Community Corner

Deer, Turkey Season Has Begun; Crossbow Hunting Now Legal

Archery hunting season opens Sept. 16 in designated areas.

By Aaron Boyd

Connecticut’s deer and turkey hunting season opened Monday and for the first time crossbows will be allowed as well as traditional bowhunting. 

The hunting season is open in specific areas (designated state land or private property with written permission from the owners) from Sept. 16 through Jan. 31.

All archery hunters must take the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Bowhunter Education course and carry a hunting permit at all times.

Hunters are also required to fill out and sign a Harvest Tag for every kill, to be kept with the animal until processed. Copies of the Harvest Tags are available on the DEEP website.

“Although there are good deer hunting opportunities throughout most of Connecticut, the southwest corner of the state and many of the shoreline towns provide the best opportunities, especially for bowhunters,” according to Deer/Turkey Program biologist with the DEEP Wildlife Division Michael Gregonis. 

The 2013 hunting season is also helped by a smaller than usual acorn crop this year, which means deer will have to travel more and further to forage, giving hunters more opportunities. 

Gregonis said the DEEP has expanded the deer hunting season over the years, particularly in Fairfield County, as a means of lowering the deer populations.

“Many landowners use the archery deer hunting season as a safe and effective method of reducing deer populations,” he said. “Especially in the more developed areas of the state where firearms hunting may not be feasible.”


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