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. Please note that today's forest fire danger report remains at an 'extreme' level. More information about the current fire danger, burn ban and recommended safety measures can be found here

Hunting Roadmap

Follow the steps below to get started hunting in Connecticut:

STEP 1

Get your Conservation ID number from DEEP's Online Outdoor Licensing System if you do not already have one. This is the same number used to purchase fishing licenses and a boating certificate. If you have hunter safety certifications from other states that you want transferred to Connecticut, email deep.franklinwildlife@ct.gov with copies. Make sure you include your CT Conservation ID so your account can be updated. 

STEP 2

Learn more about what you need to hunt certain species, including hunter safety certifications (firearms or bow), equipment, licenses, and more. 

Squirrel on branch

Small Game Hunting Roadmap

Pheasant closeup

Pheasant Hunting Roadmap

Two turkeys with feathers spread

Wild Turkey Hunting Roadmap

Deer in field

Deer Hunting Roadmap

5 Ducks in the water

Waterfowl Hunting Roadmap

STEP 3

Sign up for a hunter education course for firearms or bowhunting if you are not already certified. All pre-requisites must be completed PRIOR to signing up for a course.

STEP 4

Find out where you can go hunting on public lands in Connecticut. (List of Public Hunting Areas from the 2024 CT Hunting and Trapping Guide)

  • If you plan to hunt on private land, written permission from the landowner to hunt deer or wild turkeys is required using this Private Land Consent Form. Verbal permission is sufficient for small game and waterfowl.

STEP 5

Purchase your license and hunt!

Helpful Resources

Still have questions? Read through these Frequently Asked Questions About Hunting.

Hunter Highlights Newsletter

Want regular updates on hunting seasons, regulations, game recipes, and more? Sign up for our quarterly electronic newsletter, Hunter Highlights.

View the latest issue: Spring/March 2024

Hunting and Fishing Fuel Conservation! 100% of the fees collected from sporting licenses by state law (CGS 26-15a) are allocated from the General Fund to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to conserve and enhance fish and wildlife. Two grant programs, the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration and the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration, have been particularly important. These programs were initiated by sportsmen and conservationists to provide states with funding for fish and wildlife management and research, habitat acquisition, and sportsmen education programs.

Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration logo and tagline.

Content last updated on March 28, 2024.