Delaware's 2026-27 Hunting Season Opens Sept. 1, 2026
State of DE - Delaware's fall hunting season is almost here. The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) announced today that several hunting seasons will open on Tuesday, Sept. 1. This kicks off the overall 2026-27 hunting season.
Deer hunters can head out on Sept. 1 for the start of archery and crossbow seasons. Gamebird hunters have the same start date for resident Canada goose and mourning dove seasons. Special September teal and gray squirrel seasons open later in the month.
For full season dates and rules on every species, hunters can check the Delaware Hunting & Trapping Guide.
New laws and rules bring some changes this year. Sunday hunting is now open for all game species, and muzzleloader specifications have expanded. Straight-walled pistol-caliber rifles have expanded as well.
The minimum age requirement has been removed for special DNREC youth hunts. Hunters who are 16 or 17 can now hunt and practice shooting without direct supervision. They just need permission from a parent or guardian and must have completed basic hunter education.
For the second year in a row, hunters will have expanded opportunities during the resident Canada goose season. This does not apply at locations and times when the special September teal season is open.
Hunters should check the 2026 Hunting & Trapping Guide for more on the waterfowl changes.
Hunters heading out for the early resident Canada goose, teal, and mourning dove seasons should know these migratory bird seasons are not finalized yet.
Final rules come from the federal government, not the state alone. Because migratory bird hunting falls under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service must approve Delaware's season plans first.
That federal approval process is taking longer than usual this year because of changes on the USFWS side. States and the USFWS are working together to make the process faster going forward. Hunters can check the Federal Register starting Aug. 26 for updates, with final Delaware seasons expected to post by Aug. 31.
Chronic Wasting Disease was recently detected in Delaware. Because of this, an addendum to the hunting and trapping guide is now available online and will be printed at licensing agents statewide. Hunters are asked to review the new requirements for getting their deer tested, which are outlined at de.gov/cwd.
More information on hunting state wildlife areas can be found in the 2026 Hunting & Trapping Guide. Updated wildlife area maps are expected to be online by Sept. 1. Details on hunting licenses, the state waterfowl stamp, and the Conservation Access Pass are available on the de.gov/huntinglicense webpage.
