Tundra swan
Permit-only waterfowl huntingWhere waterfowl hunting is permitted
Special tundra swan permit required; one per season. Check species identification and land access.
THE SEASON ATLAS / DEDelaware
Delaware
hunting seasons.
Explore 2026 & 2027 season sources, publication status, and game species for your next hunt.
DE / UNITED STATES
PLAN WITH THE SEASONS
Your 2026 field calendar.
2026–27 regulations available
The agency has published a 2026–27 guide or season schedule. Only selected dates are transcribed here; check the original regulations and individual public-land rules.
Official 2026 information ↗1 verified date entry
Selected agency dates are indexed below. This is not a complete legal calendar. Unit rules, tags, sex and age restrictions, closures, and special hunts can change which dates apply. Use the source beside each entry.
Delaware game species & hunting information.
These species and groups appear in agency hunting resources. Their presence in the state does not mean every public area offers a hunt. “Native” describes origin, “reintroduced” describes restoration, and “migratory” describes movement; these are not population counts. Origin is left unverified when the reviewed source does not establish it.
Big game
White-tailed deer
Origin not verifiedAgency-listed hunting target; local access, methods and limits apply. Population origin not verified.
Agency species information ↗Wild turkey
Origin not verifiedAgency-listed hunting target; local access, methods and limits apply. Population origin not verified.
Agency species information ↗Small game
Gray squirrel
Origin not verifiedAgency-listed hunting target; local access, methods and limits apply. Population origin not verified.
Agency species information ↗Cottontail rabbit
Origin not verifiedAgency-listed hunting target; local access, methods and limits apply. Population origin not verified.
Agency species information ↗Groundhog
Origin not verifiedAgency-listed hunting target; local access, methods and limits apply. Population origin not verified.
Agency species information ↗Upland birds
Ring-necked pheasant
Origin not verifiedMale pheasants only; check public-area requirements.
Agency species information ↗Bobwhite quail (released)
Origin not verifiedWild quail hunting is closed. Only permitted hunts of pen-raised, released birds are allowed.
Agency species information ↗Other game
Bullfrog
Origin not verifiedHunting or fishing license and legal hand, hook, spear or gig methods apply; aggregate limits.
Agency species information ↗Green frog
Origin not verifiedHunting or fishing license and legal hand, hook, spear or gig methods apply; aggregate limits.
Agency species information ↗Mute swan
Origin not verifiedThe guide allows take during open waterfowl seasons, excluding the snow-goose conservation order; check current restrictions.
Agency species information ↗Furbearers
Raccoon
Origin not verifiedAgency-listed hunting target; local access, methods and limits apply. Population origin not verified.
Agency species information ↗Opossum
Origin not verifiedAgency-listed hunting target; local access, methods and limits apply. Population origin not verified.
Agency species information ↗Red fox
Origin not verifiedAgency-listed hunting target; local access, methods and limits apply. Population origin not verified.
Agency species information ↗Coyote
Origin not verifiedAgency-listed hunting target; local access, methods and limits apply. Population origin not verified.
Agency species information ↗Beaver
Origin not verifiedAgency-listed hunting target; local access, methods and limits apply. Population origin not verified.
Agency species information ↗Migratory birds
Ducks
MigratoryOnly duck species authorized by the agency are included; closed species and species-specific bag limits are excluded. Some populations are resident.
Agency species information ↗Mergansers
MigratoryManaged under migratory-bird regulations; resident populations may also occur. Species limits and local closures apply.
Agency species information ↗Sea ducks
MigratoryManaged under migratory-bird regulations; resident populations may also occur. Species limits and local closures apply.
Agency species information ↗Coot
MigratoryManaged under migratory-bird regulations; resident populations may also occur. Species limits and local closures apply.
Agency species information ↗Canada goose
MigratoryManaged under migratory-bird regulations; resident populations may also occur. Species limits and local closures apply.
Agency species information ↗Greater white-fronted goose
MigratoryManaged under migratory-bird regulations; resident populations may also occur. Species limits and local closures apply.
Agency species information ↗Snow goose
MigratoryManaged under migratory-bird regulations; resident populations may also occur. Species limits and local closures apply.
Agency species information ↗Ross’s goose
MigratoryManaged under migratory-bird regulations; resident populations may also occur. Species limits and local closures apply.
Agency species information ↗Brant
MigratoryManaged under migratory-bird regulations; resident populations may also occur. Species limits and local closures apply.
Agency species information ↗Mourning dove
MigratoryManaged under migratory-bird regulations; resident populations may also occur. Species limits and local closures apply.
Agency species information ↗American woodcock
MigratoryManaged under migratory-bird regulations; resident populations may also occur. Species limits and local closures apply.
Agency species information ↗Snipe
MigratoryManaged under migratory-bird regulations; resident populations may also occur. Species limits and local closures apply.
Agency species information ↗Rails
MigratoryManaged under migratory-bird regulations; resident populations may also occur. Species limits and local closures apply.
Agency species information ↗Gallinules
MigratoryManaged under migratory-bird regulations; resident populations may also occur. Species limits and local closures apply.
Agency species information ↗Tundra swan
MigratorySpecial tundra swan permit required; one bird per season. Do not confuse protected trumpeter swans.
Agency species information ↗Check the details.
Then head for the horizon.
Confirm the unit, season, license, method, bag limit, and current closures with Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control. Public-land rules may be more restrictive than statewide seasons.