DNREC to host Delaware Duck and Goose Calling Contest July 20 at Delaware State Fair

HARRINGTON – DNREC’s Division of Community Affairs will host the first-ever Delaware Duck and Goose Calling Contest from noon to 4 p.m., Saturday, July 20 at the Delaware State Fair in Harrington. The contest will have two levels: junior level for ages 15 and younger, and senior level for ages 16 and older.

Registration for participants in junior and senior levels will be open from 10:30-11:45 a.m. at Hertrich Plaza in front of the Grandstand, with the contest held at the same location. A draped area near the stage will be cordoned off for competitors to practice their calls.

The contest will consist of a three-round competition, with calling routines of 60 seconds per duck and goose caller. Trophies will be presented for 1st through 3rd place in each contest.

For more information about DNREC at the Delaware State Fair, visit https://dnrec.alpha.delaware.gov/at-the-state-fair/.

Contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 49, No. 196


Delaware’s dove, resident Canada goose, deer, teal, and gray squirrel hunting seasons to open in September

 

Hunting opportunities offered at many state wildlife areas

DOVER – Delaware hunters will start their 2018/19 hunting season Saturday, Sept. 1, with the opening of mourning dove, resident Canada goose, and archery and crossbow deer seasons. Hunters can start adding teal to their bag on Wednesday, Sept. 12 when the special September teal season opens. Gray squirrel season opens Saturday, Sept. 15. New this year, archery and crossbow deer hunters can hunt Sundays during archery and crossbow deer seasons, including in September.

Seasons opening in September, with dates and hunting hours listed, are:

  • Dove: Sept. 1-Oct. 1 (½ hour before sunrise to sunset)*
  • Resident Canada geese: Sept. 1-25 (½ hour before sunrise to sunset)
  • Archery and Crossbow Deer: Sept. 1-Jan. 31, 2019 to include Sundays (½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset)
  • Teal: Sept. 12-29 (½ hour before sunrise to sunset)
  • Gray squirrel: Sept. 15-Feb. 2, 2019 (½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset)

DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife offers many early-season hunting opportunities on state wildlife areas, with hunting details and rules available online at Delaware’s September hunting seasons. *Reminder: Non-toxic shot must be used for dove hunting on state wildlife areas during the month of September and hunting hours might differ at specific dove fields on certain state wildlife areas.

A Delaware hunting license or License Exempt Number (LEN) is required to hunt, and most waterfowl hunters require a Delaware waterfowl (duck) stamp. More information on hunting license and Delaware waterfowl stamp requirements is available at Delaware Licenses. Teal, dove, and goose hunters also will need a Federal Harvest Information Program (HIP) number. To register for a HIP number or LEN number, hunters can go to Delaware Hunter and Trapper Registration or call toll free 1-855-335-4868. For hunters age 16 and older, a federal migratory bird stamp is also required to hunt geese or teal.

Registered motor vehicles used to access designated wildlife areas owned or managed by the Division of Fish & Wildlife are required to display a Conservation Access Pass (CAP). Hunters can opt to receive one free annual CAP with the purchase of any Delaware hunting license. To obtain a free CAP, or to purchase an additional pass, hunters will need the registration card for the vehicle to which the pass will be assigned.

Delaware hunting licenses, Delaware waterfowl stamps, and Conservation Access Passes can be purchased online at Delaware Licenses, at the license desk in DNREC’s Dover office at 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901, or from hunting license agents statewide. Federal migratory bird stamps are available at U.S. Post Offices, Bombay Hook and Prime Hook national wildlife refuges, and online at Federal duck stamps.

For more information on hunting, click 2018-2019 Delaware Hunting & Trapping Guide and Wildlife Area Hunting Maps. Hard copies of the hunting guide and newly-updated hunting maps are also available at the license desk in DNREC’s Dover office. More information on hunting licenses, season details, and conservation access passes is also available by calling the Wildlife Section office at 302-739-9912.

Follow the Division of Fish & Wildlife on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/DelawareFishWildlife.

Contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 48, No. 235