(a) The commissioner may, when he finds that extraordinary precautions are necessary to prevent fires in any woodland of the state, declare a closed season, during which sport fishing in inland waters or hunting on any land or waters of the state shall be suspended and the provisions relating to closed seasons shall be in force; but the provisions of this section shall not apply to the hunting of sea coots (scoters), old squaw and eider ducks from boats or rock formations in open coastal waters seaward of the first upstream bridge; to licensed shooting preserves, or to authorized field trials sanctioned by the American Kennel Club or American Field; or to sport fishing from boats, docks, wharves, floats or bridges in lakes and ponds, the Connecticut River, the Thames River and the Housatonic River downstream of Derby Dam when such lakes, ponds and rivers can be reached over open roads and access to such lakes, ponds and rivers by sport fishermen is by this means, to shad fishing at the state-controlled area of the Enfield Dam in Suffield, or to fishing in licensed commercial hatcheries. Upon the termination of the necessity for any such closed season, the commissioner may reopen the season. Whenever the commissioner, under the provisions of this subsection, declares a closed season for any period, he may extend the open season for an equal period.

(b) The commissioner may, when he finds that the harvest level for a species exceeds or fails to meet the harvest level for efficient management of such species, declare a closed season or extend the open season for the sport fishing, hunting or trapping of such species. Any closed season or extended open season may be limited to a specific area.

(c) Whenever the commissioner declares a closed season, the reopening of a closed season or the extension of an open season under the provisions of this section, he shall cause notice thereof to be published in the Connecticut Law Journal.

(1949 Rev., S. 4851; 1955, S. 2448d; February, 1965, P.A. 61, S. 1; 1971, P.A. 872, S. 228; P.A. 86-26.)

History: 1965 act clarified prohibitions and exceptions to them by referring to specific waterfowl and shore birds excepted from provisions, to specific rivers excepted, to shad fishing in the state-controlled area of the Enfield Dam and to fishing in licensed commercial hatcheries, and deleted provision which had allowed continuation of open season beyond November thirtieth in any year; 1971 act transferred powers formerly held by governor to commissioner of environmental protection and required that notice be published in Connecticut Law Journal when closed season declared or when it is reopened or when open season is extended; P.A. 86-26 divided section into Subsecs. and added new provision concerning closed and open seasons when harvest levels exceed or fail to meet harvest levels for efficient management.

See Sec. 23-50 re authority of Governor to close forests as precaution against fires.