Small Game Hunting

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Small Game Seasons and Bag Limits
All seasons and limits subject to change. To stay up to date, consult the online version of the Delaware Hunting Guide or call 302-739-9912.
Seasons	Dates	Limit*	Additional Information
Gray Squirrel	Sept. 15–Feb. 7 Closed during Nov. General Firearm Deer Season (No Sunday Hunting)	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. 24–Feb. 28 (No Sunday Hunting)	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 (Including Sundays)	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. 24–Feb. 28 (Including Sundays)	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 (Pen-raised and released birds only)	Nov. 24–Jan 3 Season closed for wild quail (Including Sundays)	No limit	It is unlawful to hunt wild quail. Quail may not be hunted without a permit from the Division and only pen-raised and released birds may be hunted. You can access the application by visiting the Division of Fish & Wildlife’s website.
* 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
Bullfrogs or Green Frogs	May 1–Sept. 30	Daily 24	May be taken with a valid hunting or fishing license. Daily and possession limits are aggregate between species. Collection by hand or using a hook, spear, or gig is permitted.
		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	Season Closed
* 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. ** Delaware Snapping Turtle Regulations require anyone who traps snapping turtles to obtain a free Snapping Turtle Permit Number and complete a MANDATORY harvest and effort report which is due by July 30. Failure to file a complete and accurate report may disqualify the trapper from obtaining a snapping turtle permit in the future. 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.

Delmarva fox squirrels are most likely to be found at, and around, the following areas to Assawoman Wildlife Area, Nanticoke Wildlife Area, Prime Hook NWR, 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 at 302-735-3600 or submit your observation online. 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.

Gray Squirrel

FUR: Darker gray with rusty brown highlights

EARS: Longer and pointy

BELLY: White

SIZE: Smaller with less bushy tail

Gray squirrel climbing down a tree trunk, showcasing its bushy tail and natural camouflage against the bark. — A gray squirrel descends a tree trunk, using its agile body and strong claws—common behavior of this native forest species.

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

Fox squirrel climbing headfirst down a tree trunk, displaying its large size and bushy tail against the bark background. — A fox squirrel climbs down a tree, showcasing its larger build and thick fur. Known for its strength and adaptability in forested areas.

Small Game Hunting

Small Game Seasons and Bag Limits

Bullfrog and Turtle Seasons

Delaware Squirrels