I have to read the rules more often. CT allows deer hunting with a handgun now.

jstrykr74

jstrykr74

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Mar 7, 2011
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Somehow I missed that last season.
Section 1. (NEW) (Effective from passage) The commissioner shall issue, upon payment of a five-dollar fee, to the owner of ten or more acres of private land or a resident of this state, who has the consent of the owner of ten or more acres of private land, a private land [ pistol ]or revolver permit that allows the use of a [ pistol ] or revolver, as defined in section 29-27 of the general statutes, to hunt deer from November first to December thirty-first, inclusive, pursuant to the bag limit established for a private land deer permit under subsection (a) of section 26-86a of the general statutes. Any person authorized to hunt deer by [ pistol ] or revolver pursuant to this section shall use a cartridge of .357 caliber or larger for such purpose.

No person may use a handgun for the pursuit, taking or attempted taking of deer on privately owned lands pursuant to Sec. 26-86a, except under the following conditions: (1) the handgun shall be limited to revolvers and single shot pistols with a minimum barrel length of 5.75 inches and not exceeding 12 inches and chambered for and using straight-wall handgun ammunition in .357 to .50 caliber. (2) Full metal jacket bullets may not be used to harvest deer (3) the handgun must be carried openly on a sling or in a holster and not concealed while hunting; (4) handguns shall be used exclusively during any rifle/shotgun season as applicable during which deer may be taken. Handgun use shall only apply to Connecticut residents holding a valid Connecticut permit to carry a pistol or revolver.
 
Great. I think they should have defined the minimum barrel length as 4.0 inches from a regulatory perspective. I don't understand item #4 as it says "shall be used exclusively". Does that mean you can't carry a rifle too?

They seem to be about where Pennsylvania was about 10 years ago. PA had a "sportsman permit" for hunting which basically covered the hunter using a handgun (pre-common ccw days) so that if the gun became concealed while hunting (such as in a belt holster that might get covered by a heavy coat) you weren't in violation of carrying a concealed weapon. CT seems to be saying that you can not carry the handgun concealed for hunting and it is restricted to ccw permit holders or is the permit the one they are referring to in paragraph #1?
 
In Ct you can not carry a handgun for any reason, except in your place of residence or business, without a permit. You also can not purchase a handgun here without a permit. Rule #4 means that you can only use a handgun during rifle/shotgun season. From what I understand a handgun can be used anytime a rifle may be used. This limits you to a short season on private land only. If you can't hunt with a rifle, you can't hunt with a handgun.
 
I have been fortunate to have taken several deer with a handgun and it is a great experience. If you are going to try it my advice is to settle on which gun you will use and which load you will use then practice practice practice. You need to be comfortable shooting from positions other than sitting at a bench. A quality scope is a big plus and hearing protection should be used. Good luck, stay safe, and keep us posted if you get to go.
 
I'll be taking my .44 Redhawk. I've been shooting it for about twenty years and can keep all six rounds on a paper plate at 50 yards with open sights. My land is heavily wooded so any shot would be well under that. I'm going to be starting new job, so time might be an issue, but I'll keep you posted.
 
You can also use a single shot handgun. I think the people that wrote the law, as with most gun laws, didn't have a lot of knowledge about guns.
 
I've taken a number of varmints with a handgun, but have yet to pursue medium/large game. I'd say go for it and change things up a bit if you're comfortable with your skills with a handgun. I'm gonna try and put my Ruger .41 magnum Blackhawk to good use in the pursuit of larger game. It's quite a challenge/thrill from what I understand.
 
At 50 yds with iron sights ,no rest ,takes me about 2 seconds to get a nice one shot kill !! No need to load it HOT just pick an accurate comfortable load and practice ,practice !!
 
Yeah accuracy trumps power most of the time IMHO. I'm up around 10 grains of unique pushing a hard cast 210 semi wadcutter. I'm gonna bump it up to about 12 or so grains. Still I'll have to use extreme caution and limit my shots to inside 25 yards or so. With that being said for a hunting bullet, cast boolits are hard to beat IMHO and offer a nice compromise of penetration as well as expansion.
 
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