Delaware hunting seasons generally begin in September and run through early February of the following year. Specific seasons, depending on the species and the method of capture, begin and end on different dates throughout the year.
Complete and detailed information on hunting seasons can be found in the Delaware Hunting and Trapping Guide.
Sunday deer hunting is permitted every Sunday through January 31, 2022, using only legal hunting methods for the respective established deer seasons.
Wildlife area maps and rules are available online and for download.
Opening of hunting seasons in February
A wide variety of hunting opportunities are available in February, including the opening of the White Goose Conservation Order on Tuesday, February 1, and the second special youth waterfowl hunting day on Saturday, February 5.
the one day special Youth waterfowl hunting day. is open to hunters ages 10-15. Normal daily waterfowl hunting limits and hunting rules apply during the special youth waterfowl hunting day, including a limit of 25 white geese and one Canada goose.
the White Goose Conservation Order is open Tuesday, February 1 through Friday, February 4 and closes on Saturday, February 5 for Junior Waterfowl Day and a one-day reopening of the White Goose regular season. The Snow Goose Conservation Order reopens on Monday, February 7 and runs through Friday, April 8.
Continuous hunting seasons
gray squirrel: Until February 5, 2022 (half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset)
Ring-necked Pheasant (male only): Until February 5, 2022
Cottontail rabbit: Until February 28, 2022
Coyote (hunting): Until February 28, 2022
Red fox (hunting): Until February 28, 2022
Raccoon and opossum (hunting): Until February 28, 2022
ravens: until March 26, 2022, from June 23 to 25, 2022 and June 30, 2022 (only Thursday, Friday and Saturday)
Groundhog: until June 30, 2022
Continuous catching seasons
Muskrat, mink, otter, raccoon, opossum, otter:
- New Castle County: Until March 10, 2022 (March 20 in embanked meadows)
- Kent and Sussex counties: until March 15, 2022
Red fox and coyote: Until March 10, 2022
Beaver: Until March 20, 2022, only on private land
Licenses and other requirements
A Delaware hunting license or license exemption number (LEN) is required to hunt. Most waterfowl hunters require a Delaware waterfowl (duck) stamp and a federal migratory bird (duck) stamp.
All migratory game bird hunters, except raven hunters, including duck and goose hunters, also need a Federal Harvest Information Program (HIP) number, which can be obtained through the DNREC ePermitting system or by calling toll-free 1-855-335-4868.
Hunters using the ePermitting system must create a profile or use the “Quick Hunt Registration” option.
Anyone born after January 1, 1967 must successfully complete a basic hunter education course before obtaining a Delaware hunting license.
Registered motorized vehicles used to access designated wildlife areas owned or managed by the Division of Fish and Wildlife must display a Conservation Access Pass.