Delaware Hunting Seasons
(MGN)
Delaware
2015-2016 Deer Seasons
Archery: Sept. 1 – Jan. 30 (statewide)
Hunters may use archery equipment during the muzzleloader, shotgun and handgun seasons provided they wear at least 400 square inches of hunter orange material displayed on the head chest, and back.
Crossbow: Sept. 1 – Jan. 30 (statewide)
Hunters may use crossbow equipment during the muzzleloader, shotgun and handgun seasons provided they wear at least 400 square inches of hunter orange material displayed on the head, chest, and back.
Muzleloader: Oct. 9-17, Jan. 25-30 (statewide)
Muzzleloaders may be equipped with scopes.
Shotgun: Nov. 13-21, Jan. 16-23 (statewide)
Muzzleloaders may be used during the shotgun season, and may be equipped with scopes.
Special Antlerless: Oct. 2, 3, 19, 23, 24, 26, 30, 21 and Dec. 12-19 (statewide)
This season is “any method,” to include archery, muzzleloader, and shotgun. You may only take antlerless deer, or deer with both antlers less than 3 inches in length. Archery (including crossbow) hunters may take antlered bucks in October but NOT during the December antlerless season.
Handgun: Jan. 2-9
The handgun must be carried openly in a sling or in a holster and not concealed. See below for more details.
Youth/Non-ambulatory Disabled Hunt: Nov. 7
2015-2016 Small Game Seasons
Gray Squirrel: Sept. 15 – Feb. 6 (closed during Nov. shotgun deer season)
Limit is 6. Gray squirrels may be hunted with shotguns statewide, .17 through .22 cal. rimfire and pellet rifles and muzzleloading rifles up to .36 cal. south of the C&D Canal. Only shotguns may be used north of the C&D Canal. When a squirrel season overlaps with a deer firearms season, squirrel hunters must wear 400 square inches of hunter orange displayed on the head, chest and back.
Cottontail Rabbit: Nov. 23 – Feb. 29
Limit is 4. Rabbit hunters must wear at least 400 square inches of hunter orange material displayed on head, chest, and back when hunting during any deer firearms season.
Groundhogs: July 1 – June 30
No limit. Groundhogs are an unprotected species and may be hunted with longbows, crossbows, shotguns, muzzleloaders, handgungs, and rimfire or centerfire rifles.
Ring-necked Pheasant (male only): Nov. 23 – Feb. 6
Limit is 2. Pheasant hunters must wear at least 400 square inches of hunter orange material displayed on head, chest, and back when hunting during any deer firearms season.
Bobwhite Quail: Nov. 23 – Jan. 2
Limit is 6. Quail hunters must wear at least 400 square inches of hunter orange material displayed on head, chest, and back when hunting during any deer firearms season.
Mourning Dove: Sept. 1 – Sept. 26, Oct. 20 – Oct. 31, Nov. 23 – Jan. 13
Limit is 15. Season subject to Federal approval. Hours: ½ hour before sunrise to sunset. No State or Federal Waterfowl Stamps needed. During September, all dove hunting on State Wildlife Areas must be done using non-toxic shot.
Rails: Sept. 1 – Nov. 9
Limits are: King & Clapper Rails bag limit of 10, Sora & Virginia Rails bag limit of 25. Seasons subject to Federal approval. Non-toxic shot is required for hunting rails.
Crows: June 25 – March 26
No limit. Hunting allowed Thur, Fri. & Sat.
2015-2016 Bullfrog & Snapping Turtle Seasons
Bullfrog: May 1 – Sept. 30
Limit is 24 daily. May be taken with a valid hunting or fishing license.
Snapping Turtle: June 15 – May 15
No limit. Snapping turtle minimum length is 11 inches on the curvature of the top shell. Traps must be tagged with trapper’s name and address or current year’s license number. Baited fish hooks are unlawful. A free snapping turtle permit number must be obtained and will be issued at the time of the trapping license purchase. Those wishing to trap on Division of Fish & Wildlife lands will need to contact the Regional Manager for an additional permit for those lands.
Diamondback Terrapin: Sept. 1 – Nov. 15
Limit is 4 daily.
2015-2016 Migratory Game Bird Seasons
Ducks: Oct. 23 – Nov. 3, Nov. 23 – Dec. 5, Dec. 18 – Jan. 30
Limit is 6 daily and the possession limit is 18.
September Teal: Sept. 11 – Sept. 29
Limit is 6 daily and the possession limit is 18. Limited to the designated teal zone south of the C & D Canal to Lewes, and east of Routes 13, 113/113A, and 1. Bag limit may include any combination of blue-winged and/or green-winged teal.
Youth Waterfowl Hunt: Oct. 17 & Feb. 6
Youth must be age 10-15
Coots: Oct. 23 – Nov. 3, Nov. 23 – Dec. 5, Dec. 18 – Jan. 30
Limit is 15 daily and the possession limit is 45.
Mergansers: Oct. 23 – Nov. 3, Nov. 23 – Dec. 5, Dec. 18 – Jan. 30
Limit is 5 daily and the possession limit is 15.
Canada Geese (resident): Sept. 1 – Sept. 25
Limit is 15 daily and possession limit is 45.
Canada Geese (migration): Nov. 23 – Dec. 5, Dec. 18 – Jan. 30
Limit is 2 and possession limit is 6.
Brant: Dec. 22 – Jan. 2, Jan. 9 – Jan. 30
Limit is 1 and the possession limit is 6.
Snow Geese: Oct. 1 – Jan. 30, Feb. 6
Limit is 25 daily and there is no possession limit.
Snow Goose Conservation Order: Feb. 1 – Feb. 5, Feb. 8 – Apr. 9
No limits.
Morning Dove: Sept. 1 – Sept. 26, Oct. 20 – Oct. 31, Nov. 23 – Jan. 13
Limit is 15 daily and the possession limit is 45.
King & Clapper Rails: Sept. 1 – Nov. 9
Limit is 10 daily and the possession limit is 30.
Sora & Virginia Rails: Sept. 1 – Nov. 9
Limit is 24 daily and the possession limit is 75.
Woodcock: Nov. 23 – Dec. 5, Dec. 12 – Jan. 12
Limit is 3 daily and the possession limit is 9.
Common Snipe: Sept. 22 – Dec. 5, Dec. 12 – Jan. 12
Limit is 8 daily and the possession limit is 24.
Moorhens & Gallinules: Sept. 1 – Nov. 9
Limit is 15 daily and the possession limit is 45.
Crows: Jun. 25 – Mar. 26 (Thurs., Fri., Sat. only)
No limits.
Seaducks: Sept. 29 – Jan. 30
Limit is 7 daily and the possession limit is 21.
2016 Turkey Season: April 9 – May 7
Limit is 1 turkey per year, bearded birds only. Shotguns – 20, 16, 12, 10 gauge – legal shot sizes: #4, #5, #6 lead or steel. 7 or 7 ½ shot may be used if it is part of a duplex or triplex load containing 4, 5, or 6 shot, Muzzleloaders – smoothbore muzzleloading shotguns only; #4, #5, #6 shot only, Longbow/compound/crossbow – Minimum broadhead width of 7/8 inches, Crossbows may be used for turkey hunting. Crossbows must meet the same standards as for deer hunting.
Youth/Non-ambulatory Disabled Hunt: Apr. 2
Youth must be age 10-15
More information on Delaware hunting: http://www.eregulations.com/delaware/hunting/
