Deer Hunting

Replacement Antlerless Tags

Replacement Antlerless Tags: If you register an antlerless deer, taken on private land, at one of the check stations which issues replacement tags, you may qualify for a replacement antlerless tag.

“Earn-A-Buck” Tags: If you register a total of 3 antlerless deer from private land during the same season, at one of the check stations that issue replacement tags, you may qualify for a replacement either-sex tag.

Note: Hunters must bring their deer or deer head and a completed Harvest Tag along with their report confirmation number in order to be issued a replacement tag. The deer must be reported within 24 hours, but the deer head and confirmation number may be brought to a check station within 72 hours. All replacement tags will be issued in limited numbers based on a zone’s deer population management goals. Replacement tags are available in Zones 11 and 12 during the private land shotgun/rifle season, the private land muzzleloader season and the archery season. Consult the Private Land Deer Management Zone Map for a description of zones. Replacement tags will only be valid for use on private lands within designated zones and only where written consent of the landowner has been granted.

Deer Hunting Prohibited Activites

• Hunting with or allowing any dog in your charge to hunt, pursue, or kill deer.
• Hunting deer or any other wildlife while in or on a motor vehicle, snowmobile, or all terrain vehicle (See Handicapped Hunting Section for special exemptions).
• Hunting deer by aid or use of a light.
• Taking or attempting to take any deer with the aid of real or artificial bait in Zones 1 to 10, or on state lands in Zones 11 and 12. (Any food, mineral, or chemical product designed to be eaten by deer is considered bait.)
• Use of a decoy during the shotgun/rifle and muzzleloader deer seasons.
• Taking of spotted fawns.

Baiting & Use of Attractants

Attractants allowed during the statewide deer hunting seasons.

• Deer decoys during the early and late archery seasons only.
• All types of scent attractants (i.e., doe in heat, buck lure, urine, tarsal glands, food smells, smoke pole) that provide no substance for deer to consume.
• All types of sound attractants (i.e., doe calls, buck calls, antler rattling, electronic calls).
• Hunting over planted fields where normal agricultural planting, harvesting, or post-harvest manipulation is used.

In addition to the attractants listed above, the following are allowed ON PRIVATE LANDS ONLY in deer management zones 11 and 12 during the archery, shotgun/rifle, and muzzleloader deer seasons.

• Minerals or chemicals that may be safely consumed by deer (i.e., salt lick)
• Artificial or natural foods placed, scattered, distributed or deposited (i.e., hay, grains, fruit, nuts–any foods that may be safely consumed by deer)

NOTE: It is strongly recommended that individuals hunting on private lands in Zones 11 and 12 consult with landowners prior to placing bait.

Definition of Antlerless Deer

Some deer tags allow the harvest of antlerless deer only. An antlerless deer is defined as any deer which has no visible antlers. “Button Bucks” are considered antlerless deer. Either sex deer tags allow the harvest of antlered or antlerless deer.

Tagging & Transporting Deer

Immediately upon killing a deer, complete and sign a Harvest Tag and keep it with the carcass at all times until it is cut up and packaged for consumption. Deer do not have to be open to view during transport. See Tagging & Reporting for more information on Kill Tags and reporting.

Deer Check Stations

All deer taken with shotgun/rifle permits (except Free Landowner Permits) and deer taken with archery permits during the Nov. 14 – Nov. 17 time period must be brought to a check station. Field dress your deer before bringing it to a check station. A list of official check stations is available on the DEEP’s website, and most DEEP offices. The person who harvests the deer must bring the deer to a check station on the same day it is taken. The metal possession seal attached at the check station must remain on the deer until it is cut up for consumption.

Deer Hunter Survey

Anybody who obtains a deer permit, may be asked to respond to a survey concerning their deer hunting activities. Even if you did not hunt, you should complete the survey. Information gathered from the survey is important to the management of Connecticut’s white-tailed deer population. Surveys may be conducted by mail, telephone, or the internet.

Tree Stands on State Properties

The construction or placement of permanent tree stands involving damage to any tree or shrub is prohibited. The use of portable tree stands (climber, ladder or hang-on) is permissible. The use of a full-body safety harness when using a tree stand is strongly recommended.

Regulations in red are new this year.

Purple text indicates an important note.