September 2013 - March 2014 MIGRATORY BIRD HUNTING GUIDE Includes season dates for woodcock, snipe, and rails
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Daniel C. Esty, Commissioner Susan Whalen, Deputy Commissioner Bureau of Natural Resources William Hyatt, Chief Wildlife Division Rick Jacobson, Director Table of Contents This guide provides a summary of the most pertinent laws and regulations concerning the hunting of migratory birds. No attempt has been made to employ New for 2013-2014...... 2 the exact wording of laws and regulations, nor to provide their complete listing. September and Late Canada Goose Hunting Seasons...... 2 For legal purposes, the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies and the Statewide Youth Waterfowl Hunter Training Days...... 2 General Statutes of Connecticut should be consulted. How Annual Waterfowl Regulations Are Set...... 3 Cover Art: The cover art on this guide is the painting that won the 2013 Explaining Migrant Canada Goose Seasons...... 3 Connecticut Duck Stamp Art Contest. It will be featured on the 2014 Connecticut Access Restrictions Due to Heightened Security...... 4 Duck Stamp. The winning painting, by wildlife artist John Brennan, was selected by a panel of judges as the best out of 19 other entries submitted by artists from across Falconry Seasons...... 4 the country, from Oregon to Georgia, including five from Connecticut artists. John Avian Influenza...... 5 Brennan is an artist working from his studio in Lutz, Florida. He has a B.A. in music Hunter Ethics...... 6 from the University of South Florida School of Music. His gift for music is matched Waterfowl Hunting in Urban Settings...... 6 by his talents in the visual arts. His award winning work has been juried into state Contaminants in Waterfowl...... 6 art shows and has traveled in national touring exhibits with the Federal Duck Stamp Contest. His work has also graced the cover of Florida Wildlife Magazine and has Federal Regulations...... 7 been selected as the poster art for the Clearwater Jazz Holiday. John’s recent win in Open Waterfowl Seasons and Bag Limits...... 8 the Oklahoma Waterfowl Stamp Contest makes him the youngest person to do so in Connecticut Regulations...... 10 State Duck Stamp history. Local Regulations...... 11 All waterfowl hunters age 16 and older are required to purchase and carry the State-owned or Controlled Waterfowl Hunting Areas...... 14 current Connecticut and federal Duck Stamps – but conservationists, stamp Report Waterfowl Bands...... 14 collectors, and others also purchase stamps in support of wetland habitat Woodcock and Snipe Seasons...... 16 conservation. Revenue from the sale of Connecticut Duck Stamps is a major source of funding for wetland restoration projects in our state. Since 1994, Rail Season...... 16 Connecticut Duck Stamp funds have been used to restore and enhance over Report Violations...... 16 3,145 acres of wetlands, encompassing nearly 50 sites, mostly on state-owned Don’t Forget to Get HIP...... 16 wildlife management areas. Connecticut Duck Stamp funds also have been used Sunrise/Sunset and Tide Chart...... 17 to purchase specialized large equipment to conduct extensive marsh restoration Connecticut Migrant Goose Zones...... back cover work, particularly along the coast. Connecticut Duck Stamps can be purchased for $13 each wherever hunting and fishing licenses are sold: participating town clerks, participating retail agents, DEEP License and Revenue (79 Elm Street in Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Bureau of Natural Resources / Wildlife Division Connecticut Hunting & 79 Elm Street Fishing Appreciation Day Hartford, CT 06106-5127 www.ct.gov/deep Saturday, September 28, 2013 Sessions Woods Wildlife Management Area, Burlington This free event features fun activities for all ages, along with educational programs and workshops about hunting and fishing. Practice your shooting and casting skills. Talk to DEEP biologists about wildlife and fisheries. Be sure to bring the kids and grandkids. Older children will be able to test their skills on the .22 rifle and archery ranges. Younger The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer that children will be able to enjoy learning about wildlife and making crafts. is committed to complying with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please contact us at 860-418-5910 or [email protected] if you: have a disability and need a communication aid or service; have limited proficiency in Food will be available for sale. English and may need information in another language; or if you wish to file an ADA or Title VI discrimination complaint. For more information, visit www.ct.gov/deep/huntfishday or call the Artwork and photographs used in this publication are copyrighted. Reproduction without permission is Sessions Woods office at 860-675-8130. prohibited. Cover artwork 2014 Connecticut Duck Stamp © John Brennan 1 Hartford), and through the online Sportsmen's Licensing System (www.ct.gov/deep/ How Annual Waterfowl Regulations Are Set sportsmenlicensing). Upon request, stamps can be sent through the mail. The 2013 Connecticut Duck Stamp, which will expire on December 31, 2013, features wood The annual process of setting migratory gamebird hunting regulations in the United ducks. The 2014 Duck Stamp, with John Brennan's hooded merganser painting, will States begins in January and ends in September and is based on a system of resource be valid from January 1 through December 31, 2014. monitoring, data analyses, and regulation development. Hunting regulations for ducks, geese, woodcock, mourning doves, and other migratory gamebirds are set Proceeds (98%) from the federal Duck Stamps go into the Migratory Bird annually and based on the population status of each species. Estimates of both the Conservation Fund, which supports the purchase of wetlands for inclusion into the number of birds and hunting harvests are needed to monitor and ensure appropriate National Wildlife Refuge System. Federal Duck Stamp sales raise about $25 million and sustainable populations of each species. each year to fund wetland habitat acquisition for the National Wildlife Refuge System. To date, federal Duck Stamp funds have been used to acquire over 6 million Each year, surveys, such as the waterfowl breeding pair, woodcock singing ground, acres of critical habitat at hundreds of refuges in nearly every state in our nation. and dove call count, are conducted. The results of these various surveys are used to In Connecticut, 39% of the acreage of the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife assess the populations. In addition, leg banding of various waterfowl species and Refuge was purchased with federal Duck Stamp funds. Federal