State guide
Public land that may allow hunting in Connecticut
12 named public land units in Connecticut from PAD-US 4.1: 2 state wildlife & game areas, 5 forests & grasslands, 3 wildlife refuges & WPAs, 2 other public land units. The largest are Silvio O. Conte National Fish And Wildlife Refuge, Stewart B. Mckinney National Wildlife Refuge, Cockaponset State Forest.
- 12listed areas
- 3,749acres (approx.)
- 2state wildlife & game areas
Regulations & licenses: Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (Wildlife Division)
This site does not list seasons, bag limits, license or permit rules. Those change every year and differ by area. Check them with the state agency before you go, and confirm the specific area is open to the hunting you plan.
Where the listed areas are
One dot per area at its reference point; larger dots are larger areas. Outline: U.S. Census Bureau.
Acres by land type
Approximate acres for the portion of each unit inside Connecticut.
All 12 areas, largest first
- National Wildlife Refuge
Silvio O. Conte National Fish And Wildlife Refuge
1,042 acres
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service · Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region
Restricted access - National Wildlife Refuge
Stewart B. Mckinney National Wildlife Refuge
1,021 acres
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service · Greater Bridgeport Planning Region, Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region + 2 more
Restricted access - State forest
Cockaponset State Forest
533 acres
State: department of conservation · Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region
Open access - State forest
Mattatuck State Forest
290 acres
State: department of conservation · Northwest Hills Planning Region
Open access - State forest
Pachaug State Forest
220 acres
State: department of conservation · Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region
Open access - National Wildlife Refuge
Great Thicket National Wildlife Refuge
179 acres
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service · Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region
Restricted access - State forest
Nye Holman State Forest
171 acres
State: department of conservation · Capitol Planning Region
Open access - State wildlife / game area
Black Pond Wildlife Management Area
70 acres
State: other or unknown agency · South Central Connecticut Planning Region, Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region
Restricted access - Other state land
Beacon Hill
67 acres
State: department of conservation · South Central Connecticut Planning Region
Open access - Other state land
Bluff Point
60 acres
State: other or unknown agency · Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region
Open access - State wildlife / game area
Barber Pond Wildlife Area
50 acres
State: department of conservation · Capitol Planning Region
Restricted access - State forest
Pootatuck State Forest
46 acres
State: other or unknown agency · Western Connecticut Planning Region
Open access
Acreage is calculated from simplified PAD-US boundaries for the portion inside Connecticut. “Access” is the PAD-US public access field, not a statement about hunting. National wildlife refuges are generally coded “restricted” in PAD-US because of seasonal or area closures.