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Hunting Seasons in Connecticut 2025: Big Game and Small Game, Licenses, and Regulations Guide
Plan your 2025–26 CT hunt with our state‑by‑state guide—season dates, bag limits, licenses, bow & rifle rules, and key game species from white‑tailed deer to wild turkey to ducks. Whether you’re slipping through oak‑maple woodlands for early‑season archery, stalking fall turkey gobblers in tidal marsh edges, or setting decoys for teal in flooded impoundments, Connecticut delivers diverse big game and small game opportunities under clear state regulations.
What Is There to Hunt in Connecticut?
Connecticut’s mixed uplands and coastal lowlands support:
Big Game: White‑tailed deer, wild turkey, black bear (limited draw)
Small Game & Upland Birds: Cottontail rabbit, gray squirrel, ruffed grouse, woodcock, bobwhite quail (stocked in select WMAs)
Waterfowl & Migratory Birds: Ducks (teal, mallard), geese, coots, rails, mourning dove
Furbearers & Predators: Coyote, raccoon, fox, beaver, muskrat, mink
From rolling hills to Long Island Sound marshes, Connecticut’s habitats foster healthy game populations and accessible hunting zones.
What Animals Can You Hunt Year‑Round in Connecticut?
On private lands, unprotected or nuisance species such as coyote, groundhog, raccoon, and beaver carry no closed season and no bag limits, offering off‑season predator‑control and trapping opportunities. Public‑land hunts must adhere to hunting and trapping seasons as outlined by DEEP.
Connecticut Big Game Hunting Seasons 2025–26
White‑Tailed Deer
Archery: Sept 20 – Nov 7, 2025
Youth & Apprentice Weekend: Nov 8 – 9, 2025
Muzzleloader: Nov 10 – 16, 2025
Rifle: Nov 17 – Dec 14, 2025
Late Bow: Dec 15 – Dec 31, 2025
Deer seasons in Connecticut blend archery, muzzleloader, and rifle windows. Hunters must follow bag limits—one antlered buck per season—and report harvests electronically.
Wild Turkey (Spring)
Season: Apr 18 – May 31, 2026
Youth Hunt: Apr 11 – 17, 2026
Fall Turkey (Youth Only): Sept 19 – 21, 2025
Spring turkey hunts emphasize shotgun and archery techniques. Youth hunts and fall youth seasons promote hunter education and early-season success.
Black Bear
Controlled Draw: Nov 1 – Nov 30, 2025 (limited permit)
Black bear hunts require draw permits, with strict tagging and reporting to maintain healthy bear populations in Connecticut’s northern hills.
Connecticut Small Game & Waterfowl Seasons 2025–26
Small Game & Upland Birds
Cottontail Rabbit & Squirrel: Sept 1 – Mar 31, 2026
Ruffed Grouse: Oct 1 – Jan 15, 2026
Woodcock: Oct 1 – Nov 22, 2025
Bobwhite Quail: Oct 1 – Dec 31, 2025 (WMAs only)
Walk woodland ridges for grouse and woodcock, or patrol fields for quail and rabbits, observing shotgun and non-toxic shot regulations.
Waterfowl & Migratory Birds
Duck & Goose Seasons: Oct 26 – Jan 31, 2026
Youth Waterfowl Day: Oct 18 – 19, 2025
Rails & Coots: Sept 1 – Nov 7, 2025
Mourning Dove: Sept 1 – Nov 9, 2025
Shooting Hours: ½ hour before sunrise to sunset
Connecticut’s coastal marshes and inland impoundments host peak waterfowl migrations. Hunters need HIP registration, federal duck stamps, and a state license.
Bag Limits by Species
White‑Tailed Deer: 1 antlered buck per season
Wild Turkey: 1 gobbler per spring season
Bobwhite Quail: 3 per day; 6 in possession
Ruffed Grouse & Woodcock: 3 per day; 9 in possession
Ducks: 6 per day; species sub‑limits apply
Geese: 2 per day; specific zones may vary
Mourning Dove: 15 per day; 45 in possession
Coyote & Furbearers: No limits on private lands
Bag limits support sustainable wildlife populations and fair-chase principles across the state’s diverse habitats.
License & Tags Information for Connecticut Hunters (2025–26)
All hunters must hold the appropriate DEEP hunting license and add-on permits:
Small Game License: $26 (resident); $170 (non-resident)
Big Game License: $26 + Deer Permit $25 + Turkey Permit $26
Black Bear Permit: $75 (draw only)
Migratory Bird Permits & HIP: Required for waterfowl and doves
Hunter Education Certification: Mandatory for first-time and youth hunters
Licenses fund wildlife management, habitat conservation, and enforcement. Apply early for draw hunts and confirm permit availability.
Hunting Methods: Bow, Rifle, Muzzleloader
Connecticut permits:
Archery: Compound bows, recurve bows, crossbows (archery season only)
Firearms: Shotguns for turkey and waterfowl; rifles and muzzleloaders during deer seasons
Dogs & Bait: Allowed for turkey and waterfowl in specific zones; check WMA rules
Complying with weapon restrictions and use of non-toxic shot in wetlands ensures safety and conservation compliance.
