• CHECK OUT THE F&W WEBSITE: WWW.FW.DELAWARE.GOV • 2014-2015 DELAWARE HUNTING & TRAPPING WE BRING YOU DELAWARE’S GREAT OUTDOORS THROUGH SCIENCE AND SERVICE WHAT’S NEW FOR 2014 TRAPPING REGULATIONS DEER TAGGING REGULATIONS — CHECK OUT THE HUNTING — YOUTH HUNTING Photo Contest INFORMATION Winners COYOTE PG. 8 SEASONS 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 AUG 1 - DEC 10 XTREME PROMOTION THE FORECAST CALLS FOR REIGN FEATURING OUR PATENTED AQUA TECHNOLOGY AND BLINK TECHNOLOGY THE XTREME SETS THE STANDARD FOR CORROSION RESISTANCE AND RELIABILITY • AQUA TECHNOLOGY PROVIDES SUPERIOR CORROSION RESISTANCE IN ANY CONDITION • KICK-OFFM ALONG WITH KICK-OFF3 REDUCE FELT RECOIL UP TO 70% • BLINK GAS OPERATING SYSTEM CYCLES FOUR ROUNDS IN UNDER ONE SECOND • PROPRIETARY STEELIUM TRI-ALLOY, COLD HAMMER FORGED BARRELS • OPTIMAHP CHOKES FOR THE BEST BALLISTIC PERFORMANCE AVAILABLE • B-LOK MAGAZINE CAP COMES OFF WITH A SINGLE TWIST FOR FAST TAKEDOWN info.Beretta.com/DE CONTENTS 2 FISH AND WILDLIFE DIRECTORY 28 WILD TURKEY HUNTING SECTION Season Dates ........................................................................... 28 4 ESSENTIAL NEWS AND REMINDERS Legal Firearms, Bows and Shot Sizes ....................................... 28 4 LICENSE $$$ WORKING FOR YOU Public Land Permits by Area ..................................................... 28 6 GENERAL HUNTING INFORMATION 29 SEEN ANY TURKEYS? (TURKEY SURVEY) Prohibited Methods of Take ........................................................ 6 30 MIGRATORY BIRD HUNTING SECTION Method of Take ........................................................................... 7 Harvest Information Program .................................................... 30 Operation Game Theft ................................................................ 9 Youth Hunt ............................................................................... 30 Wildlife Action Plan ..................................................................... 9 Small Boat Equipment Requirements ........................................ 31 Private Landowner Assistance .................................................... 9 Waterfowl Hunter and Water Survival Tips ................................ 31 8 PHOTO CONTEST WINNERS 34 FURBEARER TRAPPING 10 WILDLIFE AREA SPOTLIGHTS AND HUNTING SECTION Trapping Season Dates ............................................................. 34 13 YOUTH HUNTING Trapping Prohibitions ................................................................ 34 14 LICENSING AND PERMITS SECTION Hunting Seasons ...................................................................... 34 License Types and Fees ............................................................ 14 36 PUBLIC LANDS HUNTING Obtaining a Duplicate License ................................................... 15 AND TRAPPING SECTION 18 DELAWARE DEER HARVEST AT A GLANCE Public Hunting Lands ................................................................ 36 Waterfowl Hunting on Public Lands .......................................... 36 18 DEER HUNTING SECTION Deer Hunting ............................................................................ 36 Season Dates ........................................................................... 19 Rules for State Wildlife Areas .................................................... 37 Automated Deer Checking System ........................................... 19 Area Maps ................................................................................ 37 Handgun Hunting ..................................................................... 21 Rules for Hunting on State Forests ........................................... 38 Youth/Non-Ambulatory Hunt ..................................................... 22 Hunting on Federal Refuges ..................................................... 39 Deer Management Zones ......................................................... 24 Lottery Application for Public Land Hunts ................................. 40 26 CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE: 41 DELAWARE HUNTER ADVICE TO HUNTERS AND RULES EDUCATION PROGRAM 27 SMALL GAME HUNTING SECTION Courses Offered ....................................................................... 42 Season Dates ........................................................................... 27 Directions to Class Locations .................................................... 43 Bullfrog and Snapping Turtle Seasons ....................................... 27 Master Hunter Program ............................................................ 43 Live Fire Training ....................................................................... 44 Live Fire Liability Waiver ............................................................ 