Licensing and Permits

Note: In addition to the licensing requirements listed herein, ALL hunters under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult (18 years or older) to carry a firearm.

SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER AND HUNTING LICENSES

The Delaware Division of Child Support Enforcement has the authority, under Federal Welfare Reform Legislation (Title 42 of the US Code, Section 666 (a) (13) ), to collect Social Security Numbers for individuals who purchase recreational hunting and fishing licenses. For more information go to www.fw.delaware.gov/services/pages/licenses.aspx

OBTAINING A DUPLICATE HUNTING LICENSE

Duplicate licenses are only authorized from the Division of Fish and Wildlife Dover office. Please contact the division at 302-739-9918 during business hours. Hunters are advised not to keep their license with their back tag in order to prevent loss of both. You may be asked to present a copy of your driver’s license or valid identification to the Division. There will be NO duplicate State Land Use Permits, or additionally purchased Deer Tags (Tags not issued with the original license) issued.

Special License and Permits Required to:

(These permits are only issued at DNREC’s Dover office located at 89 Kings Highway)

• Deal in raw furs commercially
• Hold a field trial for dogs.
• Ship game out of state.
• Breed game commercially.
• Possess skunks or raccoons.
• Operate a shooting preserve.
• Possess or collect wildlife for scientific purposes.
• Trap otters in non-tidal areas.
• Possess live wild animals or any protected animals.
• Train dogs out of season (available only for retrievers).

LICENSE REQUIREMENTS RELATED TO MILITARY PERSONNEL

Any member of the armed forces of the United States of America while actually stationed within this State shall be deemed a resident of this State for the purpose of obtaining a license to hunt, trap and fish in this State. Each such application shall be supported by a written statement signed by the applicant’s commanding officer certifying to the applicant’s place of station within this State.

Any resident who has served honorably for 90 or more consecutive days on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States, including service as member of the Delaware National Guard, in military actions in Southwest Asia associated with Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom may, for the first 12 months following the date the resident was honorably discharged or removed from active status, be issued a license to hunt and/or fish in this State without charge by contacting the Division of Fish and Wildlife at 739-9911.

A member of the armed forces of the United States who is a patient in a military hospital may be issued a license to hunt, trap and fish in this State without charge, upon receipt by the Department of a written statement signed by the applicant’s commanding officer certifying the nature of the applicant’s disability and place of station.

Residents living in this State for at least 1 year immediately prior to the date of application for a license who have been honorably discharged from the armed forces of the United States and certified by the Veterans Administration as having at least a 60% service-connected disability are exempted from the licensing requirements.

OPPORTUNITIES AND SPECIAL PERMITS FOR DISABLED HUNTERS

• A variety of hunting opportunities exists for disabled hunters in Delaware. State wildlife areas offer specialized blinds/stands and hunting locations to meet the needs of people with varying degrees of physical disabilities. Special permits such as crossbow and hunting from a vehicle permits are also available in certain situations. For more information about the Division’s disabled hunter opportunities, contact the Wildlife Section at 739-9912.
• Disabled hunters will be grouped in two categories. Category 1 hunters are those whose disabilities confine them to a wheelchair for movement. Hunters in this group will be given priority for use of disabled facilities on state wildlife areas. Category 2 hunters are people with other disabilities that don’t allow them to use traditional hunting facilities and equipment. These hunters may be eligible for state stands/blinds and other special permits.

Hunting Permits

Contact the Regional Wildlife Offices for information on the stands and blinds in the above table. See the directory for the phone numbers of the Regional Office in each County.

Trapping Licenses

Trappers must purchase their trapping license from the Division of Fish & Wildlife, 89 Kings Highway Dover, DE 19901, by calling (302) 739-9918 for an application, downloading an application off the web site at www.fw.delaware.gov, or submitting the trapping application in this guide (see page 17). Trappers will be issued a permanent license number that can be renewed annually. Metal trapping tags are available at the Division office. Once a license has been issued, the Division of Fish & Wildlife will mail a renewal notice to all trapping license holders. Trapping Licenses are not available electronically from agents or online.

Hunt from a Vehicle Permit

Approved non-ambulatory hunters may be permitted to hunt specified game animals from their vehicle with a permit issued by the Division.

HIP NUMBERS

Hearing impaired hunters can obtain their Harvest Information Program (HIP) numbers via the World Wide Web @ www.dnrec.delaware.gov/delhunt.