The Snow Goose Conservation Order permits liberal harvest methods to help reduce the large snow goose population that is damaging the species’ Arctic nesting grounds, as well as wetlands and agricultural lands on migration routes and overwintering areas, including Delaware – and also extends opportunities afield for working retrievers. /DNREC photo

Youth Waterfowl Hunting Day and Snow Goose Conservation Order to Open; Other Seasons Continue

Small game and furbearer hunting and trapping opportunities continue into February in addition to the opening of the Snow Goose Conservation Order that begins Wednesday, Feb. 1 and the second special youth waterfowl hunting day on Saturday, Feb. 4, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced today.

The Snow Goose Conservation Order will be closed Saturday, Feb. 4 for the youth waterfowl hunting day and for a one-day reopening of the regular snow goose season. The Snow Goose Conservation Order reopens Monday, Feb. 6 and runs through Friday, April 7.

The Snow Goose Conservation Order is a separate season open only for snow geese that occurs when Delaware’s regular waterfowl hunting seasons are closed. During the Snow Goose Conservation Order, liberal harvest methods are permitted to help reduce the large snow goose population that is damaging the species’ Arctic nesting grounds, as well as wetlands and agricultural lands on migration routes and overwintering areas. More information, including licensing requirements, is available at de.gov/hunting.

The one-day, special youth waterfowl hunting day is open for hunters ages 10 through 15, with normal daily waterfowl bag limits and hunting regulations to apply, including a limit of 25 snow geese and one Canada goose. Youth hunters who are the named permittee on a Delaware Tundra Swan Permit may also harvest a tundra swan on Saturday, Feb. 4. More information on the youth waterfowl hunt, including licensing requirements, is available at de.gov/hunting.

Youth waterfowl hunting is available on many state wildlife areas, some of which are accessed through a waterfowl blind lottery drawing. The following wildlife areas issue waterfowl blinds through a lottery drawing: Augustine, Cedar Swamp, Woodland Beach and Assawoman wildlife areas, where a morning lottery is held one and a half hours before legal shooting time; and the Little Creek and Ted Harvey wildlife areas, where a morning lottery is held two hours before legal shooting time. A State Wildlife Area Waterfowl Blind Permit is not needed during the Youth Waterfowl Hunting Day.

Continuing hunting seasons in February include:

• Snow goose: Feb. 4 only
• Gray squirrel: through Feb. 4
• Ring-necked pheasant (male only): through Feb. 4
• Cottontail rabbit: through Feb. 28
• Coyote (hunt): through Feb. 28
• Red fox (hunt): through Feb. 28
• Raccoon and opossum (hunt): through Feb. 28
• Beaver: through Mar. 20, private land only
• Crows: through Mar. 25, June 22 through 24 and June 29 through 30 (Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays only)
• Groundhog: through June 30

Continuing trapping seasons include:

• Muskrat, mink, otter, raccoon, opossum and nutria:

• • New Castle County: through March 10 (March 20 on embanked meadows)
  • Kent and Sussex counties: through March 15

• Red fox and coyote: through March 10
• Beaver: through March 20, private land only

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. More information on hunting seasons and wildlife areas is available in the 2022/2023 Delaware Hunting and Trapping Guide at de.gov/hunting.

Information on hunting licenses, the License Exempt Number (LEN), the Federal Harvest Information Program (HIP) number needed to hunt most migratory birds, the state waterfowl stamp and the Federal Duck Stamp, as well the Conservation Access Pass required for registered motor vehicles used to access designated wildlife areas owned or managed by the Division of Fish and Wildlife 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 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

###

A couple of participants in a Delaware youth waterfowl hunt head out from the duck blind to check their decoys.

Youth Waterfowl Hunt Set for Saturday, Oct. 16

Additional Delaware hunting seasons are set to open in October, including snow goose, duck, other migratory bird and firearm deer seasons, as well as the one-day, youth-only waterfowl hunt on Saturday, Oct. 16, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced today. Deer hunting is allowed on all Sundays through Jan. 31, 2022, using only those hunting methods legal for the respective established deer hunting seasons, with additional information available at de.gov/sundayhunt.

Hunting season dates opening in October:

• Snow goose: Oct. 1 through Jan. 31, 2022; Feb. 5, 2022
• Antlerless deer: Oct. 1 through 3, Oct. 18, Oct. 22 through 25 and Oct. 29 through 31, including Sundays
• Muzzleloader deer: Oct. 8 through 17, including Sundays
• Youth Waterfowl Hunt: Oct. 16
• Ducks, coots and mergansers: first season split Oct. 22 through Nov. 1

Continuing hunting seasons include:

• Mourning dove: through Oct. 4
• Moorhen, gallinule, sora, Virginia rail, king rail and clapper rail: through Nov. 24
• Common snipe: through Nov. 27
• Archery and crossbow deer: through Jan. 31, 2022, including all Sundays
• Gray squirrel: through Feb. 5, 2022 (closed during November shotgun deer season)
• Coyote: through Feb. 28, 2022
• Crows: through March 26, 2022 (Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays only)
• Groundhog: through June 30, 2022

The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife offers many hunting opportunities on state wildlife areas. For more information, visit de.gov/wamaps.

