How Chronic Wasting Disease in Delaware Impacts Hunters and Residents

After 23 years of comprehensive testing, Delaware found its first case of chronic wasting disease in 2026. What exactly does this mean for deer hunters? While the disease doesn’t affect humans, there’s still information Delawareans should know.

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Straight-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 Guidelines

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Delaware Natural Resources Police Help Keep the Outdoors Safe for All

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control is a broad agency with hundreds of employees up and down the state responsible for safeguarding wildlife, preventing pollution, conducting research and much more. A key part of that is enforcing environmental protections so our natural resources remain plentiful. To that end, DNREC has its own law enforcement agency tasked with stopping poaching, investigating polluters and keeping our lands safe and welcoming while generally ensuring residents and visitors alike follow all applicable laws and regulations.

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How Delaware Manages Deer and Crop Damage

Delaware has a long tradition of deer hunting dating back to colonial times. This practice is key to controlling the deer population, preventing the species from inflicting too much damage to crops. But when the regular hunting season isn’t enough, DNREC has additional options to help farmers.

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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. [button

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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 – The

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Despite 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.

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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.

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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 wild

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Avian 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-12

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Trapping 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 in

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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 licenses

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Bands 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 and

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Public 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.

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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-Typical

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Deer 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. Register Stands or Blinds

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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,” a

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Youth, 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 limit

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Good Eats from Nature’s Bounty

Looking for something different on your plate? We asked DNREC folks to share their most wildly delicious recipes for harvested game.

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A Season for Giving: Delaware Hunters Against Hunger Program Helps People in Need

The Delaware Hunters Against Hunger program is once again providing venison to people in need, an annual tradition during the holidays. The initiative has distributed almost 328 tons of venison to local food banks since 1996, totaling about 2.62 million meals.

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Hunters: What You Need to Know

Hunting season gets underway in Delaware on September 1. Get all the information you need to go afield.

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Migratory 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”

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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 on

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Wild 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”

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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”

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From Phragmites Part-Timer to a Wildlife Management Career, Thanks Delaware!

Former Division of Fish and Wildlife Regional Manager Bill Jones reflects on 34 years in state service and his progress from a part-time job to a career in wildlife management.

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Wildlife Enthusiasts – Check Out Improved Access to the Bayshore!

Enjoy birding, boating, fishing, hiking, hunting, taking photographs or just watching wildlife in their natural habitats when you visit the Delaware Bayshore. It doesn’t take much effort to find your favorite spot to enjoy some time outdoors.

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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 younger

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Sunday 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 end

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Ommelanden 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.

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Delaware’s White-Tailed Deer

White-tailed deer are one of the most important wildlife species managed in Delaware. Wildlife-watchers, photographers and hunters flock to the state in pursuit of deer. They contribute millions of dollars each year to the state’s economy. Contact Us Sam Millman Deer Biologist 302-735-3600 [button

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Managed Hunts

Managed or controlled hunting is a highly organized effort to reduce the local deer population in urban areas. Hunters must apply and are selected for these hunts. Information on participating in managed hunts is available on the Master Hunter Program page. During the hunt, hunters have specified treestand locations

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Chronic Wasting Disease

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) affects the brain and nervous system in members of the family Cervidae, such as deer, sika, elk or moose. Delaware has now confirmed its first case of CWD in a wild white-tailed deer. State wildlife officials are responding under Delaware’s Chronic Wasting Disease Response Plan and taking

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Deer Damage Assistance

Many farmers report significant damage to their crops caused by deer. By combining non-lethal techniques with targeted harvest, farmers can reduce crop damage. For summer 2026, entry requirements have been relaxed for damage assessments and deer management plans. See below for more information. Harvest of antlerless deer,

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Waterfowl Surveys

Since 1974, the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife has conducted annual waterfowl surveys to measure long-term trends in duck and goose populations. The survey results help increase biologists’ knowledge about the state’s waterfowl populations and habitat and help the state make informed decisions about habitat management and hunting. [column md=”5″ xclass=”col-xs-12

