DEEP Announces Opening Days of Fall Turkey, Pheasant, and Small Game Hunting Seasons

Press Releases 09/29/2025 DEEP Announces Opening Days of Fall Turkey, Pheasant, and Small Game Hunting Seasons Firearms Turkey Season Opens October 4; Pheasant and Small Game Seasons Open on October 18 (HARTFORD) - Connecticut's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has announced the Opening Days of the following fall hunting seasons: The firearms turkey season opens Saturday, October 4 and continues through October 31. The seasons for pheasant and a variety of small game open on Saturday, October 18. Season closing dates vary by species, see the 2025 Connecticut Hunting and Trapping Guide for more details. Hunting is a unique way to connect with Connecticut's natural resources, giving participants the chance to enjoy the outdoors while also harvesting locally sourced, sustainable food. DEEP offers several resources for individuals interested in learning more about hunting, including the Hunter Highlights newsletter and the Hunting Roadmap. Junior Pheasant Hunter Training Day is Saturday, October 11, 2025. On this special day, experienced adult hunters are encouraged to take a youth hunting, helping them learn safe and effective hunting practices, develop observational skills, and discover a passion for hunting and the outdoors. Hunters must complete a Hunter Safety Course conducted by the Connecticut Conservation Education/Firearms Safety (CE/FS) Program prior to obtaining a hunting license. The CE/FS Program and several local sportsmen's clubs will offer mentored junior pheasant hunts on Junior Pheasant Hunter Training Day and additional dates in the fall. These events are held free of charge for hunters between 12 and 15 years of age. Pre-registration is required. Sunday Hunting on Private Lands: A new law passed during the 2025 Connecticut Legislative Session will provide additional opportunities for Sunday hunting on private lands beginning October 1, 2025. Prior to October 1, 2025, Sunday hunting rules remain status quo: the only type of hunting permitted on Sundays is archery hunting for deer on private lands, and deer archery hunters may not hunt within 40 yards of a blazed trail on Sundays. Beginning on October 1, 2025, when the new Sunday hunting law goes into effect, and going forward from that date, all hunting that is currently in season will be allowed on Sundays on private lands, subject to the same rules for private lands that are in place during the rest of the week, with the following exceptions: Hunters may not hunt on Sundays for migratory birds. Hunters may not hunt on Sundays within 40 yards of a blazed trail open to the public. "DEEP applauds the Connecticut General Assembly for expanding Sunday hunting opportunities," said DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes. "By giving hunters more opportunities on weekends, this law supports one of DEEP's top priorities - creating equitable access to the outdoors." An updated permission form for Sunday hunting for deer and turkey hunters. DEEP reminds hunters that the new Sunday hunting law only applies to private lands, and Sunday hunting on state and public lands and waterways remains closed. Wear Fluorescent Orange: Hunters are required to wear fluorescent orange while participating in most hunting activities. DEEP also highly recommends that everyone visiting state lands wear an article of fluorescent orange clothing (e.g., vest or hat) during the hunting season to maintain a safe outdoor environment for everyone. Bowhunters are reminded that they must wear 400 square inches of fluorescent orange while walking to and from their tree stands during the firearms deer hunting season. However, once in a tree stand elevated at least 10 feet off the ground, bowhunters may remove fluorescent orange clothing. Hunters: Take Precautions Against Mosquitoes and Ticks The State Mosquito Management Program has warned Connecticut residents about the risk of infection by West Nile virus (WNV) and eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) this season. Residents are advised to take proper precautions against mosquito bites and to avoid being outdoors from dusk to dawn. Precautions include applying insect repellent and covering bare skin. More information about WNV and EEE, precautions against mosquito bites, the latest mosquito test results, and incidences of human infection can be found on the State of Connecticut Mosquito Management Program website. Hunters and other outdoor users also are advised to take precautions against ticks by wearing light-colored clothing and tucking pants into socks. Use a repellent that repels both mosquitoes and ticks (ones that contain DEET are the most effective) and consider wearing permethrin-treated clothing. Carefully check yourself when you get home and remove any ticks promptly. Wash and dry any clothing. Additional Information on fall turkey, pheasant, and small game seasons The Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamp was established in 2016 and replaced all turkey permits and the Pheasant Stamp. A Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamp is required to hunt any resident (non-migratory) game bird, including wild turkey, pheasant, ruffed grouse, partridge, and quail. The cost of the Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamp is: $28 for adult residents and non-residents $14 for Connecticut hunters ages 12 through 17 Wild turkey hunters planning to hunt in fall 2025 need a 2025 Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamp. All revenues from the sale of Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamps are deposited into a dedicated account used exclusively for game birds and their habitat. The Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp has been merged with the HIP permit into a single Stamp, which costs $17 ($9 for Connecticut hunters ages 12 through 17). It is required for anyone hunting waterfowl, rails, snipe, woodcock, and crows. All revenues from the Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp go into a dedicated account that is used solely for wetland habitat management and acquisition or improvement of hunter access. The 2025 Connecticut Hunting and Trapping Guide and the 2025-2026 Migratory Bird Hunting Guide, which contain additional information on laws, regulations, and season dates, can be obtained at outdoor equipment vendors, town clerk offices, or on the DEEP Outdoor Guides webpage. Maps denoting many state-owned hunting areas and most permit-required hunting areas also may be obtained from the DEEP Public Hunting Areas webpage. 2025 hunting licenses, permits, and stamps can be purchased directly online from the Connecticut Online Outdoor Licensing System or at one of many participating town halls or outdoor equipment retailers. Pheasant Hunting: The permit-based Saturday program will continue at ONLY Naugatuck State Forest (West Block) and Eversource Skiff Mountain Cooperative WMA from October 18 - November 15. Areas will be stocked on Saturday morning and prior to each hunting group. All hunters wishing to use these areas on Saturdays before 3:30 p.m. must have a Saturday permit (or be a junior hunter accompanying a permitted hunter) and will only be able to be present during the specified time on the daily permit. Saturday permits for these areas will only become available on the Connecticut Online Sportsmen Licensing System the Monday preceding the Saturday hunts starting at 7:00 a.m. Please check the DEEP Pheasant Hunting webpage frequently as last-minute changes may occur. This webpage also contains additional details, such as area allocations and an updated listing of all major pheasant stocking areas. Twitter: @CTDEEPNews Facebook: DEEP on Facebook Contact DEEP Communications [email protected] 860-424-3110 Twitter Facebook Email Print