Pages Tagged With: "hunting"
Wildlife 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 – TheDespite Declining Numbers, Hunting Still has Major Benefits for Participants and Delaware
Fifty years ago, roughly 1 in 20 Delawareans hunted, according to license data maintained by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control. Today, that figure is more like 1 in 50. But that doesn’t mean hunting’s importance has diminished for those who do take part, as the director of the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife explains in this piece.Operation Game Theft
The Operation Game Theft Fund was established by the Delaware General Assembly to assist in the apprehension and conviction of game law violators. Rewards of up to $1,000 are available for information leading to the arrest and conviction of violators.Spring 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. [column md=”5″Division of Fish and Wildlife
The DNREC 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 approximately 68,000 acres of public land. The division oversees wildlife resource conservation and control of mosquito populations and offers hunter, boating and aquatic education programs. It provides licensesBands 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 andPublic Hearing: Proposed Wildlife Regulations Revisions
The Division of Fish and Wildlife will conduct a public hearing to consider comments from the public on proposed revisions to state’s Wildlife Regulations.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