Duck Stamps can be others, such as mourning doves, is used to determine harvest and survival rates for purchased at local post offices for $15 each. use in harvest and population models. Information on hunter numbers and harvests is obtained from the Harvest Information Program (HIP). Habitat conditions are also Hunting licenses, CT Duck Stamps, and HIP permits are annually assessed across the waterfowl breeding ranges of North America. now available on the DEEP website at www.ct.gov/deep/ All these data are analyzed annually by the biologists of each of the 4 Flyway sportsmenlicensing. Councils (Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and Pacific). The councils develop waterfowl and other migratory gamebird hunting regulation proposals, which are, in turn, submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) for evaluation and New for 2013-2014 approval or denial. Posession limits for all migratory gamebird species have been increased from two After extensive public review, the USFWS Regulations Committee (SRC) sets times the daily bag limit to three times the daily bag limit. migratory bird hunting regulations by establishing the frameworks, or outside limits, The daily limit for scaup will be reduced to 2 due to a decline in the estimated for season lengths, bag limits, and areas for migratory bird hunting. For example, breeding population. the current duck hunting season frameworks in the Atlantic Flyway are a 60-day Canvasback numbers were up this year and the daily bag limit will be 2. season with a 6-bird daily bag limit that must occur between the Saturday nearest September 24 and the last Sunday in January. Individual states may then choose The Atlantic brant season will be reduced to 30 days with a 2-bird daily bag limit. their hunting seasons from within those frameworks. States can be more restrictive than the allowable framework, but never more liberal. Early season regulations are September and Late Canada Goose Seasons set at the June meeting of the SRC. Early seasons generally begin before October The early season in the North Zone will run from September 3-30, 2013. In the 1 and pertain to migratory gamebirds other than waterfowl (i.e., webless migratory South Zone, the season will run from September 14-30, 2013. The daily bag limit game birds); all migratory gamebirds in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the for the early season continues to be 15, with a possession limit of 45. Shooting Virgin Islands; and special early waterfowl seasons, such as teal or resident Canada hours for the September season are to one-half hour past sunset. Unplugged geese. Late season regulations are set at the July meeting of the SRC. Late seasons shotguns are legal to use during the September goose season. generally start on or after October 1 and include most waterfowl seasons not already The late season is from January 16 to February 15, 2014, in the South Zone only established. (east of the Quinnipiac River). No special permit is required for either season. All Setting waterfowl hunting regulations is a balancing act. Hunters request different waterfowl hunters, however, are required to have a federal Duck Stamp, Connecticut season dates, bag limits, shooting hours, etc., depending upon the species they want Duck Stamp, and a HIP permit. to pursue and when they want to pursue them. Hunters appear to want the maximum hunting opportunity that is available. DEEP’s challenge is to balance these demands Statewide Youth Waterfowl Hunter Training Days with the ability of our waterfowl populations to maintain themselves at healthy Connecticut will hold 2 statewide youth waterfowl hunter training days on Saturday, levels over the long-term. This has never been easy and will likely become more October 5, and Saturday, November 2, 2013. Participants must be 12 to 15 years difficult in the future. of age, possess a valid small game junior hunting license and a HIP permit, and be accompanied by an adult at least 18 years of age. Adults must possess a valid Explaining Migrant Canada Goose Seasons hunting license; however, they are not allowed to carry a firearm. Ducks, geese, mergansers, and coots may be hunted. Bag limits and shooting hours are the same as Three distinct populations of Canada geese are present in Connecticut during fall, for the regular duck and goose hunting seasons. winter, and early spring – the Atlantic Population (AP), North Atlantic Population (NAP), and Atlantic Flyway Resident Population (AFRP). The AP nests in northern Quebec and winters from Massachusetts southward to North Carolina, although
2 3 primarily in the Chesapeake region of the Atlantic Flyway. The NAP breeds in the daily bag limit for falconry is 3 migratory game birds in aggregate per day and 6 Canadian Maritime Provinces and western Greenland, and winters primarily in in possession. The daily and possession limit may contain any species that is legal southern New England and eastern Long Island. The AFRP geese breed throughout during any regulated firearms migratory game bird season. The falconry bag limit is Connecticut, but are at their highest densities in the more urbanized areas of the not in addition to gun limits. state where hunting exposure is low. As AFRP goose numbers began to expand throughout Connecticut, so did the Avian Influenza number of nuisance complaints. As such, Connecticut was the first state in the Avian influenza, specifically the Asian H5N1 strain, is a naturally occurring virus. nation to establish a season specifically designed to harvest AFRP geese while Type A viruses (referred to as avian influenza or “bird flu”) cause infection in birds, ensuring a minimal harvest of migrant Canada geese. This special late season began humans, and some other mammals, such as pigs. There are 144 identified subtypes in 1986 and continues today, with minor modifications, in the South Zone. A similar (strains) of Type A influenza. Wild birds, especially shorebirds and waterfowl, are September season was established in 1996 to target AFRP geese before migrant the natural host for all the known strains of Type A influenza viruses. Most strains geese arrive in the state. These special seasons are monitored through the analysis of of Type A influenza are low pathenogenic. Typically, wild birds do not become sick band recovery data and neck collar observations. when infected with avian influenza A viruses, and humans are not affected either. The status of migrant goose populations drives the regular goose season regulations Sometimes, however, the virus is introduced into a new host, such as domestic in the Atlantic Flyway. In 1995, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) closed poultry, and evolves into a more lethal (high pathenogenic) strain. This is what has the regular Canada goose season in the Atlantic Flyway because the AP breeding occurred with Asian H5N1. pair estimate declined to such low levels that it was evident that the AP could not support any sport harvest. The AP season was closed in Connecticut until 1999. Should Hunters Be Concerned? The presence of large numbers of NAP geese in New England led to the initiation, Currently, the transmission of the Asian H5N1 strain from birds to humans has in 1998, of migrant Canada goose hunting once again in Connecticut. This season been exclusively from domestic poultry. In these cases, the infected people were was only offered in certain areas of the state and targeted NAP geese. 