Deer Seasons

Delaware Hunting

Deer Seasons
SEASONS	DATES	ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Archery*	Statewide Sept. 1 – Jan. 31	Hunters may use archery equipment during the muzzleloader, shotgun and handgun seasons provided they wear at least 400 square inches of hunter orange material displayed on the head chest, and back.
Crossbow*	Statewide Sept. 1 – Jan. 31	Hunters may use crossbow equipment during the muzzleloader, shotgun and handgun seasons provided they wear at least 400 square inches of hunter orange material displayed on the head, chest, and back
Muzzleloader	Statewide Oct. 5 – 13 Jan. 28 – Feb. 2	Muzzleloaders may be equipped with scopes.
Shotgun	Statewide Nov. 9 – 18 Jan. 19 – 26	Muzzleloaders and handguns may be used during the shotgun seasons and may be equipped with scopes.**
Special Antlerless	Statewide Oct. 15, 19, 20, 22, 26, 27, 29 and Dec. 8 – 15.	Legal methods of take during these seasons include archery equipment, muzzleloaders, and shotguns. You may only take antlerless deer, or deer with both antlers less than 3 inches in length. Archery (including crossbow) hunters may take antlered bucks in October but NOT during the December antlerless season.
Handgun	Jan. 5 – 12	The handgun must be carried openly in a sling or in a holster and not concealed. See Deer Hunting for more details.
Youth/ Non-ambulatory Disabled Hunt	Nov. 3	Hunters may use archery equipment, muzzeloaders, or shotguns. Additionally, non-ambulatory disabled adults may use a handgun in-lieu of a shotgun.
Archery and crossbow hunters may take antlered bucks during the October antlerless deer season, but NOT during the December antlerless season. *It is now legal to hunt deer with a handgun during any shotgun deer season (excluding the special antlerless seasons). The handgun must be used in place of a shotgun. You cannot carry both in the field at the same time. Only 2 antlered bucks may be taken during any license year by all methods and seasons combined. The license year runs from July 1 – June 30.