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

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09/01/2023

Migratory Bird Hunting Season Dates Set

North Zone Canada Goose Season Opens Today: Details Available on DEEP Website

(HARTFORD) — Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) today announced the dates for the 2023-2024 migratory bird hunting seasons, which include seasons for ducks, geese, woodcock, snipe, rails, and crows.

Specific details on season dates, bag limits, regulations, and other reminders are published in the 2023-2024 Migratory Bird Hunting Guide, which is available online at https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Hunting/Connecticut-Migratory-Bird-Hunting-Guide. Printed versions can be obtained at town clerk and select DEEP offices.

  • The Special September Resident Canada Goose Season opens on September 1, 2023, in the North Zone, and September 15 in the South Zone.
  • The regular duck season opens on October 7 in the North Zone and on October 12 in the South Zone.

There are a few changes to the migratory bird hunting regulations this year and that information can be found at https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Hunting/Connecticut-Migratory-Bird-Hunting-Guide/News-and-Notes#New. The two biggest changes that will affect most hunters are:

  • The mallard bag limit in the Atlantic Flyway is going back to 4 birds, with no more than 2 hens.
  • The AP Canada goose season is returning to a 45-day season with a 3-bird daily bag limit.

Reminders for 2023-2024

The 2023 Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp, which includes the Harvest Information Program (HIP) permit, costs $17 ($9 for junior hunters ages 12 to 17) and can be purchased at town clerk offices, some outdoor equipment vendors, and online at https://portal.ct.gov/CTOutdoorLicenses. The stamp must be obtained by ALL migratory bird hunters (regardless of age) who plan to hunt waterfowl, rails, snipe, woodcock, and crows. The 2023 Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp will expire on December 31, 2023.

In addition to purchasing a new hunting license, hunters must also purchase the 2024 stamp before January 1, 2024, if they plan to hunt into the early portion of 2024. All of the proceeds from the Connecticut Migratory Bird Stamp go into a dedicated account that is to be used solely for wetland habitat management and acquisition or for improving hunter access.

The HIP was changed in 2020 to address issues identified across the country with data entry at third party vendors. Now, all hunters purchasing at a third-party vendor must answer the HIP screening questions themselves by calling 1-877-337-4868 or going to https://ct.aspirafocus.com/hunterreporting. This affects approximately 15% of Connecticut hunters. Most hunters already fill out the HIP online.

Waterfowl hunters 16 years of age or older are required to purchase a federal Duck Stamp in addition to the Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp. Federal Duck Stamps are available from many local post offices for $25.00. Hunters under the age of 16 do not need to purchase a Federal Duck Stamp to hunt waterfowl.

Hunters should also report waterfowl leg bands. Band return information provides vital data for the continued sound management of the waterfowl resource. Report bands to the U.S. Geological Survey at www.reportband.gov.

Junior Waterfowl Hunter Training Days

Connecticut will hold Junior Waterfowl Hunter Training Days on Saturday, September 30, and Saturday, November 4, 2023. Participants must be 17 years of age or younger. Junior hunters 12 to 15 years old must possess a valid junior small game hunting license and a Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp. Sixteen and 17-year-old hunters must have a valid hunting license, a 2023 Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp, and a 2023-2024 federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp. Adults (at least 18 years of age or older) must accompany junior hunters and possess a valid hunting license. Accompanying adults cannot hunt ducks on the Youth Days but can hunt any other migratory gamebird for which the season is open. Ducks, geese, mergansers, and coots may be hunted during the training days. Bag limits and shooting hours are the same as for the regular duck and goose hunting seasons.

DEEP’s Conservation Education/Firearms Safety Program has developed a Junior Hunter webpage that provides information on junior hunter events and opportunities. Check out the webpage for more details at https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP-Junior-Hunting.

Migratory birds flying

Canada Geese – Photo credit: Paul J. Fusco/CT DEEP-Wildlife Division

The September Canada goose hunting season, which opens on September 1 in the North Zone, provides the opportunity to harvest resident geese that breed and spend the majority of their lives in Connecticut. The season is scheduled at a time when most migrant geese have not yet entered the state.

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Contact

DEEP Communications  
DEEP.communications@ct.gov
860-424-3110