Skip to Main Content Skip to Main Navigation

Small Game Hunting

Facebook

Twitter Email More Print

Brought to you by:

2012-2013 Small Game Seasons and Bag Limits
SEASONS	DATES	LIMIT	ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Gray Squirrel	Sept. 15 – Feb. 2 Closed during Nov. Shotgun Deer Season	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. 19 – 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 gun season.
Ring-necked Pheasant (Male Only)	Nov. 19 – Feb. 2	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 gun season.
Bobwhite Quail	Nov. 19 – Jan. 5	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 gun season.
Mourning Dove	Sept. 1 – Sept. 29 Oct. 13 – Oct. 27 Dec. 18 – Jan. 12	15	Season Subject to Federal Approval Hours: ½ hour before sunrise to sunset No state or Federal Waterfowl Stamps needed.
Rails	Sept. 1 – Nov. 8	See Notes	King & Clapper Rails bag limit of 10 Sora & Virginia Rails bag limit of 25. Seasons subject to Federal approval.
Crows	June 28 – March 30	None	Hunting allowed Thur, Fri. & Sat.
Hours: Upland game (except raccoons, opossums & frogs) 1/2 hr. before sunrise to 1/2 hr. after sunset. Raccoons & frogs may be hunted at night. Season for hunting on private shooting preserves is October 15 – March 31. NOTE: Small game hunting may be open on some state wildlife areas during January firearms deer seasons. Consult wildlife area maps for details.

2012-2013 Bullfrog and Snapping Turtle Seasons
SEASONS	DATES	LIMIT*	ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Bullfrog	May 1 – Sept. 30	24	May be taken with a valid hunting and 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. Baited fish hooks are unlawful. Trapping license and permit required.
* No other turtles may be kept or sold except from Sept. 1 – Nov. 15 when the terrapin daily limit is 4.

Regulations in red are new this year.

Purple text indicates an important note.

Brought to you by:

Conservation Partner Advertisements: The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control: Division of Fish and Wildlife allows appropriate advertising in its annual regulation guides in print and online, in order to defray or eliminate expenses to the state, and support enhanced communications with Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control: Division of Fish and Wildlife Constituents. Through a unique partnership with J.F.Griffin Publishing, LLC & eRegulations.com, ‘Conservation Partners’ have been established that pay for advertising in support of the regulations both in print and online. The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control: Division of Fish and Wildlife neither endorses products or services listed or claims made; nor accepts any liability arising from the use of products or services listed. Advertisers interested in the Conservation Partners program should contact J.F.Griffin/eRegulations.com directly at 413-884-1001,

This is not the full law. Consult the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control: Division of Fish and Wildlife for further details. All persons are reminded that the statutes, code and regulations are the legal authorities.

J.F. Griffin Media reaches 9,000,000 sportsmen every year through our print and digital publications. We produce 30 hunting and fishing regulation guides for 15 state agencies. For advertising information, please visit: www.jfgriffin.com