DELAWARE - The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced the opening of various hunting seasons this month, notably the widely anticipated shotgun deer season starting from Nov. 10 to Nov. 19. Following these dates, seasons for duck and Canada goose hunting among others will commence on Nov. 20.
The DNREC's Division of Fish and Wildlife has issued clarification for small game hunting dates previously misprinted in the 2023/2024 Delaware Hunting and Trapping Guide. Contrary to the guide's print edition which stated Nov. 21, the seasons for hunting cottontail rabbits, ring-necked pheasants, and bobwhite quail will indeed open on Nov. 20. The guide’s digital version has been updated to show the accurate season openings for these species.
The following are the official dates for November's hunting seasons:
- Raccoon and opossum (hunting only): From Nov. 1 to Feb. 29, 2024
- Red fox (hunting only): From Nov. 1 to Feb. 29, 2024
- General firearm/shotgun deer: From Nov. 10 to 19, including all Sundays
- Tundra swan (exclusive permit required): From Nov. 11 to Jan. 31, 2024
- Woodcock (initial season split): From Nov. 20 to 25
- Ducks, coots, and mergansers (second season split): From Nov. 20 to 25
- Brant: From Nov. 23 to Jan. 9, 2024, and then Jan. 11 to 27, 2024, with a closure on Jan. 10
- Bobwhite quail: From Nov. 20 to Jan. 6, 2024
- Mourning dove (second season split): From Nov. 20 to Jan. 31, 2024
- Ring-necked pheasant (males only): From Nov. 20 to Feb. 3, 2024
- Cottontail rabbit: From Nov. 20 to Feb. 29, 2024
- Canada goose (initial season split): From Nov. 20 to 25
DNREC says the raccoon and opossum seasons are suspended during the November youth/non-ambulatory and general firearm/shotgun deer hunts. Additionally, special hunting hours for these species are set from 7 p.m. to midnight during the December antlerless, January handgun/straight-walled pistol-caliber rifle, January general firearm/shotgun, and January muzzleloader deer seasons.
For comprehensive information on the hunting seasons and regulations, the 2023/2024 Delaware Hunting and Trapping Guide is accessible online at de.gov/hunting. Details concerning hunting licenses, state waterfowl stamps, and the Conservation Access Pass can be found at de.gov/huntinglicense.
