This page of Connecticut hunting seasons is updated annually. While Thepredatorhunter.com focuses on coyotes, fox, and bobcats, it is hoped other game hunters will take up predator hunting as well. We suggest you check out these predator hunting links specific to the state of Connecticut:
Purchase a hunting license in Connecticut here.
Learn the rules for hunting coyotes in Connecticut.
Learn the rules for hunting fox in Connecticut.
Connecticut hunting seasons for deer.
Archery Deer Season
Season Dates
- Jan. 1 – Jan. 31 Private Land (Zones 11-12) (zone map)
- Sept. 15 – Dec. 31 Private Land (All zones; zone map)
- Sept. 15 – Nov. 15 and Dec. 21 – Dec. 31 State Land
- Sept. 15 – Dec. 31 State Land Bowhunting Only Areas
Bag Limit: 2 either sex and 2 antlerless (4 total); additional bag of 1 either sex and 1 antlerless (2 total) during the Jan. 1-31 season on private lands in zones 11 and 12.
Hunting Hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise until sunset.
License and Permits: Small Game and Deer Archery Permit. Must show proof of completion of Connecticut’s CE/FS bowhunting course (since 1982) or its equivalent from another state or country when purchasing a small game and deer archery permit. A previous Connecticut bowhunting permit purchased in 2002 or later also qualifies.
Archery-only Lottery Deer Hunting
Season Dates
- Sept. 15 – Dec. 31
Bag Limit: 2 either sex and 2 antlerless; hunters will use the archery deer permit tags.
Hunting Hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise until sunset.
License and Permits: Archery deer/small game license and an archery-only lottery permit. Only one archery-only lottery deer permit may be bought each year.
State Land Lottery Deer Hunting
Season Dates
- Nov. 16 – Nov. 25 State Land Lottery “A” Season
- Nov. 16 – Dec. 6 State Land Regular Lottery Season
Bag Limit: 1 either sex on state land areas; variable on Controlled Hunt Areas.
Hunting Hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise until sunset.
License and Permits: Firearms hunting license and a state land lottery permit or a controlled hunt area lottery permit. Only one Firearms State Land Lottery Deer permit may be bought each year.
State Land No-Lottery Deer Hunting
Season Dates:
- Nov. 16 – Dec. 6
Bag Limit: 1 either sex
Hunting Hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise until sunset.
License and Permits: Firearms hunting license and a State Land No-Lottery Permit. You may buy only one type of State Land Shotgun Deer Permit. So, you should not purchase a State Land No-Lottery Permit if you plan on applying for a State Land Lottery Permit.
Private Land Shotgun/Rifle/Revolver Deer Hunting
Season Dates:
- Nov. 16 – Dec. 6
Bag Limits:
- Statewide (except Zones 2 and 4A): 1 either sex and 1 antlerless
- Zones 2 and 4A: 1 either sex (“Antlerless Only” tag NOT valid)
- Zone 7: 1 additional antlerless
- Zones 11 and 12: 2 additional antlerless
- Deer Management Zone map
Hunting Hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise until sunset.
License and Permits: Firearms hunting license and Private Land Shotgun/Rifle Deer permit. Note: Revolver Deer Endorsement is also required if using a revolver.
Landowner Deer Hunting
Season Dates:
- Nov. 1 – Dec. 31
Bag Limit: 2 deer; 1 either sex and 1 antlerless
Hunting Hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise until sunset.
Free Landowner Permits are available only to persons owning 10 or more contiguous acres of land. Additional permits are available for their spouses, lineal descendants, parents, grandparents, and siblings. Archery deer hunting is allowed on private land only on Sundays in ALL Deer Management Zones (zone map).
License and Permits: Free Landowner Deer Permit. Appropriate hunting license required if landowner does not live on qualifying property. Note: Revolver Deer Endorsement is also required if using a revolver. For hunting with a bow or crossbow, landowners must have a certificate indicating successful completion of a Connecticut Conservation Education/Firearms Safety bowhunting course (or recognized equivalent).
State Land Deer Muzzleloader Hunting
Season Dates:
- Dec. 7 – Dec. 20
Bag Limit: 1 either sex
Hunting Hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise until sunset.
License and Permits: Firearms hunting license and State Land Muzzleloader Deer Permit.
Private Land Deer Muzzleloader Hunting
Season Dates:
- Dec. 7 – Dec. 31
Bag Limits:
- Statewide (except Zones 2 and 4A): 1 either sex and 1 antlerless
- Zones 2 and 4A: 1 either sex
- Zone 7: 1 additional antlerless
- Zones 11 and 12: 2 additional antlerless
- Deer Management Zone map
Hunting Hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise until sunset.
License and Permits: Firearms hunting license and Private Land Muzzleloader Deer Permit.
Connecticut hunting seasons for wild turkey.
Spring Turkey Season
Season Dates
- April 27 – May 28 State Land, Private Land, and Landowner
Bag Limit
- 5 bearded birds (on private land or state land or a combination of both).
Hunting Hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset.
- CT Residents: Firearms hunting license or Small Game and Deer Archery Permit and a Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamp.
- Non-residents: 3-day out-of-state bird hunting license or non-resident firearms hunting license or non-resident small game and deer archery permit and a Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamp.
- Landowners (who own 10 or more contiguous acres) must obtain a Free Landowner Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamp to hunt wild turkeys on their property. Landowners who wish to hunt on other private land or state land for wild turkeys must purchase the Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamp for $28. There is no additional bag limit for turkeys due to the Free Landowner Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamp.
