Female Wild Turkey taking a break from sitting on her eggs...4-24-2020

Posted by Wayne G. Barber       Photos and Video property of Wayne G. Barber

Wild Turkey Hunting Seasons

2020 Connecticut Hunting and Trapping Guide

Hunters may pursue wild turkeys during three separate seasons: Spring, Fall Archery, and Fall Firearms. A specific license and stamp are required to participate in each season. Spring turkey archery and firearms hunting bag limits and season lengths are not separate; whereas fall archery and fall firearms are separate seasons with their own unique bag limits and season time-frames.

Spring Turkey Season

New regulations have been adopted for the 2020 spring wild turkey hunting season. Hunters may now harvest a total of 5 bearded birds, regardless of property type. Specific state and private land bag limits no longer apply. In addition, spring turkey hunting hours have changed from a noon closure to a sunset closure.

Season Dates

• April 29 - May 30    State Land, Private Land, and Landowner

Bag Limit

• 5 bearded birds (on private land or state land or a combination of both). New Regulation

Hunting Hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset. New Regulation

License Requirements:

• CT Residents: Firearms hunting license or Small Game and Deer Archery Permit and a Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamp.
• Non-residents: 3-day out-of-state bird hunting license or non-resident firearms hunting license and a Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamp.
• Landowners (who own 10 or more contiguous acres) must obtain a Free Landowner Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamp to hunt wild turkeys on their property. Landowners who wish to hunt on other private land or state land for wild turkeys must purchase the Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamp for $28. There is no additional bag limit for turkeys due to the Free Landowner Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamp.

Legal Firearms: Shotguns, 20 gauge or larger, with #4, 5, 6, 7 1/2 shot, or any combination. Shotguns must not be capable of holding more than 3 shells.

Legal Bows: For the purposes of hunting deer and turkey, legal bows include long, recurved, or compound bows with a minimum draw weight of 40 pounds and crossbows. Mechanical string release devices are permitted. Projectiles coated with any drug, poison or tranquilizing substance are prohibited.

• Crossbows: The use of crossbows for hunting deer, turkey and all other species is permitted. Legal crossbows must have a minimum draw weight of 125 pounds and permanent fixed rifle type stock with a functional mechanical safety device. Adjustable crossbow stocks are permitted, but folding stocks are not. The bolt (arrow) length must be at least 18 inches, excluding the broadhead. Crossbows are considered loaded when fully drawn with a bolt in place. Telescopic sights are permitted.
• Arrowheads: Legal arrowheads for hunting deer and turkey must have at least two blades and must be at least 7/8 inch wide at its widest point. Arrowheads that are designed to open on impact are legal provided they meet the above requirement.

Tagging and Reporting:  Immediately upon harvesting a turkey, complete and sign a Harvest Tag and keep it with the carcass at all times. The Harvest Tag must remain with the turkey until it is cut up for consumption. See Tagging and Reporting Requirements.

Special Conditions:

• State Land Hunting - See Public Hunting Areas for a listing of areas open for spring turkey hunting with a Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamp.
• Private Land Permission - Signed written consent of the landowner on official forms for the current season must be carried while hunting.
• Decoys - Decoys may be used, but live decoys are prohibited.
• Free Landowner Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamp - only available to persons owning 10 or more contiguous acres of land. Additional permits are available for their spouses, lineal descendants, parents, grandparents and siblings. Landowners who wish to hunt on other private land or state land for wild turkeys must purchase the Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamp for $28. The stamp does not allow the harvest of turkeys over the standard 3 bearded bird bag limit.
• Junior Turkey Hunter Training Days - Saturday, April 18, through Saturday, April 25, 2020 (excluding Sunday)