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.
Here’s a quick overview of the key wildlife seasons in Connecticut for 2025-2026:
| Species | Season | Dates | Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deer – Archery | Private Land (Zones 11-12) | Jan. 1 – Jan. 31, 2025 | Bow |
| Deer – Archery | Private Land (All Zones) | Sept. 15 – Dec. 31, 2025 | Bow |
| Deer – Archery | State Land | Sept. 15 – Nov. 18 & Dec. 24 – 31, 2025 | Bow |
| Deer – Shotgun | State Land (No-Lottery) | Nov. 19 – Dec. 9, 2025 | Shotgun |
| Deer – Shotgun/Rifle | Private Land | Nov. 19 – Dec. 9, 2025 | Shotgun/Rifle |
| Deer – Muzzleloader | State Land | Dec. 10 – Dec. 23, 2025 | Muzzleloader |
| Deer – Muzzleloader | Private Land | Dec. 10 – Dec. 31, 2025 | Muzzleloader |
| Pheasant | Oct. 18 – Dec. 31, 2025 & Jan. 1 – Feb. 28, 2026 | Various | |
| Chukar & Hungarian Partridge | Oct. 18 – Dec. 31, 2025 & Jan. 1 – Feb. 28, 2026 | Various |
🦌 Big Game: Deer Hunting Opportunities
Connecticut offers multiple deer seasons with various methods, allowing sportspeople to choose their preferred approach to pursuing the state’s healthy white-tailed deer population.
Archery Deer Season
Private Land (Zones 11-12):
- Season: January 1 – January 31, 2025
- Bag Limit: 1 either-sex and 1 antlerless (additional to regular season bag)
Private Land (All Zones):
- Season: September 15 – December 31, 2025
- Bag Limit: 2 either-sex and 2 antlerless (4 total)
State Land Bowhunting Only Areas:
- Season: September 15 – December 31, 2025
- Bag Limit: 2 either-sex and 2 antlerless (4 total)
State Land:
- Season: September 15 – November 18 and December 24 – December 31, 2025
- Bag Limit: 2 either-sex and 2 antlerless (4 total)
🎯 Special Note: Sunday archery is permitted on private lands in ALL deer management zones, provided hunters remain at least 40 yards from blazed hiking trails.
Rifle & Shotgun Deer Season
State Land No-Lottery:
- Season: November 19 – December 9, 2025
- Bag Limit: 1 either-sex
- Requirement: Firearms hunting license and State Land No-Lottery Permit
Private Land Shotgun/Rifle/Revolver:
- Season: November 19 – December 9, 2025
- Bag Limits:
- Statewide (except Zones 2 and 4A): 1 either-sex and 1 antlerless
- Zones 2 and 4A: 1 either-sex only
- Zone 7: 1 additional antlerless
- Zones 11 and 12: 2 additional antlerless
Landowner Deer Season:
- Season: November 1 – December 31, 2025
- Bag Limit: 1 either-sex and 1 antlerless
- Special Eligibility: Available to landowners with 10+ contiguous acres
Muzzleloader Deer Season
State Land:
- Season: December 10 – December 23, 2025
- Bag Limit: 1 either-sex
Private Land:
- Season: December 10 – December 31, 2025
- Bag Limits:
- Statewide (except Zones 2 and 4A): 1 either-sex and 1 antlerless
- Zones 2 and 4A: 1 either-sex only
- Zone 7: 1 additional antlerless
- Zones 11 and 12: 2 additional antlerless
🎟️ State Land Lottery Opportunities
Connecticut offers special lottery permits for high-demand areas:
Lottery “A” Season: November 19 – November 28, 2025 (Yale-Myers Forest)
Regular Lottery Season: November 19 – December 9, 2025
Archery-Only Lottery: September 15 – December 31, 2025
Applications can be submitted beginning January 2, 2025, at 9:30 AM through the Online Outdoor Licensing System.
🦃 Turkey Season
Turkey hunting in Connecticut is divided into spring and fall seasons, with special opportunities for junior hunters.
Spring Turkey Season
- Season dates typically run from late April through May
- Hunting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise until noon
- Bag limit: 3 bearded birds for the season
Fall Turkey Season
- Archery Season:
- Private Land (Zones 11 and 12): January 1 – January 31, 2025
- Private Land (All Zones): September 15 – December 31, 2025
- State Land: September 15 – November 18 and December 24 – December 31, 2025
Junior Turkey Hunter Training Days
- Special opportunities for young hunters under adult supervision
- Typically held prior to the regular spring season
🦊 Furbearer Hunting & Trapping
Connecticut offers opportunities to pursue various furbearing species according to established seasons and methods.
Trapping Seasons
- Species include: beaver, coyote, fox, mink, muskrat, raccoon, and river otter
- Most trapping seasons run during fall and winter months
- Special permits may be required for certain species
Hunting Seasons
- Coyote, fox, and raccoon can be hunted during designated seasons
- Check regulations for specific methods and requirements
🐇 Small Game Hunting
Connecticut provides opportunities for pursuing a variety of small game species.
Upland Game Birds
- Pheasant: October 18 – December 31, 2025 and January 1 – February 28, 2026
- Chukar and Hungarian Partridge: October 18 – December 31, 2025 and January 1 – February 28, 2026
- Ruffed Grouse and Quail: Check current regulations
Small Game
- Gray Squirrel: Season typically runs fall through winter
- Cottontail Rabbit: Season typically runs fall through winter
- Snowshoe Hare: Check current regulations
🦆 Waterfowl Hunting
Connecticut’s position along the Atlantic Flyway offers excellent opportunities for waterfowl hunting.
Duck Season
- Usually divided into early and late seasons
- Specific dates determined annually by federal frameworks
- Daily bag limits vary by species
Goose Season
- Canada Goose: Typically includes early, regular, and late seasons
- Special snow goose seasons may be available
- Check current regulations for zone-specific dates and bag limits
🗺️ 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:
- Deer Hunting Guide
- Turkey Hunting Guide
- New York Hunting Seasons
- Massachusetts Hunting Seasons
- Rhode Island Hunting Seasons
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.
Be safe, respect the land, and enjoy your time in Connecticut’s beautiful outdoors!
