Connecticut 2025-2026 Hunting Guide – Bag Limits, Zones & Open Seasons
Welcome to your comprehensive guide to the 2025-2026 Connecticut outdoor sporting season! Whether you’re a seasoned sportsperson or just starting your outdoor adventure, this guide covers everything you need to know about the Nutmeg State’s wildlife opportunities. From white-tailed deer seasons to small game periods, wildlife zones, and licensing requirements – we’ve compiled all the essential information to help you plan your outings in Connecticut’s beautiful wilderness.
Connecticut Hunting Season 2025-2026: At a Glance
Connecticut offers diverse sporting opportunities across its varied landscapes, from the Berkshire foothills to the coastal plains. The state’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) carefully manages these resources to ensure sustainable wildlife populations while providing quality experiences for outdoors enthusiasts.
Quick Reference: Key Species Season Summary
Species | Season Dates | Method | Daily Bag Limit |
---|---|---|---|
White-tailed Deer | Sept. 15 – Dec. 31 | Archery (Private Land) | Varies by zone |
Wild Turkey | April 30 – May 31 | Spring Season | 1 bearded bird |
Gray Squirrel | Sept. 1 – Dec. 31 | Firearms/Archery | No limit specified |
Pheasant | Oct. 18 – Dec. 31 | Firearms/Archery | No limit specified |
Ducks | Oct. 11 – Jan. 20, 2026 | Shotgun only | 6 per day |
Canada Geese | Sept. 1 – Feb. 15, 2026 | Shotgun only | Varies by zone/season |
🦌 Big Game: Archery & Rifle Seasons
White-tailed Deer 🎯
Connecticut offers extensive opportunities for deer enthusiasts, with different regulations for private and public lands:
Archery Opportunities:
- Private Land (All Zones): Sept. 15 – Dec. 31, 2025
- Private Land (Zones 11 & 12 Only): Jan. 1 – Jan. 31, 2025
- State Land Bowhunting Areas: Sept. 15 – Dec. 31, 2025
- State Land General: Sept. 15 – Nov. 18, 2025 & Dec. 24 – Dec. 31, 2025
Firearms Opportunities:
- Private Lands (Shotgun/Rifle/Revolver): Nov. 19 – Dec. 9, 2025
- Landowner Special: Nov. 1 – Dec. 31, 2025
- State Controlled Areas (No Lottery): Nov. 19 – Dec. 9, 2025
Muzzleloader Exclusive:
- Private Land: Dec. 10 – Dec. 31, 2025
- State Land: Dec. 10 – Dec. 23, 2025
Lottery System Information: 🎟️
- Archery-Only Lottery: Sept. 15 – Dec. 31, 2025
- State Land Lottery “A” Season: Nov. 19 – Nov. 28, 2025
- State Land Regular Lottery: Nov. 19 – Dec. 9, 2025
Black Bear Information
Note: Bear seasons are not currently established in Connecticut’s 2025-2026 regulations. Check with DEEP for any updates throughout the year.
🦃 Turkey Season: Spring, Fall & Youth
Spring Turkey Season
- All Lands (State & Private): April 30 – May 31, 2025
- Bag Limit: One bearded turkey
- Legal Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset
Fall Turkey Seasons
Archery Only:
- Private Land (Zones 11 & 12): Jan. 1 – Jan. 31, 2025
- Private Land (All Zones): Sept. 15 – Dec. 31, 2025
- State Land Bowhunting Areas: Sept. 15 – Dec. 31, 2025
- State Land: Sept. 15 – Nov. 18, 2025 & Dec. 24 – Dec. 31, 2025
Firearms Season:
- All Lands: Oct. 4 – Oct. 31, 2025
Youth Turkey Opportunities 🏆
- Junior Spring Turkey: April 19-26, 2025 (excluding Sundays)
🦝 Furbearer Seasons
Connecticut provides year-round opportunities for some furbearers and seasonal windows for others:
Year-Round Opportunities:
- Coyote: Jan. 1 – Dec. 31, 2025 (No closed season)
Seasonal Furbearers:
- Raccoon & Opossum: Jan. 1 – Jan. 18, 2025 & Oct. 18 – Dec. 31, 2025
- Red & Gray Foxes: Jan. 1 – Feb. 28, 2025 & Oct. 18 – Dec. 31, 2025
Note: For detailed trapping regulations and additional furbearer species, consult the complete Connecticut Trapping Guide.
