If you live in the USA, you ought to deal with pigeons. Almost all the states are infested with these annoying sky rodents. While pigeons are clearly at home, enjoying food. It is a task to remove them from your home. So, is it illegal to kill pigeons in Connecticut?
No. It is not illegal to kill pigeons in Connecticut. The state doesn’t protect the Feral pigeon specie. So, you can kill and shoot them anytime you want. But Connecticut is one of the states that doesn’t allow Mourning dove hunting.
It is legal to hunt other dove species in the state. Continue reading to learn more about pigeon and dove hunting.
Which Type Of Pigeons Are Illegal To Hunt And Eat In Connecticut?
It is illegal to hunt and eat Mourning doves in Connecticut. In the USA, hunters can take down Mourning doves only in forty-one states. Unfortunately, Connecticut is not part of that list. So, each year hunters, right before hunting season, protest about it.
Many people hunt the Mourning doves without the state’s permission. It is illegal and, if caught, can cause a hefty fine. If you want to hunt doves in the state, you can take down Eurasian collared doves. There is no day and time restriction to shoot them.
They have plump bodies, small heads, and long tails. Their wings are broad and slightly rounded at the edge. The tail is flat at the tip and is more pointed than the Mourning dove. Eurasian-Collared doves are overall pale, pink, brown, and grey. They have a distinctive black neck collar.
Lastly, it is legal to eat pigeons in Connecticut as long as you can prove you have not killed them.
Why Is It Illegal To Hunt And Eat Pigeon In Connecticut?
In Connecticut, it is illegal to hunt Mourning doves. The federal authorities have strictly forbidden hunting them. They are Migratory birds and are protected under Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. It was signed in 1918 between the USA, Canada, Mexico, Japan, and Russia. According to this treaty, no one can harm, kill, shoot, trade, or sell these birds.
This treaty doesn’t include any native birds or pigeons. It only counts the pigeon, which moves according to the season. Mourning doves are part of these birds. So, you can’t hunt them without a state permit. So, next time on a hunt, you must know all the features of Mourning doves to avoid taking them down.
Mourning doves are overall tan or brown with black spots on their wings. They are nine to thirteen inches long, and their wingspan is 15 to 18 inches. The long pointed tail has a white border and black spots under the eye.
Laws Governing About Pigeon Shooting In Connecticut State
Shooting pigeons is legal, but it requires some skills. The laws in each state ensure the safety of hunters, wildlife, and properties. You must know them before planning to take down some nasty sky rodents. Following are some laws that govern pigeon shootings in Connecticut.
Hunter Education Safety Course
The Connecticut Hunter Education Safety Course is a requirement for all hunters who want a hunting license. People having hunting licenses from other states can be exempted from this.
It is a twelve-hour program split into classes. You can take lessons online at your convenience and save time. So, taking an online course means you can study and practice as you like. You can start and stop it at your convenience.
Attend a field day to show your weapon-handling skills. It is available at half a fee for students or people below 18. After completing the course, hunters will have to take a test. You can always reattempt if you fail to get an eighty percent result. Upon successful completion of the course, you can print the certificate online.
Hunter License
The Hunting license is an essential requirement for all hunters in the state. However, the hunting license expires after 12 months. So, you will have to buy it every year. The minimum hunting age is nine years. People from age nine to seventeen must purchase a Youth hunting license.
The fee for this license is slightly less than the adult hunting license. While people above 65 can obtain a free lifetime pass. You can purchase either of them online or via an agent. There is a separate license for non-residents.
Hunting On Private Property
Landowners can shoot pigeons on their property without a hunting license. Only if they permanently live on that property and it is ten or more contiguous acres. So, you can purchase the Free landowner permit if you check all the criteria. This permit can also be used by the landowner’s spouse and descendants.
Tenants or people who don’t live on their property will need a hunting license but not a separate permit. People with no blood relation to the landowner will have to purchase a Private Hunt Permit. You can fill out the form online or by visiting the wildlife office.
How Can You Shoot And Hunt Pigeons In Connecticut State?
Hunting pigeons is easy as long as you know all the rules. Every state has some assigned rules for pigeon hunting. So, below are a few pointers to help you in pigeon shooting and hunting in Connecticut.
- Complete the Hunting education certificate course.
- Purchase a hunting license via a website or agent. The youth hunters must also carry their hunting licenses with them.
- Young people aged 17 or below must be under the direct supervision of an adult hunter age 21 or above.
- It is illegal to hunt Mourning doves. So, avoid shooting them even on private land.
- Hunting timing begins thirty minutes before sunrise and ends thirty minutes after sunset.
- Shooting pigeons in residential areas is unlawful. The state does not allow the use of firearms within 150 yards of a residence or any dwellings.
- It is forbidden to hunt on Sunday and within 50 meters of worship place.
- To hunt on private property, obtain a permit by filling out the form online.
- Hunters must wear all the safety gear on the field, including vests, gloves, and goggles.
- Wear bright clothing on the field, including bright orange or pink vest, cap, and backpack.
- Hunters must carry a legal weapon on the field. But no bullet or arrow can be poisoned.
- Avoid eating Feral pigeons. It is better to dispose of the harvest in large plastic bags.
Summing Up
It is legal to kill pigeons in Connecticut except for Mourning doves. Unlike many other USA states, the federal authorities of Connecticut protect Mourning doves. They are part of the MBTA 1918. According to this act, it is illegal to kill, harm, sell, or trade any migratory bird without state permission.
The other pigeon species in the state are Feral pigeons and Eurasian collared doves. You can take them down at any time of the year. But, the only essential requirement for shooting them is a hunting license. So, you can purchase it after completing the safety course. The legal hunting weapons are air rifles, shotguns, and bows and arrows.