Connecticut 2026-27 Hunting Season Dates
Quick answer
Connecticut's 2026-27 firearm deer season runs Nov 18-Dec 8, 2026 (Private Lands).
Archery deer season opens between September 15, 2026 and January 1, 2027 depending on zone; the last zone closes January 31, 2027.
Fall turkey season opens between September 15, 2026 and January 1, 2027 depending on zone; the last zone closes January 31, 2027.
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to Connecticut DEEP.
- firearm deer
- Nov 18-Dec 8, 2026
- archery deer
- opens Sep 15, 2026-Jan 1, 2027 by zone
- fall turkey
- opens Sep 15, 2026-Jan 1, 2027 by zone
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Key seasons by species
How to read Connecticut's seasons
Deer management zones and land type set the rules
Connecticut runs deer seasons by management zone and distinguishes private-land, state-land, and shotgun/rifle versus archery opportunities. The practical season for a given hunter depends as much on where they hunt as on the calendar.
Verify zone dates, permit types, and any land-specific restrictions with the official Connecticut DEEP source before hunting.
We summarize official agency information and link to the source for verification. Regulations can change, and zone details matter. Always confirm final dates, bag limits, permits, and legal requirements with Connecticut DEEP before hunting.
Deer
14 listed rowsWhite-tailed Deer
Archery
September 15 – November 17 and December 23 – 31
Zone: State Land
White-tailed Deer
Lottery Archery-Only
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
Archery
Zone: State Land Bowhunting Only Areas
White-tailed Deer
Archery
Zone: Private Land (All Zones)
White-tailed Deer
Shotgun/Rifle/Revolver - Landowner
Zone: Landowner
White-tailed Deer
Junior
Junior Hunter Training Days; excluding Sunday on state land.
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
Shotgun - No Lottery
Zone: State Controlled Areas
White-tailed Deer
Shotgun/Rifle/Revolver
Zone: Private Lands
White-tailed Deer
Lottery Regular Season
Zone: State Land
White-tailed Deer
Lottery State Land A Season
Zone: State Land
White-tailed Deer
Muzzleloader
Zone: Private Land
White-tailed Deer
Muzzleloader
Zone: State Land
| Season | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| White-tailed DeerArchery · State LandSeptember 15 – November 17 and December 23 – 31 | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerArchery · Private Land (Zones 11 and 12) | Upcoming |
Turkey
Wild Turkey
Fall Archery
Zone: State Land Bowhunting Only Areas
Wild Turkey
Fall Archery
Zone: Private Land (All Zones)
Wild Turkey
Fall Archery
September 15 – November 17 and December 23 – 31
Zone: State Land
Wild Turkey
Fall Archery
September 15 – November 17 and December 23 – 31
Zone: State Land
Wild Turkey
Fall Archery
Zone: Private Land (Zones 11 and 12)
Wild Turkey
Junior Spring
Junior Hunter Training Days; excluding Sunday on state land.
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Spring General
Zone: State and Private Lands
Wild Turkey
Fall Firearms
Zone: State and Private Lands
Waterfowl
24 listed rowsSnow Geese (includes Blue Geese)
Regular
No possession limit.
Zone: Statewide
Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots
Late
All dates inclusive except Sundays. Scaup daily limit 1 (possession 3).
Zone: North Zone (north of I-95)
Canada Geese
Regular - NAP-H Unit
Daily bag limit includes white-fronted geese.
Zone: NAP-H Unit - South Zone
Canada Geese
Regular - NAP-H Unit
Daily bag limit includes white-fronted geese.
Zone: NAP-H Unit - North Zone
Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots
Late
Scaup daily limit 1 (possession 3).
Zone: South Zone (south of I-95)
Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots
Late
All dates inclusive except Sundays. Scaup daily limit 1 (possession 3) Nov. 14 - Dec. 25; 2 (possession 6) Dec. 26 - Jan. 19.
Zone: South Zone (south of I-95)
Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots
Late
All dates inclusive except Sundays. Scaup daily limit 2 (possession 6).
Zone: North Zone (north of I-95)
Canada Geese
Regular - AFRP Unit
Daily bag limit includes white-fronted geese.
Zone: AFRP Unit (North and South Zones)
Canada Geese
Regular - AP Unit
Daily bag limit includes white-fronted geese.
Zone: AP Unit (Litchfield County and western Hartford County)
Brant
Regular
Possession limit 3.
Zone: North Zone (north of I-95)
Canada Geese
AP Late Season
Daily bag limit includes white-fronted geese.
Zone: AP Unit (Litchfield County and western Hartford County)
Brant
Regular
Possession limit 3.
