Annual Youth Waterfowl Hunt Oct. 17

Additional Delaware hunting seasons open in October, including snow goose, duck, other migratory birds and deer firearm seasons. Deer hunting is allowed on all Sundays through Jan. 31, 2021, using only those hunting methods legal for the respective established deer hunting seasons. More information is available at Sunday Deer Hunting.

Hunting season dates opening in October:

• Snow goose: Oct. 1 to Jan. 30, 2021, and on Feb. 6, 2021
• Antlerless deer: Oct. 2 to 4, 19, and Oct. 23 to 26 and 30 to 31, including Sundays
• Muzzleloader deer: Oct. 9 to 18, including Sundays
• Youth Waterfowl Hunt: Oct. 17
• Ducks, coots and mergansers: first season split Oct. 23 to Nov. 3

Continuing hunting seasons include:

• Mourning dove: through Oct. 5
• Moorhen, gallinule, sora, Virginia rail, king rail and clapper rail: through Nov. 25
• Common snipe: through Nov. 28
• Archery and crossbow deer: through Jan. 31, 2021, including all Sundays
• Gray squirrel: through Feb. 6, 2021 (closed during November shotgun deer season)
• Coyote: through Feb. 27, 2021
• Crows: through March 27, 2021 (Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays only)
• Groundhog: through June 30, 2021

DNREC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife offers many hunting opportunities on state wildlife areas, with more information available at Wildlife Area Hunting Maps. Motor vehicles used to access designated wildlife areas owned or managed by the Division of Fish and Wildlife are required to display a Conservation Access Pass (CAP). Hunters can get one free annual CAP with the purchase of any Delaware hunting license. To obtain a CAP, hunters will need the registration card for the vehicle to which the pass will be assigned.

A Delaware hunting license or License Exempt Number (LEN) is required to hunt, and most waterfowl hunters require a Delaware waterfowl (duck) stamp and a federal migratory bird (duck) stamp. All migratory game bird hunters except crow hunters, including duck and goose hunters, also need a Federal Harvest Information Program (HIP) number, available through the DNREC ePermitting system or by calling toll free 855-335-4868. Hunters using the ePermitting system should either create a profile or use the “Quick Hunting Registration” option.

Delaware hunting licenses, Delaware waterfowl stamps and Conservation Access Passes can be purchased online at Delaware Licenses or from hunting license agents statewide. Starting this year, hunters obtaining a LEN should create a profile using the ePermitting system or at a hunting license agent. Federal migratory bird (duck) stamps are available for purchase at U.S. Post Offices, Bombay Hook and Prime Hook national wildlife refuges and online at Federal duck stamps.

More information on hunting seasons and wildlife areas is available in the 2020/2021 Delaware Hunting & Trapping Guide or by calling the Wildlife Section at 302-739-9912. For more information on hunting licenses, the state waterfowl stamp and the Conservation Access Pass, visit Delaware Licenses or call the Recreational Licensing office at 302-739-9918.

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 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 nearly 65,000 acres of public land. For more information, visit the website and connect with DNREC on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Joanna Wilson, joanna.wilson@delaware.gov; Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov

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Permit applications and licenses expedited by online transactions

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control continues pivoting to virtual operations both during the COVID-19 pandemic and into the future for greater efficiencies and ease of use for DNREC customers and constituents. The latest advance for DNREC’s ePermitting comes from the Division of Water and covers a spectrum of permit applications and license payments.

The new process is part of the continuing effort to keep DNREC staff and customers safe during the pandemic while providing consistent business practices, and in this case also enhancing the Department’s water-related transactions. Until now almost all permit applications and license forms from the Division of Water required hardcopy submissions, with payment by check or cash.

Online submission and payment can now be made via the ePermitting system for the following services:

Professional License Renewals:

• Well driller
• Liquid waste hauler
• Wastewater operator

Water Supply

• Water allocation permits
• Well permits (use existing application)

Wastewater

• Septic permits
• Site evaluation
• Septic inspections
• Septic system repair/Component replacement
• Authorization to use existing system
• Holding tanks (New/replacement/repair for private systems)
• Septic site waiver request

Wetlands and Subaqueous Lands

• Letters of authorization and Statewide Activity Approvals (SAA)
• New permits or leases
• Supplemental approval for lease/permit
• Jurisdictional determination requests
• Water quality certification
• Wetlands permits

“The COVID-19 pandemic expedited our efforts and to roll out ePermitting developments such as well drilling licenses and other water permitting and licensing, which state staff from DNREC and the Department of Technology and Information implemented in a matter of weeks,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn Garvin. “Contractors and constituents doing business with our Division of Water have asked for this option since online transactions became a part of State of Delaware business, and we are happy to provide it, especially at this time.”

Many DNREC services are available online, including hunting and fishing permits, sales of park passes and wildlife are conservation access passes (though state park and wildlife area fees and passes are currently waived until further notice), hunter education classes and plenty of virtual content. Public hearings and public meetings are also occurring virtually as well.

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. For more information, visit the website and connect with DNREC on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media contact: Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov or Nikki Lavoie, nikki.lavoie@delaware.gov

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