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.

Full and detailed information on hunting seasons is found in the Delaware Hunting and Trapping Guide.

Sunday deer hunting is allowed on all Sundays through Jan. 31, 2022, using only those hunting methods legal for the respective established deer hunting seasons.

Wildlife area maps and rules are available online and for download.

Hunting Seasons Opening in October

Snow goose, duck, other migratory birds and firearm deer hunting seasons open in October. There will be a one-day, youth-only waterfowl hunt on Saturday, Oct. 16.

Snow goose: Oct. 1 through Jan. 31, 2022; Feb. 5, 2022

Antlerless deer: Oct. 1 through 3, Oct. 18, Oct. 22 through 25 and Oct. 29 through 31, including Sundays

Muzzleloader deer: Oct. 8 through 17, including Sundays

Youth Waterfowl Hunt: Oct. 16

Ducks, coots and mergansers: first season split Oct. 22 through Nov. 1

Continuing Hunting Seasons

Mourning dove: First season split through Oct. 4 for  (half an hour before sunrise to sunset) (Important Reminder)

Moorhen, gallinule, sora, Virginia rail, king rail and clapper rail: Through Nov. 24

Common snipe: Through Nov. 27

Archery and Crossbow Deer: Through Jan. 31, 2022, including Sundays (half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset)

Gray squirrel: Through Feb. 5, 2022 (half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset; closed during November shotgun deer season)

Coyote: Through Feb. 28, 2022

Crows: Through March 26, 2022 (Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays only)

Groundhog: Through June 30, 2022

The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife provides opportunities for migratory bird hunting on state wildlife areas.

Licensing and Other Requirements

A Delaware hunting license or License Exempt 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 crow 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 should either create a profile or use the “Quick Hunting Registration” option.

Anyone born after January 1, 1967, must satisfactorily complete a basic hunter education course before obtaining a Delaware Hunting license.

Registered motor vehicles used to access designated wildlife areas owned or managed by the Division of Fish and Wildlife are required to display a Conservation Access Pass.

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