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Delaware

Hunting

Hunting

Small Game Hunting

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

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

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