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Delaware

Hunting

Hunting

Deer Seasons

Deer Seasons Inclusive of Sundays

Seasons

Dates

Additional Information

Archery

Statewide

Sept. 1 - Feb. 2

Hunters may use archery equipment when it is lawful to hunt deer with a firearm or muzzleloader provided they wear at least 400 square inches of hunter orange material displayed on the head chest, and back.

Crossbow

Statewide

Sept. 1 - Feb. 2

Hunters may use crossbow equipment when it is lawful to hunt deer with a firearm or muzzleloader provided they wear at least 400 square inches of hunter orange material displayed on the head, chest, and back.

Muzzleloader

Statewide

Oct. 11 - 20

Jan. 27 - Feb. 2

Muzzleloaders must be loaded from the muzzle using any manufacturer’s approved propellant and they may be equipped with a scope.

General Firearm

Statewide

Nov. 15 - 24

Jan. 18 - 26

Shotguns, muzzleloaders, handguns, authorized straight-walled pistol-caliber rifles, and archery equipment may be used during the general firearm seasons.

Special Antlerless*

Statewide
Oct. 4 - 6 and 25 - 27
Dec. 14 - 22

Shotguns, muzzleloaders, handguns, authorized straight-walled pistol-caliber rifles, and archery equipment may be used during the Special Antlerless only deer seasons. However, archery and crossbow hunters may take antlered deer during both of these seasons. During the October portion of the season, Mondays are no longer open.

Handgun and Straight-walled Pistol-caliber Rifle

Season closed in Wildlife Management Zones 1A and 1B

Jan. 4, 6 - 11

Sunday, Jan. 5 is not open to handgun or straight-walled pistol-caliber rifle hunting. Authorized straight-walled pistol-caliber rifles may be used during the handgun season. See Deer Hunting for more season details.

Youth and Non-ambulatory Hunt

Statewide

Sept. 28 and 29 and Nov. 2 and 3

Hunters may use archery equipment, muzzleloaders, shotguns, handgun, or authorized straight-walled pistol-caliber rifles.