Fall Hunting Seasons, Master Wildlife Conservationists, Mosquitos, and More!

Wildlife Highlights is published by the Connecticut DEEP Wildlife Division. Please share the newsletter with other outdoor enthusiasts and help our subscription list grow!

Fall Hunting Season Is Around the Corner

As summer draws to an end, multiple fall hunting seasons will soon be taking place, with two of the more popular seasons, fall archery deer opening on private land on Sunday, September 15, and fall archery turkey season opening on Monday, September 16. The archery deer season on state land also opens on September 16.

We hope you have a successful 2024 season, and remember that safety comes first!

The best way to stay up to date with hunting season information is to check the 2024 Connecticut Hunting and Trapping Guide and the 2024-2025 Connecticut Migratory Bird Hunting Guide.

NEW: 2023 Connecticut Deer Program Summary is available!

Fluorescent Orange: Visitors to public hunting areas are strongly encouraged to wear fluorescent orange to improve their visibility to other users of the land. As always, dogs must be kept on leashes no longer than 7 feet while on DEEP properties, unless the dog is in the act of hunting or training for hunting.

Congrats to the 2024 Master Wildlife Conservationist Class

Last month, the DEEP Wildlife Division's Outreach Program graduated 20 new members of the Master Wildlife Conservationist (MWC) Program.

This free program provides adults with education and training on the natural history, biology, conservation, management, and interpretation of Connecticut’s wildlife.

The primary goals of the MWC Program are to increase public knowledge and understanding of conservation as it relates to wildlife and natural resource management and encourage participation of MWC volunteers and communities in conservation efforts.

Master Wildlife Conservationists also provide free presentations on a variety of wildlife-related topics, including bald eagles, bats, black bears, bobcats, Connecticut's changing landscape, and white-tailed deer. If you are affiliated with a library, nature center, garden club, or other environmental organization and would like to have a MWC present a program, please take a look at our offerings HERE.

More on the Master Wildlife Conservationist Program . . .

Fall Means Black Bears Are Stocking Up on Calories

Over the next couple of months, black bears will become quite active, spending up to 20 hours a day looking for food!

During this time, black bears are focused on finding the most calories for the least amount of work, and they are not picky eaters. Garbage, birdseed, and pet food are easy calorie jackpots for bears. Unprotected livestock, especially chicken coops can be particularly appealing during this time.

Connecticut has an abundance of natural food sources to support our growing bear population. This fall, do your part to keep bears from accessing human-associated foods, helping to reduce or eliminate conflicts between people and bears.

More on the basics of living with black bears . . .

DEEP Wildlife Events of Interest

The DEEP Wildlife Division, along with some of our conservation partners, will be participating in a variety of events in the coming weeks. We hope to see you there!

Saturday, September 14, 2024 - Connecticut Waterfowl Conservation Day - Join the DEEP Wildlife Division, Audubon Connecticut, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bruce Museum, Ducks Unlimited, Delta Waterfowl, and the Connecticut Waterfowl Association at the Greenwich Audubon Center from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM for a day of wetland and waterfowl conservation. Learn how you can help us protect our wetlands and preserve our waterfowl. Fun for the whole family! Registration is not required.

Sunday, September 15, 2024 - Bat Appreciation Day - Join us for our annual celebration of bats at the Old New-Gate Prison and Copper Mine in East Granby from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Registration is not required.

Thursday, September 26-29, 2024 - The DEEP Wildlife Division will be at the Durham Fair to answer your wildlife-related questions!

Saturday, September 28, 2024 - Join DEEP as we celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day at Black Rock State Park in Watertown, Connecticut (beach parking area) from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Registration is not required.

Risk of Mosquito-Borne Diseases Continues

The State Mosquito Management Program is warning Connecticut residents about the risk of infection by eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile virus (WNV) this season. As of early September, the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) has detected EEE-infected mosquitoes in Canterbury, Farmington, Ledyard, Lyme, Manchester, North Stonington, Plainfield, Sterling, Stonington, and Voluntown. In addition, WNV-infected mosquitoes have been detected in 41 Connecticut towns. One human case of WNV infection has been reported in Connecticut so far this year, as well as a white-tailed deer that died from EEE infection in Lisbon. Positive findings of WNV and EEE in mosquitoes are reported to local health departments and on the CAES website.

Late summer-early fall is the critical time of the year when virus activity reaches its peak in the mosquito population and the risk is expected to continue until the first hard frost in October. Connecticut residents are strongly encouraged to take simple steps to prevent mosquito bites.

To reduce the risk of being bitten by mosquitoes:

Minimize time spent outdoors between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
When it is necessary to be outdoors, use mosquito repellents containing an EPA-registered active ingredient, including DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone. EPA registration of skin-applied repellent products indicates that they have been evaluated and approved for human safety and effectiveness when applied according to instructions on the label.
Wear shoes, socks, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt when outdoors for long periods of time, or when mosquitoes are more active. Clothing should be light-colored and loose-fitting and made of tightly woven materials that keep mosquitoes away from the skin.
Wear clothing and gear treated with permethrin. Permethrin is an insecticide that kills or repels mosquitoes and ticks.
Be sure door and window screens are tight-fitting and in good repair.
When sleeping outdoors, use tents or mosquito netting in an unscreened structure. Treat camping gear with permethrin when possible.
Cover strollers and baby carriers with mosquito nets when outside.

Residents are also encouraged to take steps at home to protect against mosquitoes, such as making sure door and window screens are tight-fitting and in good repair, and not letting stagnant water collect around your home. Dump water out of old tires, wheelbarrows, and wading pools.

More on mosquitoes in Connecticut . . .

Aspetuck Land Trust's Miyawaki Forest Project

Connecticut's State Wildlife Action Plan identifies the many species in need of protection, the threats they face, and the challenges for conserving wildlife resources into the future. Conservation happens through a network of organizations and individuals working together. Our partners are accomplishing some incredible conservation work!

In Bridgeport, Aspetuck Land Trust has been engaging students in planting Miyawaki micro-forests at seven public schools. Named after the ecologist who developed the method, Miyawaki forests are densely planted with native species and grow rapidly. These seven are the first of such forests to be planted in Connecticut and follow an example in Cambridge, Massachusetts. In addition to giving the community a chance to connect with nature, the small forests sequester carbon, help capture stormwater, and provide local cooling. The trees also give a boost to local biodiversity and will support native birds and pollinators. This project addresses some critical threats to wildlife that have been identified in Connecticut’s State Wildlife Action Plan, including climate change and habitat loss. Aspetuck Land Trust’s Miyawaki Forest Project was made possible by the Connecticut Department of Agriculture’s Climate Smart Agriculture and Forestry Grant.

More about the Aspetuck Land Trust . . .

More on Connecticut's State Wildlife Action Plan . . .

Invasive Pest Spotlight - Spotted Lanternfly

The DEEP Wildlife Division is receiving many questions about the invasive spotted lanternfly (SLF). This insect is a relatively new plant pest to Connecticut that represents a significant threat to our environment, including residential areas and agricultural interests, particularly forests, orchards, vineyards, and nurseries.

As spotted lanternfly nymphs and adults feed on the sap from trees and vines, the entire plant can weaken because it cannot photosynthesize as effectively. Spotted lanternflies also impact agricultural crops, often causing reduced yields and generally weakening the plants, if not completely destroying them.

If you think you have observed spotted lanternflies, do not move any wood or other potentially infested material from the site. Instead, report your sightings and, if you are able, kill any spotted lanternflies you find immediately.