Connecticut

The Constitution State is home to a variety of natural resources and a surprising amount of pursuits for sportsmen and women. With an extremely diverse landscape spanning from the coastline along the Long Island sound, to the rolling hills in the north and west, Connecticut provides an abundance of chances to explore the outdoors and engage in hunting, angling, trapping, and recreational shooting. Iconic species found in the Constitution State include whitetail deer, wild turkeys, waterfowl, and various small game such as coyotes and rabbits.

Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus

Representative Joe Courtney Representative John Larson

Connecticut Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus Leadership

Representative Patrick Boyd Representative Anne Dauphinais Senator Jeff Gordon Senator Cathy Osten

Connecticut Policy Highlights

Silhouette of hunter sitting next to hunting dog

In 2025, 2.8 million acres of private land were opened for Sunday hunting with the passage of HB 731 Sunday hunting rollbacks. 

Following the passage of HB 6034, the Caucus spearheaded legislation (HB 5360) in 2018 which expanded the
Sunday archery hunting allowances for deer on private property, ultimately authorizing it throughout the state.

deer, whitetail, wildlife-5027125.jpg

In 2015, the Caucus championed legislation (HB 6034) that was signed into law, authorizing Sunday archery
hunting for deer on private lands in deer management zones that had been deemed overpopulated by the
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

0

Paid Hunting License Holders

0

Paid Angling License Holders

$
0
.9 M

Generated for Wildlife Conservation

Connecticut Policy Briefs

No-Net-Loss

“No-Net-Loss” of public lands has become increasingly important to ensure access to public lands and waterways for current and future generations of sportsmen and women.… Read more.

Off Highway Vehicles (OHV)

In recent years, Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) use has increased rapidly across the country.The unmitigated consequences of such growth not only threatens the environmental health… Read more.
View All Connecticut Policies

Connecticut Latest News

May 12, 2025

Sunday Hunting Legislation Moving in Connecticut

Why It Matters: The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) has been actively working to advance legislation to permit expanded Sunday hunting opportunities in Connecticut. After ten years since the original bill to allow archery hunting for deer on Sundays passed, and on a bipartisan vote, a negotiated bill to expand Sunday hunting opportunities further has now…

March 31, 2025

Blue Laws Still a Barrier for Hunting in Connecticut

Why It Matters: In 1923, Connecticut enacted a prohibition on the ability to hunt on a Sunday. On March 24th, over a hundred years later, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) and fellow conservation partners testified in front of Connecticut’s Joint Committee on Environment to repeal all remaining statutory prohibitions on hunting on a Sunday (House…

December 3, 2024

New Technologies Require Modified Regulations: The Firestick in the Northeast

Why It Matters: A new technology known as “the Firestick” has created a safer, more user-friendly and consistent platform for muzzleloader hunters. As muzzleloading seasons open in the Northeast in the coming weeks, hunters have more options on how to ethically and safely harvest from afield as technology advances, but in states like Massachusetts, Rhode…

View All Connecticut News

Connecticut Reports

View All Connecticut Reports

Impact You Can See

Penalties for poaching were increased in CT and TN.

New Sunday hunting opportunities opened on nearly 30 million acres in CT and PA.