Waterfowl Hunting Season Opens Oct. 9

Connecticut’s early waterfowl hunting season for ducks, mergansers and coots opens this Saturday, October 9, in the area designated by DEP as the North Zone (the portion of the state north of I-95). Local boaters, property owners, and recreational users of Lake Zoar and Lake Lillinonah should be aware that hunter activity may be present on the lakes. Hours for hunting waterfowl have been established by DEP as one half hour before sunrise to sunset.

Waterfowling with firearms is permitted on the lakes from floating blinds anchored adjacent to land or rock positions as long as a minimum distance of 250 feet is maintained from any building occupied by people, domestic animals or used to store flammable materials. When hunting from land a 500 foot minimum distance must be observed from those same buildings.

Mallard, wood duck, redhead, pintail, canvasbacks, and scaup are currently in season. The season for harlequin ducks is closed and no black ducks may be taken in the early season.

The early waterfowl season for the North Zone closes on October 23. The late waterfowl season opens on November 11 and runs through January 4.

For further information contact the Connecticut Wildlife Division at 860/424-3011.