received each year. Lottery permits for archery only controlled hunt areas may be applied for starting on January 2, 2024, starting at 9:30 AM. Persons rejected in the archery-only lottery may hunt any state or controlled hunt area that is open to bowhunting. The archery-only controlled hunt lottery is completely separate from the firearms deer lottery.
Legal Bows: Description of legal bows and arrows for deer hunting. Mechanical string release devices are permitted.
Tagging and Reporting: See Tagging and Reporting Requirements. (2024 Harvest Tags and instructions)
Deer Lottery Instructions
Starting January 2, 2024, at 9:30 AM, lottery permit applications can be submitted online. (Instructions for applying for deer lottery permits)
ADULT licensed firearms hunters over the age of 17 can apply individually or as a group. The maximum number of hunters in a group is four. You may only apply as a group one time. Applicants may apply for up to six areas.
Upon submission of your application, you will know instantly whether you are successful. If successful, the permit for the area and season will automatically be added to your “shopping cart.” If you apply as a group, the associated permit will also be added to each group member’s “shopping cart.” The permit may be purchased at the time of selection or at a later date. Each group member is responsible for purchasing their own permit. All permits must be purchased by January 31. If a permit is not purchased by that date, it will be forfeited.
YOUTH licensed firearms hunters (12 through 17 years old) can only apply individually. All youths will apply by means of a separate lottery program called Youth Lottery Permits. Applicants can apply and receive their area of choice, unless quotas are filled. Youth permits are purchased at the end of the transaction. We recommend that the adult hunter participate in the lottery first before purchasing the Youth Lottery Permit. This will ensure that the youth and adult receive a permit for the same area.
All sales are final and DEEP is unable to switch hunting areas or refund fees.
Reminder: Select lottery permits not purchased by January 31 will be made available on a first-come, first-serve basis starting March 15, 2024, at 9:30 AM. Unsold lottery permits can be purchased online or at select DEEP offices up until sold out. All unsold lottery permits must be purchased at the end of the transaction. (Instructions for purchasing unsold lottery permits)
Lottery questions? Email andrew.labonte@ct.gov.
2024 Deer Lottery "A" Season Area
| Area | Town(s) | Quota | Acres |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area 51 Yale-Myers Forest ^# | Union* | 230 | 7,700 |
^ No access during Junior Hunter Training Days. Harvest of coyotes and foxes prohibited. No deer driving during the shotgun deer lottery season.
# Hunters selected for Area 51 will be required to attend one of the mandatory pre-hunt meetings held on September 11, 2024 (virtually on Zoom) and in person on a date to be determined. If hunters cannot make a pre-hunt meeting, then please do not apply. Successful hunters will receive pre-hunt information by August 15. If notification is not received by this date, hunters must contact andrew.labonte@ct.gov.
* and adjacent town or towns
2024 Deer Lottery Regular Season Areas
SF - State Forest WMA - Wildlife Management Area SP - State Park
| Area | Town(s) | Quota | Acres |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area 26 Trout Brook Valley SP | Easton | 15 | 330 |
| Area 28 Naugatuck SF - Quillinan Reservoir Block | Ansonia | 25 | 511 |
| Area 52 Bristol Water Co. ^^ | Harwinton | 75 | 4,500 |
| Area 56 Centennial Watershed SF ^^ | Easton* | 170 | 3,450 |
| Area 58 MDC Nepaug Reservoir - Valentine/Pine Hill Block **^ | New Hartford* | 40 | 1,400 |
| Area 60 Tankerhoosen WMA | Vernon | 20 | 449 |
| Area 62 Aldo Leopold WMA | Southbury | 20 | 553 |
| Area 63 Mohawk SF - Ziegler/Johnson Tract | Cornwall* | 15 | 329 |
| Area 64 MDC Barkhamsted Reservoir - East Block **^ | Barkhamsted* | 40 | 4,282 |
| Area 67 MDC Barkhamsted Reservoir - West Block **^ | Barkhamsted* |
40 | 3,700 |
| Area 68 Bishop Swamp WMA | Andover* | 35 | 1,035 |
2024 Lottery Archery-only Area
| Area | Town(s) | Quota | Acres |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area 66 MDC Nepaug Reservoir - Sweetheart Mt. Block **^ | Canton* | 30 | 500 |
* and adjacent town or towns
** Special Requirements: To apply for Areas 58, 64, 66, and 67, hunters must be at least 18 years of age. Hunters selected for the 4 MDC areas will be required to attend a mandatory pre-hunt meeting; pass a background check conducted by MDC; and sign a waiver of liability before receiving access for hunting. If a hunter cannot meet these requirements, please do not apply. Successful hunters will receive pre-hunt information by August 15. The pre-hunt meeting is scheduled for September 4, 2024, at Sessions Woods WMA in Burlington. If notification is not received by this date, hunters must contact andrew.labonte@ct.gov.
