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Legacy Legislation to Help Wildlife | |
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Critical conservation legislation is currently being worked on in the U.S. Congress. Recovering America’s Wildlife Act will help over 12,000 species of fish and wildlife and help prevent species from becoming endangered. It builds on the cost-effective and highly successful model of proactive conservation. Species like the eastern bluebird, a colorful addition to our winter landscape, had nearly disappeared from Connecticut just three decades ago. A proactive approach that involved habitat enhancement, nest protection, and creation and installation of hundreds of man-made nest structures reversed this decline and restored this bubbly songster to every town in our state. This much needed legislation would enable states across the country to do the same thing for many other species. #RecoverWildlife
View a video, story map, and more about Recovering America's Wildlife Act . . .
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2023 Hunting and Trapping Guide Now Available | |
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The 2023 Connecticut Hunting and Trapping Guide is now available online on the DEEP website. Limited quantities of the printed version will be available at town halls and vendors that sell hunting and fishing licenses in January 2023. A PDF of the printed version of the guide will be available soon at the link above. This PDF can be downloaded to a mobile device and accessed while out in the field.
2023 licenses, permits, and stamps are currently on sale on DEEP's Online Licensing System.
Hunters and trappers are encouraged to use the online guide to keep up to date with any regulation changes that might occur during the year.
What Is New for 2023 Hunting and Trapping Guide . . .
Other DEEP Outdoor Guides . . .
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Acreage Added to Bishop Swamp Wildlife Management Area | |
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Approximately 284 acres in Hebron, formerly the Fracchia property, have been added to the 752-acre Bishop Swamp Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Andover and are currently open (as of November 1, 2022) for hunting during the small game, waterfowl, deer (fall archery only), and turkey (fall archery only) seasons. Shared boundaries between Meshomasic State Forest, Gay City State Park, and the new acquisition have been marked with appropriate signs, which indicate property boundaries and where hunting is permitted. Hunters should park at a pull-off parking area located at 239 North Street (Route 85) in Hebron to access the new section of the WMA (located east and west of Route 85) and Meshomasic State Forest (see map HERE).
In 2023, both sections of Bishop Swamp WMA will be open to all forms of hunting, including shotgun deer hunting as part of the State Land Deer Lottery and muzzleloader deer hunting. Hunters can apply for the 2023 Deer Lottery at Bishop Swamp starting on January 3, 2023, at 9:30 AM. More details on how to apply for the deer lottery.
The 284-acre Fracchia property was acquired in two phases with funding from the State Recreation and Natural Heritage Trust Program and Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Program. The Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Program is the nation's oldest and most successful wildlife restoration program. Funds from taxes paid by sportsmen and women on ammunition, firearms, and archery equipment go toward projects to restore, conserve, manage, and enhance wild birds and mammals and their habitats.
More on the recent expansion . . .
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Closures Related to Forest Harvest at Nassahegon State Forest | |
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A timber harvest (W-432A) on Stone Road at Nassahegon State Forest in Burlington resumed on November 28, 2022. The remaining half of this timber harvest should be wrapped up this winter. It is a combination of a thinning and selection cutting treatment to convert an area to uneven-aged management, and totals 75 acres.
As a result, the east side of Stone Road will again be closed to the public in this state forest and this includes hunting at the specific request of the logging contractor. Also, the public parking area that is used daily by mountain bikers will be closed from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekdays. The public can still park there on weekends. Signs have been posted stating this at the parking area. The parking area is necessary as a log truck turnaround.
No public trails are being closed as a result of this work. The only recognized and authorized trail on the east side of Stone Road is one Blue-blazed Trail that can remain open for hiking, as long as hikers stay on the trail.
| Connecticut State of the Birds 2022 | |
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The Connecticut Audubon Society recently published their Connecticut State of the Birds 2022 report as part of their 125th Anniversary celebration. The publication tells the story of significant bird conservation issues through the examples of avian families or groups. Each article focuses on whether their populations are secure now nationwide, in the region, and in the state; on the conservation issues they face; and the conservation history of those species. DEEP Wildlife Division biologist Brain Hess contributed an article entitled "Raptors Are Back and in Good Shape. The Effort it Took Was Enormous".
Read the Connecticut State of the Birds 2022 report . . .
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Wood Duck Nest Box Monitoring | |
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Starting in the fall, DEEP Wildlife Division waterfowl biologists monitor and maintain wood duck nest boxes across state land, including state parks, state forests, and wildlife management areas. This year, biologists have checked 365 boxes, replaced 39 of them, installed 12 new ones, and raised 78 boxes in response to ever-changing water levels. Unlike the very familiar mallard duck, wood duck hens require some type of cavity (natural or man-made) to lay their eggs. The boxes are built with locally harvested timber that is milled at the DEEP’s own saw mill in Portland.
At each nest box, the remnants of the nesting material are closely examined to determine use and productivity. The presence of an egg membrane tells biologists that an egg successfully hatched. After examining the nesting material from the past season, fresh shavings are added for the ducks to use this coming spring. It has been documented that hooded mergansers also take advantage of these artificial nest cavities, especially in western Connecticut.
While now quite common, the wood duck was considered in danger of extinction throughout its range by the early 1900s due to market shooting and loss of suitable habitat. With the implementation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act in 1918 between the United States and Canada, market shooting was outlawed and judicious hunting season lengths and bag limits were instituted. These changes, together with the construction and placement of nest boxes over the last seven decades, have resulted in a dramatic comeback of wood duck populations!