1998 marked in close contact with infected chickens or other domestic poultry. There is no the first year that the USFWS separated the AP from the NAP during regular goose case of transmission from a wild bird to a human. There is no current evidence hunting seasons. In Connecticut, band return data and neck collar observations that the Asian H5N1 strain affects pets or hunting dogs. Regardless of the fact indicate that AP geese occur primarily in Litchfield County and western Hartford that transmission hasn’t occurred between wild birds and humans, hunters should County, whereas NAP geese tend to be found east of the Connecticut River, take basic precautionary measures, if they don’t already, when handling harvested predominantly in Windham and New London Counties. Thus, due to the presence of waterfowl: 3 different goose populations in Connecticut, the state has been divided into 3 goose 1. Do not handle birds that are obviously sick or birds found dead. hunting zones, each with different regulations, based on the status of the population 2. Keep your game birds cool, clean, and dry. and the overall management goal for each population. As data are compiled and 3. Do not eat, drink, or smoke while cleaning your birds. analyzed, changes are made accordingly. 4. Use rubber gloves when cleaning game. Access Restrictions Due to Heightened Security 5. Wash your hands with soap and water or alcohol wipes after dressing birds. 6. Clean all tools and surfaces immediately afterward; use hot soapy water, then Waterfowl hunters are reminded that restrictions are in place in many areas due to disinfect with a 10% chlorine bleach solution. heightened security concerns. Of note, per the United States Coast Guard: 7. Cook game meat thoroughly (165°F) to kill disease organisms. 1. No boat may be anchored within 25 yards of any bridge along any navigable waterway. Will AI Affect Waterfowl Populations? 2. There is a 700-yard security zone around the Millstone Power Plant in Niantic. The wild bird die-offs across the globe that have been attributed to Asian H5N1 3. No boats are allowed within 1,500 feet of the downstream side of the Shepaug are very small relative to the annual die-offs that occur due to other diseases, and Lake Housatonic Dams (Derby/Shelton); 700 feet of the downstream side such as botulism or avian cholera. The largest reported wild bird die-off involved of the Stevenson Dam (Oxford/Monroe); 300 feet of the downstream side of the approximately 1,500 bar-headed geese in western China. Most reported and Bleachery Dam (New Milford); and 300 feet upstream of all these dams. confirmed wild bird die-offs have involved less than 50 birds. In comparison, recent botulism outbreaks in the Great Lakes have annually claimed approximately Falconry Seasons 25,000 birds. Thus, at this time, there is no concern that the Asian H5N1 virus will Falconers possessing valid permits (state and federal falconry permits, Connecticut negatively impact wild bird populations. small game license, HIP permit, federal and Connecticut Duck Stamps) may For more information on Asian H5N1 and avian influenza in general: take migratory game birds during any established migratory game bird season. Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (www.ct.gov/deep) Allowable species for falconry are: ducks, coots, mergansers, and sea ducks (see Connecticut Department of Agriculture (www.ct.gov/doag) season dates on pages 8-9), as well as woodcock, snipe, and rails (see season dates Connecticut Department of Public Health (www.ct.gov/dph) on page 16). Species-specific bag limits do not apply to falconry take. However, the 4 5 State of Connecticut (www.ct.gov/ctfluwatch) samples from mergansers, especially common and red-breasted, had high levels United States Department of the Interior (www.doi.gov/issues/avianflu.html) of contaminants, including PCBs. Mergansers feed primarily on fish that may United States Geological Survey (www.nwhc.usgs.gov/disease_information/avian_ concentrate contaminants. Other studies have shown that diving ducks (e.g., scaup, influenza/index.jsp) bufflehead, goldeneye) also may have high levels of contaminants; dabbling ducks United States Fish and Wildlife Service (www.fws.gov/home/avianflu) (e.g., mallards, black ducks, teal, wigeon, gadwall) generally have lower levels; and World Health Organization (www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/en/) wood ducks and Canada geese are the least contaminated. Many sportsmen are aware of health advisories regarding high PCB concentrations Hunter Ethics in ducks from Massachusetts (Canada geese were not included in those advisories). As Connecticut becomes more urbanized, a smaller percentage of our population Sportsmen and their families that want to minimize any potential exposure to participates in hunting and is familiar with the traditions and values associated with contaminants should limit their consumption of mergansers and other waterfowl and hunting. The image that individual hunters portray to the non-hunting community remove the skin and fat before cooking. This consideration is especially important is often the image that is placed upon the hunting community as a whole. Thus, the for pregnant women due to the effects of PCBs on reproduction. way hunters present themselves to the public is very important to the future of the Removing the skin from the breasts of waterfowl substantially reduces the hunting tradition. amount of contaminants. If birds are stuffed, the stuffing should not be consumed. Due to the high visibility areas that some waterfowlers use, particularly along Drippings should not be used for gravy. If you would like more information the coast, it is imperative that hunters maintain the highest integrity and remain regarding the health effects of PCBs, call the Connecticut Department of Public responsible while out in the field. To conduct yourself in an ethical and responsible Health at 860-509-7742. manner, you should: 1. Respect property and landowners. Always obtain permission to hunt on private Federal Regulations land – this is a legal requirement in Connecticut. The material below is only a summary. A more detailed summary of the federal regulations 2. Know and obey the laws. can be found on the DEEP Web site at www.ct.gov/dep/hunting. Each hunter should also consult the actual federal regulations which may be found in Title 50, Code of Federal 3. Hunt safely. Shoot in a safe direction. Treat all guns as loaded. Always dress Regulations (CFR), Part 20. In addition to state regulations, the following federal rules apply appropriately and be prepared for changes in the weather. to the taking, possession, shipping, transporting, and storing of migratory game birds. 