DELAWARE — Many Delaware hunting seasons are to open or are already open this month, including the popular November general firearm deer season, also known as the shotgun season, which runs from Friday, Nov. 10 through Sunday, Nov. 19, announced the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control. Duck, Canada goose and other hunting seasons open later in the month on Nov. 20.
Meanwhile, the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife has clarified season dates for small game, due to incorrect dates listed in print copies of the 2023/’24 Delaware Hunting and Trapping Guide on the seasons for cottontail rabbits, ring-necked pheasants, and bobwhite quail. Hunting season for all three species will open on Monday, Nov. 20 – instead of Nov. 21 as indicated in the print version of the hunting and trapping guide. The online version of the guide has been updated to reflect the correct dates for small game seasons.
Dates for all hunting seasons opening in November are:
- Raccoon and opossum (hunt only): Nov. 1 through Feb. 29, 2024*
- Red fox (hunt only): Nov. 1 through Feb. 29, 2024
- Deer general firearm/shotgun: Nov. 10 through 19, including all Sundays
- Tundra swan (by special permit ONLY): Nov. 11 through Jan. 31, 2024
- Woodcock (first season split): Nov. 20 through Nov. 25
- Ducks (including sea ducks), coots and mergansers (second season split): Nov. 20 through Nov. 25
- Bobwhite quail: Nov. 20 through Jan. 6, 2024
- Mourning dove (second season split): Nov. 20 through Jan. 31, 2024
- Ring-necked pheasant (male only): Nov. 20 through Feb. 3, 2024
- Cottontail rabbit: Nov. 20 through Feb. 29, 2024
- Canada goose (first season split): Nov. 20 through Nov. 25
*Raccoon and opossum hunting seasons are closed during the November youth/non-ambulatory deer hunt and the November general firearm/shotgun deer season. Special hunting hours for raccoon and opossum during the December antlerless, January handgun/straight-walled pistol-caliber rifle, January general firearm/shotgun and January muzzleloader deer seasons are 7 p.m. until midnight.
More information on hunting seasons and wildlife areas is available in the 2023/2024 Delaware Hunting and Trapping Guide at de.gov/hunting. More information on hunting licenses, the state waterfowl stamp and the Conservation Access Pass is available at de.gov/huntinglicense.
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