Below, discover comprehensive details, including bag limits and regulations, for the diverse game species available for pursuit during Delaware’s hunting seasons in 2023.
Delaware Hunting Season
Please read on to learn more about the next seasons, areas, and rules and restrictions.
Deer
Delaware is a great place to hunt white-tailed deer. From September through February, Delaware allows bow, muzzleloader, and shotgun deer hunting. Deer may be hunted with bows at any time of the year. Deer without antlers may be hunted throughout the months of December and January. You may read our exclusive article on Delaware deer hunting season for more details.
| DE Deer Season Category | Zones | Start Date | Season End Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archery* | Statewide | 1-Sep-23 | 31-Jan-23 |
| Crossbow* | Statewide | 1-Sep-23 | 31-Jan-23 |
| Muzzleloader | Statewide | 6-Oct-23 | 15-Oct-23 |
| Muzzleloader | Statewide | 22-Jan-23 | 28-Jan-23 |
| General Firearm (Shotgun Seasons) | Statewide | 10-Nov-23 | 19-Nov-23 |
| General Firearm (Shotgun Seasons) | Statewide | 13-Jan-23 | 21-Jan-23 |
| Special Antlerless* | Statewide | 1-Oct-23 | 23-Oct-23 |
| Special Antlerless* | Statewide | 16-Oct-23 | 30-Oct-23 |
| Special Antlerless* | Statewide | 20-Oct-23 | 17-Dec-23 |
| Special Antlerless* | Statewide | 27-Oct-23 | 17-Dec-23 |
| Special Antlerless* | Statewide | 30-Oct-23 | 17-Dec-23 |
| Handgun and Straight- walled Pistol-caliber Rifle | Season closed in Wildlife Management Zones 1A and 1B | 6-Jan-23 | 12-Jan-23 |
| Handgun and Straight- walled Pistol-caliber Rifle | Statewide | 8-Jan-23 | 12-Jan-23 |
| Youth and Non-ambulatory Hunt | Statewide | 4-Nov-23 | 5-Nov-23 |
There is no elk season in Delaware in 2023-2024. Delaware had its elk population restored in 2015, however it is still quite tiny. Elk hunting season has not yet been set by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC).
Bear
Delaware has no black bear season in 2023-2024. The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) may consider a bear hunting season in future due to recent black bear sightings. If granted, the season will be limited to a few licenses and specified places. Hunters would need a Delaware hunting license and a bear permit, available online or at DNREC licensing agents. Conserving and managing Delaware’s black bear population would be the priority.
Coyote
| Season | Season Start Dates | Season End Dates | Bag Limit | Possession Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coyote Season (Hunting) | 1-Sep | 1-Feb | No Limit | No Limit |
Delaware Small Game Hunting Season 2023-2024
Below are the small games dates announced for the latest season:
Squirrel
| Season | Season Start Dates | Season End Dates | Bag Limit | Possession Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gray Squirrel | Sep-23 | Feb-23 | 6 | 12 |
| Gray Squirrel | Closed during Nov General Firearm Deer Season | NA | NA |
Rabbit
| Rabbit Season | Season Start Dates | Season End Dates | Bag Limit | Possession Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cottontail Rabbit | 21-Nov | 1-Feb | 4 | 8 |
Groundhogs
| Species | Season Start Dates | Season End Dates | Bag Limit | Possession Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Groundhogs Season | 1-Jul | 30-Jun | No Limit | 8 |
Quail
| Quail Season | Season Start Dates | Season End Dates | Bag Limit | Possession Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bobwhite Quail | 21-Nov | 6-Jan | 6 | 12 |
Pheasant
| Pheasant Season | Season Start Dates | Season End Dates | Bag Limit | Possession Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ring-necked Pheasant (Male Only) | 21-Nov | 3-Feb | 2 | 4 |
Delaware Migratory Birds Season 2023-2024
Up-to-date information about the Migratory Bird schedule are mentioned below:
Ducks
| DE Duck Season | Season Start Date | Season End Date | Bag Limit | Possession Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ducks (Regular Season) | 27-Oct | 4-Nov | 6 | 18 |
| Ducks (Regular Season) | 20-Nov | 25-Nov | 6 | 18 |
| Ducks (Regular Season) | 9-Dec | 31-Jan | 6 | 18 |
| Snow Ducks | 27-Oct | 4-Nov | 6 | 18 |
| Snow Ducks | 20-Nov | 25-Nov | 6 | 18 |
| Snow Ducks | 9-Dec | 31-Jan | 6 | 18 |
Duck Bag Limits:
