HARTFORD, Conn. — The dates for the 2024-2025 migratory bird hunting seasons, which include seasons for ducks, geese, woodcock, snipe, rails and crows, was announced on Friday by the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
Key dates include Sept. 2, when the Special September Resident Canada Goose Season opens in the North Zone; it opens on Sept. 14 in the South Zone. The early duck season opens on Oct. 12 in the North Zone only. There is no early season in the South Zone this year, which is a new change. Also, late duck season opens on Nov. 9 in the North Zone and on Nov. 11 in the South Zone.
DEEP notes that specific details on season dates, bag limits, regulations and other reminders are published in the Migratory Bird Hunting Guide found online here. Printed versions are available at town clerk and select DEEP offices.
“Hunters are reminded to purchase the 2024 Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp before participating in migratory bird hunting this year,” Wildlife Division Director Jenny Dickson said. “The 2024 stamp features a beautifully illustrated painting of a long-tailed duck by local artist, Sulan Zhang. Sulan’s artwork was the best in show winner for the 2023 Connecticut Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest.”
Click here for information regarding changes to the migratory bird hunting regulations this year. DEEP says important notes include that the only change in species seasons and bag limits is related to the Atlantic Population, or AP, goose season, which it says has reverted to a restrictive 30-day season and three-bird bag limit. The days are in October and November, with the late season in the AP zone starting in mid-December and running to the end of the framework in mid-February. Also, hunters supported the removal of the early duck season days in the South Zone. DEEP says those days, along with the traditional split, were added to a continuous 60-day South Zone duck season.
DEEP reminds residents that the 2024 Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp, which includes the Harvest Information Program, or HIP, permit, costs $17 - $9 for junior hunters ages 12 to 17 – and can be purchased at town clerk offices, some outdoor equipment vendors or online here. All migratory bird hunters must acquire the stamp, regardless of age, if they plan to hunt waterfowl, rails, snipe, woodcock and crows. All proceeds from the sale of the stamps go toward a dedicated account that is used only for wetland habitat management and acquisition/improvement of hunter access, DEEP says.
The 2024 Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp is no good after Dec. 31, 2024. Any hunters who plan to hunt migratory birds in early 2025 must purchase a 2025 Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation stamp along with their 2025 hunting license before hunting migratory birds in 2025.
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DEEP says that the HIP was changed in 2020 to address issues identified nationwide with data entry at third party vendors. Currently, all hunters purchasing at a third-party vendor must answer the HIP screening questions themselves by calling 1-8777-337-4868 or by going online here. According to DEEP, this affects only around 15% of Connecticut hunters because most hunters already fill out the HIP online.
Also, waterfowl hunters ages 16 or older must purchase a federal Duck Stamp in addition to the Connecticut Migratory Bird Stamp. Federal Duck Stamps can be acquired from many post offices for $25; hunters under age 16 do not need to purchase a Federal Duck Stamp to hunt waterfowl.
Lastly, hunters should also report waterfowl leg bands. Band return information gives critical data for the continued sound management of the waterfowl resource. Report bands to the U.S. Geological Survey here.
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Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
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