Outdoor lovers in Connecticut eagerly await turkey hunting when the weather warms. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) released its 2024 hunting schedule, giving hunters plenty of time to prepare. With the season approaching, it’s important to know the dates, restrictions, and bag limits.
Connecticut Turkey Season
Wild turkey hunting has three distinct seasons : spring, fall archery, and fall firearms. There are no particular bag restrictions or duration for spring. However, fall period have different bag limitations and duration with special regulations.
Spring
| Spring | April 24 – May 25 | 5 bearded birds |
Fall
| Area | Dates | Bag Limit |
| Archery | ||
| Private Land (Zones 11 and 12) | Jan 1 – Jan 31 | 2 either sex |
| Private Land (All Zones) | Sept 16 – Dec 31 | |
| State Land Bowhunting Only Areas | Sept 16 – Dec 31 | |
| State Land | Sept 16 – Nov 19 | |
| Dec 25 – Dec 31 | ||
| Firearm | ||
| State Land, Private Land, Landowner | Oct 5 – Oct 31 | 3 either sex |
Hunting Licenses
| License Requirements | Residents | Non-Residents |
|---|---|---|
| Spring Turkey Season | Firearms Hunting License or Small Game and Deer Archery Permit | 3-day out-of-state bird hunting license or non-resident firearms hunting license |
| Fall Archery Turkey Season | Small Game and Deer Archery Permit and Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamp | Non-resident Small Game and Deer Archery Permit and Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamp |
| Fall Firearms Turkey Season | Firearms Hunting License and Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamp | 3-day out-of-state bird hunting license or non-resident firearms hunting license and Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamp |
| License or Permit Type | Resident Fee | Non-resident Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Firearms Hunting (Resident 16- and 17-year-olds: Fee=$10) | $19.00 | $91.00 |
| 3-day Out-of-state (Non-resident) Bird Hunting | $35.00 | |
| Archery Deer/Small Game | $41.00 | $135.00 |
| Age 65+ Annual Firearms Hunting License | Free | |
| Junior Firearms Hunting (Ages 12 to 15) | $11.00 | $11.00 |
| Junior Archery Deer/Small Game (Ages 12 to 15) | $10.00 | $19.00 |
Hunting Regulations
- Hunters may capture five bearded birds on the state or private territory in spring. Hunting hours are 1/2 hour before dawn until sunset from April 24 to May 25. Connecticut citizens require a weapons hunting license, Small Game and Deer Archery Permit, and Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamp. Non-residents need a Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamp, a 3-day out-of-state bird hunting license, or guns or small game and deer archery permit.
- Hunting wild turkeys on ten or more contiguous acres requires a Free Landowner Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamp. The $28 Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamp is required to hunt on private or state territory. 20-gauge or bigger shotguns with #4, 5, 6, 7, 7-1/2, or any combination of shots are authorized. Shotguns can only store three shells. Crossbows and long, recurved, or compound bows with a 40-pound draw weight are legal. String release mechanisms are allowed. The drug, poison, and tranquilizer-coated projectiles are illegal.
- Spring crossbows must have a minimum draw weight of 125 pounds, a permanent rifle-type stock with a mechanical safety system, and an 18-inch bolt length (without the broadhead). Telescopes are allowed. Deer and turkey hunting arrowheads must have two blades and be at least 7/8 inch broad at their widest point. Legal arrowheads open on impact.
- Fall archery has the same legal bows, crossbows, and arrowheads as spring. 20-gauge or bigger shotguns with #4, 5, 6, 7, 7 1/2, or any combination of shots are legal during the Fall. Shotguns can only store three shells.
- Hunters must sign and maintain a Harvest Tag with the carcass during the Fall Firearms. Must keep the Harvest Tags until they’re eaten. Arrowheads must have two blades and be at least 7/8 inch broad at their widest point. Legal arrowheads open on impact.
- The CT DEEP regulates wild turkey games. Shotguns and long, recurved, or compound bows are permitted. Fall Archery and Fall Firearms authorize spring bows, crossbows, and arrowheads.
- Shotguns with limitations are authorized during the Fall Firearms. Hunters may use decoys but not live ones. Junior Turkey Hunter Training Days are scheduled.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kinds of hunting permits are necessary for Connecticut to hunt turkeys?
Hunters must possess a current Connecticut Resident Game Bird Conservation (J-Bird) Stamp and a current small game hunting or combo license. In addition, hunters need a turkey hunting tag, which they may win in a lottery. Successful tag holders also need to hunt with a current license. Four hundred square inches of blazing orange may be necessary, depending on the hunt and the season. Remember that in Connecticut, a hunter must possess both a hunting license and a Game Bird Habitat Stamp to hunt any game bird.