Nest Boxes and Structures for Wildlife . . .
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Bears Still Active Across CT as They Enter Denning Season | |
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Black bears have been busy fattening up for what could be months of cold winter weather. As average daily temperatures continue to drop over the coming weeks, you can expect bear activity to decline as they begin to den. Bear dens come in all shapes and sizes and may include brush piles, mountain laurel groves, hollow trees, and rock crevices. While denning straight through most of winter is necessary for pregnant female bears, other bears can remain active, especially when temperatures are mild and food is available.
Even if you do not live in an area with regular bear activity, you should continue to "Be Bear Aware" year-round. This includes holding off on putting out winter bird feeders until bear activity in your area has come to a halt. You may also want to secure open areas under decks, sheds, or other crawl spaces to prevent bears from using those sheltered areas for denning.
More on bears in winter . . .
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Feeding Deer Does More Harm Than Good | |
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White-tailed deer have unique adaptations that allow them to survive cold winter weather. This includes developing a winter coat that features hollow guard hairs for insulation and a finer undercoat for warmth.
This time of year, white-tailed deer are focusing on storing up fat. Deer depend on acorns and other natural food items in the fall to put on fat reserves that help them get through the winter months. Results from the annual mast survey indicate that acorns are in short supply this year, and while it may be tempting to feed the deer, this practice is actually harmful.
Deer acquire specifically adapted microbes over a period of time that digest specific food material. When deer eat food that has not been part of their diet, such as large quantities suddenly placed out during severe winters, the specific microbes are not present to help with digestion. Deer will eat any readily available handouts during winter, thus they may fill their stomach with indigestible material. It has been documented over several years that deer have died with stomachs full of food (hay and corn) that was placed out during harsh winters as an emergency food source when limited natural foods were available.
More on the effects of feeding deer . . .
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Northern Long-eared Bat Reclassified as Endangered | |
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The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is reclassifying the northern long-eared bat as endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act. This bat was once very common in Connecticut, but has been severely impacted by white-nose syndrome and, in less than a decade, population levels dropped by over 95% in our state. The northern long-eared bat is already listed as endangered under the Connecticut Endangered Species Act, and the DEEP Wildlife Division will continue efforts to protect this species, such as installing cage gates at places where the bats hibernate, protecting summer maternity roosts, and monitoring population trends statewide. Photo by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
More on the northern long-eared bat . . .
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2023 CT Junior Duck Stamp Art Competition Welcomes Entries | |
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Calling all creative young artists and art educators in Connecticut. Entries are now being accepted for the 2023 Connecticut Junior Duck Stamp Art Competition, part of a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) environmental education program administered since 1987 by the Connecticut Waterfowl Association (CWA).
As part of a concerted effort to encourage more young people to explore the natural world and increase conservation awareness, the Connecticut Junior Duck Stamp “Best in Show” winner will be featured as the 2024 Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp! The "Best in Show" winner will also be an entry for the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Contest. (Pictured is a painting of a king eider by Chloe Hunske, age 14, from Cos Cob, that took first place in the 7th-9th grade age group in the 2022 art competition.)
This contest is open to all students, kindergarten through grade 12, who are Connecticut residents. To enter, students create and submit a drawing or painting featuring native waterfowl (ducks or geese). There is no cost, and submissions must be postmarked by March 15, 2023.
Contest guidelines, entry forms, and more . . .
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Species Spotlight: Dark-eyed Junco and White-throated Sparrow | |
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As Connecticut and the rest of New England begins the transition to winter, residents have likely noticed new birds visiting their backyards. Two species in particular, the dark-eyed junco and white-throated sparrow, are common winter residents that are often seen foraging on the ground near bird feeders and along forest edges. While both species can be year-round residents in Connecticut, large numbers of juncos and white-throated sparrows appear from their northern breeding grounds by this time of year.
The slate-colored dark-eyed junco is most easily recognized by the bright white tail feathers that are flashed during flight. The white-throated sparrow has two color morphs, coming in white-striped and tan-striped forms. Both species feed primarily on a variety of seeds, including grass, ragweed, and other weeds.
By going easy on fall clean ups and leaving some leaf litter and other woody debris behind, you provide better foraging opportunities for many species of birds. For those that want to go a step further, consider using the woody debris around your property to build brush piles that will provide birds refuge during winter storms and sub-freezing temperatures.
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The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer that is committed to complying with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you are seeking a communication aid or service, have limited proficiency in English, wish to file an ADA or Title VI discrimination complaint, or require some other accommodation, including equipment to facilitate virtual participation, please contact the DEEP Office of Diversity and Equity at 860-418-5910 or by email at deep.accommodations@ct.gov. Any person needing an accommodation for hearing impairment may call the State of Connecticut relay number - 711. In order to facilitate efforts to provide an accommodation, please request all accommodations as soon as possible following notice of any agency hearing, meeting, program or event.
This program receives Federal financial assistance from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Under Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the U.S. Department of the Interior prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, or disability. If you believe that you have been discriminated against in any program, activity, or facility, or if you need more information, please write to:
Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Civil Rights
U.S. Department of the Interior 1849 C Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20240
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