DOVER, DE — As the 2024/25 hunting season commences, Delaware hunters are heading into the field with archery equipment and crossbows starting today, September 1. This date marks not only the beginning of the deer hunting season but also the resident Canada goose and mourning dove seasons. With coyote hunting set to open on September 2, and the early teal season starting September 14, Delaware hunters are gearing up for a busy fall. Additionally, gray squirrel season will open on September 16, despite a misprint in the paper version of the Delaware Hunting and Trapping Guide indicating otherwise.
This year brings several regulatory changes that hunters and trappers need to be aware of. A new special deer season has been created for the last weekend of September, specifically for youth and non-ambulatory adult hunters using firearms. This initiative is part of an effort to make hunting more inclusive and accessible. Furthermore, amendments have been made to the gamebird hunting regulations, particularly allowing hunting on Sundays, which provides more opportunities for sportsmen and women.
Significant changes have also been made to the deer and turkey hunting seasons. Small game and furbearer seasons have been extended, and additional methods of take have been approved. These alterations are part of ongoing efforts to adapt hunting practices to current wildlife management goals.
Hunters interested in mourning doves will find additional opportunities in September, thanks to fields managed specifically for doves on State Wildlife Areas. For those looking to explore these opportunities, the updated Delaware Wildlife Area Maps provide detailed information.
The Delaware Hunting & Trapping Guide, available online, is an essential resource for hunters needing more information on the season dates and regulations. For further guidance, the Wildlife Section is available at 302-739-9912, offering support and answering queries related to hunting licenses and regulations.
As Delaware hunters prepare to engage in the season, these changes aim to enhance their experience while ensuring sustainable wildlife management practices are upheld.
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