The DEEP Conservation Education/Firearms Safety (CE/FS) hunting classes are available now in a modified format compliant with current COVID-19 guidelines. Students are required to complete all online prerequisites PRIOR to registering for a modified field day event. Please note: Students will not be allowed to participate if they do not bring and wear proper personal protective equipment (PPE) throughout the entire field day. The new modified field day events take approximately 3 hours to complete and will consist of field exercises (including live fire), as well as a proctored exam.

Creative ways to use the game meat you harvest are always in demand. For this issue, we’re looking to branch out from “traditional” game preparations and present a more unique option. Hunter, author, and multiple culinary award winner Hank Shaw provides this unique recipe! Photo courtesy of Holly A. Heyser.

Looking for a new favorite hunting spot this season? We've got you covered! Our new Public Hunting Areas web page provides an easy to follow user guide to help you navigate our interactive hunting area maps. There's also a comprehensive list of Connecticut's state-owned waterfowl hunting areas, a breakdown of Connecticut's goose zones by town, and the deer/turkey zone map. Finding new places to hunt can be a challenge, especially for new hunters. We hope this new web page will help you spend less time searching for a new spot and more time in the field.

Before heading out on your first hunt of the season, make sure you check over all of your equipment. If you plan on hunting from a tree stand, make sure to inspect your equipment and practice using it again. Some important things to remember:

The 2019 Connecticut Deer Program Summary is now available on the DEEP website. This report summarizes white-tailed deer information, including changes in deer management regulations, harvest statistics, research activities, and population dynamics of Connecticut’s deer population. Photo courtesy of Matt Kline.

We’ve become aware during the pandemic that some migratory bird hunter are having difficulty purchasing their federal duck stamp at their local post office. Hunters can now purchase the Electronic Duck Stamp, or E-Stamp, online for immediate use. You may purchase the E-Stamp from another state, as DEEP's online system currently is unable to process federal Duck Stamp purchases. The actual stamp will be mailed to you after purchase, but you will have an E-Stamp to use until you receive the actual stamp.

The Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act, commonly known as the Pittman-Robertson Act, has been in effect since 1938. This Act established funding for the restoration and improvement of wildlife habitat, wildlife management research, hunter training programs, and operation of public target ranges. Funds for supporting programs are raised through a manufacturer’s excise tax on firearms, ammunition, and archery equipment. These Federal funds are apportioned to states using different formulas depending on the purpose of the funding, but may include the state’s land area, number of paid license holders, and state population. This system has helped make the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation the most successful in the world.