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Connecticut Hunting Season Dates 2026–27

Season openers, closers, and tag requirements by species. Always confirm against CT Dept of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) before you hunt. Dates can change.

License: resident $26 · nonresident $170. Species tags and permits are extra. See each section below.

White-tailed Deer Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Archery - private land, all zones: Private landSep 15, 2026Dec 31, 2026Small Game and Deer Archery Permit
Archery - state land Bowhunting Only Areas: State land - Bowhunting Only AreasSep 15, 2026Dec 31, 2026Small Game and Deer Archery Permit
Archery - state land (first segment): State landSep 15, 2026Nov 17, 2026Small Game and Deer Archery Permit
Archery - state land (second segment): State landDec 23, 2026Dec 31, 2026Small Game and Deer Archery Permit
Archery-only Lottery (controlled hunt areas)Sep 15, 2026Dec 31, 2026Archery Deer/Small Game Licence + Archery-only Lottery Permit
Shotgun/Rifle/Revolver - private land: Private landNov 18, 2026Dec 8, 2026Firearms Licence + Private Land Shotgun/Rifle Deer Permit (+ Revolver Endorsement)
Shotgun - state land, No-Lottery season: State landNov 18, 2026Dec 8, 2026Firearms Licence + State Land No-Lottery Permit
Shotgun - state land Lottery 'A' season: State landNov 18, 2026Nov 27, 2026Firearms Licence + State Land Lottery Permit
Shotgun - state land and controlled hunt Lottery regular season: State landNov 18, 2026Dec 8, 2026Firearms Licence + State Land or Controlled Hunt Lottery Permit
Landowner season: Private landNov 1, 2026Dec 31, 2026Free Landowner Deer Permit (10+ contiguous acres)
Muzzleloader - private land: Private landDec 9, 2026Dec 31, 2026Firearms Licence + Private Land Muzzleloader Deer Permit
Muzzleloader - state land: State landDec 9, 2026Dec 22, 2026Firearms Licence + State Land Muzzleloader Deer Permit
Junior Deer Hunter Training DaysNov 7, 2026Nov 14, 2026Junior Licence + firearms deer permit (excluding Sunday on state land)

Wild Turkey Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Fall Archery - private land, all zones: Private landSep 15, 2026Dec 31, 2026Archery Permit + Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamp
Fall Archery - state land Bowhunting Only Areas: State land - Bowhunting Only AreasSep 15, 2026Dec 31, 2026Archery Permit + Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamp
Fall Archery - state land (first segment): State landSep 15, 2026Nov 17, 2026Archery Permit + Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamp
Fall Archery - state land (second segment): State landDec 23, 2026Dec 31, 2026Archery Permit + Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamp
Fall Firearms - state and private landOct 3, 2026Oct 31, 2026Firearms Licence + Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamp

Beaver Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
TrappingDec 1, 2026Dec 31, 2026Trapping Licence

Coyote Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Hunting - no closed seasonJan 1, 2026Dec 31, 2026Firearms or Archery Licence
TrappingNov 8, 2026Dec 31, 2026Trapping Licence

Crow Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Late summer segment (Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays only)Aug 8, 2026Oct 9, 2026Licence + CT Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp
Autumn segment (Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays only)Oct 17, 2026Nov 28, 2026Licence + CT Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp
Winter segment (Mondays through Saturdays)Dec 21, 2026Mar 20, 2027Licence + CT Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp

Fisher Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
TrappingNov 20, 2026Dec 31, 2026Trapping Licence

Red and Gray Fox Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
HuntingOct 17, 2026Dec 31, 2026Firearms or Archery Licence
TrappingNov 8, 2026Dec 31, 2026Trapping Licence

Ruffed Grouse Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
RegularOct 17, 2026Nov 30, 2026Firearms or Archery Licence + Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamp

Mink Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
TrappingNov 8, 2026Dec 31, 2026Trapping Licence

Muskrat Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
TrappingNov 8, 2026Dec 31, 2026Trapping Licence

Opossum Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
HuntingOct 17, 2026Dec 31, 2026Firearms or Archery Licence
TrappingNov 8, 2026Dec 31, 2026Trapping Licence

River Otter Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
TrappingNov 8, 2026Dec 31, 2026Trapping Licence

Chukar and Hungarian Partridge Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
RegularOct 17, 2026Dec 31, 2026Firearms or Archery Licence + Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamp

Ring-necked Pheasant Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
RegularOct 17, 2026Dec 31, 2026Firearms or Archery Licence + Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamp
Junior Pheasant Hunter Training DayOct 10, 2026Oct 10, 2026Junior Licence + Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamp

Bobwhite Quail Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
RegularOct 17, 2026Oct 31, 2026Firearms or Archery Licence + Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamp
Extended season - designated areasOct 17, 2026Dec 31, 2026Firearms or Archery Licence + Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamp

Rabbit & Hare Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Cottontail - regularOct 17, 2026Dec 31, 2026Firearms or Archery Licence
European Hare - regularOct 17, 2026Dec 31, 2026Firearms or Archery Licence
Cottontail - trappingNov 8, 2026Dec 31, 2026Trapping Licence
Snowshoe Hare: RegularNov 21, 2026Dec 31, 2026Firearms or Archery Licence

Raccoon Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
HuntingOct 17, 2026Dec 31, 2026Firearms or Archery Licence
TrappingNov 8, 2026Dec 31, 2026Trapping Licence

Rails (Virginia, Sora, Clapper and King) Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Regular (first segment)Sep 1, 2026Oct 15, 2026Licence + CT Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp
Regular (second segment)Oct 23, 2026Nov 27, 2026Licence + CT Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp

Striped Skunk Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
TrappingNov 8, 2026Dec 31, 2026Trapping Licence

Wilson's Snipe Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Regular (first segment)Sep 1, 2026Oct 10, 2026Licence + CT Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp
Regular (second segment)Oct 17, 2026Jan 8, 2027Licence + CT Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp

Gray Squirrel Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
RegularSep 1, 2026Dec 31, 2026Firearms or Archery Licence

Waterfowl (Ducks, Mergansers, Coots, Geese and Brant) Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Ducks, mergansers and coots - early, North Zone: Waterfowl North ZoneOct 10, 2026Oct 17, 2026Licence + CT Migratory Bird Stamp + Federal Duck Stamp
Ducks, mergansers and coots - early, South Zone: Waterfowl South ZoneOct 10, 2026Oct 12, 2026Licence + CT Migratory Bird Stamp + Federal Duck Stamp
Ducks, mergansers and coots - late first split, North Zone: Waterfowl North ZoneNov 7, 2026Nov 11, 2026Licence + CT Migratory Bird Stamp + Federal Duck Stamp
Ducks, mergansers and coots - late second split, North Zone: Waterfowl North ZoneNov 14, 2026Jan 9, 2027Licence + CT Migratory Bird Stamp + Federal Duck Stamp
Ducks, mergansers and coots - late first split, South Zone (single day): Waterfowl South ZoneNov 11, 2026Nov 11, 2026Licence + CT Migratory Bird Stamp + Federal Duck Stamp
Ducks, mergansers and coots - late second split, South Zone: Waterfowl South ZoneNov 14, 2026Jan 19, 2027Licence + CT Migratory Bird Stamp + Federal Duck Stamp
Canada Goose - Special September Season, North Zone: Waterfowl North ZoneSep 1, 2026Sep 30, 2026Licence + CT Migratory Bird Stamp + Federal Duck Stamp
Canada Goose - Special September Season, South Zone: Waterfowl South ZoneSep 15, 2026Sep 30, 2026Licence + CT Migratory Bird Stamp + Federal Duck Stamp
Canada Goose - AP Unit regular (first segment): Canada goose AP UnitOct 10, 2026Oct 17, 2026Licence + CT Migratory Bird Stamp + Federal Duck Stamp
Canada Goose - AP Unit regular (second segment): Canada goose AP UnitNov 21, 2026Dec 14, 2026Licence + CT Migratory Bird Stamp + Federal Duck Stamp
Canada Goose - AP Unit late season: Canada goose AP UnitDec 15, 2026Feb 13, 2027Licence + CT Migratory Bird Stamp + Federal Duck Stamp
Canada Goose - AFRP Unit regular (first segment): Canada goose AFRP UnitOct 10, 2026Oct 17, 2026Licence + CT Migratory Bird Stamp + Federal Duck Stamp
Canada Goose - AFRP Unit regular (second segment): Canada goose AFRP UnitNov 21, 2026Feb 13, 2027Licence + CT Migratory Bird Stamp + Federal Duck Stamp
Canada Goose - NAP-H Unit regular, North Zone (first segment): Canada goose NAP-H UnitOct 10, 2026Oct 17, 2026Licence + CT Migratory Bird Stamp + Federal Duck Stamp
Canada Goose - NAP-H Unit regular, North Zone (second segment): Canada goose NAP-H UnitNov 10, 2026Jan 9, 2027Licence + CT Migratory Bird Stamp + Federal Duck Stamp
Canada Goose - NAP-H Unit regular, South Zone (first segment): Canada goose NAP-H UnitOct 10, 2026Oct 12, 2026Licence + CT Migratory Bird Stamp + Federal Duck Stamp
Canada Goose - NAP-H Unit regular, South Zone (second segment): Canada goose NAP-H UnitNov 9, 2026Jan 14, 2027Licence + CT Migratory Bird Stamp + Federal Duck Stamp
Canada Goose - NAP-H late season (South Zone east of the Quinnipiac): Canada goose NAP-H late season areaJan 15, 2027Feb 13, 2027Licence + 2027 CT Migratory Bird Stamp + Federal Duck Stamp
Snow Goose (including Blue Goose) - first segment, both zonesOct 1, 2026Jan 9, 2027Licence + CT Migratory Bird Stamp + Federal Duck Stamp
Snow Goose (including Blue Goose) - second segment, both zonesFeb 16, 2027Mar 10, 2027Licence + CT Migratory Bird Stamp + Federal Duck Stamp
Brant - North Zone: Waterfowl North ZoneDec 7, 2026Jan 9, 2027Licence + CT Migratory Bird Stamp + Federal Duck Stamp
Brant - South Zone: Waterfowl South ZoneDec 16, 2026Jan 19, 2027Licence + CT Migratory Bird Stamp + Federal Duck Stamp
Junior Waterfowl Hunter Training Day 1Oct 3, 2026Oct 3, 2026Junior small game licence + 2026 CT Migratory Bird Stamp
Junior Waterfowl Hunter Training Day 2Oct 31, 2026Oct 31, 2026Junior small game licence + 2026 CT Migratory Bird Stamp

Weasel Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
TrappingNov 8, 2026Dec 31, 2026Trapping Licence

Woodchuck Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
RegularMar 15, 2026Nov 15, 2026Firearms or Archery Licence

American Woodcock Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
RegularOct 22, 2026Dec 12, 2026Licence + CT Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp
Verify before you hunt. These dates are compiled for planning and can change between when they're published and when the season opens, and many states vary dates by unit, zone, or WMU. Always confirm with CT Dept of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) before heading out. Nothing here is legal advice.
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