🐦 Upland Birds
Ring-necked Pheasant & Upland Species
- Pheasant: Jan. 1 – Feb. 28, 2025 & Oct. 18 – Dec. 31, 2025
- Chukar & Hungarian Partridge: Jan. 1 – Feb. 28, 2025 & Oct. 18 – Dec. 31, 2025
- Ruffed Grouse & Quail: Oct. 18 – Nov. 29, 2025 (Extended seasons available in select areas)
Youth Pheasant Day 🎯
- Junior Pheasant Day: Oct. 11, 2025
🐰 Upland Small Game Animals
Perfect for beginners and experienced hunters alike:
- Gray Squirrel: Jan. 1 – Feb. 28, 2025 & Sept. 1 – Dec. 31, 2025
- Cottontail Rabbit & European Hare: Jan. 1 – Feb. 28, 2025 & Oct. 18 – Dec. 31, 2025
- Snowshoe Hare: Jan. 1 – Jan. 31, 2025 & Nov. 15 – Dec. 31, 2025
- Woodchuck: March 15 – Nov. 15, 2025
🐿️ Other Small Game Species
Species | Season Dates | Notes |
---|---|---|
Woodcock | Oct. 23 – Dec. 13, 2025 | Daily limit: 3 |
Snipe | Sept. 3 – Oct. 11, 2025 & Oct. 18 – Jan. 3, 2026 | Daily limit: 8 |
Rails (Virginia & Sora) | Sept. 3 – Oct. 25, 2025 & Nov. 3 – Nov. 29, 2025 | Daily limit: 25 |
Clapper & King Rails | Sept. 3 – Oct. 25, 2025 & Nov. 3 – Nov. 29, 2025 | Daily limit: 10 (max 1 King) |
🦆 Migratory Birds: Ducks, Scaup, Mergansers
Duck Season Framework
Connecticut is divided into North and South Zones (separated by I-95):
Duck, Merganser & Coot Seasons:
North Zone:
- Early Season: Oct. 11 – Oct. 18, 2025
- Late Season: Nov. 11, 2025 – Jan. 10, 2026
South Zone:
- Early Season: Oct. 11 – Oct. 13, 2025 (NEW)
- Late Season Split: Nov. 11, 2025 (single day) (NEW)
- Late Season Continuation: Nov. 15, 2025 – Jan. 20, 2026 (NEW)
Daily Bag Limits: Ducks – 6 | Coots – 15 Possession Limits: Ducks – 18 | Coots – 45
Special Scaup Regulations 🔗
Due to population concerns, scaup have specific harvest restrictions:
Zone | Season Dates | Daily Limit |
---|---|---|
North | Oct. 11-18, Nov. 10-Dec. 17, Dec. 18-Jan. 10 | 1, 1, 2 respectively |
South | Nov. 11, Nov. 15-Dec. 26, Dec. 27-Jan. 20 | 1, 1, 2 respectively |
🦢 Geese & Other Waterfowl
Canada Goose Zones & Seasons
Connecticut uses a complex zoning system (AP, AFRP, NAP-H) based on different goose populations:
Special September Goose Season:
- North Zone: Sept. 1 – Sept. 30, 2025 (Daily limit: 15)
- South Zone: Sept. 15 – Sept. 30, 2025 (Daily limit: 15)
Regular Season Highlights:
- AP Unit (North Zone Only): Oct. 11-18, Nov. 4-29, 2025 (Daily limit: 1) (NEW)
- AFRP Unit: Oct. 11-18, Nov. 22, 2025 – Feb. 14, 2026 (Daily limit: 5)
- NAP-H Unit: Varies by zone with daily limits of 2-5
Snow Geese & Brant
- Snow Geese (includes Blues): Oct. 1, 2025 – Jan. 10, 2026 & Feb. 17 – Mar. 10, 2026 (Daily limit: 25, No possession limit)
- Brant: North Zone: Dec. 8, 2025 – Jan. 10, 2026 | South Zone: Dec. 16, 2025 – Jan. 19, 2026 (Daily limit: 1)
🐦⬛ Other Waterfowls & Crow Seasons
Crow Season Schedule 🌅
Connecticut offers extensive crow opportunities with no bag limits:
- Aug. 13 – Oct. 11, 2025: Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays only
- Oct. 22 – Nov. 29, 2025: Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays only
- Dec. 22, 2025 – March 23, 2026: Monday through Saturday
Special Note: Hunters are exempt from fluorescent orange requirements when crow hunting from stationary positions.