| Species | Daily Bag Limit (Excluding Mergansers and Coots) | Possession Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Mallards | 4 (Max 2 hens) | 3 times the daily bag limit |
| Black Ducks | 2 | 3 times the daily bag limit |
| Pintail | 1 | 3 times the daily bag limit |
| Canvasback | 2 | 3 times the daily bag limit |
| Wood Ducks | 3 | 3 times the daily bag limit |
| Redheads | 2 | 3 times the daily bag limit |
| Scaup | 1 | 3 times the daily bag limit |
| Teal | 6 | 3 times the daily bag limit |
| Shovelers | 6 | 3 times the daily bag limit |
| Gadwall | 6 | 3 times the daily bag limit |
| Wigeon | 6 | 3 times the daily bag limit |
| Goldeneye | 6 | 3 times the daily bag limit |
| Ring-necked Ducks | 6 | 3 times the daily bag limit |
| Bufflehead | 6 | 3 times the daily bag limit |
| Ruddy Ducks | 6 | 3 times the daily bag limit |
| Mottled Duck | 1 | 3 times the daily bag limit |
| Fulvous Whistling-Duck | 1 | 3 times the daily bag limit |
| 4 (No more than 3 scoters; 3 eiders (1 hen); 3 long-tailed ducks) | 3 times the daily bag limit | |
| Harlequin Ducks (Season closed) | - | - |
Coots
| Species | Season Start Date | Season End Date | Bag Limit | Possession Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coots | 27-Oct | 4-Nov | 15 | 45 |
| Coots | 20-Nov | 25-Nov | 15 | 45 |
| Coots | 9-Dec | 31-Jan | 15 | 45 |
Mergansers
| Species | Season Start Date | Season End Date | Bag Limit | Possession Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mergansers Season | 27-Oct | 4-Nov | 5 | 15 |
| Mergansers Season | 20-Nov | 25-Nov | 5 | 15 |
| Mergansers Season | 9-Dec | 31-Jan | 5 | 15 |
Teal
| Species | Season Start Date | Season End Date | Bag Limit | Possession Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September Teal | 13-Sep | 30-Sep | 6 | 18 |
Goose
| Species | Season Start Date | Season End Date | Bag Limit | Possession Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada Goose (Resident) | 1-Sep | 25-Sep | 15 | 45 |
| Canada Goose (Migratory) | 20-Nov | 25-Nov | 2 | 6 |
| 16-Dec | 30-Jan | 2 | 6 | |
| Snow Goose | 2-Oct | 31-Jan | 25 | No limit |
| 3-Feb | - | 25 | No limit | |
| Snow Goose Conservation Order | 1-Feb | 2-Feb | No bag limit | No possession limit |
| 5-Feb | 12-Apr | No bag limit | No possession limit |
Brant
| Species | Season Start Date | Season End Date | Bag Limit | Possession Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brant | 23-Dec | Jan 9 (season closed on Jan 10) | 1 | 3 |
| Brant | 11-Jan | 27-Jan | 1 | 3 |
Youth Waterfowl
| Season | Season Start Date | Season End Date | Bag Limit | Possession Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Youth Waterfowl Hunt (Youth must be age 10-15.) | 21-Oct | 3-Feb | 6 | 18 |
Swan
| Species | Season Start Date | Season End Date | Bag Limit | Possession Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tundra Swan | Nov. 11 | Jan. 31 | 1 per season | 1 per season |
| Mute Swan | Legal to take during any open waterfowl season | No limit | No limit | |
| (Closed during the Snow Goose Conservation Order) | ||||
| Trumpeter Swan | Closed Season | 0 - Closed Season | 0 - Closed Season | 0 - Closed Season |
Dove
| Species | Season Start Date | Season End Date | Bag Limit | Possession Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mourning Dove | 1-Sep | 21-Oct | 15 | 45 |
| 20-Nov | 31-Jan | 1 | - |
Rails
| Species | Season Start Date | Season End Date | Bag Limit | Possession Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| King and Clapper Rails | 2-Sep | 22-Nov | 2 (Singly or in combination of the two species) | 102 |
| Sora and Virginia Rails | 2-Sep | 22-Nov | 3 (Singly or in combination of the two species) | 253 |
Woodcock
| Species | Season Start Date | Season End Date | Bag Limit | Possession Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Woodcock | 20-Nov | 25-Nov | 3 | 9 |
| 16-Dec | 30-Jan | 3 | 9 |
Snipe
| Species | Season Start Date | Season End Date | Bag Limit | Possession Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Common Snipe | 29-Sep | 31-Jan | 8 | 24 |
Gallinules
| Species | Season Start Date | Season End Date | Bag Limit | Possession Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moorhens and Gallinules | 2-Sep | 22-Nov | 15 | 45 |
Crow
