• CHECK OUT THE F&W WEBSITE: WWW.DE.GOV/FW • 2017/2018 DELAWARE HUNTING & TRAPPING WE BRING YOU DELAWARE’S GREAT OUTDOORS THROUGH SCIENCE AND SERVICE WHAT’S NEW FOR 2017 NEW HUNTING AND TRAPPING FEES page 6 NEW CONSERVATION ACCESS PASS pages 4 & 5 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 CONTENTS 2 FISH AND WILDLIFE DIRECTORY 28 MIGRATORY BIRD HUNTING SECTION Harvest Information Program .................................................... 28 3 ESSENTIAL NEWS AND REMINDERS Youth Hunt ............................................................................... 28 4 LICENSING AND PERMITS SECTION Snow Geese ............................................................................. 29 Conservation Access Pass ......................................................... 4 Waterfowl ................................................................................. 29 Trapping Permission Form .......................................................... 9 Migratory Game Bird Season Summary .................................... 30 Trapping License Information ...................................................... 9 33 BOATING SAFETY 8 LICENSE $$$ WORKING FOR YOU 34 FURBEARER TRAPPING 10 GENERAL HUNTING INFORMATION AND HUNTING SECTION Prohibited Methods of Take ...................................................... 10 Trapping Seasons ..................................................................... 34 Legal Methods of Take .............................................................. 12 Trapping Prohibitions ................................................................ 34 Operation Game Theft .............................................................. 12 Hunting Seasons ...................................................................... 34 14 PHOTO CONTEST WINNERS 36 PUBLIC LANDS HUNTING AND TRAPPING SECTION 15 YOUTH HUNTING Public Hunting Lands ................................................................ 36 16 DELAWARE DEER HARVEST AND RESEARCH Waterfowl Hunting on Public Lands .......................................... 36 Deer Hunting on Public Lands .................................................. 36 17 DEER HUNTING SECTION Rules for State Wildlife Areas .................................................... 37 Season Dates ........................................................................... 17 Rules for Hunting on State Forest Service Lands ...................... 38 Automated Deer Checking System ........................................... 17 Deer Stand & Waterfowl Blind Facilities for Hunters with a Disability . 38 Chronic Wasting Disease .......................................................... 18 Hunting on Federal Refuges ..................................................... 39 Handgun Hunting ..................................................................... 19 Rules for Delaware State Park Lands ........................................ 39 Youth/Non-Ambulatory Hunt ..................................................... 20 Lottery Application for Public Land Hunts ................................. 40 22 WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT ZONES Wildlife Area Spotlights ............................................................. 41 24 SMALL GAME HUNTING SECTION 43 DELAWARE HUNTER Season Dates ........................................................................... 24 EDUCATION PROGRAM Bullfrog and Snapping Turtle Seasons ....................................... 24 Courses Offered ....................................................................... 44 Directions to Class Locations .................................................... 45 26 WILD TURKEY HUNTING SECTION Live Fire Liability Waiver ............................................................ 46 Season Dates ........................................................................... 26 Legal Firearms, Bows and Shot Sizes ....................................... 26 48 SUNRISE/SUNSET TABLE Delaware Turkey Hunting Check Stations .................................. 27 FROM THE DIRECTOR OF THE DIVISION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE Hunting, trapping and wildlife con- be required for vehicles used to access public wildlife areas; a vehicle servation go together. Quality hunting pass can be obtained free of charge with the purchase of a hunting and trapping depends on plentiful license or directly purchased by other wildlife area users. Information wildlife throughout the state and on these wildlife program revenue enhancements is located on pages hunting opportunities on public 4 through 6 of this guide. lands. Wildlife in turn depends on We are committed to and will be providing added value for your the stewardship of hunters, trappers investment by expanding hunting seasons and by enhancing habitat and other conservationists, which and access facilities on public wildlife areas with the help of these includes financially investing in wild- increased revenues. life and public lands. On behalf of Delaware’s wildlife and wild places, the division thanks Hunting and trapping license rev- you for your financial investment in wildlife conservation and public enues, combined with funds derived wildlife areas. Enjoy Delaware’s great outdoors, made possible with from special federal taxes on hunting your support. and shooting equipment purchases, provide the majority of the funding used for wildlife conservation and public wildlife area management. In the tradition of this “user pay, user benefit” funding approach, the price of most hunting and trapping licenses increased on July 1, 2017, to help meet the rising costs of wildlife conservation and public David E. Saveikis - Director wildlife area management. Also, a new Conservation Access Pass will 2017/2018 DELAWARE HUNTING AND TRAPPING GUIDE 1 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 ADVISORY COUNCIL ON WILDLIFE AND FRESHWATER FISH: About This Guide Edward A. Montague, Chair Garrett L. Grier, Jr., Vice Chair Raymond F. Burris This high-quality guide is offered to you Steven M. Kendus by the Delaware Department of Natural J. Neal Dukes Resources and Environmental Control Joe C. Johnson through its unique partnership with J.F. Craig A. Karsnitz Griffin Publishing, LLC. Dale R. Scuse The revenue generated through ad sales significantly lowers production costs and State and Federal law prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion and/ generates savings. These savings translate or disability. Complaints or inquiries should be directed to: Human Resource Office, Department of Natural into additional funds for other important Resources and Environmental Control, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901. agency programs. This summary is for the convenience of the hunters and trappers and is not intended to cover all hunting laws If you have any feedback or are inter- and regulations. For specific provisions, reference should be made to Title 7, Delaware Code. When federal and ested in advertising, please contact us at state laws conflict, the law which is more restrictive governs. 413.884.1001 or at www.JFGriffin.com FOR THE ACTUAL WORDING OF THE WILDLIFE STATUTES AND REGULATIONS, AS WELL AS A WIDE VARIETY OF OTHER INFORMATION, VISIT THE DIVISION’S WEBSITE at www.de.gov/fw Graphic Design: Jon Gulley, Dane Fay, John Corey, Evelyn Haddad, Chris Sobolowski DIRECTORY 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 Offce ........................................... (302) 739-9913 Kent County . (302) 284-4795 New Castle County .............................. (302) 836-4682 Region 3 - Assawoman WA, Kent County .......................................... (302) 739-6139 Sussex County . (302) 539-3160 Sussex County ..................................... (302) 855-1901 Wildlife Check Stations OPERATION GAME THEFT – 1-800-292-3030 Little Creek ....................................... (302) 739-4610 FEDERAL WILDLIFE INFORMATION– Cedar Swamp ................................ (302) 653-8080 U.S. DERPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Woodland Beach ........................... (302) 653-4802 Enforcement U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Office, Augustine ......................................... (302) 836-7294 70 Sarah Circle, Suite F Assawoman ..................................... (302) 539-3160 Camden, DE 19934 .............................. (302) 697-1612 Bombay Hook National Wildlife This guide is also Hunter Education .........................(302) 735-3600 Refuge, near Smyrna .......................... (302) 653-9345 Ommelanden Range .................... (302) 323-5333 Prime