Delaware hunters can take advantage of a larger daily bag limit during resident Canada goose season starting Sept. 1 /Delaware DNREC photo
Regulatory Changes to be Implemented for Upcoming Season
Include Legalized Sunday Hunting for All Game Species
The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced today that several Delaware hunting seasons will open on Tuesday, Sept. 1, marking the start of the overall 2026-27 hunting season. These early seasons are a longstanding tradition for the state’s hunters, who through such early opportunities afield play a vital role in conserving Delaware’s wildlife resources.
Delaware deer hunters will open the season on Tuesday, Sept. 1 with the archery and crossbow seasons. Gamebird hunters can go afield the same day for the start of resident Canada goose and mourning dove seasons. Opening later in the month are the special September teal and gray squirrel seasons. For a complete list of season dates and regulations for all species throughout the rest of the season, refer to the annual Delaware Hunting & Trapping Guide.
Recent legislative and regulatory changes present new opportunities for the 2026-27 hunting season, including:
- Sunday hunting to be open for all game species
- Expanded muzzleloader specifications
- Expanded straight-walled pistol-caliber rifles
- Eliminating the minimum age requirement for the special Delaware youth hunts by the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife, and
- Legislation that allows 16- and 17-year-olds to hunt and conduct target practice without direct supervision, as long as they have permission from a parent or guardian and have completed basic hunter education.
Also, for the second year, expanded hunting opportunities are available during the resident Canada goose season except at locations where and when the special September teal season is open. Hunters should check the 2026 Hunting & Trapping Guide for additional information on the changes for waterfowl hunting.
Hunters who plan to go afield during the early seasons for resident Canada geese, teal and mourning doves are reminded that these migratory bird seasons have not yet been finalized – they should check the Federal Register from Aug. 26 for news regarding the finalizing of federal regulations and expect to find final season selections for Delaware in the register by Aug. 31.
Because migratory bird hunting is ultimately regulated under the authority of the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act, final approval from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is required before season frameworks selected by Delaware and other states become official. USFWS’s process for approving states’ season frameworks is undergoing substantive changes, which is why approvals have taken longer than normal to be finalized. Meanwhile, the states and USFWS continue to work together to develop a more efficient process that can be completed sooner.
With the recent detection of Chronic Wasting Disease, an addendum to the hunting and trapping guide is now available online and will be in hard copy at licensing agents throughout the state. Hunters are advised to review the addendum regarding new requirements and opportunities for having their deer tested. More information, including the addendum, can also be found on the de.gov/cwd webpage.
More information about hunting on state wildlife areas can be found in the 2026 Hunting & Trapping Guide and in updated Delaware wildlife area maps, which are expected to be online by Sept. 1. Information on hunting licenses, the state waterfowl stamp and the Conservation Access Pass can be found on the de.gov/huntinglicense webpage.
About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities, and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife conserves and manages Delaware’s fish and wildlife and their habitats, and provides fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing and boating access on more than 75,000 acres of public land. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, X or LinkedIn.
Media contacts: Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov; Nikki Lavoie, nikki.lavoie@delaware.gov
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