Hikers, Hunters, Horseback Riders, Mountain Bikers
What You Need to Know When You Are Outdoors

Fall and winter days are great times to enjoy Connecticut's woodlands. Whether you like to hike, horseback ride, mountain bike, hunt or fish, it's a good idea to observe a few safety precautions while afield.

Outdoor Safety Tips

• If you hike, ride, hunt or fish alone, let somebody know where you will be.
• Familiarize yourself with the area you will be using, and know the activities which occur there.
• Ask landowner's permission to hike, ride, hunt or fish.
• Dress appropriately and be prepared for any sudden changes in the weather.
• Wear bright clothing (400 square inches of fluorescent orange for hunters) to increase your visibility.
• Avoid wearing gray, brown, tan or white when hiking in hunted areas.
• Consider using a bell on your bike or horse during the hunting season.
• If you see someone hunting, call out to them to identify your location.
• Peak hunting occurs in early morning and late afternoon, primarily during the months of October through December.

Connecticut Hunting Seasons

Hunting Season Dates: PEAK HUNTING ACTIVITY for small game and deer occurs from the THIRD SATURDAY IN OCTOBER THROUGH DECEMBER. Early morning hours (before 9:00 a.m.) are the most active hunting times, especially on Saturdays and holidays.

There is NO SUNDAY HUNTING allowed anywhere in the state, except at registered private shooting preserves with the town's permission and a permit from the DEP.

Hunting Areas: Hunting is allowed at: 1) specified state-owned lands (state forests, wildlife management areas), 2) privately-owned land where landowners have granted permission, 3) permit-regulated hunting areas, 4) state-leased hunting areas, 5) registered private shooting preserves, and 6) lakes, rivers and tidal wetlands during waterfowl hunting seasons. Hunting does not occur at most state parks. Consult the current Connecticut Hunting and Trapping Guide for a listing of state-owned, state-leased and permit-regulated lands that are open to hunting.

Private Property: Many private landowners allow hunting on their property. All hunters are required to obtain permission from the landowner before hunting. Sportsmen, as well as hikers, are encouraged to develop a responsible and open relationship with the landowner. As a landowner, if you suspect that unauthorized hunting is occurring on your property, call the DEP Law Enforcement T.I.P. hotline for assistance (1-800-842-HELP).

Is Hunting Safe?

• Hunting accidents among hunters are rare; those involving non-hunters are extremely rare.
• Connecticut's hunting accident rate has continually been below the national average and is far lower than the accident rates of other outdoor recreational activities.
• Connecticut's Conservation Education/Firearms Safety Program is recognized as one of the best in North America.
• Hunter education and stricter regulations have dramatically reduced hunting accidents over the past two decades.
• Connecticut's hunting statutes and regulations are among the strictest in the country.
• Hunting laws and regulations are formulated by professional wildlife biologists and conservation law enforcement officers.
• Hunter-funded land acquisition efforts of state wildlife agencies support a broad spectrum of public recreation.

Want to Learn More About Outdoor Safety? Take a Conservation Education/Firearms Safety (CE/FS) Course.

All first-time license buyers who intend to hunt or trap in Connecticut must successfully complete a conservation education course offered by the Wildlife Division's Conservation Education/Firearms Safety Program. Courses are taught throughout the year by a dedicated corps of certified volunteer instructors.

These free courses are educational for both hunters and non-hunters alike.
Course topics include:

• Wildlife Management
• Wildlife Identification
• Orienteering Outdoor Survival Skills
• Firearms Safety
• Hunter Ethics

For information on course availability, visit the department's CE/FS web page.

"I encourage you to spend some time outdoors with family and friends. Whether hiking, biking, hunting or fishing, please make safety your main concern. Be aware of your surroundings and remember to respect others and the sports they enjoy.

Connecticut has recreational activities every season in its hills, lakes, forests, parks and shoreline for all to enjoy and protect for the future generations. Get outdoors, be safe and set examples as environmental stewards for this great state of Connecticut!"

-- Gina McCarthy, Commissioner, Department of Environmental Protection