Pages Categorized With: "Hunting"
Wild Turkey Surveys
Since 2010, the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife has used an annual, volunteer-based survey to record observations of wild turkeys across the state during the months of July and August. The survey generates an index of annual turkey productivity and recruitment (the ratio of young birds to adult females). The surveyStraight-Wall, Pistol-Caliber Rifles for Deer Hunting in Delaware
Rifles chambered for straight-wall ammunition may be used to hunt deer in Delaware, during specific hunting seasons and only south of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal. For more information on deer hunting, please contact the DNREC Wildlife Section at 302-739-9912. Restrictions and GuidelinesWild Turkeys in Delaware
The wild turkey population in Delaware is one of the greatest conservation success stories in the region. The Division of Fish and Wildlife has reintroduced wild turkeys, once lost to Delaware. It now manages an ongoing conservation program and annual turkey hunting season.Proposed Migratory Game Bird Seasons
The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife is accepting public comments on proposed options for migratory game bird hunting seasons and bag limits for the 2026 – 2027 hunting season, which opens on Sept. 1, 2026. The comment period was open through March 29, 2026. [buttonWildlife Regulation Changes, January 2026
On Dec. 8, 2025, DNREC Secretary Gregory Patterson signed Secretary’s Order No. 2025-F-0037, approving changes to the Delaware Wildlife regulations (7 DE Admin. Code 3900). The order is published in the January 2026 edition of the Delaware Register of Regulations. It makes the following changes: Section 3.6 – TheSpring Turkey Season Hunting Permit Lottery
The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife conducts an annual lottery to issue permits to allow hunters to hunt turkeys on state wildlife areas during the spring wild turkey hunting season, which runs from April 11 to May 10 in 2026. These permits allow a hunter to harvest a wildAvian Influenza and Wildlife
Avian influenza, also known as “bird flu,” is a term for a group of influenza strains that occur naturally in wild aquatic birds and that may spread to other bird and animal species, including domestic poultry. It is a serious disease concern for poultry producers and animal health officials. [column md=”5″ xclass=”col-xs-12Trapping and Furbearers
Technically, furbearers include all mammals that “bear fur.” However, furbearers have traditionally been classified as mammals that are trapped or hunted primarily for their economic value – their fur. Like many other species, furbearers must be managed in a sustainable and ecologically sound manner to ensure healthy populations throughout Delaware. Mink inBands and Special Markers on Migratory Gamebirds
Delaware hunters may find GPS transmitters, bands or other human-created additions on migratory gamebirds they encounter during hunting seasons. Harvesting such gamebirds is legal, but hunters should report what they find to state and federal biologists. Migratory gamebird hunters should be aware of specially marked ducks, geese andHunter Harvest Survey
This page holds the annual Hunter Harvest Survey from the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife. The survey helps state biologists track hunter harvest and activity for game species in Delaware.Contact Us
DNREC Hunter Surveys 302-735-3600
Delaware Whitetail Deer Records
The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife maintains records of the top hunter-taken whitetail deer in Delaware, using the Boone and Crockett scoring system. The records include whitetails taken in any year. State Deer Rankings All-Time Typical Whitetail Deer Non-TypicalDeer Stands or Ground Blinds on State Wildlife Areas
The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife requires hunters to register temporary deer stands or ground blinds they place on state wildlife areas.Contact Us
DNREC Wildlife Section 302-739-9912
Delaware Hunters Against Hunger
Delaware’s deer hunters share part of their harvest each year with Delawareans in need. They provide thousands of pounds of venison through the Delaware Hunters Against Hunger program. Delivering boxes of venison to a food distribution hub. The effort began in Delaware in 1992 as “Sportsmen Against Hunger,” aYouth, Veterans and Active Military Waterfowl Hunting Day
Two separate, one-day, special waterfowl hunting days for youth, veterans, and active military are open on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, and Sunday Feb. 7, 2027, for hunters less than 16 years old as well as veterans and active military personnel. Normal daily waterfowl bag limits and hunting regulations apply, including a limitMigratory Bird Hunting
The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife provides opportunities for migratory bird hunting on state wildlife areas. The following is a summary of those opportunities and the procedures and rules that apply. Updated Dec. 15, 2025 Hunting Seasons [button type=”primary”Snow Goose Conservation Order
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 onWild Turkey Hunting
The 2027 spring wild turkey hunting season will run from April 10 through May 9, 2027. A special two-day hunt for youth and non-ambulatory hunters is set for April 3 and 5, 2027. Wild Turkeys in Delaware [button type=”primary” block=”true”Wild Turkeys in Delaware
The wild turkey population in Delaware is one of the greatest conservation success stories in the region. The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife has reintroduced wild turkeys, once lost to Delaware. It now manages an ongoing conservation program and annual turkey hunting season. [panel type=”success”Delaware Hunting Seasons
Delaware hunting seasons generally begin in September and run through early February of the following year. Specific seasons, based on species and method of take, begin and end on different dates throughout the year. A ruling in the Delaware Superior Court has changed the requirement for direct supervision of youngerSunday Hunting
State law now allows Sunday hunting for all game animals during established hunting seasons, on private lands with landowner permission, and on designated publicly owned lands. Hunting Seasons Delaware’s deer, waterfowl, furbearer, small game and gamebird seasons fall between the start of September and the endOmmelanden Hunter Education Training Center
The Ommelanden Hunter Education Training Center is one of two state shooting ranges managed by the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife. It offers trap and skeet shooting, rifle and pistol shooting, archery and more. Hours of Operation Saturday and Sunday: 9 a.m.