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. Migratory bird hunters, except crow hunters, also need a Federal Harvest Information Program (HIP) number, which can be obtained through the DNREC ePermitting website or by calling toll free 855-DEL-HUNT (855-335-4868). If using the DNREC 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 DNREC 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 at de.gov/huntinglicense or from hunting license agents statewide. Hunters obtaining a LEN are reminded that they should create a profile using the DNREC ePermitting system portal or obtain a LEN at a hunting license agent if they have not already done so. Federal Duck Stamps can be purchased at U.S. Post Offices, Bombay Hook and Prime Hook national wildlife refuges, and online at 2021/2022 Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp.

Additional information on hunting seasons and wildlife areas is available in the 2021/2022 Delaware Hunting & Trapping Guide or by calling the Wildlife Section at 302-739-9912. Information on hunting licenses, the state waterfowl stamp and the Conservation Access Pass is available at de.gov/huntinglicense or by calling 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 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 65,000 acres of public land. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

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

###

Snow Goose Conservation Order and Youth Waterfowl Hunting Day Open; Multiple Hunting and Trapping Seasons Continue

Additional waterfowl hunting opportunities are available in February with the opening of the Snow Goose Conservation Order Monday, Feb. 1 and a second special youth waterfowl hunting day Saturday, Feb. 6. Information for hunters is available from the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control at de.gov/hunting.

Snow Goose Conservation Order

The Snow Goose Conservation Order is open Monday, Feb. 1 through Friday, Feb. 5, closing for the youth waterfowl hunting day on Saturday, Feb. 6, and reopening on Monday, Feb. 8 through Friday, April 9, excluding Sundays. Note the printed 2020/2021 Delaware Hunting & Trapping Guide incorrectly indicates the Snow Goose Conservation Order is open Saturday, Feb 6. The Conservation Order is closed Saturday, Feb. 6, with the regular snow goose hunting season reopening for one day when regular snow goose season bag limits and hunting regulations apply.

The Snow Goose Conservation Order is a separate season only for snow geese that occurs when Delaware’s regular waterfowl hunting seasons are closed. Liberal harvest methods are allowed during the Conservation Order to help reduce the large snow goose population that is damaging its Arctic nesting grounds, as well as wetlands and agricultural lands on migration routes and overwintering areas.

Legal shooting hours are a half-hour before sunrise to a half-hour after sunset. There are no daily bag and possession limits, and unplugged shotguns and electronic calls are allowed. All other federal and state hunting regulations apply. Hunters on state wildlife areas where the Conservation Order is open should refer to Wildlife Area Maps for specific rules and regulations.

Hunters participating in the Conservation Order must obtain a free Snow Goose Conservation Order permit number that must be in their possession while hunting. Permit numbers can be obtained at the DNREC ePermitting system or by calling toll-free 855-DEL-HUNT (855-335-4868) 24/7 or 302-735-3600 during business hours Monday through Friday. Hunters also are required to report their Conservation Order hunting activity and harvest success online or by calling 302-735-3600 to the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife by Friday, April 30, 2021.

Other requirements for hunters participating in the Snow Goose Conservation Order include:

• All participants need a Delaware Harvest Information Program (HIP) number.
• Delaware residents must have a hunting license or a valid Delaware License Exempt Number (LEN).
• All resident hunters at least 16 years of age except those who possess an LEN must purchase a Delaware Waterfowl Stamp.
• Maryland residents who can legally hunt in Maryland do not need a Delaware hunting license, provided they obtain an LEN specific to hunting snow geese and purchase a Delaware Waterfowl Stamp.
• Maryland residents who have an annual Delaware LEN for other hunting do not need a LEN specific to hunting snow geese or a Delaware Waterfowl Stamp.
• All other non-resident hunters must have a Delaware non-resident hunting license or a valid Delaware LEN.
• All non-resident hunters at least 16 years of age must purchase a Delaware Waterfowl Stamp except those who possess a valid Delaware LEN.
• A federal migratory bird (duck) stamp is not required to participate in the Conservation Order.

Youth Waterfowl Hunting Day

The one-day, special youth waterfowl hunting day on Saturday, Feb. 6 is open for hunters ages 10 through 15. Normal daily waterfowl bag limits and hunting regulations apply, to include a limit of 25 snow geese and one Canada goose.

Youth hunters must be of sufficient physical size and strength to safely handle a firearm and must be accompanied by a licensed adult hunter age 21 or older who cannot possess a firearm or hunt during the youth hunt. Youth hunters ages 13 through 15 must have completed a hunter education course, obtained a hunter education certification card and purchased a Delaware junior hunting license. Youth hunters age 10 through 12 must possess a license exempt number (LEN) and may have taken a hunter education course. All youth waterfowl hunters need a Delaware Harvest Information Program (HIP) number. No state or federal waterfowl stamps are required for youth hunters.

Youth waterfowl hunting is available on many state wildlife areas, some of which are accessed through a waterfowl blind lottery drawing. The following wildlife areas issue waterfowl blinds through a lottery drawing, with a morning lottery held one and a half hours before legal shooting time at Augustine, Cedar Swamp, Woodland Beach and Assawoman wildlife areas and two hours before legal shooting time at the Little Creek and Ted Harvey wildlife areas. A State Wildlife Area Waterfowl Blind Permit is not needed during the Youth Waterfowl Hunting Day. More information on which state wildlife areas allow waterfowl hunting and associated wildlife area rules and regulations is available at Wildlife Area Maps.

Continuing hunting seasons include:

• Gray squirrel: through Feb. 6
• Ring-necked pheasant (male only): through Feb. 6
• Coyote (hunt): through Feb. 27
• Red fox (hunt): through Feb. 27
• Raccoon and opossum (hunt): through Feb. 27
• Cottontail rabbit: through Feb. 27
• Beaver: through March 20, private land only
• Crows: through March 27, and June 24 to 26 (Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays only)
• Groundhog: through June 30

Continuing trapping seasons include:

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

For more information about hunting on state wildlife areas, including wildlife area maps and rules, licensing and other requirements, visit de.gov/hunting. 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.

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.

A Delaware hunting license or a license exempt number (LEN) is required to hunt. All migratory game bird hunters except crow hunters, including duck, goose and dove hunters, need a free Federal Harvest Information Program (HIP) number, which can be obtained through the DNREC ePermitting system or by calling 24/7 toll free 855-DEL-HUNT (855-335-4868).

Delaware hunting licenses, Delaware waterfowl stamps and Conservation Access Passes can be purchased online at de.gov/hunting or from hunting license agents statewide, with more information available online or by calling the DNREC Licensing office at 302-739-9918. Hunters obtaining a LEN should create a profile using the DNREC ePermitting system or at a hunting license agent. Federal migratory bird (duck) stamps are available for purchase online and at U.S. Post Offices and Bombay Hook and Prime Hook national wildlife refuges.

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

###

Youth waterfowl days set for Oct. 20 and Feb. 9, youth deer hunting weekend set for Nov. 3 and 4

DOVER – To promote youth hunting participation and recruitment, DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife has expanded and designated special youth hunting days on both public and private lands statewide. Youth hunters ages 10 through 15 can enjoy youth waterfowl hunting days on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018 and Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019. Expanded deer hunting opportunities are provided for youth hunters by adding a Sunday to the traditional Saturday youth deer hunting day, for a full weekend of youth deer hunting days on Nov. 3 and 4. The special deer hunting days are also open to adult non-ambulatory disabled hunters, but the youth waterfowl hunting days are open only to youth ages 10 through 15.

Youth hunters must be accompanied by an adult companion age 21 or older who possesses a valid Delaware hunting license or a License Exempt Number (LEN). Only the youth hunter may possess a firearm when participating in these special hunting days, and they must be of sufficient physical size and strength to safely handle a firearm. Youth hunters age 13 through 15 must purchase a Delaware junior hunting license, have completed a hunter education course, and possess their hunter education card. Adult companions must also possess a Delaware waterfowl (duck) stamp, unless exempted, and a federal migratory bird stamp for youth waterfowl hunting days. Waterfowl hunters under the age of 16 are not required to purchase a Delaware waterfowl (duck) stamp or a federal migratory bird stamp. Youth hunters age 10 through 12 must possess a LEN and may take a hunter education course.

If participating in youth hunting days on state wildlife areas where deer stands and waterfowl blinds are assigned through a daily lottery, youth hunters and accompanying adults do not need to purchase a deer stand/waterfowl blind permit. A deer stand permit or waterfowl blind permit is required to hunt these areas during all other deer and waterfowl seasons. The same waiver of the deer stand/waterfowl blind permit also applies for non-ambulatory disabled hunters during the special deer hunting days.

More information on hunting license and Delaware waterfowl stamp requirements is available at Delaware Licenses. All waterfowl and other migratory game bird (except crow) hunters will need a Federal Harvest Information Program (HIP) number. To register for a LEN or HIP number, hunters can go to Delaware Hunter and Trapper Registration or call toll free 1-855-335-4868.

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 education course starting in 2008 can print their hunter education card by going to de.gov/huntersafety. Hunters who took their Delaware hunter education 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 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, please see the 2018-2019 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 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.

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

Vol. 48, No. 287