• CHECK OUT THE F&W WEBSITE: WWW.DE.GOV/FW • 2018/2019 DELAWARE HUNTING & TRAPPING WE BRING YOU DELAWARE’S GREAT OUTDOORS THROUGH SCIENCE AND SERVICE WHAT’S NEW FOR 2018 DEER RESEARCH R E S U LTS page 16 WEBLESS MIGRATORY BIRD SEASONS EXTENDED pages 30 & 31 CHANGES TO PUBLIC LAND TURKEY LOTTERY page 40 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 NEW What good is PROPERTIES ADDED EVERY having a hunting WEEK! license if you don’t have a place to hunt? OVER 350 PROPERTIES AVAILABLE FOR YOUR EXCLUSIVE USE. Finding an affordable, local, private spot to go hunting can be tough … That’s why we created Outdoor Access! We offer affordable, exclusive access to land that’s perfect for hunting, fishing, and other outdoor activities. You can quickly and easily reserve property for a single day, a weekend, or even longer. And your access is exclusive. That means that the only people on the property will be you and your guests, which means a much safer and more enjoyable experience than a public option. On top of all that, reserving through Outdoor Access costs a fraction of typical hunt club dues — less than $10 a month! 1. SIGN UP 2. RESERVE 3. ENJOY! Download our app, You can reserve any Follow the rules set or visit our website, available property for forth by the landowner OutdoorAccess.com your exclusive use as and be respectful. to sign up. It takes easily as you would Most of all, enjoy less than 5 minutes! reserve a hotel room. yourself! “[Outdoor Access] has 30 Sign up today and properties within 20 minutes of me. It’s Friday … and ENJOY! you can be hunting I’m just thinking ‘What do I want to try out this weekend?’ Follow the rules set tomorrow! It’s been one of my best years forth by the landowner in the last 5 or 6 years!” and be respectful. – David M. Mostof all, enjoy www.OutdoorAccess.com yourself! NEW What good is PROPERTIES ADDED EVERY CONTENTS having a hunting WEEK! 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 license if you don’t Conservation Access Pass ......................................................... 4 Waterfowl ................................................................................. 29 Trapping Permission Form .......................................................... 9 Migratory Game Bird Season Summary .................................... 30 Trapping License Information ...................................................... 9 33 BOATING SAFETY have a place to hunt? 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 Turkey Hunts ...................... 40 Sika Deer .................................................................................. 21 Wildlife Area Spotlights ............................................................. 41 22 WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT ZONES 43 DELAWARE HUNTER 24 SMALL GAME HUNTING SECTION EDUCATION PROGRAM Season Dates ........................................................................... 24 Courses Offered ....................................................................... 44 Bullfrog and Snapping Turtle Seasons ....................................... 24 Directions to Class Locations .................................................... 45 Live Fire Liability Waiver ............................................................ 46 OVER 350 PROPERTIES AVAILABLE FOR YOUR EXCLUSIVE USE. 26 WILD TURKEY HUNTING SECTION Season Dates ........................................................................... 26 48 SUNRISE/SUNSET TABLE Finding an affordable, local, private spot to go hunting can be tough … That’s why we created Outdoor Access! Legal Firearms, Bows and Shot Sizes ....................................... 26 We offer affordable, exclusive access to land that’s perfect for hunting, fishing, and other outdoor activities. You can quickly Delaware Turkey Hunting Check Stations .................................. 27 and easily reserve property for a single day, a weekend, or even longer. And your access is exclusive. That means that the only people on the property will be you and your guests, which means a much safer and more enjoyable experience than a public option. On top of all that, reserving through Outdoor Access costs a fraction of typical hunt club dues — less than $10 a month! FROM THE DIRECTOR OF THE DIVISION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE 1. SIGN UP 2. RESERVE 3. ENJOY! The promise of each new hunting We have initiated regulation changes to expand hunting and trap- Download our app, You can reserve any Follow the rules set season and the anticipation of adven- ping seasons statewide for those species whose populations can ture and a day afield with family or accommodate additional harvest, with those seasons anticipated or visit our website, available property for forth by the landowner friends, and perhaps a trusted hunt- to go into effect during the 2018/2019 hunting and trapping season OutdoorAccess.com your exclusive use as and be respectful. ing dog, is a Delaware tradition. We, after the required public process and input (season changes would be in the Division of Fish & Wildlife, take updated in the on-line version of this guide). We have also improved to sign up. It takes easily as you would Most of all, enjoy seriously the trust you place in us to hunter access, opened additional areas and enhanced wildlife habitat less than 5 minutes! reserve a hotel room. yourself! manage wildlife and their habitats on your state wildlife areas, with more planned. and to provide hunting and trapping On behalf of Delaware’s wildlife and wild places, the division thanks opportunities, including on your you for your trust in us and your investment in hunting and trapping, extensive public wildlife areas. wildlife conservation and public wildlife areas. Enjoy Delaware’s Our ability to manage wildlife great outdoors and have a successful and safe hunting and trapping “[Outdoor Access] has 30 and their habitat and provide hunt- season as We Bring you Delaware’s Great Outdoors through Science Sign up today and properties within 20 minutes ing opportunities for you has been and Service. enhanced through your investment of me. It’s Friday … and of increased funding from last year’s hunting and trapping license fee you can be hunting I’m just thinking ‘What do I increase, for which we thank you. We are putting these funds to good ENJOY! use to provide added value for your license purchase. David E. Saveikis - Director want to try out this weekend?’ Follow the rules set tomorrow! It’s been one of my best years forth by the landowner in the last 5 or 6 years!” and be respectful. – David M. Mostof all, enjoy www.OutdoorAccess.com 2018/2019 DELAWARE HUNTING AND TRAPPING GUIDE 1 yourself! 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 About This Guide AND FRESHWATER FISH: Edward A. Montague, Chair Garrett L. Grier, Jr., Vice Chair This high-quality guide is offered to you Raymond F. Burris Craig A. Karsnitz F. Thomas Unruh by the Delaware Department of Natural J. Neal Dukes Steven M. Kendus Resources and Environmental Control Joe C. Johnson Dale R. Scuse