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2026-2027

Connecticut Deer Hunting Seasons 2026-2027

Connecticut deer dates differ by private or state land, deer management zone, permit type and named lottery area.

Last checked: 2026-08-10 Source: Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection 15 season records
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Method Dates Where Action
Private-land archery deer season Archery
All deer management zones on private land Varies by zone and tag
State-land bowhunting-only areas Archery
State lands designated as bowhunting-only areas Under Archery Permit Tags
State-land archery — first segment Archery
State lands open to regular archery deer hunting Under Archery Permit Tags
State-land archery — late segment Archery
State lands open to regular archery deer hunting Under Archery Permit Tags
State-land no-lottery deer season Firearm
State lands designated as no-lottery deer areas 1 Either Sex
Private-land shotgun, rifle and revolver deer season Firearm
Private land by deer management zone Varies by zone and tag
Landowner deer season Special
Qualifying properties of 10 or more contiguous acres 1 Either Sex and 1 Antlerless
State-land muzzleloader deer season Muzzleloader
State lands open to muzzleloader deer hunting 1 Either Sex
Private-land muzzleloader deer season Muzzleloader
Private land by deer management zone Varies by zone and tag
Archery-only deer lottery Archery
Lottery Areas 66 and 69 Under Archery Permit Tags
Deer Lottery “A” season Firearm
Area 51 — Yale-Myers Forest 1 Either Sex
Regular state-land and controlled-hunt deer lottery Firearm
Lottery Areas 26, 28, 52, 56, 58, 60, 62, 63, 64, 67 and 68 Varies by lottery area
Junior deer training days — private land Youth
Private land with written permission Under Junior Permits and Applicable Tags
Junior deer training days — state land, first segment Youth
Eligible lottery and no-lottery deer areas, subject to listed exceptions Under Junior Permits and Applicable Tags
Junior deer training days — state land, second segment Youth
Eligible lottery and no-lottery deer areas, subject to listed exceptions Under Junior Permits and Applicable Tags

Season data compiled and verified against official state sources. Regulations can change. Confirm current rules before hunting.

? Field Honest summarizes official hunting regulations for convenience. Official agency regulations remain controlling.
Season map

Connecticut deer map

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Select a mapped area for details. Map layers simplify official geography for web use.

Source detail Open official-source records Detailed notes, harvest classes, eligibility flags, and agency links.
Underlying records

Official-source season details

The quick finder above is the main view. These records keep the supporting geography, harvest notes, and source links together.

Archery

Bow, crossbow, or archery-only windows where listed. 5 seasons
Season Dates Geography Notes
Private-land archery deer season Varies by zone and tag General hunters
All deer management zones on private land private_land_zone_group

Written landowner consent is required. Sunday hunting is limited to private land and is prohibited within 40 yards of blazed public trails.

Official source
State-land bowhunting-only areas Under Archery Permit Tags General hunters Special rules
State lands designated as bowhunting-only areas special_area_group

The official interactive hunting-area map controls which properties are open.

Official source
State-land archery — first segment Under Archery Permit Tags General hunters
State lands open to regular archery deer hunting state_land_group

Bowhunting-only properties are represented separately; the official hunting-area map controls property availability.

Official source
State-land archery — late segment Under Archery Permit Tags General hunters
State lands open to regular archery deer hunting state_land_group

This is the official late state-land archery segment after the muzzleloader period.

Official source
Archery-only deer lottery Under Archery Permit Tags Archery-only Lottery Permit Holders Special rules
Lottery Areas 66 and 69 permit_area_group

Area 66 has additional MDC requirements and no access during Junior Deer Hunter Training Days; each area remains subject to its listed access conditions.

Official source

Firearm

General rifle, gun, and firearm framework seasons. 4 seasons
Season Dates Geography Notes
State-land no-lottery deer season 1 Either Sex State-land No-lottery Permit Holders Special rules
State lands designated as no-lottery deer areas permit_area_group

Open properties are determined by the official interactive hunting-area map and the required state-land no-lottery permit.

Official source
Private-land shotgun, rifle and revolver deer season Varies by zone and tag General hunters
Private land by deer management zone private_land_zone_group

Written landowner consent and method-specific permit or endorsement requirements apply; zone-specific tag limits remain controlling.

Official source
Deer Lottery “A” season 1 Either Sex Area 51 Lottery Permit Holders Special rules
Area 51 — Yale-Myers Forest permit_area

Area 51 has no access during Junior Deer Hunter Training Days and has additional ammunition and access conditions.

Official source
Regular state-land and controlled-hunt deer lottery Varies by lottery area Applicable Lottery Permit Holders Special rules
Lottery Areas 26, 28, 52, 56, 58, 60, 62, 63, 64, 67 and 68 permit_area_group

Each named lottery area retains its quota, access and special conditions; some MDC and water-company properties impose additional requirements.

Official source

Muzzleloader

Muzzleloader-only or late muzzleloader opportunities. 2 seasons
Season Dates Geography Notes
State-land muzzleloader deer season 1 Either Sex State-land Muzzleloader Permit Holders Special rules
State lands open to muzzleloader deer hunting state_land_group

The official interactive hunting-area map controls which state properties are open.

Official source
Private-land muzzleloader deer season Varies by zone and tag Private-land Muzzleloader Permit Holders
Private land by deer management zone private_land_zone_group

Written landowner consent is required; zones 2 and 4A restrict antlerless tags and other zone-specific limits remain controlling.

Official source

Youth

Youth-only, apprentice, or early youth windows. 3 seasons
Season Dates Geography Notes
Junior deer training days — private land Under Junior Permits and Applicable Tags Licensed Junior Hunters with Qualified Adult Mentors Special rules
Private land with written permission private_land

Junior hunters may hunt Sunday on private land; both junior and mentor need the permits and written consent specified by the official program.

Official source
Junior deer training days — state land, first segment Under Junior Permits and Applicable Tags Licensed Junior Hunters with Qualified Adult Mentors Special rules
Eligible lottery and no-lottery deer areas, subject to listed exceptions permit_area_group

Yale-Myers, MDC Barkhamsted East/West and MDC Nepaug Valentine/Pine Hill are closed. Centennial Watershed and Bristol Water are open only when both junior and mentor hold permits for that area.

Official source
Junior deer training days — state land, second segment Under Junior Permits and Applicable Tags Licensed Junior Hunters with Qualified Adult Mentors Special rules
Eligible lottery and no-lottery deer areas, subject to listed exceptions permit_area_group

Sunday November 8 is excluded on state land. Yale-Myers, MDC Barkhamsted East/West and MDC Nepaug Valentine/Pine Hill are closed; Centennial Watershed and Bristol Water require permits for both junior and mentor.

Official source

Special

Antlerless, CWD, urban, holiday, or other special rules. 1 season
Season Dates Geography Notes
Landowner deer season 1 Either Sex and 1 Antlerless Qualifying Landowners and Eligible Family Members under Landowner Permits Special rules
Qualifying properties of 10 or more contiguous acres eligibility_and_land_group

The official landowner permit and relationship or residency requirements control eligibility; multiple legal methods are allowed under the source rules.

Official source