Regulations change. Always confirm with the official state fish and wildlife agency before you hunt or fish. This site is an unofficial index, not legal advice. Each fact shows its source and the date we last read it.
Connecticut: 2026 hunting seasons, license rules and official links
Run by: CT DEEP (Dept. of Energy and Environmental Protection). Below are the 2026 deer season dates, selected fall turkey, bear and small game dates, and license rules we could read on official pages. It is not a full list of seasons: waterfowl, other small game, trapping and fishing rules are on the official pages linked below.
2026 deer seasons
| Season | Dates (inclusive) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Archery deer, private land (all zones) | Sep 15, 2026 to Dec 31, 2026 | Zones 11 and 12 private land also open Jan 1-31, 2027. State land is Sept 15-Nov 17 and Dec 23-31. |
| Shotgun/rifle/revolver deer, private land | Nov 18, 2026 to Dec 8, 2026 | Landowner season runs Nov 1-Dec 31. State land lottery and no-lottery seasons also start Nov 18. |
| Junior Deer Hunter Training Days | Nov 7, 2026 to Nov 14, 2026 | Excluding Sunday on state land. Junior hunters with firearms deer permits may hunt with firearms. |
| Muzzleloader deer, private land | Dec 9, 2026 to Dec 31, 2026 | State land muzzleloader is Dec 9-22. |
Source: CT DEEP: 2026 Hunting Season Summary (PDF). Last verified Oct 17, 2026. Dates can vary by zone, unit or land type; check the official page for your location.
Other fall 2026 seasons: turkey, bear and small game
| Season | Dates (inclusive) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fall turkey, firearms (state and private land) | Oct 3, 2026 to Oct 31, 2026 | |
| Fall turkey, archery (private land, all zones) | Sep 15, 2026 to Dec 31, 2026 | Zones 11 and 12 private land also Jan 1-31, 2027. State land Sept 15-Nov 17 and Dec 23-31. |
| Pheasant | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 31, 2026 | Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamp required. |
| Ruffed grouse | Oct 17, 2026 to Nov 30, 2026 | |
| Gray squirrel | Sep 1, 2026 to Dec 31, 2026 |
Source: CT DEEP: 2026 Hunting Season Summary (PDF). Last verified Oct 17, 2026. Licenses, permits or stamps may be required for each species; check the official page.
Good to know before you buy a license or head out
- Sunday hunting is allowed on private land only: hunting that is in season may take place on Sundays under the same private-land rules as the rest of the week, except no Sunday hunting for migratory birds and none within 40 yards of a blazed public trail. Sunday hunting on state and public lands and waterways remains closed. For deer, this covers the archery, firearms, landowner and muzzleloader seasons with the implements legal for each.
Source: CT DEEP: fall turkey, pheasant and small game opening days (news release, Oct 2, 2026). Last verified Oct 17, 2026. - Since Oct 1, 2026, small game hunters need only verbal landowner permission on Sundays on private land, matching the other days of the week. Deer and turkey hunters still need written permission on the official form.
Source: CT DEEP: fall turkey, pheasant and small game opening days (news release, Oct 2, 2026). Last verified Oct 17, 2026. - Private-land deer and turkey hunters must have written landowner permission on the official form, signed and dated for the current season.
Source: CT DEEP: 2026 hunting and trapping guide (news release and guide). Last verified Oct 17, 2026. - A current firearms hunting license is required to buy a firearms deer permit. State-land deer lottery applications opened Jan 2, 2026; people not drawn can still buy a state-land no-lottery permit, but not both.
Source: CT DEEP: hunting and trapping licenses. Last verified Oct 17, 2026.
Official links (Connecticut)
- Hunting (DEEP)
- Deer hunting (2026 guide page)
- Hunting and trapping licenses
- 2026 hunting season summary (PDF)
- Fall turkey, pheasant and small game opening days, Sunday rules (news release, Oct 2, 2026)
- Fishing (DEEP)
- State parks (DEEP)
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