DELAWARE LAWS & REGULATIONS
What are the Laws and Regulations for Hunting in Delaware?
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. When hunting in Delaware, it is illegal to hunt out-of-season and hunt without a hunting license, as well other required permits and stamps. In addition it is illegal to, take more than the daily limit provided, as well as take possession of an unlawfully killed game. Trespassing on private land, hunting within 100 yards of an occupied building, plus hunting with any night vision devices and damage any nature habitat is strictly prohibited.
*Visit Delaware Hunting and Trapping Guidebook for More Information*
FEATURED ANIMALS
WHITE TAIL DEER
Hunters will no longer receive tags that must be attached to a deer before the animal is moved from the place of kill. Instead, all hunters legally allowed to hunt deer, will receive a Deer Harvest Report Card which will show all of the “tags” available to the hunter based on what they are eligible for and/or have purchased.
Both the Deer Harvest Report Card and Delaware Hunting License or LEN card must be in a hunter’s possession while a hunter is hunting deer. If a hunter purchases additional tags, they will receive an updated Deer Harvest Report Card that will reflect their original tags as well as the new tag(s). Additionally, if a hunter had already harvested deer and recorded their harvest information on their card the harvest information will automatically be printed on the newly issued card. The most recently issued Deer Harvest Report Card is the version that the hunter must keep in their possession moving forward and all previously issued cards will no longer be valid.
- General Season: October 9, 2020 – January 31, 2021
- Archery Season: September 1, 2020 – January 31, 2021
*Seasons differ based on method and in different zones – Visit Delaware Deer Seasons for specific information*
WILD TURKEY
Delaware’s spring wild turkey hunting season will run from April 10, 2021 – May 8, 2021. A special one-day hunt for youth and non-ambulatory disabled hunters will occur on April 3, 2021. No Sunday hunting. Public land permits can only be used on the property and season segment for which they are issued. Applications must be received by January 8, 2021 to be processed for the lottery drawing.
Segment dates (A-D) for Public Land
- General Season: April 10, 2020 – May 8, 2020
- Bag Limit: Bearded birds only. Bag limit is one turkey per year.
*Seasons differ based on segment dates – Visit Delaware Turkey Seasons for specific information*
WATERFOWL
If you are a Delaware migratory bird hunter (ducks, geese, swans, doves, woodcock, rails, snipe, and coots), you MUST obtain a new H.I.P number each year. H.I.P. is the “Harvest Information Program” which is required by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). It was started in 1992 when California, Missouri, and South Dakota participated in the pilot program. For many years, the USFWS has collected waterfowl harvest information through a post-season survey of hunters who purchased Federal duck stamps. This survey was fine for its time, but better information is now needed. Also, the previous survey did not provide harvest data on other migratory birds like doves and woodcock. H.I.P. will fulfill these needs. Under the Harvest Information Program, migratory bird hunters need a special permit to hunt. To get the permit, hunters have to provide their name and address, and answer a few questions about their previous year’s hunting effort and success.
- General Season: September 1, 2020 – April 9, 2020
- Bag Limit: Varies Per Species- check link below for more.
*Seasons differ based on species – Visit Delaware Migratory Bird Seasons for specific information*