🎯 Additional Game Opportunities
Junior Hunter Training Days
Connecticut prioritizes youth development with special training opportunities:
- Junior Deer: Nov. 8-15, 2025 (excluding Sundays)
- Junior Waterfowl: Two Saturdays in fall – Oct. 4 & Nov. 1, 2025
- Junior Spring Turkey: April 19-26, 2025 (excluding Sundays)
- Junior Pheasant: Oct. 11, 2025
Important Licensing Requirements 📋
- Migratory Bird Stamp: Required for all waterfowl, woodcock, snipe, rails, and crows
- Federal Duck Stamp: Required for waterfowl
- HIP Registration: Included with Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp
- Hunter Education: Required for all first-time license holders
New for 2025: Sunday Hunting 🗓️
Thanks to Public Act 25-138, Sunday hunting on private land opens Oct. 1, 2025, for most species. However, migratory bird activities remain closed on Sundays across all land types.
🗺️ Connecticut Hunting Zones
Connecticut is divided into deer and turkey management zones to help DEEP effectively manage wildlife populations:
- Zones 1-10: Standard management areas
- Zones 11-12: Higher deer density areas with special regulations
For detailed zone maps, visit the Connecticut DEEP Deer and Turkey Management Zone Map.
🎟️ License & Permit Information
Resident Licenses
- Annual Hunting License: Required for all hunters
- Various permits required depending on species and method
- Conservation Stamp: Required for all hunters
Non-Resident Licenses
- Available at higher fee structure
- Same permit requirements as residents
Youth Licenses
- Special opportunities for hunters age 12-15
- Reduced fees and mentored hunting opportunities
- Junior Hunter Training Days for deer and turkey
Add-on Permits
- Deer Permits: Archery, Muzzleloader, Shotgun/Rifle
- Turkey Permits: Spring and Fall
- Migratory Bird Stamps: Required for waterfowl hunting
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need permission to hunt on private land in Connecticut?
A: Yes. Written permission on official DEEP forms from the landowner is required to hunt on private land.
Q: Can I hunt on Sundays in Connecticut?
A: Sunday hunting is allowed for archery deer hunting on private land only, and hunters must stay at least 40 yards from blazed hiking trails.
Q: What is the minimum acreage required for rifle hunting?
A: Rifles and revolvers may only be used on private land parcels of 10 or more acres with specific landowner permission.
Q: Are tree stands allowed on state land?
A: Portable tree stands are permitted on state land but should be removed at the conclusion of the hunting season. Permanent stands are prohibited.
Q: Is baiting allowed for deer hunting?
A: Baiting is prohibited in Deer Management Zones 1-10 and on all state lands. It is permitted on private lands in Zones 11-12 only.
Related Resources
For more detailed information about Connecticut’s hunting opportunities, visit:
Final Thoughts
Connecticut offers diverse and rewarding opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts throughout the 2025-2026 season. Remember to always check the most current regulations before heading afield, as dates and requirements can change. Proper planning includes securing any necessary permits, understanding zone-specific regulations, and obtaining landowner permission when required.
The state’s careful wildlife management ensures sustainable populations while providing quality experiences for sportspeople. By following regulations and practicing ethical hunting, you help preserve these traditions for future generations to enjoy.
Key Resources:
Remember to always verify current regulations before heading afield, as dates and limits can change. Good luck this season, and hunt safely! 🎯
Information current as of July 2025. Always consult the official Connecticut DEEP website for the most up-to-date regulations and any emergency closures.
Be safe, respect the land, and enjoy your time in Connecticut’s beautiful outdoors!