You asked (1) how many deer were killed in 2003 in hunting and vehicle accidents and by other means and (2) how the deer population has changed during the last decade. You also want to know the (1) number of hunting accidents in Connecticut since 2000, (2) age of those involved in hunting accidents (i.e., under and over age 18), and (3) number of arrests for hunting while under the influence of alcohol or drugs since 2001.

According to the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), 16,502 deer were killed in the state in 2003. This includes 12,670 killed by hunters and 2,778 killed in reported vehicle accidents. Statewide deer population peaked in 2000 and is now declining.

Since 2000, there have been 27 hunting accidents in Connecticut, including one fatality. In the cases where DEP determined the age of the hunter involved in the accident, he or she was age 18 or older.

According to Judicial Department data, since 2001, there have been three charges for hunting while under the influence of drugs or alcohol in violation of CGS § 53-206d(b): one each in 2004, 2009, and 2010. All were dismissed (i.e., nolle prosequi).

DEP provided deer mortality information for 2003 and, for comparison purposes, 2009, as shown in Table 1. Deer deaths were higher in 2003 than in 2009.

Table 1: White Tail Deer Mortality Summary, 2003 and 2009

Source: Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection

DEP noted that the number of deer killed by vehicle accidents is likely under represented because not all such accidents are reported. A comparison of data between the DEP Environmental Conservation Police and the Department of Transportation (DOT), indicates that for every one vehicle-killed deer reported, DOT picks up another unreported five deer.

DEP indicates that Connecticut deer population peaked in 2000 and is now declining. DEP bases this on aerial deer surveys and deer-vehicle accidents. Most recently, DEP estimated the 2006 statewide deer population at about 126,000. Deer densities remain highest in Fairfield County, estimated at about 60 deer per square mile in 2009.

Table 2 provides a history of hunting accidents in Connecticut since 2000, including the game sought, injury, and contributing factor. Where a shooting is involved, DEP includes the shooter's age, which is also included in the table. Over the 11-year period (2000 – 2010), there were 27 hunting accidents. Of the 27, 18 involved the discharge of a firearm, and one resulted in a fatality. In the 13 cases in which DEP determined the shooter's age, the shooter was age 18 or older.

Table 2: Connecticut Hunting Accidents, 2000 - 2010

Source: Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection

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