Regulations & Resources
Connecticut DEEP regulations outline:
Shooting Hours: ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset (waterfowl sunrise to sunset)
WMA Boundaries: Defined for small game and waterfowl; maps available online
Harvest Reporting: Deer and turkey harvests must be reported within 48 hours
Special Zones: Coastal refuges, wildlife management areas, and conservation areas
Before you head out, always verify season dates, bag limits, and license requirements on the official Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection website to stay compliant and ensure a legal, ethical hunt.
This guide was created based on information from the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (CDEEP): https://portal.ct.gov/deep/hunting/ct-hunting-and-trapping
From coastal marsh waterfowl hunts to hardwood forest deer and turkey seasons, Connecticut offers well-timed, sustainable hunts across its varied landscapes. Secure the proper licenses and permits, review current regulations, and prepare for an ethical, successful 2025–26 hunting season in the Constitution State.
Nikki Boxler – Female Hunting Influencer & Outdoor Content Creator | Whitetail, Turkey & Big Game Hunts in NY
Explore the outdoor lifestyle of Nikki Boxler — a leading female hunting influencer from New York. Learn about her whitetail deer hunts, favorite weapons, top trophies, and ethical hunting approach.
Nikki Boxler is one of the most recognized female hunting influencers in America today. With a strong background in marketing, deep rural roots, and a lifelong passion for the outdoors, Nikki has successfully built a career that bridges big-game hunting, digital content creation, and brand ambassadorship. Her journey from growing up on a New York dairy farm to becoming a nationally respected outdoor personality highlights her unique combination of tradition, innovation, and authenticity.
From Farm to Fame: Nikki Boxler’s Background and Education
Raised on her family’s multi-generational dairy and maple syrup farm in Western New York, Nikki Boxler developed a strong bond with nature and outdoor living from an early age. This rural upbringing instilled in her not just a love for the land, but also values of hard work, responsibility, and respect for wildlife.
Nikki went on to earn her Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing and International Business from the prestigious Rochester Institute of Technology. Her time at RIT cemented her passion for marketing and content creation. Combining these skills with her passion for the outdoors set the stage for her rise as a social media influencer and lifestyle blogger in the hunting community.
Hunting Style: Ethical, Tactical, and Family-Driven
When it comes to the question, "How does Nikki Boxler prefer to hunt?" the answer lies in balance. Nikki is a strong advocate of ethical hunting practices, proper marksmanship, and preparedness. She often emphasizes fitness, patience, and tactical awareness as key components to successful hunts.
Whether she’s stalking whitetail deer from elevated treestands or calling in spring gobblers, Nikki blends modern gear with time-tested tactics. Her hunting style is focused, respectful, and strategic, and it resonates with a large community of both male and female hunters.
Favorite Game Species and Hunting Grounds
Nikki Boxler primarily hunts whitetail deer, wild turkey, and waterfowl — species that are abundant in the forests and farmland of Western New York. Her hunts often take place on her family’s private land, which allows her to apply advanced land management strategies and game tracking methods.
She also shares insights into scouting with trail cameras, land stewardship, and habitat management, making her content especially valuable for hunters who want to improve their long-term success on private property.
Top Trophy Harvests and Memorable Hunts
Among her most notable trophies are mature 8-point and 10-point bucks taken with precision shots during New York's deer season. Nikki also shares her experiences catching muskies — one of North America’s most elusive freshwater predators. Her dedication to responsible game management and clean harvests makes her a trusted voice in the community.
Each of her successful hunts is accompanied by behind-the-scenes content — from pre-season preparation to post-hunt processing — giving followers a full-circle view of ethical and sustainable hunting.
Favorite Hunting Weapons and Gear
When it comes to gear, Nikki Boxler relies on trusted and proven equipment. She is a proud partner of Winchester and frequently uses:
Winchester Deer Season XP rifle ammunition for big game
Winchester M&P Shield 2.0 for personal defense
Realtree camouflage apparel for concealment and comfort
Wiley X ballistic eyewear for safety and vision clarity
Her gear recommendations focus on both performance and safety, with special attention to women's fit and functionality in the field.
Digital Presence and Brand Collaborations
With over 100,000 engaged followers on Instagram (@nikkiboxler), Nikki is a prominent voice in outdoor lifestyle marketing. She collaborates with leading brands like:
Winchester Ammunition
Realtree
Wiley X
NRA Women
She regularly produces sponsored content, hunting tutorials, wild game cooking recipes, and motivational posts that inspire people to pursue the outdoor lifestyle. Nikki also stars in episodes of Winchester Life, where she showcases her real-world hunting experiences in beautifully shot video segments.
Why Nikki Boxler Stands Out in the Hunting Community
Nikki represents a new generation of female hunters who are redefining the image of modern outdoorsmanship. She is not only a hunter, but a farmer, businesswoman, and fitness enthusiast. Her approachable personality, educational content, and commitment to conservation make her profile a valuable resource for hunters of all experience levels.
Nikki Boxler's Instagram (102k followers): @nikkiboxler
