By Brent Miller, Senior Director, Northeastern States
On June 1, HB 5360 was sent to Connecticut Governor Dan Malloy for his consideration. The bill would expand Sunday deer hunting opportunities for hunters in the Nutmeg State, among other provisions.
In 2015, legislation championed by the Connecticut Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus was signed into law, which allowed Sunday hunting for deer with archery tackle. However, provisions in the legislation only granted such allowances in deer management zones that have been deemed overpopulated by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (at the time, 11 of 13 zones). This legislation removes those stipulations, allowing Sunday bow hunting for deer on private property throughout the state, provided the hunter obtains written permission from the landowner and does not hunt within 40 yards of a blazed hiking trail.
Governor Malloy will either sign this bill into law or veto it before June 15.
Studies conducted at both the state and federal level have found that the number of hunters and trappers have been on a generally declining trend over the past several decades. To increase recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) of hunters and trappers, which initiative do you think would have the greatest impact?
