Get weekly news, tips and photos from the world of hunting.
Small Game Hunting
|
|
|||
|
SEASONS |
DATES |
LIMIT |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION |
|
Gray Squirrel |
Sept. 14 – Feb. 1 |
6 |
Gray squirrels may be hunted with shotguns statewide, .17 through .22 cal. rimfire and pellet rifles and muzzleloading rifles up to .36 cal. south of the C&D Canal. Only shotguns may be used north of the C&D Canal. When a squirrel season overlaps with a deer firearms season, squirrel hunters must wear 400 square inches of hunter orange displayed on the head, chest and back. |
|
Cottontail Rabbit |
Nov. 25 – Feb. 28 |
4 |
Rabbit hunters must wear at least 400 square inches of hunter orange material displayed on head, chest, and back when hunting during any deer firearms season. |
|
Ring-necked Pheasant |
Nov. 25 – Feb. 1 |
2 |
Pheasant hunters must wear at least 400 square inches of hunter orange material displayed on head, chest, and back when hunting during any deer firearms season. |
|
Bobwhite Quail |
Nov. 25 – Jan. 4 |
6 |
Quail hunters must wear at least 400 square inches of hunter orange material displayed on head, chest, and back when hunting during any deer firearms season. |
|
Mourning Dove |
Sept. 2 – Sept. 28 Oct. 21 – Nov. 2 Dec. 13 – Jan. 11 |
15 |
Season subject to Federal approval Hours: ½ hour before sunrise to sunset No state or Federal Waterfowl Stamps needed. |
|
Rails |
Sept. 2 – Nov. 9 |
See Notes |
King & Clapper Rails bag limit of 10 Sora & Virginia Rails bag limit of 25. |
|
Crows |
June 27 – March 29 |
No limit |
Hunting allowed Thur, Fri. & Sat. |
|
|
|||
|
SEASONS |
DATES |
LIMIT* |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION |
|
Bullfrog |
May 1 – Sept. 30 |
24 Daily |
May be taken with a valid hunting or fishing license. |
|
Snapping Turtle* |
June 15 – May 15 |
No limit |
Snapping turtle minimum length is 11 inches on the curvature of the top shell. Traps must be tagged with trapper’s name and address or current year’s license number. Baited fish hooks are unlawful. A free snapping turtle permit number must be obtained and will be issued at the time of the trapping license purchase. Those wishing to trap on Division of Fish & Wildlife lands will need to contact the Regional Manager for an additional permit for those lands. |
|
Diamondback Terrapin* |
Sept. 1 – Nov. 15 |
4 Daily |
|
Delaware Squirrels
Sussex County hosts two species of diurnal tree squirrel: Gray and Delmarva Fox
Gray squirrels are quite common while Delmarva fox squirrels are so rare they are on the federal Endangered Species list.
If you hold a Delaware hunting license, you are permitted to hunt gray squirrels but NOT fox squirrels. Before you shoot, take a good look at the squirrel in your crosshairs!
If you have seen a Delmarva fox squirrel, please call the Species Conservation and Research office (302-735-8651) and, if you have a camera, take a picture. Thanks!
Regulations in red are new this year.
Purple text indicates an important note.