| Species | Season Start Date | Season End Date | Bag Limit | Possession Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crow | 1-Jul-23 | 30-Mar-24 | No Limit | No Limit |
| 28-Jun-24 | 29-Jun-24 | No Limit | No Limit |
Furbearer Hunting Season
Here is a overview of the furbearer hunting seasons in Delaware:
Raccoon
| Raccoon Season | Season Start Date | Season End Date | Bag Limit | Possession Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase only season (no harvest allowed) | 1-Sep | 29-Oct | No Limit | No Limit |
| Chase only season (no harvest allowed) | 1-Mar | 30-Mar | No Limit | No Limit |
| Hunting season | 1-Nov | Feb-29 | No Limit | No Limit |
Opossum
| Opossum Season | Season Start Date | Season End Date | Bag Limit | Possession Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No harvest allowed during Oct muzzleloader and Oct antlerless deer seasons | 1-Sep | 29-Oct | No Limit | No Limit |
| Chase only season (no harvest allowed) | 1-Mar | 30-Mar | No Limit | No Limit |
| Hunting season | 1-Nov | Feb-29 | No Limit | No Limit |
Fox
| Fox Season | Season Start Date | Season End Date | Bag Limit | Possession Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase only season (no harvest allowed) | 1-Oct | 30-Apr | No Limit | No Limit |
| Hunting Season | 1-Nov | Feb-29 | No Limit | No Limit |
| Closed Season | 30* With the exception of the antlerless, muzzleloader, and shotgun deer seasons in October through December. |
Beaver
| Season | Season Start Date | Season End Date | Bag Limit | Possession Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beaver Season | 1-Dec | 20-Mar | No Limit | No Limit |
Muskrat
| Species | Season Start Date | Season End Date | Bag Limit | Possession Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muskrat | 1-Dec | 10-Mar | No Limit | No Limit |
Mink
| Species | Season Start Date | Season End Date | Bag Limit | Possession Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mink | 1-Dec | 10-Mar | No Limit | No Limit |
Otter
| Species | Season Start Date | Season End Date | Bag Limit | Possession Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Otter | 1-Dec | 10-Mar | No Limit | No Limit |
Furbearer Trapping Season
| Species | Season Start Date | Season End Date | Bag Limit | Possession Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muskrat, Mink, Otter | 1-Dec | 10-Mar | No Limit | No Limit |
| Raccoon*, Opossum, Nutria | 1-Dec | 10-Mar | No Limit | No Limit |
| Beaver | 1-Dec | Mar 20*** | No Limit | No more than 8 per season |
| Red Fox, Coyote | 1-Jul | 30-Jun | No Limit | No Limit |
| Groundhog | No specific trapping season | No specific trapping season | No Limit | No Limit |
Bullfrog Season
| Species | Season Start Dates | Season End Dates | Bag Limit | Possession Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bullfrog Season | 1-May | Sept. 30 | 24 | 48 |
Snapping Turtle Season
| Species | Season Start Dates | Season End Dates | Bag Limit | Possession Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snapping Turtle Season | 15-Jun | 15-May | No Limit | No Limit |
Diamondback Terrapin Season
| Species | Season Start Dates | Season End Dates | Bag Limit | Possession Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diamondback Terrapin Season | 1-Sep | 15-Nov | 4 | No Limit |
Turkey Seasons
| Turkey Season | Season Start Date | Season End Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Turkey | 13-Apr-24 | 11-May-24 | Delaware's spring wild turkey hunting season. |
| Youth & Non-ambulatory Turkey Hunt | 6-Apr-24 | 6-Apr-24 | Special one-day hunt for youth and non-ambulatory hunters. |
| Public Land Permit Segment (A) | 13-Apr-24 | 19-Apr-24 | Dates for using permits on designated public land. |
| Public Land Permit Segment (B) | 20-Apr-24 | 26-Apr-24 | Dates for using permits on designated public land. |
| Public Land Permit Segment (C) | 27-Apr-24 | 3-May-24 | Dates for using permits on designated public land. |
| Public Land Permit Segment (D) | 4-May-24 | 11-May-24 | Dates for using permits on designated public land. |
| Application Deadline | 5-Jan-24 | - | Deadline for submitting applications for the lottery drawing. |
| No Sunday Hunting | - | - | Hunting not allowed on Sundays during the season. |
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.