Is there rifle/shotgun hunting in CT or is it bow only?

Thanks in advance.

I'm not a hunter, so I can't answer specifics, but yes, there is rifle hunting on private land and shotgun elsewhere.

State Land: In addition to bow season, there is also A (Lottery) and B (No lottery) shotgun season. There is also a black powder rifle shotgun deer season for state land.

State land is very difficult, especially during B season (the deer are already under pressure from A and there is more hunters vying for open spaces). It's all a matter of finding the right spot- which could include looking at some of the smaller, disociated parcels.

Private land: You can use rifles greater that .243/6mm on 10+ acres with owner consent. The is a new season for .357 and up revolvers as well on an additional $5 tag (I'm not too familiar with the specifics). There is also bow, shotgun, and muzzle loaders allowed on private land "regardless of acerage.... (There is some people with bows that are very successful in suburban and even outlying portions of urban communities).

damn JAD, you are usually never wrong (pretty close this time anyways)








 

Jesus Christ that's complicated!

Something tells me that if I wind up moving there I'll be better off getting a non resident NY State permit and hunting my brother's property in Dutcherss County, NY.

Been here in CT hunting 20 years, plenty of deer, can take like 10-11 deer with private land and state combined. Took an large 8-pointer last muzzle loader season. Went out to the tree stand @ 2pm, dragged the buck @3pm. Super easy

Well done Sir!

Nice buck!  

I've had my hunting license and tags for 2 years but aside from taking a quick stroll through the woods (private land) I haven't ever truly hunted.  Maybe this year I can tag along with my drummer on one of his hunting trips...

And in zones 11 and 12 (the SW part of the state) you can score a metric shit ton of venison without getting out of your PJ's.  I (legally) bow hunt from my bedroom window on some mornings, using only scent to lure them in.    

*thwaaack* *crunch* *gallop* *sound of slut shuffling to kitchen to make a pot of coffee* .... retrieve bambi an hour later.  

Can you bow hunt from a permanent structure in 11-12?

i don't recall anything in the regs that forbids it.  correct me if i'm wrong.  

I got bow certified last year and the instructors kept going on about non-permanent structures, but I don't remember if it was for state land only, though.  I do remember that what the bow instructors said was the exact opposite of what the firearms hunting instructor said and when I questioned them on it they basically said STFU or you will confuse the rest of the class  

I'll have to dig out my books and check, unfortunately I don't remember everything...

LOL.

My takeaway from bow hunter safety:

1) don't fall out of a tree (it could kill you)
2) don't ccw while bowhunting in CT (illegal)
3) don't poach.  

That right there should be the whole safety class.

I think they should at least add dont shoot anyone (even if they are liberal vegans harassing you)





 

I think the "non-permanent structures" rule only relates to turkey hunting, although I haven't read the regs in a few years.

http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2700&q=452546&depNav_GID=1633