Your Guide to 2024 Delaware Hunting Season! [New Dates]

Even though Delaware is the smallest state in the US, there are plenty of hunting chances due to the state’s diversified terrain. Delaware is a hunting paradise for those looking for whitetail deer, ducks, upland game, and more, with its vast marshes, tidal rivers, and undulating farmlands and deep woodlands. So prepare to dig into our in-depth guide to Delaware’s gaming times of year, grab your camouflage, and sharpen your blades.

Content Highlights

Delaware Hunting Season Dates

Deer

Season	Dates	Zones	Bag Limit
Archery	Sep. 1 – Jan. 31	Statewide	2 antlered and 10 antlerless
Crossbow	Sep. 1 – Jan. 31	–	–
Muzzleloader	Oct. 6 – 15 and Jan. 22 – 28	–	–
General Firearm	Nov. 10 – 19 and Jan. 13 – 21	–	–
Special Antlerless	Oct. 1, 16, 20 – 23, 27 – 30 and Dec. 9 – 17	–	10 antlerless
Handgun and Straight-walled Pistol-caliber Rifle	Jan. 6, 8 – 12	Statewide (except zones 1A and 1B)	2 antlered and 10 antlerless
Youth and Non-ambulatory Hunt	Nov. 4 and 5	Statewide	–

Other Big Games

Season	Dates	Zones	Bag Limit
Elk	No open season	N/A	N/A
Bear	No open season	N/A	N/A
Coyote	Sep. 1 – Feb. 28	Statewide	No limit

Turkey

Season	Dates	Zones	Bag Limit
Spring Turkey	Apr. 13 – May 11	Statewide	1 bearded bird
Youth and Non-ambulatory Hunt	Apr. 6	–	–

Migratory & Waterfowl Birds

Species	Season	Dates	Zones	Bag Limit
Canada Goose	Special September	Sep. 1 – Sep. 30	North Zone	15
	–	Sep. 15 – Sep. 30	South Zone	15
	Regular AP Unit	Oct. 10 – Oct. 14, Nov. 10 – Dec. 15	North Zone	3
	–	Dec. 27 – Feb. 15	–	5
	Regular AFRP Unit	Oct. 10 – Oct. 14, Nov. 21 – Feb. 15	–	5
	–	Oct. 10 – Oct. 14, Nov. 21 – Feb. 15	South Zone	5
	Regular NAP-H Unit	Oct. 10 – Oct. 14, Nov. 10 – Jan. 12	North Zone	2
	–	Oct. 10 – Oct. 14, Nov. 10 – Jan. 12	South Zone	2
	NAP-H Late Season	Jan. 15 – Feb. 15	South Zone	5
Snow Goose	Regular	Oct. 2 – Jan. 13 and Feb. 3	Statewide	25
	Late	Feb. 21 – Mar. 9	Statewide	25
Brant	Regular	Dec. 7 – Jan. 10	North Zone	1
	–	Dec. 18 – Jan. 20	South Zone	1
Duck & Coot	Early	Oct. 7 – Oct. 14	North Zone	6
	–	Oct. 12 – Oct. 14	South Zone	6
	Late	Nov. 10 – Jan. 10	North Zone	6
	–	Nov. 16 – Jan. 20	South Zone	6
Scaup	Early	Oct. 7 – Oct. 14	North Zone	1
	–	Oct. 12 – Oct. 14	South Zone	1
	Late	Nov. 10 – Dec. 18	North Zone	1
	–	Nov. 16 – Dec. 28	South Zone	1
	–	Dec. 19 – Jan. 10	North Zone	2
	–	Dec. 29 – Jan. 20	South Zone	2

Upland Games

Species	Season	Dates	Bag Limit
Pheasant	Regular	Oct. 19 – Feb. 28	2 (male only)
Quail	Regular	Oct. 19 – Dec. 31	4
Ruffed Grouse	Regular	Oct. 19 – Nov. 30	1
Woodcock	Regular	Oct. 19 – Nov. 2	3
Crow	Regular	July 6 – Oct. 26 and Jan. 11 – Mar. 29	No limit

Furbearers

Species	Season	Dates	Bag Limit
Beaver, Bobcat, Bobcat, Fisher, Fisher	Hunting/Trapping	No open season	N/A
Beaver	Trapping	Dec. 1 – Mar. 10	No limit
Coyote	–	Dec. 1 – Mar. 10	No limit
Coyote	Hunting	Sep. 1 – Feb. 28	No limit
Fox	Trapping	Dec. 1 – Mar. 10	No limit
Fox	Hunting	Sep. 1 – Feb. 28	No limit
Mink	Trapping	Dec. 1 – Mar. 10	No limit
Mink	Hunting	No open season	N/A
Muskrat	Trapping	Dec. 1 – Mar. 10	No limit
Muskrat	Hunting	No open season	N/A
Opossum	Trapping	Dec. 1 – Mar. 10	No limit
Opossum	Hunting	Sep. 1 – Feb. 28	No limit
Otter	Trapping	Dec. 1 – Mar. 10	2
Otter	Hunting	No open season	N/A
Raccoon	Trapping	Dec. 1 – Mar. 10	No limit
Raccoon	Hunting	Sep. 1 – Feb. 28	No limit
Skunk	Trapping	Dec. 1 – Mar. 10	No limit
Skunk	Hunting	Sep. 1 – Feb. 28	No limit
Weasel	Trapping	Dec. 1 – Mar. 10	No limit
Weasel	Hunting	No open season	N/A

Author
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Mason Miller

Mason Miller founded and leads WildlifeForum.org, a forum promoting ethical hunting and conservation. Mason, an avid outdoorsman and naturalist, studies and protects animals via activism, instructing, and research. His love of nature and dedication to sustainability inspired him to start WildlifeForum.org for responsible hunters, anglers, and outdoor lovers.