DOVER, DE – Numerous Delaware hunting and trapping seasons open in December, including multiple waterfowl seasons that extend into or through January, coinciding with the influx of a variety of migratory waterfowl for the winter, DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife announced today. Many other hunting and trapping seasons provide opportunities to enjoy the winter outdoors as temperatures drop and provide favorable hunting and trapping conditions.
Hunting seasons opening in December:
· Beaver: Dec. 2 – March 20, 2020, private land only
· Woodcock and common snipe: Dec. 7 – Jan. 21, 2020
· Antlerless deer: Dec. 14 – 22, including all Sundays*
· Waterfowl (ducks, coots, and mergansers): Dec. 13 – Jan. 31, 2020
· Brant: Dec. 21 – Jan. 1, 2020
· Canada geese (migratory): Dec. 21 – Jan. 21, 2020
*Archery and crossbow hunters may NOT take antlered deer during the December antlerless deer season.
Trapping seasons opening in December:
· Red fox, coyote: Dec. 1 – March 10, 2020
· Muskrat, mink, otter, raccoon, opossum, nutria:
o New Castle County: Dec. 1 – March 10, 2020 (March 20 on embanked meadows)
o Kent and Sussex counties: Dec. 15 – March 15, 2020
· Beaver: Dec. 1 – March 20, 2020
Continuing hunting seasons include:
· Bobwhite quail: through Jan. 4, 2020
· Sea ducks in the special sea duck area: through Jan. 31, 2020 (See page 30 of the hunting guide for more information about the special sea duck area.)
· Tundra swan: through Jan. 31, 2020, by permit only, issued via pre-season lottery
· Snow goose: through Jan. 31, 2020, and Feb. 8, 2020
· Mourning dove: through Jan. 31, 2020
· Ring-necked pheasant (male only): through Feb. 1, 2020
· Gray squirrel: through Feb. 1, 2020
· Archery and crossbow deer: through Feb. 2, 2020, including all Sundays
· Cottontail rabbit: through Feb. 29, 2020
· Red fox (hunt): through Feb. 29, 2020
· Coyote (hunt): through Feb. 29, 2020
· Raccoon & opossum (hunt): through Feb. 29, 2020*
· