DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife Raptor Biologist Jordan Brown holding a banded young kestrel, and an adult American kestrel./DNREC photo.

Delaware has received approximately $120,000 from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s Wildlife Restoration Program to support the study and preservation of the American kestrel, a species currently listed as endangered in Delaware and the smallest falcon in North America.

The American kestrel, a colorful falcon about the size of a mourning dove, has suffered a decline in population, specifically more than 93% in the Mid-Atlantic. These small but fierce airborne predators have the unique ability to turn into headwinds and hover in place while waiting to dive and capture its prey in mid-air. Scientists theorize their decline involves loss of suitable nesting habitat, pesticide accumulation, climate change and/or new diseases.

This funding facilitates critical conservation measures spearheaded by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, to include placing radio transmitters on the American kestrels this year and building 10 additional bird-monitoring radio towers that will join an international network to detect passing kestrels and other birds to further avian research in the First State.

“This is an exciting new development in our kestrel research,” said Raptor, Grassland and Forest Bird Biologist Jordan Brown with the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife. “We have received permission and funding to place nanotag radio transmitters on kestrels in 2024 to track their movements and survival, and we were also granted funding to build 10 additional Motus Wildlife Tracking System towers to increase detection of Delaware-tagged birds, as well as animals tagged elsewhere.”

The American kestrel was added to Delaware’s endangered list in 2013.

Starting in 2014 to better understand the decline, distribution and populations of these unique birds, DNREC’s Brandywine Zoo began installing kestrel nesting boxes statewide on private and public lands. In 2016, the Division of Fish and Wildlife joined forces with the Zoo and formed the Delaware Kestrel Partnership, which now monitors 79 nesting boxes. The boxes provide opportunities for Division biologists to study the timing and process of egg-laying and hatching, and to catch and band the parents and their young before they can fly. These bands, along with the Motus tags, will allow researchers to understand more about the movements and survivability of these birds.

To monitor American kestrels and other aerial species, Delaware currently has nine Motus radio towers in place across the state to capture data from passing tagged birds.

The first of the 10 new radio towers is slated for installation on Monday, Feb. 5 at the Delaware Nature Society’s Abbott’s Mill Nature Center near Milford. Delaware Nature Society joined the Delaware Kestrel Partnership in 2017, and currently hosts nine of the kestrel boxes which have supported the successful hatching of 55 kestrel chicks over seven years. They are also donating radio tags to the Partnership to support this research.

The Division of Fish and Wildlife plans to install two more towers on state wildlife areas before spring. The remaining installations will be conducted at a later date, filling in gaps that exist in the current statewide tower network.

The Motus Wildlife Tracking System is an international network that uses automated radio telemetry to simultaneously track numerous aerial species. The system enables a worldwide community of researchers, educators, organizations and citizens to undertake impactful research and education on the ecology and conservation of migratory animals over great distances. The stations are maintained by a community of researchers, organizations, non-profits, governments and individuals sharing a centralized database and management system that all participants use. The Motus towers in Delaware also provide data to researchers worldwide about birds, bats and insects.

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 nearly 68,000 acres of public land owned or managed by the Division of Fish and Wildlife. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter) or LinkedIn.

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

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Hunters and their retrievers can get a daily double for migratory birds in their sights Sept. 1 when Delaware hunting seasons open for mourning dove and resident Canada goose. Retriever owners also should be vigilant when working their gundogs in the typically warm weather for dove season opener and ensure the dogs get plenty of cool water between retrieves. /DNREC photos

Early Season Teal and Resident Canada Goose Are
Among a Variety of Game Hunters Can Choose From

Hunter’s delight is at hand in Delaware with the September opening of numerous hunting seasons. Among them are the traditional Sept. 1 dove season opener – with many wingshooting opportunities afield, particularly on state wildlife areas, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced today. Resident Canada goose season opens the same day as dove season, as does the first of Delaware’s deer seasons (archery and crossbow), while early teal season runs from Sept. 13-30 for both green-winged and blue-winged teal.

What follows is a summary of September migratory bird hunting opportunities on state wildlife areas, how to take advantage of them, and the regulations and procedures to be followed for hunters accessing these opportunities. A complete listing of all the state’s hunting seasons, to include daily bag limits, regulations and legal shooting hours, can be found in the 2023/’24 Delaware Hunting Guide.

New Castle County

Dove

Sunflower fields are planted on the Rocks and Daniels Tracts of the Cedar Swamp Wildlife Area.  Permits to hunt these fields are issued through a noon lottery at the Cedar Swamp lottery station located on Collins Beach Road. These tracts are open to hunting on Opening Day, Labor Day, and all Saturdays in September. Hunting hours are 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.  Dove hunting is prohibited in zones 2, 3, and 8 outside of the regulated dove fields, but is allowed in all other zones in accordance with all state and federal regulations from ½-hour before sunrise to sunset.

Dove hunting is also permitted on the C&D Canal Conservation Area, Augustine Wildlife Area, and Eagles Nest Wildlife Area from ½-hour before sunrise to sunset with no special permits required. Non-toxic shot is required for dove hunting on all state wildlife areas during the early season.

Resident Canada Goose

Resident Canada goose hunting is available on the C&D Canal Conservation Area, on and around Reedy Island in the Delaware River, and on the Eagles Nest Wildlife Area, with no special permits required. Hunting hours are ½-hour before sunrise to sunset. Resident Canada geese may be harvested on the Port Penn and Ashton Tracts of the Augustine Wildlife Area while hunting teal by obtaining a permit as described below.

September Teal

Duck blinds will be available on the Port Penn and Ashton Tracts of the Augustine Wildlife Area for early teal season. The blinds are available by permit only through lottery drawings held at the Augustine lottery station at the end of North Congress Street in Port Penn. Lotteries are held on opening day (Sept. 13), and weekly Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, with drawings taking place 1½ hours before legal shooting time throughout the season. Note that blinds may not be grassed for the early teal season.

 Kent County

Dove

Sunflower fields are planted on the Logan Lane and Buckaloo/Morris Tracts of the Ted Harvey Conservation Area, the Main Tract of the Little Creek Wildlife Area and the Penuel Tract of the Milford Neck Wildlife Area. Permits to hunt these fields are issued through a noon lottery at the Little Creek Wildlife Area check station on Route 9/Bayside Drive just south of the town of Little Creek. These areas will be open to hunting on opening day, Labor Day (Monday, Sept. 4), Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays in September. Hunting hours are from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.  Dove hunting is restricted to these fields only on the five tracts.

Sunflower fields open to hunters without a lottery are on the Blackiston Wildlife Area off Underwoods Corner Road and Sewell Branch Road and on the Norman G. Wilder Wildlife Area off Ironmine Road, with hunting permitted from ½-hour before sunrise to sunset with no special permits required. Non-toxic shot is required for dove hunting on all state wildlife areas during the early season.

Resident Canada Goose

Resident goose hunting opportunities are available on the Blackiston and Norman G. Wilder Wildlife Areas, the Little Creek Wildlife Area’s Davey Crockett Tract, Ted Harvey Wildlife Area’s Morris and Buckaloo Tracts and Milford Neck Wildlife Area’s Penuel, Main and Rawley’s Island Tracts, with no special permits required. Hours are ½-hour before sunrise to sunset.

September Teal

Select blinds will be open at the Woodland Beach Wildlife Area for the early teal season. These blinds and will be available by permit only through a lottery at the Woodland Beach check station on Route 9. Lotteries will be held 1½-hours before legal shooting time on a daily basis. Ted Harvey Conservation Area river blinds and Roberts Tract and Island Farm Tract blinds will be issued through the Little Creek lottery station beginning 2 hours before legal shooting time on a daily basis. Note that blinds will not be grassed for the early teal season. The Little Creek Wildlife Area’s Davey Crockett Tract and Milford Neck Wildlife Area’s Penuel, Main, Rawley’s Island and Cedar Creek Tracts are open without special permits.

Sussex County

Dove

Sunflower fields and corn are planted on the Muddy Neck Tract of the Assawoman Wildlife Area on both sides of Double Bridges Road. Permits to hunt these fields are available at the Assawoman Lottery Station beginning at noon on opening day, Labor Day and all Saturdays in September. Hunting hours are 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Sunflower and corn fields are planted at the Nanticoke Wildlife Area this year for dove hunting and are located on either side of the Main Road running between Old Sharptown and Phillips Landing Roads – the fields are called the George Adams Field and Dirt Pit Field. No permits or check-in are required. Nanticoke is open daily to dove hunting in accordance with all state and federal regulations from ½-hour before sunrise to sunset.

