Welcome to Wildlife Highlights!
This is the first edition of the DEEP Wildlife Division's monthly e-newsletter. Your feedback is important to us! Send your comments or suggestions to deep.ctwildlife@ct.gov
Celebrating 150 Years of Natural Resource Conservation in Connecticut
The DEEP's Bureau of Natural Resources is celebrating its 150th Anniversary in 2016. Joining in the celebration are the Divisions of Wildlife, Inl and Fisheries, Marine Fisheries, Forestry, Environmental Conservation (EnCon) Police, and many partners.

Throughout 2016, we are looking back at our history and looking ahead to the future of natural resources in our state. Follow along with the celebration!

Purple Martins in Connecticut
During July, Wildlife Division staff and many volunteers were hard at work visiting active purple martin colonies along Connecticut's coast. Initiated in 2011, this was the 6th year of a study to assess dispersal patterns of sub-adult purple martins in Connecticut. This year, Over 1,200 purple martin chicks from 313 individual nest boxes were fitted with identifying colored leg bands, weighed, and aged by DEEP staff and volunteers.

A new purple martin webpage was created to help spread information about the banding project and also let people know how to get involved. Check it out at  
2016 Junior Pheasant Hunt Events
Saturday, October 8, is the designated Junior Hunter Training Day for pheasants on state and private land. Several special hunting events are being held for junior hunters on October 8 and other days during the hunting season.

Graduates of CT's Conservation Education/Firearms Safety Program that are between the ages of 12 and 16 years old and who possess a valid 2016 Junior Hunting License are eligible to apply to participate in these FREE events.
Connecticut Hunting and Fishing Days
Connecticut Hunting and Fishing Day was celebrated at two locations this year in honor of the 150th Anniversary of the Bureau of Natural Resources: September 10 at Franklin Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in North Franklin and September 24 at Sessions Woods WMA in Burlington.

These  FREE  events featured activities for all ages, including target shooting, archery, hunting dog demonstrations, kid's activities, fishing demonstrations, and dozens of equipment vendors, sporting clubs, fish and wildlife exhibits, conservation organizations, and more!

In addition to hundreds of staff, volunteers, and vendors who made these events possible, almost 1,600 attendees (approximately 800 per event) came out to celebrate Hunting and Fishing Day. This special day recognizes the outstanding contributions by America's hunters and anglers to conservation, recreation, and the economy.
New Laws and Regulations for 2016
New legislation (Public Act 16-27) that became effective on July 1, 2016 established the  Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamp  (which replaces the Pheasant Stamp and all turkey permits); made changes to the  Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp ; created a three-day out-of-state bird hunting license; and set specific reduced fees for hunters under the age of 18. The Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamp is required to hunt any resident game birds in Connecticut, including pheasants, ruffed grouse, partridge, quail, AND wild turkey. The Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp is required for anyone hunting waterfowl, rails, snipe, woodcock, and crows.
 
Several regulations affecting the hunting seasons also became effective on July 1, 2016.
 
All of these new changes are not reflected in the printed version of the 2016 Connecticut Hunting and Trapping Guide. Hunters should refer to the 2016 Connecticut Hunting and Trapping Guide on the website for updated information.
2015 Connecticut Deer Summary
The 2015 Connecticut Deer Summary includes changes in white-tailed deer management regulations, harvest statistics, research activities, and population dynamics of Connecticut's deer population.

Learn more...
2016 Small Game Hunting Season Opens Oct. 15
Connecticut's small game hunting season opens at 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 15, for ring-necked pheasant, quail, ruffed grouse, chukar and Hungarian partridges, cottontail rabbit, and several furbearers (raccoon, opossum, and foxes).

This year, DEEP will purchase 14,935 adult pheasants based on revenues from pheasant stamp sales in 2015. This is the same number of birds that were stocked in the 2015 season. Birds will not be stocked at Kollar WMA, Hebron Permit-Required Area, NU-Maromas Cooperative WMA, the Weber's Block of Cockaponset State Forest, and the stone house area of Pachaug State Forest. Additional details, such as area allocations and an updated listing of all major stocking areas, are on the Pheasant Hunting webpage.

More details on the small game and other upcoming hunting seasons are in the 2016 Connecticut Hunting and Trapping Guide .

Glastonbury Shooting Range
Fall deer hunting is right around the corner! Take advantage of the Glastonbury Shooting Range open every Saturday and Sunday through November 27.

An extended time slot from 2:00 - 3:00 PM, beginning Oct. 15 through Nov. 13, is available only to hunters with a valid 2016 firearms deer hunting permit of any type. Reservations for this special time slot are NOT accepted or required.

Learn more...
Check Out Connecticut Wildlife Magazine!
Now that you've had a chance to see our new Wildlife Highlights E-newsletter, take the opportunity to check out a recent issue of our bimonthly print magazine, Connecticut Wildlife!  I n the  July/August issue (PDF) , l earn about Connecticut's nesting bald eagles and efforts to save rare Puritan tiger beetles.  Read historical articles about snapping turtles, Environmental Conservation Police Officers over the years, bass management, forest fires, climate change in Long Island Sound, and more!

This publication started out as a small newsletter in 1981 and, over the years, has transformed into a 20-page, full-color magazine that is your best source for fishing, hunting, wildlife, and conservation information in the state. Articles are written by DEEP staff who manage our wildlife, fisheries, and forest resources. Every issue has great wildlife photography, in-depth features, and more (plus, no advertising). The magazine is published six times a year, and is available by subscription for $8 a year, $15 for two years, or $20 for three years.

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License Fees Fund Hunting and Fishing Programs
Fees collected from the sale of hunting and fishing licenses, permits, and stamps go to support fish and wildlife conservation, preservation, and recreation programs administered by the DEEP Bureau of Natural Resources. 

The next time you see a bald eagle, harvest a white-tailed deer, or catch a brown trout, give yourself and your fellow sportsmen a pat on the back!

You are making a difference and we thank you for your support!
Stay Connected!

You'll find each issue packed with information about wildlife, hunting, fishing, and natural resource-related issues in Connecticut.




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