Licenses & Permits

Licenses and Permits to hunt and trap in Connecticut are available online, at most town clerks, and at some sporting good stores and DEP offices. Licenses are valid for a calendar year. To buy licenses online, or for a listing of places that sell licenses, go to: www.ct.gov/dep/hunting

Conservation ID#s: everyone issued a license has been issued a unique Conservation ID# that should be used every time and every year when purchasing licenses and permits. If you log on to the Online Sportsmen Licensing system, or go to a vendor for your licenses, always use your Conservation ID# as a means of identification. You should write your Conservation ID# down and keep it in a safe place. Your Conservation ID# replaces your license number.

Hunter Education Requirements: no hunting or trapping licenses will be issued to any person unless proof is provided that they have held a RESIDENT license in the respective sport within the last 5 years OR the person has a certificate indicating successful completion of a Connecticut Conservation Education/Firearms (CE/FS) course (or recognized equivalent) in the respective sport for which they are applying. Courses are available during most months. To become certified in firearms or bowhunting, a person must be 10 years or older. All bowhunters must show proof when purchasing a small game/deer archery permit that they have completed the CE/FS bowhunting course (since 1982) or its equivalent from another state or country. Certifications from another state or country must specify Bowhunter Education. If you have previously purchased a 2002, or later, Connecticut bowhunting license you have already provided such proof. Obtain course listings by contacting the CE/FS program at 860-675-8130 (Western CT) and 860-642-7239 (Eastern CT) or by visiting the DEP website at www.ct.gov/dep/hunting.

Age 65+ Annual Licenses: Firearms hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses are still issued free to residents who meet hunter education requirements. But, these licenses must now be renewed annually.

Hunting by Minors: a person must be 12 years of age or older to hunt. Persons 12 through 15 years of age must be licensed and accompanied by a licensed hunter 18 years of age or older while hunting. A person may not supervise more than 2 minors at one time while hunting. Minors are entitled to their own bag limits. Junior license holders do not have to purchase a new license if they turn 16 years of age during the same calendar year.

Trapping by Minors: There is no minimum age requirement for trapping, but persons under age 16 must purchase a Junior Trapping License.

Handicapped License: a person who has permanently lost the use of a limb may be issued a hunting or trapping license free of charge (permits, tags not included). These licenses are available at town clerk offices. Non-residents are eligible for this free license if their state provides the same privilege to Connecticut residents. Verification of the disability, signed by a licensed physician, must be presented. More information

Armed Forces: any active full-time member of the U.S. armed forces may purchase a Connecticut hunting, fishing or trapping license for the same fees as a resident. Proof of full-time membership during the calendar year must be carried while using the license.

Lost License: at any time, you can log on to the Online Sportsmen Licensing system and reprint your license. You can also go to a licensing vendor or DEP office to have your license reprinted.

Pheasant Tags, Waterfowl Stamps & HIP Permits

Pheasant Tag Series

• Valid from October through January
• Fees: $28 Resident $28 Non-Resident

Current firearms hunting license or Small Game and Archery Deer Permit required. Stamp portion of tag series must be signed in ink and affixed to license by issuing agent or as otherwise instructed. Pheasant Tag Series (10 tags) are valid from October through January of the next year. Junior license holders are required to purchase their own Pheasant Tag Series. Only one Pheasant Tag Series per year may be purchased. Pheasant Tags will be delivered by mail starting in late-August. Allow two weeks for delivery. Starting in September, tags will be sold over-the-counter at most DEP offices.

Connecticut Migratory Bird Hunting Authorization

• Valid for Calendar Year
• Fees: $13 Resident $13 Non-Resident
• Note: If you purchased a 2010-11 Connecticut Migratory Bird Stamp last season, you do not need to purchase another in 2011.

Junior hunters ages 12-15 exempt. The actual state stamp no longer needs to be signed or carried while hunting. If you want a copy of the actual stamp mailed to you, answer “yes” to the prompt when selecting the stamp for purchase.

Connecticut HIP Permit

• Valid for Calendar Year
• Fees: $4 Resident $4 Non-Resident

Federal Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp

• Valid from July 1 through June 30
• Fees: $15 Resident $15 Non-Resident

Available at most Post Offices. Also available by telephone and online. Go to www.fws.gov/duckstamps for more information. Stamp must be signed in ink across its face. Junior hunters ages 12–15 exempt.

Firearms Deer Hunting Permits

• A current firearms hunting license is required to apply for firearms deer permits.
• Application Deadline for Deer Lottery Permits is June 1st. Postmarks (not metered mail stamps) are used to determine if lottery applications meet deadlines. Application Instructions
• No one may purchase both a State Land Lottery Permit and a State Land No-Lottery Permit. If you are rejected for a lottery permit, you may still purchase a State Land No-Lottery permit.

Licenses & Permits

Revolver Deer Endorsement – Fee: $5

Allows persons hunting with a Free Landowner Permit or Connecticut residents hunting with a Private Land Shotgun/Rifle Permit to use a revolver rather than a rifle or a shotgun to hunt deer on private lands of at least 10 acres in size.