4. Avoid potential conflicts with non-hunters. Restrictions. Unless specifically authorized for a special season, no person shall take 5. Respect the environment and wildlife. migratory game birds: 6. Don’t "skybust." Calling waterfowl in to appropriate gun range is one of the ● With a trap, snare, net, crossbow, rifle, pistol, swivel gun, shotgun larger than 10-gauge, punt gun, battery gun, machine gun, fishhook, poison, drug, explosive, or stupefying greatest challenges and rewards of waterfowling. substance. 7. Don’t shoot ducks on the water. ● With a shotgun capable of holding more than three shells, unless it is plugged with a one- 8. If a nearby hunting party is working birds, don’t call those birds to you. piece filler which is incapable of removal without disassembling the gun. ● From a sink box (a low floating device, having a depression affording the hunter a means Waterfowl Hunting in Urban Settings of concealment beneath the surface of water). Waterfowl hunting along the Connecticut coast is a long-running, cherished ● From or with the aid or use of a car or other motor-driven land conveyance, or any aircraft, tradition. It has taken place for many years in close proximity to areas of high except that paraplegics and single or double amputees of legs may take from any stationary human use. For the most part, there have been very few conflicts. However, in motor vehicle or stationary motor-driven land conveyance. “Paraplegic” means an individual afflicted with paralysis of the lower half of the body with involvement of both recent years, there have been some negative encounters between waterfowl hunters legs, usually due to disease or injury to the spinal cord. and the non-hunting public. Waterfowl hunters must realize that when hunting in coastal areas in the public eye, they must uphold the highest standards of legal ● From or by means of any motorboat or sailboat, unless the motor has been completely shut off and/or the sail furled, and its progress therefrom ceased. However, crippled ducks in and ethical hunting behavior. Remember that hunting is a privilege, not a right. tidal waters seaward of the first upstream bridge may be taken under power. The hunting privilege that you enjoy could be curtailed due to the unethical and . ● By the use or aid of live decoys. All live, tame, or captive ducks and geese shall be unsportsmenlike actions of a few hunters removed for a period of 10 consecutive days prior to hunting and confined within an If you choose to hunt in areas in the public eye, you must exercise unquestioned enclosure which substantially reduces the audibility of their calls and totally conceals such ethical hunting practices, avoid conflicts with other users of the resource, and use tame birds from the sight of migratory waterfowl. common sense. If you don’t, the alternative is clear…hunting opportunities will be ● By the use of recorded or electronically amplified bird calls or sounds, or electronically greatly reduced. amplified imitations of bird calls or sounds. ● By driving, rallying, or chasing birds with any motorized conveyance or sailboat to put Contaminants in Waterfowl Studies conducted in Pennsylvania and New York have shown that some continued on page 10 6 7 Open Waterfowl Seasons and Bag Limits Changes from 2012 are highlighted in bold (All Dates Inclusive - Except Sundays) NORTH ZONE: The portion of the state north of Interstate 95; SOUTH ZONE: The portion of the state south of Interstate 95. SHOOTING HOURS: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset, except for the September Goose Season, when shooting hours end ½-hour past sunset. DAILY POSSESSION SPECIES SEASON NORTH ZONE SOUTH ZONE BAG LIMIT LIMIT
DUCKS, MERGANSERS, Early Oct. 9 - Oct. 19 Oct. 9 - Oct. 12 DUCKS 6A,B 18A,B and COOTs Late Nov. 11 - Jan. 7 Nov. 16 - Jan. 20 COOTS 15 45 SCAUP Early Oct. 9 - Oct. 19 Oct. 9 - Oct. 12 2 6 Late Nov. 11 - Jan. 7 Nov. 16 - Jan. 20 2 6 SEA DUCKS (Scoter, Oldsquaw, Eider)C Sept. 21 - Jan. 20 5D 15D CANADA GEESEE September Early Season Sept. 3 - Sept. 30 Sept. 14 - Sept. 30 15 45 REGULAR AP UnitF Oct. 15 - Oct. 19 3 9 SEASONS Nov. 16 - Jan. 7 AFRP UnitG Oct. 15 - Oct. 19 Oct. 15 - Oct. 19 5 15 Nov. 20 - Nov. 30 Nov. 20 - Nov. 30 Dec. 3 - Feb. 15 Dec. 3 - Feb. 15 NAP-H UnitH Oct. 9 - Oct. 19 Oct. 9 - Oct. 19 2 6 Nov. 19 - Jan. 15 Nov. 19 - Jan. 15
Special Late Season Jan. 16 - Feb. 15I 5 15 SNOW GEESE (includes BLUE GEESE) Oct. 1 - Jan. 15 Oct. 1 - Nov. 30 25 J Feb. 21 - Mar. 10 Jan. 7 - Mar. 10
BRANT Dec. 4 - Jan. 7 Dec. 17 - Jan. 20 2 6
A Includes all species of ducks, with the following restrictions: MALLARD: daily limit 4 and may include only 2 HENS. WOOD DUCK: daily limit 3. BLACK DUCK: daily limit 1. SCAUP: daily limit: 2. REDHEAD: daily limit 2. PINTAIL: daily limit 2. CANVASBACK: daily limit 2. HOODED MERGANSER: daily limit 2. Possession limits are three times the daily bag limit. SEASON FOR HARLEQUIN DUCKS IS CLOSED. B MERGANSERS ARE INCLUDED IN THE TOTAL DUCK BAG OF 6. C In coastal waters and streams seaward of the first upstream bridge. D Daily bag limit for sea ducks may include no more than 4 SCOTERS, 4 OLD SQUAW, 12 in possession. E Daily bag limit includes white-fronted geese. F AP Unit: Litchfield County and the portion of Hartford County, west of a line beginning at the Massachusetts border in Suffield and extending south along Route 159 to its intersection with Interstate 91 in Hartford, and then extending south along Interstate 91 to its intersection with the Hartford/Middlesex County line. G AFRP Unit: Starting at the intersection of I-95 and the waters of the Quinnipiac River, excluding the east shore, north on the Quinnipiac River to its intersection with I-91, north on I-91 to I-691 to the Hartford County line, and encompassing the rest of New Haven County and Fairfield County in its entirety. H NAP-H Unit: All of the rest of the state not included in the AP or AFRP descriptions above. I That portion of the South Zone east of the Quinnipiac River. J There is no possession limit for snow geese.
