Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

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Discover Outdoor Connecticut Day

Archery Target PracticeThank you to everyone who attended this fun-filled event at Hammonasset Beach State Park sponsored by the DEEP Bureaus of Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation. Stay tuned for plans for 2020.

Discover Outdoor Connecticut Day is also part of the National Hunting and Fishing Day celebration. This year, National Hunting and Fishing Day is observed on Saturday, September 28. Hunters and anglers have been at the forefront of the conservation movement for over 100 years. They showed their support by requesting taxes and special fees on hunting and fishing equipment to help pay for wildlife and fish management, habitat restoration, and other conservation programs through the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration (WSFR) Program.

Each new hunter and angler created helps fund conservation. Every time someone buys firearms, ammunition, archery equipment, motorboat fuel, or fishing tackle, they contribute to habitat conservation and science-based wildlife management through the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration (WSFR) program.

Visit the National Hunting and Fishing Day website to learn the history of National Hunting and Fishing Day.

Discover Outdoor Connecticut Photo Contest

The Discover Outdoor Connecticut Photo Contest was held for a second year in a row as part of our event. We received approximately 330 entries in 4 categories: Wildlife, Scenic, People in the Outdoors, and Youth. A panel of judges selected first through third place winners in each category (winning images are below). Judges also awarded honorable mention to several photos. All of the photo entries were on display at Discover Outdoor Connecticut Day in the new Meigs Point Nature Center. Attendees had a chance to vote on their favorite photo -- the one with the most votes was given the People's Choice Award.

First Place Wildlife

Wildlife
1st Place -- Playhouse
Maxx McKinlay
Granby 

2nd place Wildlife

Wildlife
2nd Place -- Northern Metalmark
Peter DeGennaro
Plainville 

Third place Wildlife

Wildlife
3rd Place -- Frog in a Fountain
Sheryl Haraghey
Enfield

First Place Scenic

Scenic
1st Place -- Amber Light
Kristen Fallon
Bloomfield

Second Place Scenic

Scenic
2nd Place -- Summer Glow
Deb Swaney-Jones
Ivoryton

Third Place Scenic

Scenic
3rd Place -- Snowfall along the Quinebaug
Marcy Lamiras
Putnam 

First Place People in the Outdoors

People in the Outdoors
1st Place -- Painting at the Point
Daniel Reinwald
Branford 

Second Place People in the Outdoors

People in the Outdoors
2nd Place -- You Go First
Kristen Fallon
Bloomfield 

Third Place People in the Outdoors

People in the Outdoors
3rd Place -- Splashing Fun
Kelly Hunt
Deep River 

First Place Youth

Youth
1st Place -- Dragonfly
Avery Rogulski
Lisbon 

Second Place Youth

Youth
2nd Place -- Blades of Orange
Signar Cohen-Tyler
West Hartford 

Third Place Youth

Youth
3rd Place -- Flower
Emma Kowalchuk
Farmington

Partnering to fund conservation and connect people with nature.

Content last updated February 2020.