Small Game Hunting

Name: eRegulations
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Small Game Seasons and Bag Limits
All seasons and limits subject to change. Please stay current by consulting the online version of this guide by visiting http://www.eregulations.com/delaware/hunting/ or call 302-739-9912.
Seasons	Dates	Limit*	Additional Information
Gray Squirrel	Sept. 15 - Feb. 3 Closed during Nov. General Firearm Deer Season	Daily 6	Gray squirrels may be hunted with shotguns statewide, .17 through .22 cal. rimfire and .17 cal. pellet firearms 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.
		Possession 12
Cottontail Rabbit	Nov. 20 - Feb. 29	Daily 4	Rabbits may be hunted with shotguns, compound, recurve, and longbows. 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.
		Possession 8
Groundhogs	July 1 - June 30	No limit	Groundhogs are an unprotected species and may be hunted with longbows, crossbows, shotguns, muzzleloaders, handguns, and rimfire or centerfire rifles. A hunting license is not required to hunt groundhogs.
Ring-necked Pheasant (Male Only)	Nov. 20 - Feb. 3	Daily 2	Pheasants may be hunted with shotguns and longbows. 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.
		Possession 4
Bobwhite Quail	Nov. 20 - Jan. 6	Daily 6	Bobwhite Quail may be hunted with shotguns and longbows. 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.
		Possession 12
* No person shall have more than two times the daily bag limit at any one time when it is lawful to possess such wildlife. Any game bird or game animal that has been processed and stored for consumption at a person’s permanent residence shall not count against the hunter’s possession limit. Hours: Upland game (except raccoons, opossums and frogs) 1/2 hr. before sunrise to 1/2 hr. after sunset. Raccoons and frogs may be hunted at night. Season for hunting on private shooting preserves is October 15 – March 31. Commercial shooting preserves may operate on Sundays during this time period. NOTE: A minimum of 400 square inches of hunter orange worn on the head, chest, and back is required when hunting small game on a State Wildlife Area.

Bullfrog and Turtle Seasons
Seasons	Dates	Limit*	Additional Information
Bullfrog	May 1 - Sept. 30	Daily 24	May be taken with a valid hunting or fishing license.
		Possession 48
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 interested in trapping on Division of Fish and Wildlife lands and state-owned ponds will need to contact the Regional Manager for an additional permit for those lands.
Diamondback Terrapin**	Sept. 1 - Nov. 15	Daily 4	There is no possession limit on diamondback terrapin that have been lawfully taken and of lawful size, when it is lawful to have said animals, their meat, and skins in possession.
		Possession No limit
* No person shall have more than two times the daily bag limit at any one time when it is lawful to possess such wildlife. Any game animal that has been processed and stored for consumption at a person’s permanent residence shall not count against the hunter’s possession limit. ** No other turtles may be sold. NOTE: Delaware Snapping Turtle Regulations require anyone who traps snapping turtles to obtain a free Snapping Turtle Permit Number. Please be sure to request this on your trapping application if needed. An additional snapping turtle permit is required for State Wildlife Areas and state-owned ponds and may be obtained through the regional office located within the county in which trapping is intended. Trapping snapping turtles on State Wildlife Areas is NOT exempt from the Conservation Access Pass if required.

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 state 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! In addition to looking different, Delmarva fox squirrels also behave differently; are more likely to walk on the ground rather than jump from tree to tree as with gray squirrels.

Efforts to restore DFS to Delaware have included adding squirrels to Assawoman Wildlife Area, Redden State Forest, and Trap Pond State Park. The squirrels have expanded out to surrounding woodlands so please take special care in those areas. In the case of Trap Pond, you are especially likely to see them in the Raccoon Pond Tract but they have also spread out as far as seven miles from the park.

If you have seen a Delmarva fox squirrel, please call the Species Conservation and Research office 302-735-3600 and, if you have a camera, take a picture. Hunters often see the squirrels while hunting and we would love to hear about it if you do. Thanks!

Gray Squirrel

FUR: Darker gray with rusty brown highlights

EARS: Longer and pointy

BELLY: White

SIZE: Smaller with less bushy tail

Delmarva Fox Squirrel

FUR: Silver gray with creamy to white belly, ears and muzzle (rarely have any brown fur)

EARS: Shorter and wider

BELLY: Creamy white

SIZE: 11⁄2 times larger with fuller tail