8 9 Federal Regulations, continued from page 7 them in the range of hunters. stamp. A stamp is not required to hunt woodcock, snipe, coot, or rail. ● By the aid of baiting (placing feed such as corn, wheat, salt, or other feed to constitute 2. For waterfowl hunting, only the following shot shall be used: (1) non-toxic steel shot a lure or enticement), or on or over any baited area where a person knows or reasonably no larger than BB steel, or (2) any other federally-approved non-toxic shot type, such as should know that the area is or has been baited. Hunters should be aware that a baited area bismuth-tin alloy, tungsten iron, tungsten polymer, tungsten matrix, or tungsten-nickel- is considered baited for 10 days after the removal of the bait. iron (Hevishot) shot no larger than #2. No person may possess lead shot while waterfowl hunting. Closed Season. No person shall take migratory game birds during the closed season. 3. Hunting, shooting, or carrying of loaded firearms within 500 feet of any building occupied Shooting Hours. No person shall take migratory game birds except during the hours open to shooting as prescribed. by people or domestic animals or used for storage of flammable material, or within 250 feet of such buildings when waterfowl hunting in tidal areas from land shooting positions Daily Bag Limit. No person shall take in any one day more than one daily bag limit. or from floating blinds anchored adjacent to land or from rock positions, is prohibited, Field Possession Limit. No person shall possess more than one daily bag limit while in the unless written permission from lesser distances is obtained from the owner and carried. field or while returning from the field to one’s car, hunting camp, home, etc. Landowners, their spouses, and lineal descendants are exempt from this restriction, Wanton Waste. All migratory game birds killed or crippled shall be retrieved, if possible, providing any building involved is their own. and retained in the custody of the hunter in the field. 4. Shooting toward any person, building, or domestic animal when within range is Tagging. No person shall give, put or leave any migratory game birds at any place or in prohibited. the custody of another person unless the birds are tagged by the hunter with the following 5. All waterfowl hunting on state-controlled lands and water of Great Island, in Old Lyme, information: 1) The hunter’s signature; 2) The hunter’s address; 3) The total number of birds and Ragged Rock, in Old Saybrook, shall be from temporary waterfowl hunting blinds involved, by species; and 4) The dates such birds were killed. only, except that cripples may be recovered by shooting within the area open to hunting. No person or business shall receive or have in custody any migratory game birds belonging to 6. Boats left unattended at DEEP lands must be marked so that identification of the owner another person unless such birds are properly tagged. can be made. Possession of Live Birds. Wounded birds reduced to possession shall be immediately killed 7. No person shall kill or wound any waterfowl without making a reasonable effort to and included in the daily bag limit. retrieve the bird. Any bird which is killed or wounded and not retrieved shall count in the Dressing. No person shall completely field dress any migratory game bird and then transport daily bag total. the birds from the field. The head or one fully feathered wing must remain attached to 8. A hunting party shall include no more than six individuals, with a minimum distance of all such birds while being transported from the field to one’s home or to a migratory bird 100 yards between parties. preservation facility. 9. No person may construct or place any permanent blind or structure for hunting of Shipment. No person shall ship migratory game birds unless the package is marked on the waterfowl on state-controlled lands or waters. outside with: (a) the name and address of the person sending the birds, (b) the name and address of the person to whom the birds are being sent, and (c) the number of birds, by species, contained in the package. Local Regulations Over the years, DEEP has closed certain areas to waterfowl hunting or imposed additional For information regarding the importation of migratory game birds killed in Importation. restrictions at some sites. These actions are taken when DEEP finds that the physical setting another country, hunters should consult Title 50, CFR, 20.61-20.66. One fully feathered wing of a particular locality presents an unreasonable risk that hunters may violate the regulations must remain attached to all migratory game birds being transported between the port of entry regarding minimum distances to dwellings or the regulations regarding shooting toward and one’s home or to a migratory bird preservation facility. No person shall import migratory dwellings or people. Please become familiar with these local sites and always use good game birds belonging to another person. judgment when hunting near any populated area. Maps of these closure areas are available Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp. The law requires that waterfowl upon request at 860-424-3011. hunters 16 years of age and older must carry on their person a valid federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Duck Stamp) signed in ink across the face. A duck stamp Just because an area is not specifically listed here does NOT mean it is open to waterfowl hunting. Hunters must always comply with existing regulations regarding minimum is not required to hunt woodcock, snipe, coot, rail, or gallinule. distances from dwellings and shooting towards persons, buildings, and domestic animals Dual Violation. Violation of state migratory bird regulations is also a violation of federal within range. regulations. 1. Waterfowl hunting is permitted at Selden Neck Natural Area Preserve in Lyme. Federal regulations related to migratory game birds are located in Title 50, CFR, Reference. 2. Waterfowl hunting in the Niantic River in the towns of Waterford and East Lyme is Part 20. subject to the following regulations: More restrictive regulations may apply to national wildlife refuges open to public Caution. (a) Hunting is prohibited from the shore or in the intertidal area without permission of hunting. For information, contact the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in Hadley, Massachusetts the riparian property owner. (413-253-8274). (b) Hunting is prohibited in the water area northerly of an east and west line which Connecticut Regulations touches the southern tip of Sandy Point and includes Kenny Cove. (c) Hunting from boats is permitted only along the midline of the river. 1. While hunting waterfowl, hunters 16 years of age or older must have valid Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp authorization on their license or have in their (d) Hunting is prohibited in Smith Cove northwest and above the railroad track and in possession a CT Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp signed in ink across the face of the the channel entering Smith Cove.
