• CHECK OUT THE F&W WEBSITE: WWW.DE.GOV/FW • 2019/2020 DELAWARE HUNTING & TRAPPING WE BRING YOU DELAWARE’S GREAT OUTDOORS THROUGH SCIENCE AND SERVICE WHAT’S NEW FOR 2019sa REMINDER: EXPANDED SUNDAY DEER HUNTING OPPORTUNITIES page 17 STRAIGHT-WALLED PISTOL- CALIBER RIFLES ALLOWED FOR DEER HUNTING page 19 TUNDRA SWAN SEASON AND APPLICATION page 32 DEER RESEARCH RESULTS 2019 Photo Contest Winners page 42 page 14 Hunter/Trapper Registration System Follow us on www.dnrec.delaware.gov/delhunt Facebook! DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL: DIVISION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE Your Dream Barn Wedding Unique • Rustic • Waterfront * No Sales Tax, Saving You Thousands* THOUSAND ACRE FARM 260 South Reedy Point Road, Middletown, DE 302-893-3510 | 443-992-6637 www.thousandacrefarm.com 40 minutes from Cherry Hill ThousandAcreFarm.indd All Pages 5/15/18 11:38 AM Your Dream Barn Wedding Unique • Rustic • Waterfront * No Sales Tax, Saving You Thousands* THOUSAND ACRE FARM 260 South Reedy Point Road, Middletown, DE 302-893-3510 | 443-992-6637 www.thousandacrefarm.com 40 minutes from Cherry Hill ThousandAcreFarm.indd All Pages 5/15/18 11:38 AM FISH & WILDLIFE DIRECTORY FISH & WILDLIFE DIRECTORY CONTENTS 3 FISH AND WILDLIFE DIRECTORY 28 MIGRATORY BIRD HUNTING SECTION Harvest Information Program .................................................... 28 4 ESSENTIAL NEWS AND REMINDERS Youth Hunt ............................................................................... 28 5 LICENSING AND PERMITS SECTION Snow Geese ............................................................................. 29 Conservation Access Pass ......................................................... 5 Waterfowl ................................................................................. 29 Trapping Permission Form ........................................................ 10 Migratory Game Bird Season Summary .................................... 30 Trapping License Information .................................................... 10 Tundra Swans........................................................................... 32 11 LICENSE $$$ WORKING FOR YOU 34 BOATING SAFETY 11 GENERAL HUNTING INFORMATION 35 FURBEARER TRAPPING Prohibited Methods of Take ...................................................... 11 AND HUNTING SECTION Legal Methods of Take .............................................................. 12 Trapping Seasons ..................................................................... 35 Operation Game Theft .............................................................. 12 Trapping Prohibitions ................................................................ 35 Hunting Seasons ...................................................................... 35 14 PHOTO CONTEST WINNERS 37 PUBLIC LANDS HUNTING 15 YOUTH HUNTING AND TRAPPING SECTION 16 DEER HUNTING SECTION Public Hunting Lands ................................................................ 37 Season Dates ........................................................................... 16 Waterfowl Hunting on Public Lands .......................................... 37 Automated Deer Checking System ........................................... 17 Deer Hunting on Public Lands .................................................. 37 Chronic Wasting Disease .......................................................... 18 Rules for State Wildlife Areas .................................................... 38 Handgun and Straight-Walled Pistol-Caliber Rifle Hunting ......... 19 Rules for Hunting on State Forest Service Lands ...................... 39 Youth/Non-Ambulatory Hunt ..................................................... 20 Deer Stand & Waterfowl Blind Facilities for Hunters with a Disability . 39 Sika Deer .................................................................................. 21 Hunting on Federal Refuges ..................................................... 40 Rules for Delaware State Park Lands ........................................ 40 22 WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT ZONES Lottery Application for Public Land Turkey Hunts ...................... 41 24 SMALL GAME HUNTING SECTION 42 DELAWARE DEER RESEARCH Season Dates ........................................................................... 24 Bullfrog and Snapping Turtle Seasons ....................................... 24 43 DELAWARE HUNTER EDUCATION PROGRAM 26 WILD TURKEY HUNTING SECTION Courses Offered ....................................................................... 44 Season Dates ........................................................................... 26 Directions to Class Locations .................................................... 45 Legal Firearms, Bows and Shot Sizes ....................................... 