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Coyotes in Delaware

While Delaware’s coyote population remains relatively low, coyotes have been documented in each of the state’s three counties. Coyotes (Canis latrans) have been expanding across the continental United States since the mid-1900s and are now found in 49 of the 50 states, with only Hawaii not having a coyote population. Delaware is recognized as the

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Hunting in Delaware

The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife manages 19 public wildlife areas; approximately 68,000 acres of land. In addition to providing habitat for a variety of wildlife, these lands provide hunting and other outdoor recreational opportunities. Much of this land, and many acres of private land, provide hunting during a number

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Hunters with Disabilities

Delaware offers a variety of opportunities for hunters with disabilities. State wildlife areas offer specialized blinds/stands and hunting locations for hunters with varying degrees of physical disability. Facilities are provided for hunters with disabilities that confine them to a wheelchair as well as for hunters whose disabilities do

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Hunting and Fishing Guides, Seasons and Maps

The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife manages approximately 68,000 acres of Delaware land at 19 public wildlife areas that provide hunting opportunities as well as habitat for a variety of species. The state features a wide variety of fishing opportunities for every angler, from the Delaware River and Bay to the ocean, to numerous

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Wildlife Area Maps and Regulations

The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife manages approximately 68,000 acres of Delaware land at 19 public wildlife areas that provide hunting opportunities as well as habitat for a variety of species. Digital Wildlife Area Maps  Hunting

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Becoming an Outdoors-Woman

DNREC’s Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) is an educational program offering hands-on workshops to encourage and enhance participation in outdoor activities like hunting and shooting sports, fishing and boating, and non-harvest activities. The 2026 Becoming an Outdoors-Woman event will be held at Camp Barnes,

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Hunter Education Training Centers and Ranges

There are hunter education training centers in all three Delaware counties, and shooting ranges in Kent and New Castle Counties. Hunter

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Hunter Education Volunteer Instructor Program

The Delaware Hunter Education Program needs you to help prepare the next generation and other newcomers to hunting or trapping for a safe and enjoyable hunting future. Join

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Hunter Education Courses

The Hunter Education Program offers a variety of classes, both basic and advanced. For more information, please contact the Office of Hunter Education, at HunterEducation@delaware.gov or 302-735-3600 x1, or by mail at 3018 Bayside Drive, Dover, DE 19901. Basic Hunter Education

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Hunter Education Course Calendar

The Hunter Education Program offers a variety of classes, both basic and advanced. Basic hunter education classes are available in person or online. Use the Digital DNREC Hunter Education system to register for hunter education courses, print hunter education cards, and manage your profile. [eme_events category=14 template_id=4 

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Delaware Master Hunter Program

The Delaware Master Hunter Program is not for beginners. Your hunting license was only the beginning. And you aren’t a beginner anymore. In fact, you’ve been at this outdoors pursuit called hunting for a long time and have a wealth of experience to show for it.

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Hunter Education

The Delaware Hunter Education Program is committed to putting safe, ethical and educated hunters in the field. Since 1970, it has continued Delaware’s tradition of fair chase hunting by educating and developing responsible, involved, safe and knowledgeable hunters for the future of The First State. [panel type=”success”

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Fish and Wildlife Advisory Councils

Delaware state law establishes several councils to advise the Director of Fish and Wildlife on matters relating to fisheries, recreational fishing, wildlife and hunting, and shell fisheries. The Division is also part of the Delaware Native Species Commission. Advisory Council on Wildlife and

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Contact Information

Patrick J. Emory, Director 89 Kings HighwayDover, DE 19901302-739-9910patrick.emory@delaware.gov

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Fish and Wildlife License Agents

Hunting and fishing licenses, and conservation access passes (CAP), can be purchased at the following authorized licensing agents. Some agents only sell fishing licenses while others sell only hunting licenses and conservation access passes. Licenses also can be purchased online or at the licensing desk inside DNREC’s Richardson and Robbins Building, at 89 Kings Highway

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