The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection on Wednesday announced that changes to hunting and trapping regulations were approved by the Legislative Regulations Review Committee on Tuesday.

The regulations are effective upon filing with the Secretary of State and will be implemented for this year's fall hunting seasons.

Major changes include: adding crossbows as legal archery equipment; expanding junior deer and turkey hunter training opportunities; allowing muzzle loading firearms during the shotgun/rifle deer seasons; providing an orange clothing exemption for predator hunters; changing the methods for tagging game birds taken during regulated activities; and adjusting the crow hunting season dates.

The new regulations also establish specific protections for snapping turtles by designating seasons, size and bag limits, gear restrictions, and other measures designed to ensure the long-term viability of the state’s turtle populations.

The changes are not in the currently published 2013 Connecticut Hunting and Trapping Guide, but will be included in the 2014 guide, which is in production. Details of the changes will be published soon at: www.ct.gov/deep/hunting.