Connecticut isn’t known as one of the biggest states to hunt in the US. However, it offers more than 173,000 acres of deer hunting land. Its expansive wide open areas support a healthy white-tailed deer population of approximately 101,000.
If you’re planning to hunt white-tailed deer in Connecticut this season and are unsure of the state’s season regulations, we’ve got you covered with all that there is to know about hunting deer in Connecticut.
Season Dates
Deer hunting in Connecticut provides hunting enthusiasts with a wide variety of opportunities to harvest deer. There are three (3) main deer hunting seasons, with the added bonus of a lottery season for ticket holders.
| Archery | Date (start-end) |
|---|---|
| Private Lands (zones 11 -12) | January 1st – January 31st |
| Private Land ( all zones) | September 15th – December 31st |
| State Land Bowhunting Only Areas | September 15th – December 31st |
| State Land | September 15th – November 14th &December 20th – December 30th |
| Land Owner | November 1st – December 30th |
| Muzzleloader | Date (start-end) |
|---|---|
| State Land | December 6th – December 19th |
| Private Land | December 6th – December 30th |
| Land Owner | November 1st – December 30th |
| Firearms | Date (start-end) |
|---|---|
| Private Land | November 15th – December 5th |
| Land Owner | November 1st – December 30th |
| Lottery Deer Season | Date (start-end) |
|---|---|
| Archery-Only | September 15th – December 30th |
| State Land Lottery “A” | November 15th – November 24th |
| State Land Regular Lottery Season | November 15th – December 5th |
| State Land No-Lottery | November 15th – December 5th |
The state of Connecticut designates Junior hunting training days to encourage adult hunters to train youth between the ages of 12 – 15 years old. Youth hunters may only hunt when accompanied by a licensed adult hunter 18 years of age or older.
License Costs
Anyone that wishes to hunt deer in Connecticut is required to purchase a Small Game hunting license and seasonal hunting licenses with deer tags for each deer harvested. Licenses are categorized into two groups; residents and non-residents.
All licenses can be purchased online from the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) or from outdoor equipment retailers.
| License/ Permit Type | Resident | Non-resident |
|---|---|---|
| Firearms Hunting | $19.00 | $91.00 |
| Firearms Hunting & Inland Fishing | $38.00 | $110.00 |
| Firearms Hunting and All Waters Fishing | $40.00 | $120.00 |
| Firearms Hunting and Marine Waters Fishing | $25.00 | $94.00 |
| Junior Firearms Hunting (Ages 12 to 15) | $11.00 | $11.00 |
| Age 65+ Annual Firearms Hunting License | Free | – |
| Archery Deer/Small Game | $41.00 | $135.00 |
| Archery Deer/Small Game and All Waters Fishing | $65.00 | – |
| Junior Archery Deer/Small Game (Ages 12 to 15) | $10.00 | $19.00 |
| State Land Lottery “A” Season | $ 19.00 | $68.00 |
| State Land Lottery Regular Season | $19.00 | $68.00 |
| State Land No- Lottery | $19.00 | $68.00 |
| Private Land Shotgun/ Rifle/Revolver | $19.00 | $68.00 |
| State Land Muzzleloader | $19.00 | $68.00 |
| Private Land Muzzleloader | $19.00 | $68.00 |
Firearms and trapping licenses are for free to residents over the age of 65 years old. However, residents must meet the basic hunting and trapping education requirements. All hunting licenses must be renewed on an annual basis with DEEP.
In addition, State Land Lottery tickets can be applied for from January 3rd 2023. No one is allowed to purchase both; State Land Lottery Permit and a State Land No-Lottery Permit. If a person is unsuccessful in obtaining a State Land Lottery Permit, they are then permitted to purchase a State No-Lottery Permit.
