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February 2026
Wildlife Highlights is published by the Connecticut DEEP Wildlife Division. Please share the newsletter with others to help spread awareness about Connecticut's wildlife!
Eastern coyote photo courtesy of John Clery.
Coyote Breeding Season Underway
In Connecticut, the breeding season for the eastern coyote is from January to March. During this time, you are more likely to hear and see coyotes. Contrary to popular belief, coyotes do not call to announce a kill. Instead, coyotes use a variety of vocalizations to communicate with family members, warn non-family members to stay out of their territory, and advertise for a mate.
As coyotes have become more common, public concerns about coyotes attacking people have increased. Although some coyotes may exhibit bold behavior near people, coyotes seldom attack humans. However, this risk can increase if coyotes are intentionally fed and then learn to associate people with food, or if a person is walking with a dog, especially one that is not leashed, near a coyote den or territory during the denning and pup rearing seasons.
Following are some important tips for coexisting with one of Connecticut’s native canines:
- Do not allow pets to run free. Keep cats indoors, particularly at night, and keep dogs on a leash or under close supervision at all times.
- Always walk
dogs on a leash. If approached by a coyote while walking your dog, keep the dog under control and calmly leave the area. Do not run or turn your back. Coyotes are territorial and many reports of bold coyotes visiting yards, howling, or threatening larger dogs can often be attributed to this territorial behavior.
- Never feed coyotes. It is illegal to intentionally feed coyotes and other potentially dangerous wildlife (P.A. 23-77). Clean up bird seed below feeders and pet foods. Secure garbage and compost in animal-proof containers.
Master Wildlife Conservationists participating in a bat house building workshop.
Apply Now to the Master Wildlife Conservationist Program!
Applications are now open for the 2026 Master Wildlife Conservationist Program! This popular volunteer program, administered by the DEEP Wildlife Division, provides adults with free education and training on the natural history, biology, conservation, management, and interpretation of Connecticut’s wildlife.
What is involved? Participants receive approximately 40 hours of intensive classroom and field training. After completing the course, each participant provides 40 hours of volunteer service within the first 18 months to become certified as a Master Wildlife Conservationist (MWC). Following certification, MWCs must provide 25 hours of volunteer service and attend at least one continued learning opportunity annually to remain certified. Volunteer service typically includes public outreach or assisting Wildlife Division staff with projects and fieldwork.
Each applicant must submit a completed application form and submit one to two reference forms. Forms sent via postal mail must be postmarked no later than Monday, March 9, 2026. Online forms must be submitted no later than Wednesday, March 11, 2026.
More on the Master Wildlife Conservationist Program . . .
BOW participants recently learned how to process a white-tailed deer.
CT's Growing BOW Program
The Wildlife Division’s R3 (Recruitment, Retention, Reactivation) Coordinator continues to expand Connecticut’s Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) Program, including a recent Deer Butchering Clinic designed to build women’s confidence and practical skills for processing white-tailed deer for consumption.
BOW is an educational initiative that provides women with the space and resources to explore, develop, and grow their outdoor skills. From hunting and fishing to hiking, camping, outdoor cooking, and more, this program introduces participants to a wide range of activities while connecting those who share an interest in nature.
More on the BOW Program . . .
Wildlife Division seasonal technician using radio telemetry equipment.
Seasonal Job Opportunities with the Wildlife Division
The Wildlife Division has multiple openings for Seasonal Resource Assistant positions. These positions are available for individuals interested in acquiring experience in the profession of wildlife management. A background in wildlife biology or environmental science is highly preferred for most positions. Positions are typically six months in duration (no more than 1,040 hours) and have between a 35-40 hour work week.
Seasonal Resource Assistants are vital in helping the Wildlife Division carry out its mission. Some of the current openings include working with the Migratory Bird, Bear and Furbearer, Habitat, and Wetland Habitat and Mosquito Management Programs.
View seasonal jobs . . .
"Surf" scoter 2025 art submission.
Conserving Wetlands through the Arts
There is still time to participate in the 2026 Connecticut Junior Conservation (Duck) Stamp Art Competition. This annual competition encourages Connecticut students in kindergarten through grade 12 to explore the natural world through art!
To enter, submit a drawing or painting featuring native waterfowl (ducks or geese) for the chance to have your artwork featured as the 2027 Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp. Entries must be postmarked by
March 15, 2026.
Funds from the sale of Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamps have restored or enhanced roughly 4,000 acres of critical wetland habitat in Connecticut.
More details on how to enter the competition . . .
The Eastern Box Turtle and other native reptiles have benefitted from donations to the Endangered Species/Wildlife Income Tax Check-off Fund.
Remember Your "Other Dependents" During Tax Season
The "Endangered Species/Wildlife Income Tax Check-Off Fund" was created in 1993 by the State Legislature to allow Connecticut state income taxpayers to voluntarily donate portions of their tax refund to support efforts aimed at helping Connecticut's endangered species, natural area preserves, and watchable wildlife. Citizens can also contribute directly to the fund.
Since the inception of the Tax Check-off Program, numerous projects have been funded in the areas of habitat restoration, inventory, monitoring, and education. A more recent project is the Bats Count! Bat Cam, which features a livestream of a big brown bat maternity colony in a barn at White Memorial Conservation Center in Litchfield. The best part about this project is that you and your family and friends can help us learn more about the bats by watching the livestream to monitor the activity of the bat colony and then report your observations and help us count the bats as they emerge from the barn each night during summer.
More details on the Endangered Species/Wildlife Income Tax Check-off Fund . . .
Upcoming Events:
The Wildlife Division will be participating in the following events in the near future:
- (Rescheduled) 20th Annual Winter Festival: Saturday, February 21, 2026, from 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM at Burr Pond State Park. Details on the Winter Festival.
- Connecticut Fishing and Outdoor Show: March 20-22, 2026. Visit the Wildlife Division's display to learn about Connecticut's wildlife. Details about the show.
Who We Are
The Wildlife Division is part of the Bureau of Natural Resources within the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). The Bureau is charged with managing the state’s natural resources (particularly fish, wildlife, and forests) through a program of research, management, public education, and regulation. The Wildlife Division is
comprised of several programs that work together to conserve and manage Connecticut's wildlife.
Contact Us
Email: deep.ctwildlife@ct.gov
Phone: 860-424-3011
Wildlife Website: https://portal.ct.gov/DEEPWildlife
Hunting Information: https://portal.ct.gov/DEEPHunting
Office Directory: https://portal.ct.gov/deep/wildlife/wildlife-division-office-directory
The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer that is committed to complying with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you are seeking a communication aid or service, have limited proficiency in English, wish to file an ADA or Title VI discrimination complaint, or require some other accommodation, including equipment to facilitate virtual participation, please contact the DEEP Office of Diversity and Equity at 860-418-5910 or by email at deep.accommodations@ct.gov. Any person needing an accommodation for hearing impairment may call the State of Connecticut relay number - 711. In order to facilitate efforts to provide an accommodation, please request all accommodations as soon as possible following notice of any agency hearing, meeting, program or event.