Connecticut hunting seasons for Fall Archery Turkey
Season Dates
- Jan. 1 – Jan. 31 Private Land (Zones 11 and 12; zone map)
- Sept. 15 – Dec. 31 Private Land (All Zones; zone map)
- Sept. 15 – Nov. 15 and Dec. 21 – Dec. 31 State Land
- Sept. 15 – Dec. 31 State Land Bowhunting Only Areas
Bag Limits
- State and Private Land — 2 either sex
Hunting Hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise until sunset
- CT Residents: Small Game and Deer Archery Permit and a Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamp.
- Non-residents: Non-resident small game and deer archery permit and a Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamp.
- Landowners (who own 10 or more contiguous acres) must obtain a Free Landowner Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamp to hunt wild turkeys on their property. Landowners who wish to hunt on other private land or state land for wild turkeys must purchase the Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamp for $28. There is no additional bag limit for turkeys due to the Free Landowner Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamp.
Connecticut hunting seasons for Fall Turkey
Season Dates
- Oct. 1 – Oct. 31 State Land, Private Land, and Landowner
Bag Limit
- 3 either sex (on private land or state land or a combination of both).
Hunting Hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset.
- CT Residents: Firearms hunting license and Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamp.
- Non-residents: 3-day out-of-state bird hunting license or non-resident firearms hunting license and a Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamp.
- Landowners (who own 10 or more contiguous acres) must obtain a Free Landowner Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamp to hunt wild turkeys on their property. Landowners who wish to hunt on other private land or state land for wild turkeys must purchase the Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamp for $28. There is no additional bag limit for turkeys due to the Free Landowner Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamp.
Connecticut hunting seasons for small game and pheasants.
Resident Game Bird Hunting Seasons
Species: Pheasant, Ruffed Grouse, Quail, Chukar, Hungarian Partridge, and Wild Turkey (turkey hunting season information).
Season Dates
- Pheasant: Jan. 1 – Feb. 28 and Oct. 15 – Dec. 31
- Ruffed Grouse: Oct. 15 – Nov. 30
- Quail: Oct. 15 – Oct. 31
- Chukar and Hungarian Partridge: Jan. 1 – Feb. 28 and Oct. 15 – Dec. 31
Bag Limits
- Pheasant: Daily (2); Season (10)
- Ruffed Grouse: Daily (1); Season (8)
- Quail: Daily (2); Season (10)
- Chukar and Hungarian Partridge: Daily (2); Season (10)
Hunting Hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise until 1/2 hour after sunset.
License Requirements — Firearms or Archery Hunting License and a Connecticut Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamp.
Crow Hunting
Season Dates: (hunting only on certain days)
- Jan. 8 – March 26: Monday through Saturday
- Aug. 13 – Oct. 7: Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays
- Oct. 15 – Nov. 30: Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays
Bag Limit: No limit
Hunting Hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise until 1/2 hour after sunset.
Connecticut hunting seasons for migratory birds.
Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots
| Season | North Zone | South Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Early | Oct. 9 – Oct. 16, 2021 | Oct. 9 – Oct. 13, 2021 |
| Late | Nov. 11, 2021 – Jan. 11, 2022 | Nov. 16, 2021 – Jan. 19, 2022 |
Daily Bag Limit: Ducks – 6A, B Coots -15
Possession Limit: Ducks – 18A, B Coots – 45
Scaup
| North Zone | South Zone | Daily Bag Limit | Possession Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct. 9 – Oct. 16, 2021 | Oct. 9 – Oct. 13, 2021 | 1 | 3 |
| Nov. 11 – Dec. 18, 2021 | Nov. 16 – Dec. 27, 2021 | 1 | 3 |
| Dec. 20, 2021 – Jan. 11, 2022 | Dec. 28, 2021 – Jan. 19, 2022 | 2 | 6 |
Sea Ducks C (Scoter, Oldsquaw, Eider)
Season Dates (South Zone Only): Nov. 11, 2021 – Jan. 19, 2022
Daily Bag Limit: 5D
Possession Limit: 15D
Canada Geese E
| Season | North Zone | South Zone | Daily Bag Limit | Possession Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Special September | Sept. 1 – Sept. 30, 2021 | Sept. 15 – Sept. 30, 2021 | 15 | 45 |
| Regular AP UnitF See Map | Nov. 25 – Dec. 11, 2021 Dec. 18, 2021 – Jan. 4, 2022 | – – – | 1 | 3 |
| Regular AFRP UnitG See Map | Oct. 9 – Oct. 16, 2021 Nov. 11 – Dec. 11, 2021 Dec. 24, 2021 – Feb. 14, 2022 | Oct. 9 – Oct. 16, 2021 Nov. 11 – Dec. 11, 2021 Dec. 24, 2021 – Feb 15, 2022 | 5 | 15 |
| Regular NAP-H UnitH See Map | Oct. 9 – Oct. 16, 2021 Nov. 11, 2021 – Jan. 11, 2022 | Oct. 9 – Oct. 16, 2021 Nov. 11, 2021 – Jan. 11, 2022 | 2 | 6 |
| Special Late | – – – | Jan. 15 – Feb. 15I , 2022 | 5 | 15 |
Snow Geese (includes Blue Geese)
| North Zone | South Zone | Daily Bag Limit | Possession Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct. 1, 2021 – Jan. 15, 2022 | Oct. 1 – Nov. 30, 2021 | 25 | No limit |
| Feb. 22 – Mar. 10, 2022 | Jan. 6, 2021 – Mar. 10, 2022 | 25 | No limit |
Brant
Season Dates: Nov. 15, 2021 – Jan. 11, 2022 (North Zone); Nov. 23, 2021 – Jan. 19, 2022 (South Zone)
Daily Bag Limit: 2
Possession Limit: 6