10 11 3. Waterfowl hunting is prohibited in Alewife Cove and entrance channel, Waterford and land at the power plant property off of Sound Shore Road to the shoreline adjacent to New London, and in Jordan Cove north from the mean high water line on the northern Glen Avon Road. side of the sand spit and island. - In Greenwich Harbor, Smith Cove, and Indian Harbor, north of a line extending from the 4. In Westport, waterfowl hunting is prohibited from the shores and waters shoreward of northernmost tip of the area known as Round Island on the west side of Greenwich Harbor lines extending from the tip of Cedar Point to: a) the southerly tip of the stone breakwall to the southernmost tip of the peninsula at the end of Indian Field Road. at the eastern end of Compo Beach; and, b) the southwest tip of Hendrick’s Point. - In Byram Harbor, north of a line extending northeastward from the end of Dock Road to 5. There shall be no waterfowl hunting in the tidal waters of Cove Harbor within 100 feet of the southeastern most tip of Gamecock Island across Byram Harbor to the southernmost the mean high tide mark of the Darien shore. tip of the unnamed peninsula immediately west of Harbor Drive. 6. There shall be no waterfowl hunting in Cove Pond (Holly Pond), Stamford and Darien, 19. Waterfowl hunting is prohibited from the shores and waters of the Branford River in north of the dam. Branford from Route 1 south to Montowese Avenue. 7. There shall be no waterfowl hunting in Poquetanuck Cove, bordered by the town of 20. Waterfowl hunting is prohibited from the shores and waters in Post Cove in Deep River Preston and Ledyard. southward of the dike that extends across the northern edge of the cove. 8. Waterfowl hunting is prohibited in the area of Mason’s Island known as Ram Point Cove 21. Waterfowl hunting at Plum Bank WMA in Old Saybrook is prohibited north and east of a inland of a line extending from the high water mark of the southernmost tip of Ram Point line extending from Southview Circle southeast to Gull Lane. to the southernmost tip of Mason’s Island bordering the eastern side of Ram Point Cove. 22. Hunting is prohibited in that part of Gulf Pond in Milford between the Milford breakwater 9. Waterfowl hunting is prohibited in the Black Hall River in Old Lyme in the area bordered and Metro North railroad tracks and in Milford Harbor from the Milford breakwater north on the south by Route 156 and on the north by the first upstream railroad crossing. to the Memorial Bridge. 10. There shall be no waterfowl hunting in Assekonk Swamp Wildlife Management Area, 23. Hunting is prohibited in Lake Wononscopomuc in Salisbury. North Stonington. 24. Waterfowl hunting is prohibited from the shores and waters of the Housatonic River in 11. There shall be no waterfowl hunting in any direction within a 500-foot radius of the Stratford and Milford southward from the I-95 bridge to a line running east and west mean high tide mark at Merwin Point in Milford or from within an area bounded by the across the river that includes the northern-most tip of the island in the river that occurs shoreline and a line from the southernmost extension of the 500-foot radius at Merwin adjacent to the end of Riverview Place in Stratford. Point westward to the southeastern shoreline at Pond Point in Milford. 25. Waterfowl hunting is prohibited from the shores and waters of the Quinnipiac River 12. Waterfowl hunting is prohibited in Bantam Lake in Litchfield and Morris. downstream from a line extending from the southernmost tip of Fargeorge Preserve 13. There shall be no waterfowl hunting in the Mystic River from Route 27 south to Route 1 (Granis Island) at the mouth of Hemingway Creek, across the river to Lombard Street, in Mystic and Groton. south to the Amtrak/Route 1 bridge near the mouth of New Haven Harbor. 14. There shall be no waterfowl hunting in or from the banks of Ash Creek north of the line drawn from the northern end of the steel railing on the fishing pier in Fairfield to the northern end of the stone sea wall in Bridgeport at the mouth of the creek where it enters Long Island Sound. 15. Waterfowl hunting at King’s Island in Enfield is by written permit only; call the Wildlife Division (860-424-3011) for details. 16. Waterfowl hunting in the Thames River in the town of Waterford is prohibited in Smith Cove northwest and above the railroad tracks, and from the shores and waters in the vicinity of Mamacoke Island in Mamacoke Cove westward of a line running from the easternmost point of land at Harrison’s Landing due north to the point where it intersects the southernmost tip of Mamacoke Island, and from the shores and waters within the unnamed cove west of the southernmost point of shoreline of the unnamed waterbody west of the railroad tracks, the shores and waters of which shall also be closed to waterfowl hunting, to a point intersecting the shoreline of Mamacoke Island. 