What Is New for 2024
Stay current on hunting-related changes that happen throughout the year, such as new hunting areas and opportunities, changes to hunting areas, and more.
The Wildlife Division printed a limited number of 2024 Hunting and Trapping Guides that have been shipped to many town clerks and outdoor equipment retailers.
Note: There are no changes to hunting and trapping regulations for 2024.
2024 Deer Lottery
Starting January 2, 2024, at 9:30 AM, deer 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. (More details on the Deer Lottery)
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)
Attention Trappers
Trappers are required to submit fisher carcasses to the Wildlife Division for research purposes. The carcasses can be frozen and submitted prior to or during one of the listed pelt tagging dates. To make special arrangements for fisher carcass submission, send an email to Brooks.Pitman@ct.gov or call the Wildlife Division at 860-424-3017. The Wildlife Division is requesting that trappers also submit gray fox carcasses for research purposes. Gray fox carcasses can be submitted in the same way as fisher carcasses.
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. Details will be available in summer 2024.
ATTENTION: When visiting or hunting at State Forests, State Parks, or Wildlife Management Areas, please DO NOT park in front of closed gates. Even though the gates are closed to the public, DEEP staff may need to use those gates to access the road/area behind them.
Hunting at National Wildlife Refuges in Connecticut
Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge (NWR): Opportunities for hunting at this federally-owned NWR have been expanded to include archery deer hunting on 4 units, archery turkey hunting on 1 unit, and waterfowl hunting on 3 units. The Stewart B. McKinney NWR consists of 10 units located along the coast of Connecticut from Westbrook to Greenwich. Select the links below for each unit to obtain information on allowable hunting, accessibility, regulations, maps, and more, as well as to print out a Hunt Brochure that needs to be signed and carried on your person while hunting at these areas. Use the Find Your Hunt mapping application provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to see maps of the national wildlife refuges in Connecticut.
- Calf Island Unit, Greenwich: Waterfowl and archery deer hunting only. Hunters must have a signed USFWS Hunt Brochure at all times.
- Great Meadows Unit, Stratford: Waterfowl and archery deer hunting only. Waterfowl may be hunted on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday during the regular state season. After the close of the regular waterfowl season, Canada and snow goose hunting is permitted every day except Sunday. Hunters must have a signed USFWS Hunt Brochure at all times.
- Chimon and Sheffield Islands, Norwalk: Waterfowl and archery deer hunting only. Hunters must have a signed USFWS Hunt Brochure at all times.
- Salt Meadow Unit, Westbrook: Fall archery deer (tree stand) and turkey hunting only. Hunters must have a signed USFWS Hunt Brochure at all times.
Silvio O. Conte National Wildlife Refuge: Hunting and fishing information for the Silvio O. Conte NWR, including a Hunt Brochure for hunters to print and carry with them when hunting on Refuge lands, can be found on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website. Hunters must have a signed USFWS Hunt Brochure at all times.
Other Items of Interest
Hunting and fishing licenses, stamps, and permits can be purchased 24/7 on the DEEP’s Online Outdoor Licensing System. These items can also be purchased at outdoor equipment retailers and some town halls (please check with your local town hall to find out about availability or any restrictions).
The Wildlife Division’s Sessions Woods (Burlington; directions) and Franklin (North Franklin; directions) Field Offices, Marine District Headquarters (Old Lyme; directions), and DEEP's Western District Headquarters (Watertown - new location at Black Rock State Park; get directions) are open for fishing and hunting license sales on Monday – Friday, from 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM (except holidays). DEEP’s Eastern District Headquarters (Marlborough; directions) is open for license sales on Monday - Friday, from 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM.
New to hunting or interested in taking up the activity again? The Hunting Roadmap helps you get started!
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Connecticut Migratory Bird Hunting Guide
Federal Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations
Hunters who have encountered problems purchasing the federal Duck Stamp at local post offices can purchase the Electronic Duck Stamp, or E-Stamp, online for immediate use. You may purchase the E-Stamp from another state as DEEP's online system currently is unable to process federal Duck Stamp purchases. The actual stamp will be mailed to you after purchase, but you will have an E-Stamp to use until you receive the actual stamp. Details on how to purchase an E-Stamp are on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website.
Featured Links
2024 Connecticut Hunting and Trapping Guide (downloadable PDF)
2024-Guía-de-caza-y-captura-de-Connecticut (downloadable PDF)
2024 Hunting Season Summary (from the 2024 printed guide)
2024 Public Hunting Area List (From 2024 printed guide. Includes information on type of hunting permitted, town, acreage, and any special conditions.)
Hunters: Help Combat Illegal Wildlife Trade
Registered Hunting and Fishing Guide List
Frequently Asked Questions about Hunting
ATV Regulations and Impacts of Misuse
CT 2024 Hunting and Trapping Guide Landing Page
Main Hunting and Trapping Webpage
Content last updated on May 2, 2024.