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

Press Releases

DEEP News Release Header

01/26/2018

Migratory Bird Hunting Season Regulations Meeting

Will take place at DEEP’s Franklin Swamp WMA in North Franklin

Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) today announced that the Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations Meeting will be held on Saturday, March 31, 2018, from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. at the Franklin Swamp Wildlife Management Area (WMA), 391 Route 32, in North Franklin.
This meeting provides interested parties an opportunity to comment on the proposed hunting season regulations for the 2018-2019 migratory bird seasons. DEEP will present proposed regulations and take all public comments. Final hunting season dates will be formulated shortly after the comments are compiled and evaluated.
Hunters are reminded that DEEP accepts comments on the migratory bird hunting regulations year round; however, this meeting serves to finalize the regulations and is being held just prior to when the Department will make its final season selections to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Each year, the USFWS works in partnership with states from four Flyway Councils (Atlantic, Pacific, Central, and Mississippi) to establish regulatory frameworks for hunting season lengths, dates, and bag limits. States select their individual seasons from within the federal frameworks.
Directions to Franklin Swamp WMA:
From the west: Take Route 2 east. Follow Route 2 and take Exit 27 (Route 32 north). Follow Route 32 to Plains Rd. Take a right onto Plains Rd. Franklin Swamp WMA is on your right.
From the east: Take I-395 north to Exit 13B (Route 2 west). Follow Route 2 west to Exit 25 (Route 32 north). Follow Route 32 to Plains Rd. Take a right onto Plains Rd.  Franklin Swamp WMA is on your right.
Twitter: @CTDEEPNews
Facebook: DEEP on Facebook