Dozens of CT hunting and fishing licenses were suspended in 2024. One extreme case stands out.

Yahoo

06-05-2025

During the hunting and fishing season last year, approximately 62 Connecticut hunting and fishing licenses were suspended or revoked, according to documents from the state's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
The vast majority of license suspensions issued are for anglers, since Connecticut issues significantly more fishing licenses than hunting licenses each year, according to James Fowler, spokesperson with DEEP. Most suspensions are for six months or just long enough to be excluded from the season. More serious violations last an entire year. In some cases, licenses can be revoked indefinitely depending on severity, primarily for serious hunting-related offenses or violations of certain laws.
'The state can issue a lifetime suspension for hunting or fishing licenses in the most serious cases — typically for repeat violations. For example, we issued a lifetime suspension last year to an individual repeatedly caught poaching striped bass,' Fowler said.
Among the suspensions issued by DEEP's Environmental Conservation Police, approximately seven hunting licenses were suspended, with the rest being fishing licenses. Hunters make up a small number of outdoor enthusiasts in the state, with their numbers continuing to dwindle, according to data.
Sales numbers continue to trend downward in almost all license categories including firearm, archery and combined hunting/fishing licenses. Last year, the state sold 9,224 resident firearm hunting licenses compared to 9,469 in 2023. Overall in 2024, the state's junior firearms hunting license also declined from previous years. In 2024, there were 468 junior firearms licenses purchased, down from 495 in 2023.
CT hunting and fishing licenses sales decline. It impacts the economy and outdoor programs
Non-resident license sales were among the few categories to see increases last year. In 2024, the state recorded 199 license sales for non-resident firearms hunting and inland fishing permits. That number is up from 2023, when there were 189 non-resident combined license sales. Sales of non-resident combined firearms hunting and all-waters permits, including marine fishing, also saw a slight increase.
Though fishing licenses have fared better, they also have also seen a downward trend since the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year, the state recorded 188,896 fishing license sales, including inland fishing, marine fishing, non-resident and youth ages 16-17 licenses, for a total of $3.2 million in revenue. That number represents an increase over 2023 when 182,575 fishing licenses were sold raking in $3.1 million. Numbers have substantially declined since 2020, when the state sold 209,507 fishing licenses that generated approximately $4.1 million in revenue.
According to DEEP documents, among the most common reason for fishing license suspensions included 12 issued for fishing in a reservoir. Other violations included illegal takes of short striped bass and being over creel limit or keeping over the amount legally allowed. Other suspensions cited anglers not having a trout/salmon stamp and fishing without a license.
Hunting violations are considered potentially more serious. While the state does not maintain a public-facing historical database of suspensions over time, they do prepare a monthly suspension list, according to officials. Connecticut is a member of the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact, which also suspends privileges for residents who are suspended or have unpaid fines in other member states. Most hunting violations incur a one-year suspension, according to data.
'We honor suspensions from other member states as well,' Fowler told the Courant.
Among hunting license violations were illegal take of a turkey and another illegal take of an unidentified migratory bird last summer. Other violations included negligent hunting and hunting without a license. Negligent hunting is a criminal offense categorized into four degrees based on the severity of the negligence and resulting harm. A person can be charged with negligent hunting if they engage in any conduct that exhibits a high degree of carelessness, including acts that could cause serious injury or death to themselves or others.
In a more extreme case, an 81-year-old hunter was deemed liable for negligence after accidentally shooting someone while out pheasant hunting in South Windsor in 2023. While the incident was deemed negligent and not intentional, the man had his hunting license privileges suspended for a year.
All license suspensions in Connecticut are appealable, according to DEEP. When a suspension is issued, the license holder receives a notice with instructions on how to appeal the decision. Once someone is notified that their license is suspended they are required by law to immediately stop all fishing, hunting and trapping activity and surrender all their licenses within 10 business days to EnCon police. In addition, Fowler said the state requires completion of a remedial hunter education course for certain safety violations and for reinstatement of hunting privileges.
Stephen Underwood can be reached at [e-mail].