In Delaware, you’ll find all sorts of wildlife! Doesn’t matter if you’re just beginning or a seasoned pro, there’s always something for you. Open seasons for game species vary all over the year.
Chasing big game like deer can be exhilarating. Pursuing smaller game like rabbits and squirrels has its own charm. Delaware, also known as The First State, has something for every hunter. In our guide, we give a rundown of different hunting seasons in Delaware. We provide specifics like dates, bag limits, and rules per species. We even share safety advice and useful resources. All set to amplify your outdoor fun.
Hunting Schedule in Delaware: Full Overview
White-Tailed Deer
- Archery & Crossbow: Sept 1, 2025 – Feb 1, 2026
- Early Muzzleloader: Oct 10-19, 2025
- Late Muzzleloader: Jan 26 – Feb 1, 2026
- General Firearm (Nov): Nov 14-23, 2025
- General Firearm (Jan): Jan 17-25, 2026
- Antlerless Only: Oct 3-5, 24-26, 31; Dec 13-21, 2025
- Youth Weekend: Sept 27-28, 2025
- Youth Days (Nov): Nov 1-2, 2025
- Handgun & Rifle: Jan 3, 5-10, 2026 (Closed Jan 4)
Turkey
- Spring Season: Apr 11 – May 9, 2026 (Hours: Sunrise–1 PM)
- Public Land Segments:
- A: Apr 11-17
- B: Apr 18-24
- C: Apr 25 – May 1
- D: May 2-9
- Youth Weekend: Apr 4-5, 2026
Furbearers & Trapping
- Muskrat, Mink, Otter, Raccoon, Opossum, Nutria: Dec 1, 2025 – Mar 10, 2026
- Beaver: Dec 1, 2025 – Mar 20, 2026
- Red Fox & Coyote (Trapping): Nov 1, 2025 – Mar 10, 2026
- Raccoon & Opossum Chase: Aug 1 – Oct 31, 2025; Mar 1-31, 2026
- Red Fox Chase: Oct 1, 2025 – Apr 30, 2026
- Coyote (Hunting): Sept 1, 2025 – Feb 28, 2026
Upland Birds
- Pheasant (Males Only): Nov 24, 2025 – Feb 28, 2026
- Quail (Pen-raised): Nov 24, 2025 – Jan 3, 2026
Small Game
- Squirrel: Sept 15, 2025 – Feb 7, 2026
- Rabbit: Nov 24, 2025 – Feb 28, 2026
- Groundhog: July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026
- Frogs: May 1 – Sept 30, 2025
- Turtle: June 15, 2025 – May 15, 2026
Migratory Birds
- Dove:
- Sept 1-28, 2025
- Nov 24-30, 2025
- Dec 8 – Jan 31, 2026
- Woodcock:
- Nov 24-30, 2025
- Dec 25 – Jan 31, 2026
- Snipe:
- Sept 23 – Nov 30, 2025
- Dec 25 – Jan 31, 2026
- Crow: Thurs–Sat only (July 3, 2025 – Mar 26, 2026; June 26-27, 2026)
Waterfowl
- Teal (Special Zone): Sept 20-28, 2025
- Ducks:
- Nov 1-9, 2025
- Nov 26-30, 2025
- Dec 17 – Jan 31, 2026
- Canada Goose (Resident): Sept 1-25, 2025
- Canada Goose (Migratory): Dec 20, 2025 – Jan 3, 2026; Jan 17-31, 2026
- Snow Goose:
- Regular: Oct 18, 2025 – Jan 31, 2026
- Conservation: Feb 1-6 & Feb 8 – Apr 10, 2026
- Brant: Dec 20, 2025 – Jan 3, 2026; Jan 17-31, 2026
- Tundra Swan: Nov 8, 2025 – Jan 31, 2026 (Lottery)
Special Youth/Military Days
- Oct 25, 2025
- Feb 7, 2026
DE Hunting Laws and Regulations Summary
- Ground Rules: Don’t hunt off-season, without legal authorization, exceeding quota limits, or with illegal game.
- Distance Guidelines: Stick to a safe radius when pursuing near buildings or roads.