26 Live Fire Liability Waiver ............................................................ 46 Delaware Turkey Hunting Check Stations .................................. 27 48 SUNRISE/SUNSET TABLE FROM THE DIRECTOR OF THE DIVISION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE While Delaware is a small state, we tain deer hunting seasons. Delaware’s quality waterfowl hunting is have great hunting and trapping legendary on our extensive wetlands and waterways. Our wild turkey opportunities for a variety of abun- population has been restored through conservation investments, pro- dant wildlife game species. Science viding exciting hunting each spring. And we are working to provide new guides the Division of Fish & Wildlife and additional hunting seasons and opportunities in the near future. as we manage and sustain these Hunting and trapping opportunities are available on our nearly game populations throughout the 62,000 acres of public wildlife areas located throughout the state that state, establishing the Diamond State are open and managed for you, the hunter and trapper. We continue to as a gem for resident and nonresi- improve access on these wildlife areas, where we are also expanding dent hunters and trappers. habitat for small game species, including bobwhite quail. Our robust white-tailed deer popu- I encourage you to make the most of hunting and trapping oppor- lation provides exceptional hunting, tunities in Delaware, whether you are local or from out of state. Have both for number and quality of deer, a successful and safe hunting and trapping season as We Bring you with additional deer harvest needed Delaware’s Great Outdoors through Science and Service. to manage the herd in balance with their habitats. Deer hunting opportunities have been greatly expanded with the opening of all Sundays during the five month deer hunting season, and by authorizing the use of additional firearms during cer- David E. Saveikis - Director 2 2019/2020 DELAWARE HUNTING AND TRAPPING GUIDE FISH & WILDLIFE DIRECTORY STATE OF DELAWARE John C. Carney Governor DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL Shawn M. Garvin Secretary Williamstown, MA | Birmingham, AL DIVISION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE David E. Saveikis Director About This Guide ADVISORY COUNCIL ON WILDLIFE AND FRESHWATER FISH: Edward A. Montague, Chair This high-quality guide is offered to you Garrett L. Grier, Jr., Vice Chair by the Delaware Department of Natural Raymond F. Burris Nathan R. Hudson Dale R. Scuse Resources and Environmental Control J. Neal Dukes Joe C. Johnson F. Thomas Unruh through its unique partnership with J.F. Stephen M. Kendus Griffin Publishing, LLC. The revenue generated through ad sales State and Federal law prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion and/ significantly lowers production costs and or disability. Complaints or inquiries should be directed to: Human Resource Office, Department of Natural generates savings. These savings translate Resources and Environmental Control, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901. into additional funds for other important This summary is for the convenience of the hunters and trappers and is not intended to cover all hunting laws agency programs. and regulations. For specific provisions, reference should be made to Title 7, Delaware Code. When federal and state laws conflict, the law which is more restrictive governs. If you have any feedback or are inter- ested in advertising, please contact us at FOR THE ACTUAL WORDING OF THE WILDLIFE STATUTES AND REGULATIONS, AS WELL AS A WIDE VARIETY OF 413.884.1001 or at www.JFGriffin.com OTHER INFORMATION, VISIT THE DIVISION’S WEBSITE at www.de.gov/fw Graphic Design: Jon Gulley, Dane Fay, John Corey, DIRECTORY Evelyn Haddad, Chris Sobolowski DELAWARE DIVISION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE RECREATIONAL LICENSING SECTION Main Office – Richardson and Robbins Building, License information for fishing, hunting, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, Delaware 19901 trapping, Conservation Access Open 8:00 A.M. – 4:30 P.M. – Mon. thru Fri. Pass, and Charter/Head Boats ������ (302) 739-9918 except on Holidays Boat Registration, Boat Ramp WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT Certificates and Commercial SECTION – (302) 739-9912 Fisheries Information ....................... (302) 739-9916 Wildlife Regional Offices FISH & WILDLIFE NATURAL RESOURCES POLICE Region 1 - Augustine WA, Natural Resources Police New Castle County ..... (302) 834-8433 24 Hr. Dispatch ����������������������������������.1-800-523-3336 Region 2 - Norman G. Wilder WA, Main Office ........................................... (302) 739-9913 Kent County ..................(302) 284-4795 Office of Boating Safety Region 3 - Assawoman WA, & Education .......................................... (302) 739-9915 Sussex County