The 2024 deer season in Connecticut blends old customs with new rules. The aim? Better conservation and a better time for those who join in. First up, archery. Then, firearms and muzzleloaders have their turn, each with its own set chance and rules. These rules guide us in managing deer numbers well in all our management zones.
If you’re planning an outing in Connecticut, pay heed to the rules specific to each area. This includes regulations about baiting, attractants, and tagging. The state has brought in new tags and special permits for the betterment of wildlife and participant happiness. Tackling diseases like Chronic Wasting Disease and Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease is another step Connecticut has taken. This is done by outlawing certain practices and urging the reporting of any illness. It helps keep the deer healthy and improves the overall adventure.
The Connecticut’s Energy and Environmental Department, known as DEEP, controls the state’s hunting laws. They decide the hunting duration, number of catches, and additional regulations to keep wildlife numbers steady. Usually, the deer season in Connecticut begins in the fall and lasts into the winter.
Deer Game Schedule for Connecticut
- Archery Dates:
- Jan. 1 – Jan. 31: Private land in zones 11 and 12
- Sept. 15 – Dec. 31: Private land across all zones
- Sept. 16 – Dec. 31: State land (bowhunting only areas)
- Sept. 16 – Nov. 19: State land
- Dec. 25 – Dec. 31: State land
- Archery-only Lottery:
- Sept. 16 – Dec. 31
- State Land Lottery:
- Nov. 20 – Nov. 29: State land Lottery “A” season
- Nov. 20 – Dec. 10: State land regular lottery season
- State Land No-Lottery:
- Nov. 20 – Dec. 10
- Private Land Shotgun/Rifle/Revolver:
- Nov. 20 – Dec. 10
- Landowner:
- Nov. 1 – Dec. 31
- State Land Muzzleloader:
- Dec. 11 – Dec. 24
- Private Land Muzzleloader:
- Dec. 11 – Dec. 31
- 2024 Deer Lottery:
- Nov. 20 – Nov. 29: Lottery “A” season
- Nov. 20 – Dec. 10: Lottery regular season
- Archery-only Lottery:
- Sept. 16 – Dec. 31
Note: The January season is private land only in zones 11 and 12.
CT Deer Bag Limits
| Deer Season Types | Bag Limit |
| Archery | 2 either sex and 2 antlerless (4 total); Additional 1 either sex and 1 antlerless (2 total) during Jan. 1-31 in zones 11 and 12 |
| Archery-only Lottery | 2 either sex and 2 antlerless |
| State Land Lottery | 1 either sex on state land; variable on controlled hunt areas |
| State Land No-Lottery | 1 either sex |
| Private Land Shotgun/Rifle/Revolver | 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 |
| Landowner | 1 either sex and 1 antlerless |
| State Land Deer Muzzleloader | 1 either sex |
| Private Land Deer Muzzleloader | 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 |
CT Deer Laws
General Regulations
- Hunting Hours: Thirty minutes before sunrise to sunset.
- Archery Season A Small Game and Deer Archery Permit is required. Firearms hunters will require a Firearms Hunting License in addition to the appropriate permit specific to equipment.
- Long bows, recurved bows, or compound bows, with a minimum draw weight of 40 pounds shall be lawful vehicles for deer and turkey hunting. Crossbows shall have a minimum draw weight of 125 pounds and shall have a permanent fixed rifle-type stock. Mechanical string release devices shall be permitted.
- Arrowheads must have at least two blades, and no smaller than 7/8 inch wide. Crossbow Broadhead-tipped arrows permitted which expand on impact.
- Crossbows legal for all species. Crossbows are defined as loaded when drawn to full draw or fitted with a bolt.
- Minimum length of bolt (arrow) is 18 inches in length exclusive of broadhead. Telescopic sights permitted.
- Sunday hunting is allowed on private land in all DMZ’s with a bow, provided there are at least 40 yards from blazed hiking trails.
- There are no minimum acres for bowhunting on private land. A signed written permission slip from the landowner is mandatory, and one must carry it during the hunt.
- During archery hunting, no firearms shall be carried.
- Archery hunting shall be permitted on state lands, which may include some closed to firearms hunting. During the state land shotgun and muzzleloader seasons, state areas shall also be open to archery hunting.
- For the first portion of archery season, running from Nov. 20 – Dec. 31, archers are required to wear 400 square inches of fluorescent orange. Orange may be removed if hunting from a tree stand at least 10 feet off the ground.
