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Connecticut Legal Hunting Hours (2026)

Info: In Connecticut, deer hunting hours run from 1/2 hour before sunrise until sunset, and small game hours from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset.

InfoVerified Jun 18, 2026

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In Connecticut, deer hunting hours run from 1/2 hour before sunrise until sunset, and small game hours from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset. Raccoon and opossum may be hunted at night.

Official source: portal.ct.gov →

Connecticut legal hunting hours by date

The rule above (deer (small game ends 1/2 hour after sunset)): 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset, worked out from each place’s own sunrise and sunset. Start times are rounded up and end times down to the minute.

Legal hunting hours for Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford	Start (EDT)	End (EDT)
Sat, Oct 17	6:36 AM	6:06 PM
Sun, Oct 18	6:37 AM	6:04 PM
Mon, Oct 19	6:38 AM	6:03 PM
Tue, Oct 20	6:39 AM	6:01 PM
Wed, Oct 21	6:40 AM	6:00 PM
Thu, Oct 22	6:42 AM	5:58 PM
Fri, Oct 23	6:43 AM	5:57 PM
Sat, Oct 24	6:44 AM	5:55 PM
Sun, Oct 25	6:45 AM	5:54 PM
Mon, Oct 26	6:46 AM	5:52 PM
Tue, Oct 27	6:47 AM	5:51 PM
Wed, Oct 28	6:49 AM	5:50 PM
Thu, Oct 29	6:50 AM	5:48 PM
Fri, Oct 30	6:51 AM	5:47 PM

Sunrise moves about 4 minutes for every 50 miles east or west, so times where you hunt can differ from Hartford. Seasons, species, special areas and Sundays can have their own hours — check the official source before you hunt. Sunday hunting in Connecticut

General legal information, not legal advice — verify important decisions with a licensed attorney.

Legal Hunting Hours in states bordering Connecticut

The same rule in each neighboring state LawLert has verified, from that state’s own official source.

MassachusettsInfo
In Massachusetts, general hunting hours are from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset.
Verified Jun 18, 2026 · Source: mass.gov · Full Massachusetts rule →
New YorkInfo
In New York, deer and bear may be hunted only from 30 minutes before sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset.
Verified Jun 18, 2026 · Source: dec.ny.gov · Full New York rule →
Rhode IslandInfo
In Rhode Island, legal deer shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.
Verified Jun 18, 2026 · Source: dem.ri.gov · Full Rhode Island rule →

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