2017-2018 Deleware Hunting Seasons
A tradition for many families, hunting is an exciting escape into nature. Your reward of patiently waiting in a tree stand or hunting blind is the satisfaction of taking responsibility for your own food, or finally bagging that trophy buck. Discount Ramps has all the hunting dates for Deleware, and the necessary hunting equipment to ensure a successful year.
This is a general guide to season dates. Dates are subject to change. For more information, visit the Deleware Hunting & Trapping Website.
Deer
Hunt Type | Earliest Opening Date | Latest Closing Date |
Archery | Sep. 1,2017 | Jan. 31,2018 |
Crossbow | Sep. 1,2017 | Jan. 31,2018 |
Muzzleloader | Oct. 6,2017 | Oct. 14,2017 |
Jan. 22,2018 | Jan. 27,2018 |
Shotgun | Nov. 10,2017 | Nov. 19,2017 |
Jan. 13,2018 | Jan. 20,2018 |
Handgun | Jan. 6,2018 | Jan. 13,2018 |
Youth/Non-Ambulatory Disabled Hunt | Nov. 4,2017 |
Turkey
Segment | Earliest Opening Date | Latest Closing Date |
(A) | April 14,2018 | April 20,2018 |
(B) | April 21,2018 | April 27,2018 |
(C) | April 28,2018 | May 4,2018 |
(D) | May 5,2018 | May 12,2018 |
Youth Day | April 7,2018 |
Small Game Seasons and Bag Limits
Season | Earliest Opening Date | Latest Closing Date |
Gray Squirrel | Sep. 15,2017 | Feb. 3,2018 |
Closed During Nov. Shotgun Deer Season |
Cottontail Rabbit | Nov. 20,2017 | Feb. 28,2018 |
Groundhogs | July 1,2017 | June 30,2018 |
Ring-Necked Pheasant (Male Only) | Nov. 20,2017 | Feb. 3,2018 |
Bobwhite Quail | Nov. 20,2017 | Jan. 6,2018 |
Bullfrog and Snapping Turtle
Season | Earliest Opening Date | Latest Closing Date |
Bullfrog | May 1,2018 | Sep. 30,2018 |
Snapping Turtle | June 15,2017 | May 15,2018 |
Diamondback Terrapin | Sep. 1,2017 | Nov. 15,2017 |
Ducks
Season | Earliest Opening Date | Latest Closing Date |
Duck Regular Season | Oct. 27,2017 | Nov. 7,2017 |
Nov. 20,2017 | Nov. 25,2017 |
Dec. 8,2017 | Jan. 27,2018 |
September Teal | Sep. 8,2017 | Sep. 26,2017 |
Youth Waterfowl Hunt | Oct. 21,2017 | Feb. 10,2018 |
Sea Ducks, Scoters, Eiders, and Long-Tailed Ducks | Nov. 20,2017 | Jan. 27,2018 |
Coots | Oct. 27,2017 | Nov. 7,2017 |
Nov. 20,2017 | Nov. 25,2017 |
Dec. 8,2017 | Jan. 27,2018 |
Mergansers | Oct. 27,2017 | Nov. 7,2017 |
Nov. 20,2017 | Nov. 25,2017 |
Dec. 8,2017 | Jan. 27,2018 |
Geese and Brant
Season | Earliest Opening Date | Latest Closing Date |
Canada Geese (Resident) | Sep. 1,2017 | Sep. 27,2017 |
Canada Geese (Migratory) | Nov. 20,2017 | Nov. 25,2017 |
Dec. 15,2017 | Feb. 3,2018 |
Brant | Nov. 20,2017 | Nov. 25,2017 |
Dec. 2,2017 | Jan. 31,2018 |
Snow Geese | Oct. 10,2017 | Feb. 10,2018 |
Snow Goose Conservation Order | Feb. 12,2018 | April 13,2018 |
Geese and Brant
Season | Earliest Opening Date | Latest Closing Date |
Mourning Dove | Sep. 1,2017 | Sep. 30,2017 |
Oct. 17,2017 | Oct. 21,2017 |
Nov. 20,2017 | Jan 13,2018 |
King & Clapper Rails | Sep. 1,2017 | Nov. 9,2017 |
Sora & Virginia Rails | Sep. 1,2017 | Nov. 9,2017 |
Woodcock | Nov. 20,2017 | Dec. 2,2017 |
Dec. 13,2017 | Jan. 13,2018 |
Common Snipe | Sep. 19,2017 | Dec. 2,2017 |
Dec. 13,2017 | Jan. 13,2018 |
Moorhens & Gallinules | Sep. 1,2017 | Nov. 9,2017 |
Crows (Thurs. Fri. & Sat. Only) | June 22,2017 | March 31,2018 |
Furbearer Trapping Seasons
Species | Earliest Opening Date | Latest Closing Date |
Muskrat, Mink, Otter, Raccoon, Opossum, Nutria | New Castle County Dec. 1,2017 | March 10,2018 |
Kent & Sussex Counties Dec. 15,2017 | March 15,2018 |
Beaver | Dec. 1,2017 | March 20,2018 |
Red Fox, Coyote | Dec. 1,2017 | March 10,2018 |
Groundhog | July 1,2017 | June 30,2018 |
Furbearer Hunting Seasons
Species | Type | Earliest Opening Date | Latest Closing Date |
Raccoon and Opossum | Chase | Sep. 1,2017 | Oct. 5,2017 |
Chase | Oct. 16,2017 | Oct. 31,2017 |
Hunt | Nov. 1,2017 | Nov. 9,2017 |
Hunt | Nov. 18,2017 | Feb. 28,2018 |
Chase | March 1,2018 | March 31,2018 |
Red Fox | Chase | Oct. 2,2017 | April 30,2018 |
Hunt | Nov. 1,2017 | Feb. 28,2018 |
Coyote | Statewide | Sep. 1,2017 | Feb. 28,2018 |
Beaver | Private Land Only | Dec. 1,2017 | March 20,2018 |
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