Below, discover comprehensive details, including bag limits and regulations, for the diverse game species available for pursuit during Delaware’s hunting seasons in 2025.
🏹 Delaware Hunting Seasons 2025-2026
🦌 Big Game
White-Tailed Deer
| Season Type | Dates | Special Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Archery & Crossbow | Sept 1, 2025 – Feb 1, 2026 | Sunday hunting allowed (private/select public) |
| Early Muzzleloader | Oct 10-19, 2025 | Statewide participation |
| Late Muzzleloader | Jan 26 – Feb 1, 2026 | |
| General Firearm (Nov) | Nov 14-23, 2025 | |
| General Firearm (Jan) | Jan 17-25, 2026 | |
| Antlerless Only | Oct 3-5, 24-26, 31; Dec 13-21, 2025 | Special restrictions apply |
| Youth Weekend | Sept 27-28, 2025 | For young & non-ambulatory hunters |
| Handgun & Rifle | Jan 3, 5-10, 2026 | Closed Jan 4 & in Zones 1A/1B |
🦃 Turkey
Spring Gobbler Season
| Segment | Dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Season | Apr 11 – May 9, 2026 | 30 mins before sunrise – 1 PM |
| Youth Weekend | Apr 4-5, 2026 | Early access for youth hunters |
| Public Land (A) | Apr 11-17, 2026 | Lottery-based permits |
| Public Land (B) | Apr 18-24, 2026 | |
| Public Land (C) | Apr 25 – May 1, 2026 | |
| Public Land (D) | May 2-9, 2026 |
🦫 Furbearers & Trapping
| Species | Trapping Dates | Chase/Pursuit Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Muskrat, Mink, Otter | Dec 1, 2025 – Mar 10, 2026 | N/A |
| Beaver | Dec 1, 2025 – Mar 20, 2026 | N/A |
| Red Fox & Coyote | Nov 1, 2025 – Mar 10, 2026 | Oct 1, 2025 – Apr 30, 2026 |
| Raccoon & Opossum | Dec 1, 2025 – Mar 10, 2026 | Aug 1 – Oct 31, 2025; Mar 1-31, 2026 |
| Coyote (Hunting) | Sept 1, 2025 – Feb 28, 2026 | Year-round in some zones |
🐦 Upland Birds & Small Game
| Species | Dates | Daily Bag Limit | Sunday Hunting? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ring-necked Pheasant | Nov 24, 2025 – Feb 28, 2026 | 2 birds | ✅ Yes |
| Quail (Pen-raised) | Nov 24, 2025 – Jan 3, 2026 | No limit | ✅ Yes |
| Gray Squirrel | Sept 15, 2025 – Feb 7, 2026 | No limit | ❌ No |
| Cottontail Rabbit | Nov 24, 2025 – Feb 28, 2026 | No limit | ❌ No |
| Groundhog | July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026 | No limit | ✅ Yes |
🕊️ Migratory Birds
| Species | Segment Dates | Daily Bag Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Mourning Dove | Sept 1-28, 2025 | 15 birds |
| Nov 24-30, 2025 | ||
| Dec 8, 2025 – Jan 31, 2026 | ||
| Woodcock | Nov 24-30, 2025 | 3 birds |
| Dec 25, 2025 – Jan 31, 2026 | ||
| Crow | Thurs–Sat only (Jul 3, 2025 – Mar 26, 2026) | No limit |
🦆 Waterfowl
| Species | Season Dates | Daily Bag Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Ducks | Nov 1-9, 2025 | 6 (species limits apply) |
| Nov 26-30, 2025 | ||
| Dec 17, 2025 – Jan 31, 2026 | ||
| Canada Goose (Resident) | Sept 1-25, 2025 | 15 (Teal Zone: 3 after Sept 19) |
| Snow Goose | Oct 18, 2025 – Jan 31, 2026 | 25 |
| Conservation Order | Feb 1-6 & Feb 8 – Apr 10, 2026 | No limit |
Special Hunts
- Youth/Military/Veteran Waterfowl Days: Oct 25, 2025 & Feb 7, 2026
- Tundra Swan (Lottery): Nov 8, 2025 – Jan 31, 2026
(Always verify with official regulations for updates or zone-specific rules.)
John Lewis, the passionate founder of HuntingSeasons.org, is committed to promoting responsible hunting and a profound love for the wilderness. With years of expertise, his platform serves as a reliable guide for hunting enthusiasts, advocating ethical practices and nature preservation.
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I have been complaining about a neighbor that is connected with my land to the Game Warden for several years. Nothing is being done. The neighbor (and his friends or paying customers) are shooting deer all hours of the night. There is a development connected with his property and my land. Is it legal to bring in hunters on his property that is so close? He also hangs deer in a special designed shed were he bleeds them out and butchers them. The shooting all night long wakes me up all the time. Sometimes I cannot get to sleep again. And NO I will not move. Purchased this land in 1975 when my Husband was alive.