All other wildlife areas in Sussex County are open for dove hunting with no permits required and in accordance with all state and federal regulations from ½-hour before sunrise to sunset. Non-toxic shot is required for dove hunting on all state wildlife areas during the early season.

Resident Canada Goose

Resident goose hunting is available at the Assawoman Wildlife Area from a field blind on the Muddy Neck Tract south of Double Bridges Road. A hunter-facilitated drawing will occur two hours before sunrise on Mondays and Thursdays during the early season. More information can be obtained at the Assawoman Checking Station or by calling 302-539-3160 in advance of hunting days.

 September Teal

Prime Hook State Wildlife Area blinds and Prime Hook NWR blind sites will be open for the early teal season. Hunting days are Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. Permits are free and will be issued using a hunter facilitated drawing 2½-hours before sunrise from the check station located on the Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. Hunting hours are ½-hour before sunrise to 4 p.m. Hunters should plan to use the Foord’s Landing boat ramp within the federal refuge to access the state waterfowl blinds as the new water levels have made the state boat ramp inaccessible. Note that blinds may not be grassed for the early teal season.

No other Sussex County state wildlife areas are located within the September teal season zones.

More information about hunting in Delaware, including migratory birds, can be found at https://de.gov/hunting. More information about hunting on state wildlife areas can be found at https://de.gov/wamaps. Information about Delaware’s deer hunting seasons, which run in various incarnations from Sept. 1 through Jan. 31, 2024, can be found in the 2023-’24 hunting guide.

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 68,000 acres of public land. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media contacts: Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov; Nikki Lavoie, nikki.lavoie@delaware.gov

A young raccoon, called a kit, is among the many wildlife species’ offspring that are not normally
in need of human help when discovered alone and away from their mother. /USFWS photo

DNREC Reminds Delawareans: ‘If You Care, Leave Them There’

Look but don’t touch, much less disturb – and even then, just a quick glance and be on your way – that’s the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s message to Delawareans likely to see young wildlife in their backyards or almost anywhere in the outdoors this time of year. DNREC reminds the public that it’s best when encountering young wildlife of any species to leave the animals alone, since their mothers are usually nearby monitoring them. Taking or “rescuing” a young wild animal from the wild almost inevitably means that it will not survive.

Thus, the entreaty from DNREC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife: “If you care, leave them there.” While some young animals can appear to be abandoned, most often they are not, with their mothers often in close proximity waiting for the person who “discovered” their offspring to move on. Many wildlife species, including white-tailed deer, will leave their young to forage for food, returning a few times a day, trusting their young’s natural instinct to lie quietly so as not to be detected by predators.

Another insight from DNREC is that handling or removing wildlife can be harmful to both wildlife and humans. Precautions to take with wild animals, young and old, include:

• If you see a young wild animal alone, watch from a distance to see if its mother returns, but know that could take several hours.
• Be aware that wild animals can be unpredictable and sometimes dangerous, especially if they are in pain.
• Keep pets away from wild animals, which can carry parasites such as fleas and ticks, or diseases such as rabies.
• Remember that it is illegal to raise or keep a live wild animal in Delaware.

During spring and summer months, rabies, which is occasionally found in wildlife, is more likely to be transmitted to humans and pets due to our increase in outdoor activities during this time of year. All the more reason to leave wildlife undisturbed and keep a safe distance between you and them.

For more help in trying to determine if a young wild animal is orphaned or injured, or is simply exhibiting normal behavior instead of needing to be rescued, contact the Delaware Council of Wildlife Rehabilitators and Educators.

To determine the appropriate course of action if a young wild animal appears injured or if you are certain its parent is dead, contact the DNREC Wildlife Section at 302-739-9912, or for after-hours and on weekends, call 800-523-3336.

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 nearly 68,000 acres of public land owned or managed by the Division of Fish and Wildlife. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram,  Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov; Nikki Lavoie, nikki.lavoie@delaware.gov

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Once a federally-listed endangered species, the Delmarva fox squirrel now populates five sites in Delaware as it continues to rebound through DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife efforts. /Photo courtesy of Sandra and George Wiley

Translocations to Three New State Sites Increase the Total Populated Delmarva Fox Squirrel Sites to Five

Delmarva fox squirrels now have three new homes in Sussex County as a result of translocations during 2022 to the Assawoman Wildlife Area, Redden State Forest and Trap Pond State Park, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced today on the eve of National Squirrel Appreciation Day. The new locations coordinated by DNREC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife add to known Delmarva fox squirrel populations within the state at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge and DNREC’s Nanticoke Wildlife Area.

The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife began in the fall of 2020 translocating Delmarva fox squirrels captured from robust populations in Maryland to suitable habitats for the species in southern Delaware. Thirty-two Delmarva fox squirrels were translocated in 2022, 15 of them going to Trap Pond State Park and 11 to Redden State Forest during the spring and an additional six squirrels placed within Trap Pond last fall. Delmarva fox squirrels translocated to Assawoman Wildlife Area during 2020 and 2021 have established distinct home ranges and reproduction has been documented. Translocations of additional Delmarva fox squirrels from Maryland to Trap Pond State Park and Redden State Forest are planned for the spring of 2023.

While Delmarva fox squirrels are now abundant on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, these large, silver-gray squirrels remain rare in Delaware. Unlike many of its squirrel relatives, the Delmarva fox squirrel is very slow to expand its range and colonize new territories. Although the Delmarva fox squirrel was once a federally-listed endangered species, translocations, habitat management and land and species protection have helped their populations recover regionally in Maryland, resulting in the species being removed from the federal endangered species list in 2015.

Since Delmarva fox squirrels are no longer a federally-listed endangered species, landowners should not be concerned if they start seeing them on their property. Hunting of Delmarva fox squirrels is still prohibited, so it is important that hunters note the differences between them and the more commonly seen eastern gray squirrels, for which Delaware has a hunting season.

The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife developed a Delmarva Fox Squirrel Conservation Plan in 2014 in collaboration with stakeholder input to increase the number of Delmarva fox squirrels in Delaware. The plan is now being successfully implemented, as indicated by new resident populations in the state. Translocations have proven to be an important and effective tool for increasing the distribution of this species, and are the cornerstone of Delaware’s Delmarva Fox Squirrel Conservation Plan.

More information about DNREC’s Delmarva fox squirrel restoration project, including photographs differentiating the appearance between the Delmarva fox squirrel and the eastern gray squirrel, and answers to frequently asked questions about the Delmarva fox squirrel in Delaware, can be found at de.gov/foxsquirrel.

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 nearly 68,000 acres of public land owned or managed by the Division of Fish and Wildlife. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram,  Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contact: Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov

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A number of Delaware hunting seasons – including “shotgun deer season” – are to open in November, with waterfowl and small game also prominent among next month’s sporting seasons /Photo: USFWS

Youth and Non-ambulatory Deer Hunt Set for Nov. 5 and 6; All Deer Hunters Encouraged to Harvest Does to Help Manage Deer Herd

Additional Delaware hunting seasons are set to open in November, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced today – including the popular November general firearm deer season, also known as “November shotgun season,” which opens Nov. 11 and extends through Nov. 20, as well as the special deer hunt open to only youth and non-ambulatory hunters on Saturday, Nov. 5 and Sunday, Nov. 6. Duck, Canada goose and other hunting seasons are to open later in the month.

Deer hunters are encouraged to harvest does (female deer) during deer hunting seasons to help manage the size and quality of Delaware’s deer population. Deer hunting is allowed on all Sundays through Jan. 31, 2023, using only those hunting methods legal for the respective established deer hunting seasons, with additional information available at de.gov/sundayhunt. All harvested deer must be registered within 24 hours of harvest online at de.gov/digitaldnrec or by calling toll-free 855-DEL-HUNT (855-335-4868).

Successful deer hunters who wish to donate venison to those in need are encouraged to participate in the Delaware Hunters 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 online at de.gov/DHAH. All donated deer will be processed free of charge to the hunter, and the meat will be distributed to participating charitable organizations. Last year, hunters donated over 24,000 pounds of processed venison that provided more than 97,000 meals to Delawareans in need.