Bag Limits
The state of Connecticut is divided into different hunting zones and seasons. Each has its own bag limits and hunting regulations.
| Season/ Permit | Bag Limit |
|---|---|
| Archery | Two (2) deer of either sex and two (2) antlerless (4 total) |
| Archery- Private Lands (zones 11 & 12) | One (1) deer of either sex and one (1) antlerless (2 total) |
| Archery-only Lottery Deer Hunting | Two (2) deer of either sex and two (2) antlerless (4 total) |
| State Land Lottery Deer Hunting | One (1) deer of either sex |
| State Land No-Lottery Deer Hunting | One (1) deer of either sex |
| Private Land Shotgun/Rifle/Revolver Deer Hunting | One (1) deer of either sex and one (1) antlerless (2 total) |
| Private Land Shotgun/Rifle/Revolver Deer Hunting Zone 2 & 4 A | One (1) deer of either sex. |
| Private Land Shotgun/Rifle/Revolver Deer Hunting Zone 7 | One (1) deer of either sex and two (2) antlerless (3 total) |
| Private Land Shotgun/Rifle/Revolver Deer Hunting Zone 11 & 12 | One (1) deer of either sex and three (3) antlerless (4 total) |
| Landowner Deer Hunting | Two (2) deer; one (1) either sex and one (1) antlerless |
| State Land Deer Muzzleloader Hunting | One (1) deer of either sex |
| Private Land Deer Muzzleloader Hunting ( Statewide except zones 2, 4A,7, 11, and 12) | One (1) deer of either sex and one (1) antlerless (2 total) |
| Private Land Deer Muzzleloader Hunting Zones 2 & 4A | One (1) deer of either sex |
| Private Land Deer Muzzleloader Hunting Zone 7 | One (1) deer of either sex and two (2) antlerless (3 total) |
| Private Land Deer Muzzleloader Hunting Zone 11 & 12 | One (1) deer of either sex and three (3) antlerless (4 total) |
| Deer Lottery | One(1) deer of either sex |
What Weapons can you Hunt Deer with in Connecticut?
- Archery- Bow & Arrow
- Muzzleloading rifles
- Centre-fire rifles
- Shotguns
- Revolver
- Crossbows
Every state in the US. is governed by its own specific gun and ammunition regulations. We’d recommend you thoroughly examine Connecticut’s gun regulations below before heading out to your secret deer hole.
Firearms:
| Weapon | Details |
|---|---|
| Shotguns | Must be 12, 16, or 20 gauge breech loading with single soft alloy projectile ammunition. |
| Centerfire rifle | Centerfire rifle 6mm .243 calibre or larger |
| Revolver | Revolver must be .357 caliber or larger and may only be used on handholding 10 acres or larger. |
Bow and Arrow:
| Weapon | Details |
|---|---|
| Arrows | Arrow must be inches in length. |
| Broadheads | Broadheads can be fixed with two blades and must be ⅞ inches wide at their widest point. |
| Bow characteristics | The minimum draw weight for hunting deer is 40lbs. |
Crossbow:
| Weapon | Details |
|---|---|
| Crossbow draw weight | Crossbows must have a minimum draw weight of 125 lbs and a permanent fixed rifle-type stock with a working mechanical safety device. |
| Arrows/ bolts | The arrow/ bolt must be at least 18 inches, excluding the broad head. |
| Broadheads | Must be ⅞ inches at the widest point. |
Muzzleloading Rifle:
| Weapon | Details |
|---|---|
| Powder | black powder or black powder substitute only. |
| Calibre | A single barrel of.45 calibre or greater. |
| Legal projectile | Muzzleloaders can be smoothbore or rifled. |
| Ignition | Matchlock, flintlock ignition system, percussion ignition system with a primer or percussion cap, or a wheel-lock. |
In addition, all hunters are required to wear hunter orange vests (fluorescent orange) from September 1st through to the last day of February.
What Types of Deer are Popular to Hunt in Connecticut?
There are only eight (8) counties in the state of Connecticut, all of which are home to white-tailed deer. This deer is found across the US. and is, therefore, one of the most popular hunted deer species.
What else is Popular to Hunt in Connecticut?
Connecticut provides a low-cost and affordable hunting arena for a variety of small game species, including:
- Wild Turkey
- Water Fowl
- Ducks
- Pheasants
- Gray Squirrel
- Wild Boar