Now - to simplify -

Public Act 10-99 provides for hunting deer with a revolver on private lands of at least 10 acres in size. Emergency Regulations to implement the new law for the upcoming firearms deer hunting season were approved on September 28, 2010. An updated notice will be posted when the new revolver deer hunting permits are available for purchase through the online licensing system.
The following information should help sportsmen understand the various provisions of the new law and accompanying regulations:
Eligibility:
o Those who own 10 or more acres of land, their spouse, parents, grandparents, siblings and lineal descendants hunting on their own lands (“landowners”),
o Connecticut residents hunting on 10 or more acres of private land with the permission of the landowner (“residents”).
Legal Firearms:
o Revolvers of .357 caliber or larger, with a barrel length less than 12 inches.
o Semi-automatic pistols and single shot pistols (i.e. TC Contender or Encore) are NOT permitted.
Permit Requirements:
o Landowners hunting deer with a revolver on their own property must acquire both a ‘free’ Landowner Deer Permit and a Revolver Deer Permit.
o Residents hunting deer on 10 or more acres of land with the consent of the landowner must acquire both a Resident Private Land Rifle/Shotgun Deer Permit and a Revolver Deer Permit.
Seasons:
o Landowners may hunt deer with a revolver on their own land from November 1, 2010 through December 31, 2010.
o Residents may hunt deer with a revolver on 10 or more acres of land with the consent of the landowner from November 17, 2010 through December 7, 2010.
Bag Limits:
o The bag limit for Landowners hunting deer on their own property, and in conjunction with a ‘free’ Landowner Deer Permit, is two regardless whether those deer are taken with a rifle, shotgun, muzzleloader, bow and arrow, or revolver,
o The bag limit for a resident hunting deer on 10 or more acres of land with the consent of the owner, and in conjunction with a Private Land Rifle/Shotgun Deer Permit, is the bag limit associated with the Private Land Rifle/Shotgun Deer Permit whether those deer are taken with a rifle, shotgun or revolver.
Fees:
o The fee for a Revolver Deer Permit is $5,
o Only one Revolver Deer Permit is required whether that permit is used in conjunction with a single ‘free’ Landowner Deer Permit or Resident Private Land Rifle/Shotgun Deer Permit, or used in conjunction with both such permits.

Revolvers should not be concealed and should be carried openly in a sling or holster while hunting.

All other regulations pertaining to deer hunting with firearms, including tagging, reporting and wearing of fluorescent orange, apply to revolver hunters.

All other laws and regulations pertaining to the possessions of revolvers, including State Pistol Permits, apply to revolver hunters.

Additional info will be posted on the DEP website as soon as they can.