New Hunting Law Changes effective August 27, 2013
Posted on: September 18, 2013 - 1:09pm
ATTENTION HUNTERS !
NEW! On September 28, 2013 the DEEP and Friends of Sessions Woods will be hosting Hunting & Fishing Appreciation Day at the Sessions Woods Wildlife Management Area in Burlinton. Fun activities for all ages are planned along with educational programs and workshops about hunting and fishing. Best of all, the event is free to attend.
NEW! State Land Shotgun Deer Hunting - The state land deer lottery selection process closed on
August 31, 2012. Starting September 15th any unsold lottery permits will be available on a first-come-
first-served basis to hunters who have not yet purchased a state land shotgun deer permit. These permits
can be purchased on-line or at DEEP Offices.
NEW! Proposed hunting and trapping regulations were approved on August 27, 2013. The new regulations will be effective for the coming fall seasons. Changes include legalizing crossbows for all archery hunters, expansion of youth hunter training opportunities, use of muzzleloaders as a lesser weapon, fluorescent orange exemption for coyote/fox hunters, adjustments to the crow season dates and establishing seasons, bag limits and other restrictions regarding the take of snapping turtles.
NEW! Hunting and Connecticut's Gun Laws: Common questions and answers about how Connecticut's new gun laws may affect hunters. There area a number of important changes to existing hunting and trapping regulations that were approved by the Legislative Regulations Review Committee on August 27, 2013. The regulations will be effective before the star of the fall 2013 hunting seasons. Among the approved changes are the following:
- Allow all hunters to use crossbows for all seasons and species. Remove obsolete arrow weight specifications and change
definition of loaded crossbow. - Allow the use of muzzleloaders during the shotgun/rifle deer season on state and private land.
- Increase the number of youth deer and turkey hunting days from two days to seven days (Saturday to Saturday). Define the level
of supervision required by mentors. - Provide an exemption from hunter orange for coyote/fox hunters when hunting from a blind except during the firearms deer and
fall turkey seasons. - Allow the use of dogs for hunting turkeys in the fall on private land.
- Changes to season for hunting crows (August 10 - November 30 on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday only and January 11 -
March 29). - Changes methods for tagging birds taken at field dog trials, shooting preserves and dog training events.
- Shorten by one week the two-week closure prior to opening day of small game. Allow coyote hunting during the closure.
- Provide internet or telephone reporting for coyote/fox harvest by hunters.
- Allow use of replacement deer tags on certain state lands.
- Establish seasons, bag/size limits and other restrictions for the taking of snapping turtles.
Additional details are available on the DEEP website main "Hunting and Trapping" page at CT Hunting and Trapping