Connecticut

Connecticut Muzzleloader Hunting Season for 2024-2025

Connecticut Muzzleloader Hunting Season – During Muzzleloader Deer Seasons, a muzzleloader means a rifle or shotgun, .45 caliber minimum, incapable of firing a self-contained cartridge, using powder and a single projectile loaded separately at the muzzle end. Shotgun converters and telescopic sights are legal. Restrictions on the use of smoothbore muzzleloaders for hunting small game and waterfowl are the same as those for shotguns. Restrictions on the use of muzzleloading rifles for hunting small game are the same as those for rifles, except that on state-owned land, up to a .36 caliber muzzleloading rifle using round ball ammunition only may be used. A percussion/in-line muzzleloader with a cap or primer installed, an electronic muzzleloader with a battery connected, or a flintlock muzzleloader having powder in the pan are considered loaded firearms.

Location	Dates	Limits
State land – Deer Muzzleloading	Dec 11 – Dec 24	1 either sex
Private land – Deer Muzzleloading	Dec 11 – Dec 31	Statewide (except Zones 2 and 4a): 1 either sex and 1 antlerless Zones 2 and 4a: 1 either sex Zone 7: 1 additional antlerless Zones 11 and 12: 2 additional antlerless

State Land Deer Muzzleloader Hunting

License & Permits: Firearms hunting license and State Land Muzzleloader Deer permit.
Hunting Hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise until sunset.
Legal Firearms: Muzzleloading rifle or shotgun .45 caliber minimum. Single projectile loaded from muzzle end. Telescopic sights and shotgun converters are permitted.
Tagging and Reporting: See Tagging and Reporting Requirements.
Special Conditions:

State Land Hunting – See Public Hunting Areas for listing of state lands open to muzzleloader deer hunting.

Private Land Deer Muzzleloader Hunting

License & Permits: Firearms hunting license and Private Land Muzzleloader Deer permit.
Hunting Hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise until sunset.
Legal Firearms: Muzzleloading rifle or shotgun, .45 caliber minimum. Single projectile loaded from muzzle end. Telescopic sights and shotgun converters are permitted. No minimum acreage required for muzzleloaders.
Tagging and Reporting: See Tagging and Reporting Requirements.
Special Conditions:

Zone 4a Restriction – “Antlerless Only” tag not valid in deer management zone 4a. Only the “Either-sex” deer tag will be valid in zone 4a.

Private Land Permission – Signed written consent of the landowner on official forms (pdf) for current season must be carried while hunting.

Replacement Tags – Available for this permit type (more info).

This information is subject to change, for more information visit: Connecticut Hunting and Trapping Guide

Additional Links

2024 CONNECTICUT HUNTING AND TRAPPING GUIDE
HUNTING AND TRAPPING LICENSES

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