Hunting Opportunities on Public Lands

Waterfowl

Waterfowl hunters have a variety of opportunities to hunt on public lands in Delaware including marsh blinds/blind sites, upland blinds, goose pits, and upland fields. Refer to individual area maps for specific area rules and regulations.

The following areas are by permit only issued through a daily lottery:

• Augustine WA
• Cedar Swamp WA
• Woodland Beach WA
• Kelley Island (part of Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge)
• Little Creek WA (portions of)
• Ted Harvey CA (portions of)
• Assawoman WA (portions of)
• Prime Hook WA and Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge (lotteries run through National Wildlife Refuge lottery system)

Deer

Deer hunters have a variety of opportunities to hunt on public lands in Delaware. Refer to individual area maps for specific area rules and regulations.

The following areas have firearm deer hunting by permit only issued through a daily lottery.

• White Clay Creek State Park
• Augustine WA
• Blackbird State Forest
• Cedar Swamp WA
• Woodland Beach WA (except the Lighthouse Island tract)
• Little Creek WA (portions of)
• Ted Harvey CA
• Assawoman WA (portions of)
• Deer hunting in eight Delaware State Parks is by permit only. Hunters should contact the park office where they plan to hunt for site-specific details. Additional information is available on the Delaware State Parks hunting page or by calling 302-739-9220.

Quality Buck Management Areas

The Cedar Swamp (except the Rocks tract) and Woodland Beach State Wildlife Areas as well as the Dulany Manor tract of Blackbird State Forest and the Chesapeake, Ellendale, Headquarters, and Jester tracts of Redden State Forest and Killens Pond State Park are Quality Buck Areas. All hunters (except hunters under 17 years of age and non-ambulatory hunters hunting on either the Cedar Swamp or Woodland Beach State Wildlife Areas) hunting these areas shall not take an antlered deer with a minimum outside antler spread of less than 15 inches at any time. Only bucks that qualify for the existing Quality Buck Tag are legal in these areas. Antlerless deer can still be legally harvested.

Small Game / Turkey

Small game hunters have a variety of opportunities to hunt on public lands in Delaware. Refer to individual area maps for specific area rules and regulations.

The following areas have rabbit hunting by permit only issued through a daily lottery:

• Cedar Swamp WA
• Woodland Beach WA (portions of)
• Little Creek WA (portions of)
• Ted Harvey CA (portions of)
• Assawoman WA (portions of)

Turkey hunting is only available through a preseason lottery.

Rules for State Wildlife Areas

WILDLIFE AREA MAPS

Did You Know?

Delaware’s Wildlife Area Maps are now interactive and available online. You can now:

• Access them with your mobile device in the field.
• Zoom in and out for better details about your favorite spots.
• Get all the information on a wildlife area in one easy location.

Each Wildlife Area is complete with maps for:

• General Overview
• Hunting
• Sunday Hunting
• Birding

To access interactive maps of Delaware Wildlife Areas, visit the Wildlife Area Maps page and select the button for online maps.

For paper maps of all state wildlife areas may be obtained from the Division of Fish and Wildlife Office, 89 Kings Hwy., Dover, Delaware 19901. Regulations covering each area are included. Individuals can receive up to 5 maps free. Additional maps will cost $0.50 cents each. A complete booklet of maps is available for purchase for $5.00 plus $1.00 shipping. You can also access the maps online for free.

• Hunters should note that days open for hunting some species on public lands may vary from the general hunting season. Hunters should check the regulations for each public area they plan to hunt.
• To view which public lands are open to Sunday hunting, please visit the Sunday hunting webpage or call the Wildlife Section office at 302-739-9912.

Deer Stand / Waterfowl Blind Lottery Permit

Hunters that use a State Wildlife Area waterfowl blind or deer stand for hunting that is assigned through a daily lottery must purchase a $20 annual Wildlife Area Deer Stand/Waterfowl Blind Lottery Permit. All individuals must be in possession of this permit when using the blind or stand. This permit is not required for youth hunters or their non-hunting accompanying adult when hunting during the special youth deer and waterfowl hunts. These permits can be purchased at any location where hunting licenses are sold or online through the Digital DNREC licensing system.

General Rules

Hunters are advised to check each area map for specific rules and information.

