Additional Delaware Deer Hunting Seasons Opening in January

Numerous Hunting and Trapping Seasons Continue

Firearm deer hunting seasons opening in January and continuing archery deer seasons provide the last chance for hunters to harvest deer during the 2020/21 hunting season. Deer hunting is allowed on all Sundays, using only those hunting methods legal for the respective deer hunting season, with more information available from the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control at de.gov/sundayhunt. Hunters are encouraged to harvest does (female deer) to help manage the size and quality of the deer population.

Successful deer hunters who wish to donate venison to those in need are encouraged to participate in Delaware’s Sportsmen Against Hunger Program. Field-dressed deer may be donated at participating butchers or self-serve, walk-in coolers maintained by the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife, with additional information and participating butcher and cooler locations found at de.gov/sah. All donated deer will be processed free of charge to the hunter, and the meat will be distributed to participating charitable organizations serving those in need. Last year, hunters donated 25,406 pounds of venison that provided over 100,000 meals to Delawareans in need.

Deer hunting seasons opening in January include:

  • January handgun season*: Jan. 2, Jan. 4 to 9, which excludes Sunday, Jan. 3**
  • January shotgun season*: Jan. 16 to 24, including Sundays
  • January muzzleloader season: Jan. 25 to Jan. 31, including Sundays

* Straight-walled, pistol-caliber rifles are allowed during the January handgun and shotgun deer seasons.
**Hunters may only use archery equipment, including crossbows, to hunt on Sunday, Jan. 3.

Continuing hunting seasons include:

  • Bobwhite quail: through Jan. 2, 2021
  • Canada goose (migratory): through Jan. 18, 2021
  • Woodcock and common snipe: through Jan. 19, 2021
  • Ducks, coots and mergansers: through Jan. 30, 2021
  • Sea ducks in the Special Sea Duck Area: through Jan. 30, 2021
  • Brant: through Jan. 30, 2021
  • Tundra swan (by special permit ONLY): through Jan. 30, 2021
  • Snow goose: through Jan. 30, 2021, and Feb. 6, 2021
  • Mourning dove: through Jan. 30, 2021
  • Archery and crossbow deer: through Jan. 31, 2021, including all Sundays
  • Gray squirrel: through Feb. 6, 2021
  • Ring-necked pheasant (male only): through Feb. 6, 2021
  • Cottontail rabbit: through Feb. 27, 2021
  • Coyote (hunt): through Feb. 27, 2021
  • Red fox (hunt): through Feb. 27, 2021
  • Raccoon and opossum (hunt): through Feb. 27, 2021***
  • Beaver: through March 20, 2021, private land only
  • Crows: through March 27, 2021, and June 24 to 26, 2021 (Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays only)
  • Groundhog: through June 30, 2021

***Special hunting hours for raccoon and opossum during the January handgun, January shotgun and January muzzleloader deer seasons are 7 p.m. until midnight (reference the hunting and trapping guide for these deer season dates).

Continuing trapping seasons include:

  • Muskrat, mink, otter, raccoon, opossum and nutria:
    ○ New Castle County: through March 10, 2021 (March 20 on embanked meadows)
    ○ Kent and Sussex counties: through March 15, 2021
  • Red fox and coyote: through March 10, 2021
  • Beaver: through March 20, 2021, private land only

The Division of Fish and Wildlife offers many hunting opportunities on state wildlife areas. For more information, including wildlife area maps and rules, visit de.gov/hunting. Sunday deer hunting information specific to individual wildlife areas is available at de.gov/sundayhunt.

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, goose and dove hunters, also need a free Federal Harvest Information Program (HIP) number, which can be obtained through the DNREC ePermitting system or by calling toll free 1-855-DEL-HUNT (1-855-335-4868). If using the ePermitting system, hunters should either create a profile or use the “Quick Hunting Registration” option.

Registered 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 opt to receive 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.

Delaware hunting licenses, Delaware waterfowl stamps and Conservation Access Passes can be purchased online using the DNREC ePermitting system or from hunting license agents statewide. New 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.

More information on hunting seasons and wildlife areas is available in the 2020/2021 Delaware Hunting & Trapping Guide or by calling the Division of Fish and Wildlife’s Wildlife Section at 302-739-9912. More information on hunting licenses, the state waterfowl stamp and the Conservation Access Pass is available at de.gov/hunting or by calling the Division of Fish and Wildlife’s Recreational Licensing office at 302-739-9918.

Hunting opportunities also are available in some Delaware State Parks, with more information at destateparks.com.

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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DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife announces Delaware hunting seasons opening in October

Hunting opportunities offered at many state wildlife areas

DOVER – Numerous Delaware hunting seasons open in October, including Sunday firearm deer hunting opportunities, DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife announced today. Deer hunting is allowed on all Sundays through the end of the deer season on Feb. 2, 2020, using only those hunting methods legal for the respective, established deer hunting seasons. Please refer to Sunday Hunting webpage for Sunday deer hunting information, including hunting opportunities on state wildlife areas.