45 48 SUNRISE/SUNSET TABLE FROM THE DIRECTOR OF THE DIVISION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE Hunting and trapping are enjoyed Delaware’s 16,860 licensed hunters currently generate $2.7 million for their excitement, relaxation and each year in combined state and federal funds. On behalf of the time with family and friends. Your Division, THANK YOU for financially supporting wildlife conservation Division of Fish and Wildlife is com- and hunting. mitted to bringing you quality hunt- Delaware’s economy also benefits from hunter spending at sport- ing in Delaware’s great outdoors by ing goods stores, restaurants, motels, gas stations, convenience scientifically managing sustainable stores and other businesses. Hunting contributes $61.7 million to wildlife populations and their habitats Delaware’s economy and supports 549 jobs, serving an important and by providing hunting access at role in Delaware’s “Conservation Economy.” our public wildlife areas. In the spirit of our guiding slogan, We Bring You Delaware’s Great As a hunter or trapper, you are Outdoors through Science and Service, I hope to see you in the a key partner in helping us achieve outdoors and wish you a memorable, safe and productive hunting sustainable wildlife populations and and trapping season… quality hunting through your conser- vation ethic and financial investment in wildlife conservation and public wildlife areas. Hunters, through hunting license revenues used to match federal funding derived from hunting equipment purchases, fund most of our wildlife management David E. Saveikis and research and the management of your public wildlife areas. Director 2014-2015 DELAWARE HUNTING AND TRAPPING GUIDE 1 FISH & WILDLIFE DIRECTORY • CHECK OUT THE F&W WEBSITE : WWW.FW.DELAWARE.GOV • 2014-2015 STATE OF DELAWARE DELAWARE Jack A. Markell HUNTING & TRAPPING WE BRING YOU DELAWARE’S GREAT OUTDOORS THROUGH SCIENCE AND SERVICE Governor WHAT’S NEW FOR DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES 2014 AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL TRAPPING REGULATIONS DEER TAGGING Collin P. O’Mara REGULATIONS — CHECK OUT THE HUNTING — YOUTH HUNTING Photo Contest Secretary INFORMATION COYOTE Winners SEASONS PG. 8 Hunter/Trapper Registration System DIVISION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE www.dnrec.delaware.gov/delhunt Follow us on Facebook! DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES David E. Saveikis AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL : Director DIVISION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE ADVISORY COUNCIL ON WILDLIFE AND FRESHWATER FISH: About this Guide Edward Montague, Chair This high-quality regulation guide is offered to you Garrett Grier, Jr., Vice Chair by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources Robert Nichols and Environmental Control through its unique Raymond Burris partnership with J.F. Griffin Publishing, LLC. Steven Kendus Neil Dukes J.F. Griffin is an award winning publishing house Joe Johnson that specializes in producing state fish & wildlife Craig Karsnitz regulation books. J.F. Griffin supports DNREC’s staff in the design, layout and editing of the guides. They Terry Ratliff also manage the marketing and sales of advertising to appropriate businesses within the book. State and Federal law prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion and/ or disability. Complaints or inquiries should be directed to: Human Resource Office, Department of Natural The revenue generated through ad sales signifi- Resources and Environmental Control, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901. cantly lowers production costs and generates sav- ings. These savings translate into additional funds This summary is for the convenience of the hunters and trappers and is not intended to cover all hunting laws for other important wildlife and habitat 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 interested in advertising, please contact us at 413.884.1001 FOR THE ACTUAL WORDING OF THE WILDLIFE STATUTES AND REGULATIONS, AS WELL AS A WIDE VARIETY OF or online at www.JFGriffin.com OTHER INFORMATION, VISIT THE DIVISION’S WEBSITE at www.fw.delaware.gov Designers: Jon Gulley, Dane Fay, Evelyn Haddad, Erin Murphy, DIRECTORY Chris Sobolowski DELAWARE DIVISION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE RECREATIONAL LICENSING SECTION Main Office – Richardson and Robbins Building, License information for fishing, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, Delaware 19901 hunting and trapping - (302) 739-9918 Open 8:00 A.M. – 4:30 P.M. – Mon. thru Fri. Boat Registration, Boat Ramp Certificates and except on Holidays Commercial Fisheries Information - (302) 739-9916 Wildlife Information: