Hey guys,

I just found out this morning that I'll be moving to Hartford, CT for a year long internship at the end of August.  I've lived in Texas my whole life and I'm thinking I'm probably in for a culture shock.  I know nothing about the archery or hunting scene up there so any insight you could give me would help.  In Texas you often have to pay to hunt private land but I realize it may be different there.  My wife and I will be living apart which means two rents and I'm a poor grad student to start with so funds will be low.  Thanks again for the help.  (oh, if anyone knows of cheap living that would be nice too  

Zane

I'm not far from Hartford, so when you make the move be sure to look me up!

Much of the private land is off limits to hunting, either b/c the owners don't like hunting or the land is leased by a hunting club.  There are exceptions, you just need to do the leg work to find them.  I wouldn't expect to pay to hunt, just maybe help out and supply a few packages of venison.

There's plenty of public land, some of it real nice for deer and tree rats.  Many smaller tracts of land, some larger.  You'll share much of it with hikers and birdwatchers, but the thick stuff (ie where the deer are) you'll have to yourself.

Overall the deer population is out of control.  Most of the state is way beyond the carrying capacity of the land.  Seeing deer has never been a problem (even the big ones) but seeing them on land you're hunting and not just over the property line can be frustrating  :D

Oh, I'll check on the cheap living and get back to you... I know someone who may be able to help.

i suggest you checkout halls archery.  it is one of the premiere archery  ranges in the nation.  it is in manchester, ct.  20 min from hartford.  texas in ct?  you will be in for huge culture shock.  prepare yourself!!!  there are more deer in ct. than anywhere. you can draw a ridiculous number of tags.  if you cant shoot a deer there...

Yep, should be interesting to say the least. You'll have to get used to our funny accents and all, but Hartford isn't a very big city. I'm out in the woods in the NW corner right across the street from some of the best trout fishing around. If you feel up to it we have an archery range right out the back door, a fire pit, and cold beer. Let me know when you get settled in and have some time. We have plenty of deer here, plenty of state land too. The key to tagging deer in CT is scouting before the season. Beyond that, it's just a deer and you shoot 'em just like you would in Texas.

Zane I do not live in Hartford however I do fly into there almost every year on my way bear hunting in Canada.
One thing I would say is the folks there are pretty darn nice and helpful to folks tring to find there way around.Everyone I ment there was just a super nice person.Good luck and maybe one of these days if I'am layed over there for a few hours we could have a coffee..bd

Thanks for all the feedback.  It's nice to know that at least I won't have to give up my favorite past time for the year, though I may not have much time to scout and such before season just due to working long weeks.  I may be looking you guys up when I get there!

Man do I feel for you!!!! Good luck with your ed!! Have kin that live close to Hartford, it's not cold, but COLD!!! Good MOOSE hunting close by. I'm movin' to IDAHO so not much different!! Good luck you're do well!

The deer hunting in Conn. is great. In addition, if you hook up with some of the state trad guys ask about going to the Muzzy stump shoot in Aug.