DEEP Announces Opening Days of Fall Turkey, Pheasant, and Small Game Hunting Seasons
Press Releases
10/02/2026
Firearms Turkey Season Opens October 3; Small Game/Pheasant Season Opens October 17
(HARTFORD)—The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) today announced the Opening Days of the following fall hunting seasons:
- The firearms turkey season opens Saturday, October 3 and continues through October 31.
- The season for pheasant and a variety of small game opens on Saturday, October 17. Season closing dates vary by species; see the 2026 Connecticut Hunting and Trapping Guide for more details.
“Fall hunting is a great way to experience Connecticut’s outdoors while participating in a long-standing tradition that provides healthy, locally sourced, sustainable food,” said Acting DEEP Commissioner Emma Cimino. “Whether you’re heading out for turkey, pheasant, or small game, we encourage hunters to enjoy the season safely and responsibly.”
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 10, 2026. 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:
All hunting that is currently in season is 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.
Effective October 1, 2026, verbal permission from landowners is required to hunt small game on Sundays on private land, which matches the existing permission requirements for small game hunting during the rest of the week. This change corrects an unintended inconsistency created by the 2025 Sunday hunting law that required small game hunters to obtain written permission on Sundays while allowing verbal permission on all other days of the week.
Deer and turkey hunters are required to obtain written permission from landowners on an official form to hunt on private land. DEEP reminds hunters that the 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 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
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 2026 need a 2026 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 Harvest Information Program (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 2026 Connecticut Hunting and Trapping Guide and the 2026-2027 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. 2026 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 17 - November 14. 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 Outdoor 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
DEEP.Communications@ct.gov
860-424-4100
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