Hunting Seasons in Connecticut 2025: Big Game and Small Game, Licenses, and Regulations Guide

Plan your 2025–26 CT hunt with our state‑by‑state guide—season dates, bag limits, licenses, bow & rifle rules, and key game species from white‑tailed deer to wild turkey to ducks. Whether you’re slipping through oak‑maple woodlands for early‑season archery, stalking fall turkey gobblers in tidal marsh edges, or setting decoys for teal in flooded impoundments, Connecticut delivers diverse big game and small game opportunities under clear state regulations. What Is There to Hunt in Connecticut? Connecticut’s mixed uplands and coastal lowlands support: Big Game: White‑tailed deer, wild turkey, black bear (limited draw) Small Game & Upland Birds: Cottontail rabbit, gray squirrel, ruffed grouse, woodcock, bobwhite quail (stocked in select WMAs) Waterfowl & Migratory Birds: Ducks (teal, mallard), geese, coots, rails, mourning dove Furbearers & Predators: Coyote, raccoon, fox, beaver, muskrat, mink From rolling hills to Long Island Sound marshes, Connecticut’s habitats foster healthy game populations and accessible hunting zones. What Animals Can You Hunt Year‑Round in Connecticut? On private lands, unprotected or nuisance species such as coyote, groundhog, raccoon, and beaver carry no closed season and no bag limits, offering off‑season predator‑control and trapping opportunities. Public‑land hunts must adhere to hunting and trapping seasons as outlined by DEEP. Connecticut Big Game Hunting Seasons 2025–26 White‑Tailed Deer Archery: Sept 20 – Nov 7, 2025 Youth & Apprentice Weekend: Nov 8 – 9, 2025 Muzzleloader: Nov 10 – 16, 2025 Rifle: Nov 17 – Dec 14, 2025 Late Bow: Dec 15 – Dec 31, 2025 Deer seasons in Connecticut blend archery, muzzleloader, and rifle windows. Hunters must follow bag limits—one antlered buck per season—and report harvests electronically. Wild Turkey (Spring) Season: Apr 18 – May 31, 2026 Youth Hunt: Apr 11 – 17, 2026 Fall Turkey (Youth Only): Sept 19 – 21, 2025 Spring turkey hunts emphasize shotgun and archery techniques. Youth hunts and fall youth seasons promote hunter education and early-season success. Black Bear Controlled Draw: Nov 1 – Nov 30, 2025 (limited permit) Black bear hunts require draw permits, with strict tagging and reporting to maintain healthy bear populations in Connecticut’s northern hills. Connecticut Small Game & Waterfowl Seasons 2025–26 Small Game & Upland Birds Cottontail Rabbit & Squirrel: Sept 1 – Mar 31, 2026 Ruffed Grouse: Oct 1 – Jan 15, 2026 Woodcock: Oct 1 – Nov 22, 2025 Bobwhite Quail: Oct 1 – Dec 31, 2025 (WMAs only) Walk woodland ridges for grouse and woodcock, or patrol fields for quail and rabbits, observing shotgun and non-toxic shot regulations. Waterfowl & Migratory Birds Duck & Goose Seasons: Oct 26 – Jan 31, 2026 Youth Waterfowl Day: Oct 18 – 19, 2025 Rails & Coots: Sept 1 – Nov 7, 2025 Mourning Dove: Sept 1 – Nov 9, 2025 Shooting Hours: ½ hour before sunrise to sunset Connecticut’s coastal marshes and inland impoundments host peak waterfowl migrations. Hunters need HIP registration, federal duck stamps, and a state license. Bag Limits by Species White‑Tailed Deer: 1 antlered buck per season Wild Turkey: 1 gobbler per spring season Bobwhite Quail: 3 per day; 6 in possession Ruffed Grouse & Woodcock: 3 per day; 9 in possession Ducks: 6 per day; species sub‑limits apply Geese: 2 per day; specific zones may vary Mourning Dove: 15 per day; 45 in possession Coyote & Furbearers: No limits on private lands Bag limits support sustainable wildlife populations and fair-chase principles across the state’s diverse habitats. License & Tags Information for Connecticut Hunters (2025–26) All hunters must hold the appropriate DEEP hunting license and add-on permits: Small Game License: $26 (resident); $170 (non-resident) Big Game License: $26 + Deer Permit $25 + Turkey Permit $26 Black Bear Permit: $75 (draw only) Migratory Bird Permits & HIP: Required for waterfowl and doves Hunter Education Certification: Mandatory for first-time and youth hunters Licenses fund wildlife management, habitat conservation, and enforcement. Apply early for draw hunts and confirm permit availability. Hunting Methods: Bow, Rifle, Muzzleloader Connecticut permits: Archery: Compound bows, recurve bows, crossbows (archery season only) Firearms: Shotguns for turkey and waterfowl; rifles and muzzleloaders during deer seasons Dogs & Bait: Allowed for turkey and waterfowl in specific zones; check WMA rules Complying with weapon restrictions and use of non-toxic shot in wetlands ensures safety and conservation compliance. Regulations & Resources Connecticut DEEP regulations outline: Shooting Hours: ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset (waterfowl sunrise to sunset) WMA Boundaries: Defined for small game and waterfowl; maps available online Harvest Reporting: Deer and turkey harvests must be reported within 48 hours Special Zones: Coastal refuges, wildlife management areas, and conservation areas Before you head out, always verify season dates, bag limits, and license requirements on the official Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection website to stay compliant and ensure a legal, ethical hunt. This guide was created based on information from the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (CDEEP): https://portal.ct.gov/deep/hunting/ct-hunting-and-trapping From coastal marsh waterfowl hunts to hardwood forest deer and turkey seasons, Connecticut offers well-timed, sustainable hunts across its varied landscapes. Secure the proper licenses and permits, review current regulations, and prepare for an ethical, successful 2025–26 hunting season in the Constitution State.