- Gear Rules: Restrictions exist on firearm types, magazine sizes, and hunting times. Night games are mostly off-limits, but exceptions exist for certain animals.
- Trapping Laws: Each fur-bearing species has its own trapping season and methods.
- Ethical Hunting: It’s illegal to use artificial lights, night vision equipment, or poison on wildlife.
- Game Reporting: Always get a hunting license and necessary permits before you hunt.
- Harvest Reports: Keep up with reporting your catches like deer and turkeys, as the law mandates. Private Land: Always get an okay from owners before pursuing on their land.
- Dogs: Keep dogs leashed or watch them, except in allowed areas. Avoid using dogs for hunting certain animals such as muskrats.
- Auto Safety: Stay away from pursuing from moving vehicles and ensure weapons are safely locked away.
- Boating: Don’t hunt from moving boats with motors, but check specific rules for waterfowl.
- Electronic Calls: Use electronic calls for raccoons, opossums, foxes, and coyotes.
- Lures: Baiting isn’t allowed, except for deers on private premises.
- Wildlife Areas: Follow the particular rules for hunting on government areas.
- Closed Seasons: Stick to the scheduled seasons for each animal species.
- Ammo: Use non-toxic shot for waterfowl in designated areas.
DE Hunting Licenses & Permits
| License/Permit/Tag | Eligibility | Resident Price | Non-Resident Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | Ages 16-64 | $39.50 | $199.50 |
| Junior | Ages 13-15 | $5.00 | $50.00 |
| Guide | Age 18+ | $159.50 | $475.00 |
| Trapping | Ages 13-64 (Resident) / Age 13+ (Non-Resident) | $10.00 | $75.00 |
| Fur Dealer | Engaging in commercial fur business | $50.00 | $475.00 |
| Waterfowl (Duck) Stamp | Ages 16-64 (Resident) / Age 16+ (Non-Resident) | $15.00 | $15.00 |
| Wildlife Area Waterfowl Blind & Deer Stand Permit | Use of State Wildlife Area blinds/stands | $20.00 | $20.00 |
| Hunter’s Choice & Quality Buck Tag Combination | Hunters seeking to tag deer | $20.00 | N/A |
| Each Additional Antlerless Deer Tag | Additional deer tags | $20.00 | $20.00 |
| 3-Day | Ages 16+ (Small game & waterfowl only) | N/A | $75.00 |
| Antlered Deer Tag | Deer hunters | N/A | $50.00 |
| Quality Buck Tag | Deer hunters | N/A | $50.00 |
| License Exempt Number (LEN) | Qualifying residents and non-residents | FREE | FREE |
Top Delaware Hunting Locations by Place Name and Species
Delaware is a hunter’s paradise with its varied terrain. Looking for waterfowl, large prey, or smaller game? The state has got you covered. Let’s explore some popular hunting areas:
For Waterfowl:
- Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge: Known for a bounty of birds during migration season. Expect to spot ducks, geese, and other winged water-dwellers.
- Killcohook National Wildlife Refuge: If variety is your game, Killcohook’s habitats offer a mix of species.
- Delaware Bay: Sea ducks, like scoters and eiders, find Delaware Bay inviting.
For Deer:
- Sussex County: Known for its deer hunting spots, Sussex mixes forests, fields, and wetlands.
- Kent County: Kent adds variety with different landscapes like woods, swamps, and farms.
- New Castle County: Even though it’s more built-up than Sussex and Kent, New Castle has hunting spaces, mainly in its north and west parts.
For Small Games:
- Trap Pond State Park: A place buzzing with a range of animals like rabbits, squirrels, and pheasants.
- Assawoman Wildlife Area: Here, opportunities for small game like rabbits and squirrels abound.
- Delaware State Forest: This land teems with different habitats, home to various small game creatures.
Author & Chief Editor at AskHunting.com
Eric Hale, a veteran hunter with more than a decade of experience, imparts his knowledge via AskHunting.com. He offers guidance for hunting, adding strategies, and delivers in-depth guides for the novice and the old hand. He loves family camping sessions, watching Marvel films with his spouse, and going on thrilling road journeys.
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