^ No access during Junior Hunter Training Days. Harvest of coyotes and foxes prohibited.
^^ No access during Junior Hunter Training Days, except for junior hunters and mentors who have both been awarded a permit for this area.
Additional Deer Hunting Information
2023 Connecticut Deer Program Summary
Antlerless Deer
Some deer tags allow the harvest of antlerless deer only. An antlerless deer is defined as any deer which has no visible antlers. "Button bucks" are considered antlerless deer. Either-sex deer tags allow the harvest of antlered or antlerless deer.
Replacement Tags
In deer management zones 11 and 12, two types of supplemental tags are available: Replacement Antlerless Tags and Earn-a-buck Tags.
Replacement Antlerless Tags: For a hunter to receive a replacement antlerless tag, he or she must go to one of several vendor deer check stations and complete the following:
- Report the deer harvest and obtain a confirmation number within 24 hours of harvest;
- Bring the antlerless deer carcass or head to a check station within 72 hours of harvest;
- Submit the deer harvest tag with a confirmation number to the vendor;
- Sign the replacement antlerless tag that is received from the vendor.
"Earn-A-Buck" Tags: If you register a total of 3 antlerless deer from private land during the same season, you may qualify for a replacement either-sex tag.
Note: Antlerless deer harvested in other zones may be brought to a check station for the purpose of receiving replacement tags; however, the replacement tags (both Antlerless and Earn-a-buck) may ONLY be used in zones 11 or 12 (more info). Replacement tags are available in zones 11 and 12 during the private land archery season, shotgun/rifle season, and muzzleloader season. Consult the Private Land Deer Management Zone Map for a description of zones. All replacement tags will be issued in limited numbers based on a zone's deer population management goals.
Deer Hunting Prohibited Activities
- Hunting with or allowing any dog in your charge to hunt, pursue, or kill deer.
- Hunting deer or any other wildlife while in or on a motor vehicle, snowmobile, or all-terrain vehicle (See Hunting Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities for special exemptions).
- Hunting deer by aid or use of a light.
- Taking or attempting to take any deer with the aid of real or artificial bait in Deer Management Zones 1 to 10, or on state land in Zones 11 and 12. (Any food, mineral, or chemical product designed to be eaten by deer is considered bait.)
- Use of a decoy during the shotgun/rifle and muzzleloader deer seasons.
- Taking of spotted fawns.
- All use of natural deer urine products is prohibited, particularly for the purposes of taking or attempting to take or attract deer, or for the surveillance or scouting of deer (see section below for more details).
Use of Attractants for Deer Hunting
The following attractants may be used while hunting deer in Connecticut:
- Deer decoys during the early and late archery seasons only.
- Some types of scent attractants (i.e., tarsal glands, food smells, smoke pole) that provide no substance for deer to consume. For the safety of Connecticut's deer herd, a regulation prohibits all use of natural deer urine products. No person shall possess or use, for the purposes of taking or attempting to take or attract deer or for the surveillance or scouting of deer, any product bought or sold that is manufactured or refined that contains or purports to contain deer urine. Products labeled as "synthetic" may still be used. Products with vague descriptions about their contents are not recommended for use. Chronic wasting disease (CWD) can spread through exposure to infected deer urine.