- During the early and late archery seasons, decoys are permitted, but must be covered with at least 400 square inches of fluorescent orange while transporting. No decoys are allowed Nov. 20 – Dec. 31.
- Tagging and reporting for all harvests
- Junior Hunter Training Days, Department of Natural Resources will be conducting from Nov. 9 through Nov. 16, 2024, except Sunday.
- This would also include 12, 16, or 20 gauge breech-loading shotguns with a soft alloy projectile. Muzzleloaders are permitted but no shotgun shall contain more than three shells.
- Centerfire rifles of 6mm (.243 caliber) or larger and revolvers of .357 caliber or larger are permitted only on private landholdings of 10 or more acres when the owner has given permission for their use.
- Telescopic sights and shotgun converters may be used on muzzleloaders.
- A Free Landowner Permit is available for an owner of 10 or more acres of contiguous land and the owner’s family members. If the landowner does not have a residence on the qualifying property, then the landowner must have a proper hunting license. Fluorescent orange is not necessary for the landowner hunting on their property but is required of their family members.
- Replacement tags also exist for archery, state land, private land, and landowner permits.
- A handful of state land permits exist in a lottery on some properties, and hunters may buy just one state land shotgun deer permit-only from a lottery or no-lottery.
- For revolver hunting, a Firearms Hunting License, Private Land Shotgun/Rifle Permit, and Revolver Deer Endorsement are necessary.
- There are no minimum acreage requirements for muzzleloader hunting on private or state land
- In some seasons and situations, fluorescent orange clothing is required.
Additional Regulations
- Replacement Tags: Issued in zones 11 and 12. To replace one, call in your harvest within 24 hours, present the carcass or head to a check station within 72 hours and mail in the original tag. “Earn-a-Buck” tags are issued after harvesting three antlerless deer taken on private land.
- Prohibited Activities: All actions using dogs, vehicle or artificial light; baiting; use of decoy during the seasons; hunting of spotted fawns using natural products containing urine contents.
- Attractants : Legal attractants include decoys during early and late archery seasons, some scent attractants minus edible substances, sound attractants, and hunting over planted fields. In private properties within particular areas, minerals, and artificial or natural foods can be employed.
- Tagging and Transporting: Replacement tags may be picked up at check stations in zones 11 and 12. All other deer are to be reported within 24 hours by phone or internet.
- Surveys can be done for data on deer hunting activities. One can participate, even if no hunting takes place.
- Tree Stands: Permanent stands that damage trees are not permitted. Portable stands are acceptable and should be taken out at the end of the season by the individual. A safety harness is highly recommended
- Harvested deer may be taken legally if they are collared. The harvesting party is encouraged to submit the harvest report to the DEEP Wildlife Division if the collar is encountered.
- Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD): EHD causes swelling and hemorrhaging. Outbreaks most often occur in late summer and fall. Dead and dying deer appear along waterways; contact DEEP for details.
- Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD): The importation into Connecticut of carcasses of deer or elk originating from areas known to have CWD is prohibited except for meat that has been de-boned. To date, no case of CWD has been confirmed in the state’s deer population. Hunters may submit heads for testing.
- Special Permit Access: Archery hunting is permitted by special permit on specific properties of Aquarion Water Company. Permits are issued June 1st annually.
Top Connecticut Deer Hunting Locations
Northwest Connecticut is known for rich large game populations and rugged landmass. Naugatuck State Forest and Canaan Mountain State Park are also among the places that attract many trophy hunters. Open fields mixed with hardwood forest and rocky outcroppings-cool habitat make up this mix.
Northeast Connecticut has also got a rich hunting potential. In particular, Quinebaug River Wildlife Management Area and Salmon River State Forest have gained good reputations for wildlife. Wetlands, forest lands, and crop fields are found in large numbers in these areas, thus attracting game throughout the year.
Central Connecticut, state forests, and wildlife management areas share the same interests with private lands. For all those people seeking a hunt with challenging terrain but moderate numbers, the Pequabuck River Wildlife Management Area and Talcott Mountain State Park are good options.
The most productive hunting areas for the state are in western Connecticut. There are heavy populations, challenging conditions, and a lot of it located in Goshen Wildlife Management Area and Kent State Forest. There is a good mix of hardwood forests, wetlands, and agricultural fields.
There are not as many hunters who know of southern Connecticut, and yet wonderful opportunities abound. Hunters looking for a rather more relaxed hunting experience, similar to that found at Sleeping Giant State Park and Hammonasset State Park. Rich in their scenery, these places have wide forests, wetlands, and coastal areas where games come to visit throughout the year.