• A Conservation Access Pass is required for all vehicles using designated State Wildlife Areas, except for the C&D Canal Conservation Area. See Licensing & Permits for more information.
• Driving or operating any unlicensed motor vehicle is prohibited.
• Driving any motorized vehicle off established and maintained roadways or driving in excess of 20 MPH on wildlife area roads is prohibited.
• Riding horses or bicycles (including electric bicycles) anywhere other than on established and maintained roads or trails that have been designated by the Division on current area maps is prohibited.
• Operating or possessing radio-controlled drones, boats and other vehicles, or launching model rockets is prohibited on lands or waters administered by the Division without a permit from the Director.
• No person may trespass into areas closed by the Division.
• Entry is permitted between ½ hour before sunrise and ½ hour after sunset unless lawfully hunting, fishing or boating.
• No camping or swimming without special authorization of the Division.
• Furbearer hunting is permitted on many State Wildlife Areas. See area maps for details and locations.
• No dumping or littering, no target shooting including paintball.
• Using metal detectors is prohibited on lands or waters administered by the Division without a permit from the Division Director
• Releasing or otherwise introducing any species of domestic or wild animal onto lands administered by the Division is prohibited, unless in accordance with the statutes or regulations governing dog training activities.
• Hunting is permitted only as specified on area maps available from the Division.
• Firearms are allowed except for designated prohibited areas; the Division may authorize firearm possession in designated prohibited areas.
• The discharge of any firearm including paintball guns, air rifles, bows, and crossbows is prohibited unless lawfully hunting or trapping.
• No rifled guns allowed on lands along the C&D Canal except muzzleloaders and shotguns during the deer seasons when it is lawful to use such firearms.
• Hunting is prohibited on all dikes and walking on dikes is prohibited during open waterfowl seasons.
• No trapping on state areas without a valid lease. Leases will be bid in October of each year.
• It shall be unlawful to participate in deer drives, except where authorized on current wildlife area maps between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. No more than 6 hunters may participate in driving deer at any one time. Both resident and non-resident hunters may participate in deer drives.
• Small game hunting is closed during December and January General Firearm deer seasons. See area maps for details.
• Baiting for deer hunting is prohibited.
• Rabbit dogs may be trained on some areas on Sundays during September, October, and November except for the Sundays during firearm deer seasons. See specific wildlife area maps for dog training regulations.
• No permanent non-state deer stands are permitted. Temporary portable deer stands may be used on some areas (see individual area maps). Temporary portable stands may be erected at the owner’s own risk after August 1st and must be removed by February 15th. Any stands left after this date will become property of the Division.
• All hunters who install temporary tree stands or ground blinds on State Wildlife Areas and leave them overnight must obtain a free registration number, which can be requested through the Division of Fish and Wildlife’s website or by calling the Wildlife Section at (302) 739-9912. This registration number must be clearly displayed on all tree stands or ground blinds. Tree stands may be placed from August 1 through February 15. For more details, refer to the area-specific maps.
• The placement or use of trail cameras is prohibited on all state wildlife and fishing access areas.
• It shall be unlawful to possess, consume or be under the influence of alcoholic beverages, liquors or drugs while hunting or in the possession of firearms when on lands administered by the Division.
• Collection and removal of any wildlife species from a State Wildlife Area is prohibited unless otherwise provided by statute, regulation or authorized by the Division Director.

Rules for Delaware Forest Service Lands

(Blackbird, Redden, and Taber State Forests)

(Administered by Delaware Forest Service, Department of Agriculture) Please contact each State Forest office for a list of any tract closures.

• For Redden State Forest information call: 302-856-2893.
• For Blackbird State Forest call: 302-653-6505.
• For Taber State Forest call: 302-698-4549.

Turkey Hunting on State Forest Lands

The Delaware Forest Service will be be issuing permits to hunt turkeys on State Forest Lands through a separate public lottery system not found within this guide. Hunters will no longer be eligible to receive a permit to hunt on both State Forests and State Wildlife Areas in the same season. The State Forest Lottery will be held after the State Wildlife Area Lottery. Hunters that successfully receive a State Wildlife Area permit, and applied for a State Forest permit, will have their State Forest application removed before the lottery

takes place and they will not be eligible for the State Forest lottery. This change is intended to increase access for individual hunters on publicly-owned land each season. Applications are due by January 6, 2025, and can be obtained from State Forest offices or by visiting the Delaware Forest Service forms and information page.

The Following Rules and Regulations Apply to All State Forest Lands:

• State Forests are year-round multiple use areas. Hunters share the use of State Forest Lands with other public users such as hikers, campers, horseback riders, firewood cutters, and loggers.
• No special permits are required to hunt on State Forest lands, except as specified in the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife annual Hunting and Trapping Guide. Properly licensed hunters may hunt during any open season except on areas designated, such as those marked with Wildlife Sanctuary, NO HUNTING, Safety Zones signs, or Closed to Public White-tailed Deer Hunting.
• Portions of State Forest tracts will be closed to public white-tailed deer hunting from September 1st - January 31st. Please contact each State Forest for a list of these closures.
• Hunting is only permitted as specified on State Forest maps, which are available free of charge from State Forest offices or on the Delaware Forest Service maps page.
• Sunday hunting is prohibited on all State Forest property.
• No permanent deer stands, platforms, ladders, or blinds may be constructed. No screw-in steps, tree spikes, screws, or nails are allowed. All parts of temporary (portable) deer stands must be removed on the final day of the January muzzleloader season; any stands remaining after this date will be removed and become property of the Delaware Forest Service. Stands may be placed after August 1 prior to the start of the new year’s hunting season. Owners of deer stands left on Delaware State Forest lands during the designated time period are required to tag/clearly identify their stand with the owners name and phone number. Failure to do you will result in removal of the stand by Delaware Forest Service officials.
• Deer drives by any person or persons are not permitted on any State Forest land at any time.
• For deer hunting, only the entrails (internal organs known as viscera) may be left behind on State property. All other deer parts must be removed from State property.
• Portions of some State Forest tracts are only open to archery hunting for deer. Please contact your local State Forest office for more information.
• Small game hunting is closed on State Forest lands during firearm deer season.
• The Delaware Forest Service reserves the right to close to hunting specific State Forest tracts during specific hunting seasons. Therefore, it is important to consult the current hunting guide for a listing of these closures.
• Trapping rights may be leased for State Forest lands. No other trapping is permitted on State Forest lands.
• Target shooting is prohibited.
• Waterfowl hunting is permitted on State Forest property only in designated areas on designated days. Please refer to state forest regulations posted at each office and on the back of each map.
• Red fox hunting is allowed on State Forest lands but centerfire rifles are not permitted.
• No dumping or littering.
• Placing paint, ribbon, flagging, reflectors, etc., is not permitted.
• No living trees, shrubs or other vegetation may be cut, felled, uprooted, removed or otherwise injured or destroyed.
• No off-road vehicles registered or unregistered.
• Camping is available by permit in designated areas only.
• It is unlawful to use bait for hunting purposes on all State Forest lands.
• No parking in front of access gates to State Forest lands.