- All types of sound attractants (i.e., doe calls, buck calls, antler rattling, electronic calls).
- Hunting over planted fields where normal agricultural planting, harvesting, or post-harvest manipulation is used.
In addition to the attractants listed above, the following are allowed on PRIVATE LANDS ONLY while hunting deer in DEER MANAGEMENT ZONES 11 and 12.
- Minerals or chemicals that may be safely consumed by deer (i.e., salt licks).
- Artificial or natural foods placed, scattered, distributed or deposited (i.e., hay, grains, fruit, nuts and other foods that may be safely consumed by deer).
Note: It is strongly recommended that individuals hunting on private lands in zones 11 and 12 consult with landowners prior to placing attractants on their property.
Tagging and Transporting Deer
Deer Check Stations
Hunters only need to bring their antlerless deer or antlerless deer head, along with a deer kill report and confirmation number, to a deer check station if they wish to obtain a replacement tag for use in deer management zones 11 and 12. All other deer must be reported within 24 hours using the phone or internet.
Deer Hunter Survey
Deer hunters may be contacted by mail, email, or telephone for surveys regarding their deer hunting activities. Even if you did not hunt, you should complete the survey. Information gathered from the survey is important to the management of Connecticut's white-tailed deer population.
Tree Stands on State Properties
Avoid the construction or placement of permanent tree stands involving damage to any tree or shrub on state land. The use of portable tree stands (climber, ladder, or hang-on) is permissible. Hunters are encouraged to remove all tree stands from state properties at the conclusion of the hunting season. The use of a full-body safety harness when using a tree stand is strongly recommended.
What to Do If You Harvest a Deer with a Neck Collar
DEEP Wildlife Division researchers have captured and placed neck collars on over 150 white-tailed deer throughout Connecticut. The marked deer may have a leather or nylon brown-colored collar; ear tags may or may not be present. Hunters should know that it is both completely legal and safe to harvest and consume these animals. The Wildlife Division asks that if hunters come across a collared deer during the hunting season, that they should hunt as they normally do – intentionally targeting collared deer or passing on them biases the mortality data. We also ask that if you do harvest a collared deer, please contact us using the phone number on the collar, or at 860-418-5921. We would like to collect the collar and jawbone from the animal if possible.
Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease
In October 2017, the first ever cases of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) were confirmed in white-tailed deer in Connecticut. Symptoms of hemorrhagic disease in deer include swollen head, neck, tongue, or eyelids with a bloody discharge from the nasal cavity; erosion of the dental pad or ulcers on the tongue; and hemorrhaging of the heart and lungs, causing respiratory distress. The virus also creates high feverish conditions, causing infected deer to sometimes be found near water sources. EHD is transmitted by tiny biting flies (midges). All documented outbreaks tend to occur during late summer and early fall due to an increase in midge numbers and cease with the onset of a hard frost, which kills the midges carrying the virus. Not all symptoms are present in every infected deer.
- Deer with EHD were not reported in 2018, 2019, 2021, or 2023.
- One deer tested positive for EHD in Ridgefield in 2020, with approximately 20 or more found in the surrounding areas near water bodies, indicating they may have died from EHD.
- New York experienced a heavy outbreak of EHD in 2021, but, fortunately, the disease was not found in Connecticut deer.
- In 2022, New York experienced an outbreak, as did Connecticut with more than 80 reports of deer suspected of dying from EHD and lab results confirming it in 4 of Connecticut's 13 deer management zones across the northwestern, south central, and southeastern portions of the state. (Read the news release about EHD cases in 2022)
- In 2023, the Wildlife Division received a few reports of sickly-looking deer from concerned citizens. The deer were later tested, but there was no confirmation of EHD. The large amount of rainfall that occurred throughout the summer of 2023 was helpful in preventing another outbreak.
- As of early October 2024, 2 deer have been tested and confirmed as having died due to EHD. The state has experienced a period of dry weather in late summer and early fall, causing an increase in midges that transmit the disease to deer.
