October 20 Opening Day Of Small Game Season

The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has announced that Connecticut’s 2007-2008 small game hunting season will open at 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 20 for pheasant, bobwhite quail, ruffed grouse, chukar partridge, crow and cottontail rabbit. The fall firearms turkey season will open statewide on October 6 and continue through October 31. The regular duck season opens on Wednesday, October 17 in both the north and south hunting zones.

The 2007 Connecticut Hunting and Trapping Guide and the 2007-2008 Migratory Bird Hunting Guide, which contain additional information on laws, regulations, and season dates, can be obtained at any town clerk or Wildlife Division office, or they can be found on the DEP website at www.ct.gov/dep. Maps denoting many state-owned hunting areas and most permit-required hunting areas may be obtained, free-of-charge, from the DEP Wildlife Division’s office at the DEP Headquarters, located at 79 Elm Street in Hartford.

With the exception of opening day, small game hunting is allowed for most species from one-half hour before sunrise until one-half hour after sunset. Waterfowl hunting is permitted from one-half hour before sunrise until sunset.

In addition to most state forests and wildlife management areas, small game hunting will be available on a number of areas established under the permit-required hunting program. Permit-required areas are open to public hunting via a daily permit system and are made available through the cooperation of private landowners and local sportsmen’s clubs. Hunting access to some state-owned properties also is controlled on a daily basis through the permit-required program. A designated number of daily permits are available on a first-come, first-serve basis for each day of the season. Permits may be requested up to two days in advance of the day that you wish to hunt. A new, special "seasonal" access permit for Junior hunters, aged 12-15, will continue to be available for selected areas. The permit allows access during any day of the season for a Junior hunter and accompanying adult licensed hunter without the need to obtain daily hunting permits. Further details and permit forms are available from the DEP website or designated permit agents.

Sportsmen wishing to hunt any designated permit-required hunting area should consult the 2007 Connecticut Hunting and Trapping Guide for locations of vendors issuing daily permits.