Restrictions Applying to Redden State Forest

• Headquarters, Jester, Ellendale and Chesapeake Tracts are Quality Buck only (doe harvest is permitted on these tracts).

Restrictions Applying to Blackbird State Forest

Maps outlining these areas are available at Blackbird State Forest headquarters, by calling 302-653-6505, or by visiting the Delaware Department of Agriculture website.

• Deer hunting is limited to numbered stands on Tybout, White Road, Dulany and South Barlow.
• For most firearm seasons, there will be a lottery held at Blackbird State Forest (BSF) headquarters, located on the Tybout tract, at 502 Blackbird Forest Road, 1.5 hours before legal hunting time.
• The Tybout and Barlow tracts will be closed for firearm hunting during the October Antlerless Season. Archery hunting will still be allowed on these areas during this season.
• During the January Handgun and Straight-walled Pistol-caliber Rifle season, the Tybout tract will be closed to all hunting. There will be no lottery held for the White Road, Barlow, and Dulany tracts during this season, it will be on a first come first serve basis.
• During the January General Firearm and January Muzzleloader seasons there will be limited lotteries held for the Tybout, White Road, Dulany, and Barlow tracts due to low hunter participation. Please contact BSF for further details.
• Dulany Tract is managed for Quality bucks only.
• No small game hunting on the Dulany and Tybout tracts.
• Archery hunting is permitted from BSF lottery stands.
• During Archery seasons bow hunters, using BSF stands, must be within 50 yards of their designated stand.
• Please note that archery hunting is the only type of hunting allowed on the Meadows and north Barlow Tracts. The Meadows Tract contains the BSF Education Center, which includes outdoor education trails, so hunters may encounter other individuals on this property.
• Stands will be available during the Archery seasons on a first-come, first-served basis.
• No more than one hunter may hunt from a stand at any one time.
• Squirrel hunting is not allowed with a rifle or muzzleloading rifle. Shotgun squirrel hunting is permitted.
• The trails of BSF trails are generally closed during firearm hunting seasons, but hunters may encounter other individuals on BSF properties.

Restrictions Applying to Taber State Forest.

• All hunters must sign in at kiosks.
• Squirrel hunting is not allowed with a rifle or muzzleloading rifle. Shotgun squirrel hunting is permitted.

Rules for Delaware State Park Lands

(Administered by Division of Parks and Recreation)

State Parks are year-round multiple use areas. Hunters share park lands with other recreational user groups including hikers, bikers, runners, equestrians and others.

Deer hunting is an important management tool used by natural resource managers to reduce the impact of deer on the natural communities in Delaware’s state parks. Deer hunting is permitted in nine of Delaware’s seventeen state parks. Limited small game and waterfowl hunting is also permitted in a few state parks.

Sunday hunting and hunting with a handgun are not permitted in Delaware state parks.

A State Park Registration fee ($10) is required of all hunters to hunt on state park lands. Permits can be purchased online through Digital DNREC, at all authorized license agents and at the DNREC office license desk. One registration is good for all State Parks where hunting is permitted.

State Park rules are generally more restrictive than those for State Wildlife Areas. Rules and maps specific to each park can be obtained at the park office or by visiting the Delaware State Parks hunting page. You are required to read and understand the rules for each State Park where you intend to hunt.

Rules for Bombay Hook and Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuges

Stretched along the eastern coastline of Delaware near Milton and Smyrna and covering 26,000 acres, the Bombay Hook and Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuges provide habitat for a diversity of wildlife.

Game species are sought after by avid hunters on both refuges. Hunting, which is identified by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 as one of the six priority wildlife-dependent recreational uses on refuges, is an important part of Delaware’s heritage and tradition. Public hunting opportunities are available for deer, turkeys, upland game, webless migratory birds, and waterfowl on both refuges. A complete listing of hunting information and regulations is available for Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge or by calling 302-653-9345, and for Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge or by calling 302-684-8419.