Connecticut publishes deer harvest in a form FDR could rank for 57 public hunting areas. Nye Holman SF is highest at 11.4 deer harvested per square mile in 2024. MDC Nepaug Resevoir - Valentine/Pine Hill has 11.2 in 2024 and Centennial Watershed SF has 9.3 in 2024. The rankings describe reported harvest and do not measure access or hunting pressure.
KEY FINDINGS
- Nye Holman SF has the highest harvest per square mile at 11.4. The agency reported 14 deer on 786 acres in 2024.
- 57 public hunting areas are ranked. Ranks compare areas measured between 2020 and 2024 and each row shows its own newest year.
Connecticut public land rankings
Best public land in Connecticut
Derived FDR figures from state agency numbers. Seasons measured 2020 through 2024. Captured October 18, 2026. Harvest per square mile is the agency's deer harvest divided by the area's size. Success rate is the agency's published rate or harvest divided by hunters. Areas smaller than one square mile are left out of the rankings. Order uses the unrounded values and tied values share a rank. Blank cells mean the agency did not publish the figure.
Download all ranked rows (CSV)
Public hunting areas
Top 15 of 57 ranked public hunting areas by deer harvest per square mile. Each row shows its own newest year.
15 of 57 areas shown
| 1 | Nye Holman SF | Tolland, etc. | 786 | 2024 | 14 | 11.4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | MDC Nepaug Resevoir - Valentine/Pine Hill | 1,485 | 2024 | 26 | 11.2 | |
| 3 | Centennial Watershed SF | Easton, Weston, etc. | 4,470 | 2024 | 65 | 9.3 |
| 4 | Quinebaug River WMA | Canterbury, Plainfield | 1,410 | 2022 | 19 | 8.6 |
| 5 | West Thompson Dam (federal land) | 1,094 | 2024 | 14 | 8.2 | |
| 6 | Wangunk Meadows (off Rte. 17a) | Portland | 643 | 2024 | 7 | 7.0 |
| 7 | Rose Hill WMA | Preston, Ledyard | 874 | 2024 | 9 | 6.6 |
| 8 | NU-Maromas Coop WMA | Middletown | 1,618 | 2021 | 15 | 5.9 |
| 9 | Bartlett Brook WMA | Lebanon | 727 | 2024 | 6 | 5.3 |
| 10 | Franklin Swamp WMA | North Franklin | 728 | 2024 | 6 | 5.3 |
| 11 | Natchaug SF | Eastford, etc. | 12,596 | 2024 | 99 | 5.0 |
| 12 | Barn Island WMA | Stonington | 1,039 | 2024 | 8 | 4.9 |
| 13 | Mansfield Hollow Lake (excluding SP) | Mansfield, Chaplin, etc. | 2,017 | 2024 | 15 | 4.8 |
| 14 | Algonquin SF | Colebrook | 2,473 | 2024 | 18 | 4.7 |
| 15 | Assekonk Swamp WMA | North Stonington | 699 | 2024 | 5 | 4.6 |
01Public hunting areas
57 areas ranked on harvest per square mile
Nye Holman SF has the most deer harvested per square mile at 11.4 in 2024. MDC Nepaug Resevoir - Valentine/Pine Hill has 11.2 in 2024 and Centennial Watershed SF has 9.3 in 2024.
The top 15 run from 11.4 down to 4.6 deer harvested per square mile.
02Basis of this report
Sources and method
FDR divided the agency's deer harvest by the area's size to get harvest per square mile. Areas smaller than one square mile are left out of the rankings. Ranks compare areas measured between 2020 and 2024 and each row shows its own newest year.
Success rate is the agency's published figure or harvest divided by hunters. Tied values share a rank and the order uses the unrounded values.
A ranking does not evaluate an individual property and does not confirm that it is open to hunting for you.
Sources
NOTES AND SOURCES
- Derived FDR figures from state agency numbers. Seasons measured 2020 through 2024. Captured October 18, 2026. Harvest per square mile is the agency's deer harvest divided by the area's size. Success rate is the agency's published rate or harvest divided by hunters. Areas smaller than one square mile are left out of the rankings. Order uses the unrounded values and tied values share a rank. Blank cells mean the agency did not publish the figure.
Fully Drawn Research is an independent data analysis desk, not affiliated with any state wildlife agency, transportation agency, mapping provider or outfitter. FDR rankings are independent analysis of state agency numbers. A ranking does not evaluate an individual property.
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