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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08/30/2024

Migratory Bird Hunting Seasons Starting Soon

Season details available on the DEEP website

(HARTFORD)- Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) today announced the dates for 2024-2025 migratory bird hunting seasons, which include seasons for ducks, geese, woodcock, snipe, rails, and crows. Some key dates include:

  • The Special September Resident Canada Goose Season opens on September 2 in the North Zone and September 14 in the South Zone.
  • The early duck season opens on October 12 in the North Zone only. There will be no early season in the South Zone in 2024 (new change for this year).
  • The late duck season will open on November 9 in the North Zone and on November 11 in the South Zone.

Specific details on season dates, bag limits, regulations, and other reminders are published in the 2024-2025 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.

“Hunters are reminded to purchase the 2024 Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp before participating in migratory bird hunting this year” said Wildlife Division Director, Jenny Dickson. “The 2024 stamp features a beautifully illustrated painting of a long-tailed duck by local artist, Sulan Zhang. Sulan’s artwork was the best in show winner for the 2023 Connecticut Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest.”

Changes for 2024-25: Information on changes to the migratory bird hunting regulations this year can be found at https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Hunting/Connecticut-Migratory-Bird-Hunting-Guide/News-and-Notes#New. Some important notes:

  • The only change in species seasons and bag limits pertains to the Atlantic Population (AP) goose season, which has reverted to a restrictive 30-day season and 3 bird bag limit. These days are in October and November, with the late season in the AP zone starting in mid-December and running to the end of the framework in mid-February.
  • Hunters supported the removal of the early duck season days in the South Zone. Those days, along with the traditional split, were added to a continuous 60-day South Zone duck season.

Reminders for 2024-2025: The 2024 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. All proceeds from the sale of these stamps go into a dedicated account that is used solely for wetland habitat management and acquisition/improvement of hunter access.

The 2024 Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp expires on December 31, 2024. Therefore, any hunters who plan to hunt migratory birds in the early portion of 2025 must purchase a 2025 Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp along with their 2025 hunting license before hunting migratory birds in 2025.

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 only approximately 15% of Connecticut hunters because 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, October 5, and November 2, 2024. 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. Hunters aged 16 or 17 must have a valid hunting license, a 2024 Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp, and a 2024-2025 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.

Hunters: Take Precautions Against Mosquitoes and Ticks

The State Mosquito Management Program has warned Connecticut residents about the risk of infection by West Nile virus (WNV) and eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) this season. Residents are being advised to take proper precautions against mosquito bites and to avoid being outdoors from dusk to dawn. Precautions include applying insect repellent and covering bare skin.

More information about WNV and EEE, precautions against mosquito bites, the latest mosquito test results, and incidences of human infection can be found on the State of Connecticut Mosquito Management Program website.

Hunters and other outdoor users are also advised to take precautions against ticks by wearing light-colored clothing and tucking pants into socks. Use a repellent that repels both mosquitoes and ticks (ones that contain DEET are the most effective) and consider wearing permethrin-treated clothing. Carefully check yourself when you get home and remove any ticks promptly. Wash and dry any clothing.

 

Photo Credit: Paul J. Fusco/CT DEEP-Wildlife Division

The September Canada goose hunting season, which opens on September 2 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.

Twitter: @CTDEEPNews
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Contact

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