Hunting seasons opening in October:

  • Snow goose: Oct. 1-Jan. 31, 2020, and Feb. 8, 2020
  • Antlerless deer: Oct. 4-6, 21, and 25-28, including Sundays
  • Muzzleloader deer: Oct. 11-20, including Sundays
  • Youth Waterfowl Hunt: Oct. 19
  • Ducks, coots, and mergansers: first season split Oct. 25-Nov. 6
  • Tundra swan, only by permit issued through a pre-season lottery, Oct. 25-Jan. 31, 2020

Continuing hunting seasons include:

  • Moorhen, gallinule, sora, Virginia rail, king rail, and clapper rail: through Nov. 21
  • Common snipe: through Nov. 30
  • Archery and crossbow deer: through Feb. 2, 2020, including all Sundays
  • Gray squirrel: through Feb. 1, 2020 (closed during November shotgun deer season)
  • Coyote hunting season: through Feb. 28, 2020
  • Crows: through Mar. 31, 2020 (Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays only)
  • Groundhog: through June 30, 2020

DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife offers many hunting opportunities on state wildlife areas. Wildlife area maps and rules are available at Wildlife Area Hunting Maps.

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. Waterfowl and other migratory game bird (except crow) hunters will need a Federal Harvest Information Program (HIP) number. To register for a LEN number or HIP 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 waterfowl.

To purchase a hunting license, either in person or online, hunters born on or after Jan. 1, 1967, must have a basic hunter education safety course card/number. Hunters who took a Delaware hunter safety course starting in 2008 can print their hunter safety card by going to http://de.gov/huntersafety. Hunters who took their Delaware hunter safety course before 2008 should call the Hunter Education Office at 302-735-3600, ext. 1 to obtain a hunter safety card.

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 CAP, 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 2019-2020 Delaware Hunting & Trapping Guide and Wildlife Area Hunting Maps. Hard copies of 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 the Conservation Access Pass is also available by calling the DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife’s 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. 49, No. 237

DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife promotes December hunting and trapping season openings

Duck, Canada goose, brant, and antlerless deer hunting season splits open; furbearer trapping seasons open in all three counties

DOVER – DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife is promoting the December openings of Delaware’s duck, Canada goose, brant, and antlerless deer hunting season splits, as well as the opening of furbearer trapping seasons. Numerous other hunting seasons remain open in December.

Hunters are reminded of expanded Sunday deer hunting opportunities on all Sundays through the end of the deer-hunting season on Feb. 3, 2019, using only those hunting methods legal for the respective established deer hunting seasons. For more information, including Sunday hunting opportunities on state wildlife areas, visit the Division of Fish & Wildlife’s Sunday Hunting webpage.

Hunting and trapping seasons opening in December include:

Hunting:

  • Brant: Dec. 1 – Jan. 31, 2019
  • Beaver: Dec. 1 – Mar. 20 (private land only)
  • Duck, coot, and merganser: Dec. 7 – Jan. 26, 2019
  • Antlerless deer: Dec. 8-16, including Sundays, Dec. 9 and 16
  • Canada goose (migratory): Dec. 14 – Feb. 2, 2019

Trapping:

  • Muskrat, mink, otter, raccoon, opossum, and nutria:
    • New Castle County: Dec. 1 – Mar. 10, 2019 (March 20, 2019 if trapping within embanked meadows)
    • Kent and Sussex Counties: Dec. 15 – Mar. 15, 2019
  • Red fox and coyote: Dec. 1 – Mar. 10, 2019
  • Beaver: Dec. 1 – Mar. 20, 2019

A Delaware hunting or trapping license or License Exempt Number (LEN) is required to hunt or trap, and most waterfowl hunters require a Delaware waterfowl (duck) stamp. More information on hunting license, trapping license, and Delaware waterfowl stamp requirements is available at Delaware Licenses. Waterfowl and other migratory game bird (except crow) hunters will need a Federal Harvest Information Program (HIP) number. To register for a LEN number or HIP number, hunters and trappers 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 waterfowl.

To purchase a hunting license, hunters born on or after Jan. 1, 1967, must have a basic hunter education safety course card/number. To purchase a trapping license, trappers born on or after Jan. 1, 1978, must have a trapping education course card/number. Hunters and trappers who took a Delaware hunter safety course or trapping education course starting in 2008 can print their hunter safety or trapping education card by going to http://de.gov/huntersafety. Hunters and trappers who took their Delaware hunter safety course or trapping education course before 2008 should call the Hunter Education Office at 302-735-3600, ext. 1 to obtain a hunter safety card or trapper education card.

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.

A trapping license can only be purchased directly from the Division of Fish & Wildlife, and is not available online. Trapping license applications are available online at Delaware Licenses and on page 9 of the 2018-2019 Delaware Hunting & Trapping Guide.

For more information on hunting and trapping, click 2018-2019 Delaware Hunting & Trapping Guide and Wildlife Area Hunting Maps. Hard copies of the guide and newly-updated hunting maps are also available at the license desk in DNREC’s Dover office. More information on hunting and trapping 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. 328

Delaware Advisory Council on Wildlife and Freshwater Fish to meet Tuesday, July 31 in Dover to discuss deer seasons and Sunday deer hunting opportunities on public lands (Updated)

DOVER – Delaware’s Advisory Council on Wildlife and Freshwater Fish will convene for a special meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 31, in the DNREC Auditorium, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901.

The council will discuss deer season changes associated with recently-passed legislation allowing additional Sunday deer hunting, and will be seeking public input on proposed Sunday deer hunting opportunities on both state wildlife areas and state forest lands. More information about state wildlife areas where Sunday deer hunting is proposed is posted on the Division of Fish & Wildlife website.

For more information about the advisory council’s special July 31 meeting, including the meeting agenda, please visit the Delaware Public Meeting Calendar.

For more information on Delaware wildlife, please call DNREC’s Wildlife Section at 302-739-9912. For more information on Delaware fisheries, please call DNREC’s Fisheries Section at 302-739-9914.

Media contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.