17. Waterfowl hunting is prohibited from the shore and water in the Giant’s Neck area of East Lyme at the mouth of the Pataguanset River northward of a line running due west from the south end of the fixed pier located at the Giant’s Neck Boat Association Launch to the south end of the breakwall located at the end of Point Road. 18. Waterfowl hunting is prohibited from the shores and waters of Long Island Sound in Greenwich as follows: - In Greenwich Cove, north of a line extending from the easternmost point of land at Willowmere Point to the northernmost point of land on the peninsula immediately north of Meadow Place. - In Cos Cob Harbor, north of a line extending due east from the southernmost point of
12 13 State-owned or Controlled Lyme Nehantic State Forest 83 B Waterfowl Hunting Areas Lyme Nott Island - Lord’s Cove Area 49 Lyme Selden Island 30 NORTH ZONE Marlborough Salmon River State Forest 68 North Haven A B Quinnipiac River Marsh 44 Town Area Map #1 North Stonington Pachaug State Forest 80 Andover Bishop Swamp WMA 64 PlainfieldA Pachaug State Forest 80 Ashford A Natchaug State Forest 62 Portland Wangunk Meadows 69 Avon A Nod Brook WMA 22 Sharon Housatonic State Forest 3 Barkhamstead Peoples State Forest 17 Simsbury Simsbury WMA 21 Burlington D Sessions Woods WMA 2 Sprague Waldo Tract 77 Canaan Robbins Swamp WMA 1 Stafford Ellithorpe Flood Control Area 57 Chaplin A Mansfield Hunting Area 65 Stafford A Shenipsit State Forest 55 Colchester Babcock Pond WMA 101 Sterling A Ross Marsh WMA 67 Cromwell B Cromwell Meadows WMA 32 Torrington Paugnut State Forest 13 Durham Durham Meadows WMA 39 Union Nipmuck State Forest 59 Durham A Cockaponset State Forest 40 Warren Wyantenock State Forest 23 Eastford Natchaug State Forest 62 West Hartland Tunxis State Forest 15 East Haddam Babcock Pond WMA 101 Ellington A Shenipsit State Forest 55 SOUTH ZONE Enfield Scantic River Town Area Map # EnfieldA C King’s Island WMA Goshen A John A. Minetto State Park 11 Guilford East River WMA 48 Griswold A Pachaug State Forest 80 Guilford Great Harbor 46 B Haddam A Cockaponset State Forest 40 Milford Charles E. Wheeler WMA (Nell’s Is.) 45 B Haddam Haddam Neck 43 Old Lyme Great Island WMA 87 B Haddam Higganum Meadows 41 Old Saybrook Ragged Rock WMA 52 Kent Wyantenock State Forest 23 Old Saybrook Plum Bank Marsh 50 Old Saybrook South Cove 51 Stonington B Barn Island WMA 88 Report Waterfowl Bands -- Now on the Web! 1This list includes most of the state-owned or leased waterfowl hunting areas. Assistance with the reporting of waterfowl bands is crucial for management Individual (8 1/2" x 11") maps are available from the DEEP Wildlife Division or decisions. Leg band return data help managers track waterfowl movements, on DEEP's website (www.ct.gov/deep/wildlife). timing of these movements, harvest rates, and other important information. Bands and other markers, such as neck collars, can be reported online at www. A and adjacent town or towns reportband.gov. By reporting band recoveries through the Internet, you will B primary waterfowl area receive immediate feedback on where the bird was initially banded and you can C print a Certificate of Appreciation directly. Bands can also be reported by calling hunting by permit only a toll-free number, 1-800-327-BAND. Operators are available Mon.-Fri., from D daily permit only/handicapped preference 7:00 AM-4:30 PM, with voice mail after hours and on weekends. This number (Call 860-675-8130, M-F 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.) should only be used to report bands.
14 15 Sunrise/Sunset (Old Saybrook) Tide Chart (Old Saybrook) Woodcock and Snipe Seasons Approximate corrections: Greenwich +40 min.; Stonington 1 hr 30 min.