The DEEP encourages anyone who observes deer appearing emaciated, behaving strangely, or lying dead along the edge of waterbodies during summer to report the information, along with the closest address, to DEEP’s 24-hour Emergency Dispatch Center at 860-424-3333, the DEEP Wildlife Division at 860-418-5921, or send an email to Andrew.labonte@ct.gov.
There has not been a significant negative impact on the long-term health of deer herds in states where the disease has been detected because only localized pockets of animals tend to be infected within a geographic area.
Hemorrhagic disease does not infect humans, and people are not at risk by handling infected deer, eating venison from infected deer (see precautions listed below), or being bitten by infected midges. The disease rarely causes illness in domestic animals, such as cattle, sheep, goats, horses, dogs, and cats.
Hunters should always take precautions to minimize exposure to wildlife diseases. The following precautionary measures are easy, effective ways to safely handle deer and other wild game:
- Avoid shooting or handling an animal that appears sick or is acting strangely.
- Wear rubber gloves and a facemask when gutting or butchering.
- Bone the animal (remove the meat from the bones and spinal column).
- Avoid cutting through bones or the spinal column.
- If you saw off antlers or through a bone, or if you sever the spinal column with a knife, disinfect those tools before using them to butcher or remove meat.
- Remove all fat, membranes, and connective tissue from the meat. Normal field dressing and trimming of fat from meat will remove lymph nodes.
- Use a 50/50 solution of household chlorine bleach and water to disinfect tools and work surfaces.
- Cook all meat thoroughly.
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)
Connecticut, along with many other states, has taken measures to prevent the spread of chronic wasting disease, including banning the importation of live cervids (species in the deer/elk family) across state lines.
An emergency regulation that was adopted in October 2005 to address concerns about CWD became permanent in September 2007. This regulation prohibits hunters from transporting into Connecticut any deer or elk carcasses or part thereof from any state where CWD has been documented, unless the meat has been de-boned. Specific wording of the regulation follows:
“Section 26-55-4: No person shall import or possess whole carcasses or parts thereof of any deer, moose, or elk from wild or captive herds from other states or Canadian Provinces where chronic wasting disease has been confirmed, including, but not limited to, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, New Mexico, Montana, South Dakota, Kansas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Nebraska, Oklahoma, New York, West Virginia, Alberta and Saskatchewan. Any additional states* and provinces where chronic wasting disease is confirmed will be published in the Department's annual Hunting and Trapping Guide and on the Department's website. This provision shall not apply to meat that's de-boned, cleaned skullcaps, hides or taxidermy mounts.”
*States and Canadian provinces where CWD has been confirmed include: New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Tennessee, Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Utah, Louisiana, North Carolina, Idaho, Alabama, Florida, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba, and Quebec. An updated map showing the states and Canadian provinces where CWD has been documented and what species have been affected can be found on the Chronic Wasting Disease Alliance website.
To date, no evidence of CWD in Connecticut's deer herd has been detected. Hunters interested in donating deer heads for testing should keep the heads cool (not frozen) and arrange for them to be picked up by contacting Nathan Sajkowicz, Contractor with the Wildlife Management Institute at the CT DEEP Wildlife Division at 860-418-5989 (more info about CWD)
Special Permit Access from Aquarion Water Company for Archery Deer Hunting
Deer Lottery Area 56 (Centennial State Forest) is open for archery deer hunting for individuals that have secured a special access permit from Aquarion Water Company. Archery deer hunting will be closed on this area during the firearms deer season and will reopen once that season is closed. Hunters wishing to bowhunt Deer Lottery Area 56 and the other designated Aquarion Water Company areas open to archery deer hunting must secure a special access permit from the Aquarion Water Company. Bowhunting permit applications become available on June 1 every year. Learn more about this program on the Aquarion Water Company website.
CT 2024 Hunting and Trapping Guide Landing Page
Main Hunting and Trapping Webpage
Content last updated on October 23, 2024.