Sea duck hunters are advised that there is no longer a special sea duck zone with its own separate season dates or daily bag and possession limits. Season dates for sea ducks are now the same as the regular duck season, and the daily bag and possession limits for sea ducks are now included as part of the regular daily bag and possession limits for all ducks. Refer to page 34 of the 2022/2023 Delaware Hunting and Trapping Guide found at de.gov/hunting for additional information about hunting sea ducks.

Hunting season dates for seasons opening in November:

• Raccoon and opossum (hunt only): Nov. 1 through Feb. 28, 2023*
• Red fox (hunt only): Nov. 1 through Feb. 28, 2023
• Deer youth/non-ambulatory hunt: Nov. 5 and 6
• Deer general firearm/shotgun: Nov. 11 through 20, including all Sundays
• Tundra swan (by special permit ONLY): Nov. 11 through Jan. 31, 2023
• Woodcock (first season split): Nov. 21 through 26
• Ducks (including sea ducks), coots and mergansers (second season split): Nov. 21 through 26
• Brant (first season split): Nov. 21 through 26
• Bobwhite quail: Nov. 21 through Jan. 7, 2023
• Mourning dove (second season split): Nov. 21 through Jan. 31, 2023
• Ring-necked pheasant (male only): Nov. 21 through Feb. 4, 2023
• Cottontail rabbit: Nov. 21 through Feb. 28, 2023
• Canada goose (first season split): Nov. 23 through 26

*Raccoon and opossum hunting seasons are closed during the November youth/non-ambulatory deer hunt and the November general firearm/shotgun deer season. Special hunting hours for raccoon and opossum during the December antlerless, January handgun/straight-walled pistol-caliber rifle, January general firearm/shotgun and January muzzleloader deer seasons are 7 p.m. until midnight (reference the 2022/2023 Delaware Hunting and Trapping Guide at de.gov/hunting for deer season dates).

Continuing Delaware hunting seasons include:

• Moorhen, gallinule, sora, Virginia rail, king rail and clapper rail: through Nov. 23
• Common snipe: through Nov. 26
• Deer archery and crossbow: through Jan. 31, 2023, including all Sundays
• Snow goose: through Jan. 31, 2023; Feb. 4, 2023
• Gray squirrel: through Feb. 4, 2023 (closed during November general firearm/shotgun deer season)
• Coyote (hunting): through Feb. 28, 2023
• Crows: through March 25, 2023, June 22 through 24, 2023 and June 29 through 30, 2023 (Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays only)
• Groundhog: through June 30, 2023

The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife offers many hunting opportunities on state wildlife areas. Wildlife area maps and rules are available at de.gov/wamaps, with information specific to Sunday deer hunting on state wildlife areas available at de.gov/sundayhunt.

A Delaware hunting license or License Exempt Number (LEN) is required to hunt, and most waterfowl hunters are required to purchase a Delaware waterfowl (duck) stamp and a Federal Duck Stamp. Dove, goose and duck hunters also need a Federal Harvest Information Program (HIP) number, which can be obtained online at de.gov/digitaldnrec or by calling toll free 855-DEL-HUNT (855-335-4868). When using the online DNREC permitting 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 have and 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, except for the Resident Senior Lifetime Conservation Access Pass available to Delaware residents aged 65 or older.

Delaware hunting licenses, Delaware waterfowl stamps and Conservation Access Passes can be purchased online at de.gov/digitaldnrec, at the license desk in DNREC’s Dover office at 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901 or from hunting license agents statewide. Hunters obtaining a LEN are reminded that they should create a profile using the de.gov/digitaldnrec portal or obtain a LEN at a hunting license agent if they have not already done so. Federal Duck Stamps are available for purchase at U.S. Post Offices, Bombay Hook and Prime Hook national wildlife refuges and online at 2022/2023 Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp.

More information on hunting seasons and wildlife areas is available in the 2022/2023 Delaware Hunting and Trapping Guide at de.gov/hunting. More information on hunting licenses, the state waterfowl stamp and the Conservation Access Pass is available at de.gov/huntinglicense.

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 nearly 68,000 acres of public land. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contact: Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov

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