Zone: South Zone (south of I-95)
| Season | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Canada GeeseSeptember Early Season · North Zone (north of I-95)No special permit needed. Shooting hours end one-half hour past sunset. Unplugged shotguns legal. | Closed | |
| Canada GeeseSeptember Early Season · South Zone (south of I-95)No special permit needed. Shooting hours end one-half hour past sunset. Unplugged shotguns legal. | Closed | |
| Canada GeeseRegular - NAP-H Unit · NAP-H Unit - South ZoneDaily bag limit includes white-fronted geese. | Closed | |
| Canada GeeseRegular - NAP-H Unit · NAP-H Unit - North ZoneDaily bag limit includes white-fronted geese. | Closed | |
| Canada GeeseRegular - AFRP Unit · AFRP Unit (North and South Zones)Daily bag limit includes white-fronted geese. | Closed | |
| Canada GeeseRegular - AP Unit · AP Unit (Litchfield County and western Hartford County)Daily bag limit includes white-fronted geese. | Closed | |
| Canada GeeseNAP-H Late Season · South Zone east of the Quinnipiac RiverDaily bag limit includes white-fronted geese. Requires 2027 hunting license and 2027 Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp. | Upcoming | |
| Ducks, Geese, Mergansers, and CootsYouth Waterfowl Hunter Training Day · StatewideJunior hunters ages 12 to 15 with junior small game license and Connecticut Migratory Bird Stamp, accompanied by an adult 18 or older who cannot hunt ducks. | Closed | |
| Ducks, Geese, Mergansers, and CootsYouth Waterfowl Hunter Training Day · StatewideJunior hunters ages 12 to 15 with junior small game license and Connecticut Migratory Bird Stamp, accompanied by an adult 18 or older who cannot hunt ducks. | Closed | |
| Ducks, Mergansers, and CootsEarly · South Zone (south of I-95)All dates inclusive except Sundays. Scaup daily limit 1 (possession 3). Mallard 4 (2 hens), wood duck 3, black duck 2, redhead 2, pintail 3, canvasback 2; sea ducks 4 (no more than 3 scoters, 3 long-tailed ducks, 3 eider (1 hen)). Season for harlequin ducks is closed. | Closed | |
| Ducks, Mergansers, and CootsEarly · North Zone (north of I-95)All dates inclusive except Sundays. Scaup daily limit 1 (possession 3). Mallard 4 (2 hens), wood duck 3, black duck 2, redhead 2, pintail 3, canvasback 2; sea ducks 4 (no more than 3 scoters, 3 long-tailed ducks, 3 eider (1 hen)). Season for harlequin ducks is closed. | Closed | |
| Snow Geese (includes Blue Geese)Regular · StatewideNo possession limit. | Upcoming |
Pheasant
Pheasant
General
Two separate seasons: Jan 1 - Feb 28 and Oct 17 - Dec 31. Connecticut Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamp required.
Pheasant
General
Two separate seasons: Jan 1 - Feb 28 and Oct 17 - Dec 31. Connecticut Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamp required.
Pheasant
Junior
Junior Hunter Training Days - Junior Pheasant Day.
Quail
Quail
General
Extended season in some areas. Connecticut Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamp required.
Grouse
Ruffed Grouse
General
Connecticut Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamp required.
Rabbit
Cottontail Rabbit and European Hare
General
Two separate seasons: Jan 1 - Feb 28 and Oct 17 - Dec 31.
Snowshoe Hare
General
Two separate seasons: Jan 1 - Feb 28 and Nov 21 - Dec 31.
Cottontail Rabbit and European Hare
General
Two separate seasons: Jan 1 - Feb 28 and Oct 17 - Dec 31.
Snowshoe Hare
General
Two separate seasons: Jan 1 - Feb 28 and Nov 21 - Dec 31.
Squirrel
Gray Squirrel
General
Two separate seasons: Jan 1 - Feb 28 and Sep 1 - Dec 31.
Gray Squirrel
General
Two separate seasons: Jan 1 - Feb 28 and Sep 1 - Dec 31.
Furbearer
Raccoon and Opossum
General
Two separate seasons: Jan 1 - Jan 17 and Oct 17 - Dec 31.
Red and Gray Foxes
General
Two separate seasons: Jan 1 - Feb 28 and Oct 17 - Dec 31.
Raccoon and Opossum
General
Two separate seasons: Jan 1 - Jan 17 and Oct 17 - Dec 31.
Red and Gray Foxes
General
Two separate seasons: Jan 1 - Feb 28 and Oct 17 - Dec 31.
Small Game
Woodchuck
General
Migratory Birds
American Woodcock
General
Possession limit 9. Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp required.
Zone: Statewide
Common Snipe
General
Possession limit 24. Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp required.
Zone: Statewide
Rails
General
Only 1 of the daily bag limit may be a king rail. Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp required.
Zone: Statewide
Common Snipe
General
Possession limit 24. Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp required.
Zone: Statewide
Rails
General
Only 1 of the daily bag limit may be a king rail. Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp required.
Zone: Statewide
Coyote
Coyote
General
Year-round season.
Other
Chukar and Hungarian Partridge
General
Two separate seasons: Jan 1 - Feb 28 and Oct 17 - Dec 31. Connecticut Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamp required.
Crow
General
Wednesday, Friday, Saturday only. Fall crow season dates subject to change pending regulations change. Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp required.
Crow
General
Monday through Saturday. Fall crow season dates subject to change pending regulations change. Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp required.
Chukar and Hungarian Partridge
General
Two separate seasons: Jan 1 - Feb 28 and Oct 17 - Dec 31. Connecticut Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamp required.
Crow
General
Monday through Saturday. Fall crow season dates subject to change pending regulations change. Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp required.
Crow
General
Wednesday, Friday, Saturday only. Fall crow season dates subject to change pending regulations change. Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp required.
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Connecticut Hunting Season FAQ
When does deer season start in Connecticut?
Archery deer season opens between September 15, 2026 and January 1, 2027 depending on zone; the last zone closes January 31, 2027. Firearm deer season runs Nov 18-Dec 8, 2026 (Private Lands). Dates can differ by zone and permit; confirm with Connecticut DEEP.
When is Connecticut's firearm deer season?
Firearm deer season runs Nov 18-Dec 8, 2026 (Private Lands). Check zone and permit details with Connecticut DEEP before hunting.
Do I need a license to hunt in Connecticut?
Yes. Hunters generally need the appropriate Connecticut hunting license, and some seasons may require tags, permits, stamps, or zone-specific authorizations. Confirm final requirements with Connecticut DEEP.