DATE SUNRISE SUNSET AM High hgt PM High hgt AM Low hgt PM Low hgt Oct. 23 - Nov. 23 and Nov. 25 - Dec. 7, 2013 SEPTEMBER Daily Possession 1 6:16 7:22 8:29 3.4 8:55 3.9 2:11 0.8 2:18 0.9 Limit Limit 5 6:20 7:15 11:12 4.1 11:28 4.1 4:47 0.3 5:06 0.4 Woodcock 3 9 10 6:25 7:07 2:12 3.7 2:40 4.5 8:18 0.5 9:11 0.4 15 6:30 6:58 7:23 3.7 7:52 4.5 1:06 0.1 1:23 0.3 Common Snipe 8 24 20 6:35 6:50 11:30 4.8 11:53 4.1 5:13 -0.1 5:48 -0.1 25 6:40 6:41 3:12 3.4 3:41 3.9 9:13 1.1 10:05 0.8 OCTOBER Rail Season 1 6:47 6:31 8:42 3.8 9:03 3.8 2:11 0.7 2:31 0.8 5 6:51 6:24 11:13 4.5 11:35 3.9 4:51 0.3 5:24 0.0 Sept. 3 - Nov. 11, 2013 10 6:56 6:16 2:49 3.5 3:18 4.5 8:58 0.5 9:50 0.1 15 7:02 6:08 8:06 4.2 8:29 4.1 1:39 0.1 2:11 0.1 Daily Possession 20 7:07 6:01 11:50 4.6 ------5:30 0.3 6:13 0.0 Limit Limit 25 7:13 5:54 3:37 3.3 4:02 3.5 9:32 1.2 10:17 0.8 Virginia & Sora 25 75 NOVEMBER 7:21 5:45 Clapper & King* 10 30 1 9:24 4.4 9:45 3.7 2:53 0.3 3:30 0.1 5 6:26 4:40 11:13 4.9 11:44 3.7 4:51 0.0 5:40 -0.4 * Only 1 of the daily bag limit may be a king rail 10 6:32 4:35 3:45 3.7 4:11 3.8 9:54 0.4 10:25 0.0 15 6:38 4:30 8:22 4.5 8:43 3.5 1:56 0.1 2:41 -0.1 20 6:44 4:26 11:58 4.1 ------5:28 0.7 6:13 0.1 Shooting hours for woodcock, snipe, and rail seasons: 25 6:50 4:23 3:55 3.3 4:11 3.1 9:46 0.9 10:10 0.5 One-half hour before sunrise until sunset. DECEMBER 1 6:56 4:21 8:33 4.6 8:57 3.5 2:05 0.0 2:53 -0.4 5 7:00 4:20 11:50 4.8 ------5:27 -0.3 6:12 -0.7 10 7:04 4:20 4:30 3.8 4:51 3.3 10:40 0.1 10:54 0.0 Report Violations 15 7:08 4:21 8:47 4.1 9:07 3.1 2:21 0.3 3:08 -0.1 20 7:11 4:23 12:02 3.3 12:18 3.7 5:46 0.4 6:24 0.0 Poaching is stealing--simple as that. Shooting before or after hours, 25 7:13 4:26 4:01 3.3 4:11 2.9 10:02 0.5 10:12 0.4 overbagging, shooting out of season, and rallying birds are all JANUARY unethical hunting behaviors and illegal. If you see violations, report 1 7:15 4:31 9:49 4.8 10:16 3.7 3:27 -0.5 4:12 -0.9 1:01 3.9 1:23 4.1 7:08 7:38 them to DEEP's 24-hour hotline at 1-800-842-HELP (4537). All 5 7:15 4:35 -0.4 -0.7 7:14 4:40 6:07 3.7 6:27 2.7 ------12:18 0.1 calls are confidential and, if an arrest is made, a reward is given. 10 15 7:13 4:45 9:52 3.8 10:11 3.1 3:26 0.3 4:02 -0.1 20 7:10 4:51 1:01 3.4 1:10 3.3 6:49 0.3 7:13 0.0 25 7:06 4:57 5:05 3.7 5:29 2.7 11:24 0.0 11:26 0.1 Don’t Forget to Get HIP FEBRUARY 11:16 4.4 11:44 4.1 4:58 5:27 Migratory bird hunters are reminded that they must obtain a HIP permit 1 7:00 5:06 -0.9 -1.1 2:27 3.8 2:48 3.1 8:47 9:00 0.0 if they plan to hunt for ducks, coots, geese, brant, woodcock, rails, 5 6:56 5:11 -0.1 or snipe. HIP permits can be purchased online at www.ct.gov/deep/ 10 6:50 5:17 7:26 3.4 7:42 2.9 12:49 0.5 1:33 0.1 sportsmenlicensing or at select town halls for $4.00. They must be 15 6:44 5:23 10:49 3.5 11:09 3.5 4:20 0.0 4:44 -0.1 purchased annually and are only valid for the state you are hunting 20 6:37 5:29 1:43 3.7 1:59 3.0 8:03 0.1 8:11 0.3 in. Information derived from HIP permits is used to estimate the total 25 6:30 5:35 6:40 4.1 7:05 3.3 12:06 0.0 12:54 -0.3 waterfowl harvest across the country. These estimates are very important MARCH because they help determine federal waterfowl regulations. Please fill out 1 6:24 5:40 10:06 4.4 10:30 4.4 3:52 -0.9 4:15 -0.9 the survey truthfully and fully. 5 6:17 5:45 1:02 4.2 1:26 3.4 7:21 -0.4 7:31 0.0 7:00 3.3 7:23 2.9 12:24 0.7 1:05 0.4 10 7:09 6:50
16 17 Connecticut Migrant Goose Zones
North Canaan Colebrook Hartland Somers Stafford Union Salisbury Suffield 159 Enfield Thompson Norfolk Woodstock Granby Canaan East 91 Barkhamsted Granby Windsor 10 Ellington 7 Winchester Locks East 84 Putnam Windsor Eastford Simsbury Windsor Tolland Ashford Willington Pomfret 395 Sharon 8 New Canton Cornwall Goshen South Torrington Hartford Bloomfield Windsor Vernon Killingly Mansfield Chaplin Hampton Har Coventry Brooklyn Avon West Bolton tf East Manchester Hartford ord Harwinton Burlington 84 Hartford Kent Litchfield Warren Andover 6 Farmington Ne Glastonbury Windham 6 wington Wethers- Columbia Canterbury Plainfield Morris field Bristol Plain- New Scotland Washington Thomas- ton ville Britain Rocky- Marl- Hebron Sterling Plymouth hill borough Bethlehem Lebanon Sprague 7 New Berlin Milford Cromwell Voluntown Watertown Wolcott Southington 2 Franklin Griswold Portland Lisbon395 6 East Woodbury Hampton Colchester Bozrah Norwich Sherman Roxbury Waterbury 691 Middletown Bridge- Middle- Cheshire Meriden Middle- Preston water bury field New Prospect Southbury Naugatuck 2 Fairfield 9 Salem Brookfield 8 Montville North 84 Wallingford Durham E a s t H a d d a m Stonington Beacon Haddam Ledyard Hamden 91 Oxford Falls Bethany 10 Danbury Newtown Chester North Killing- Lyme Waterford East 95 Stonington worth Ne Seymour Wood- Haven North Deep Lyme Groton w Bethel Ansonia Branford bridge River London Essex Old Monroe Der by New Haven West- Old Lyme en Guilford Saybrook Redding av Clinton brook Ridgefield Shelton 95 Orange Branford Madison 8 West 7 Easton Trumbull Haven East H Weston Milford Wilton Bridge- ord
Fairfield port Stratf Migrant Goose Zones New Canaan Westport95 AP Unit Norwalk Stamford Darien Greenwich AFRP Unit
NAP-H Unit P. J. FUSCO
8/2013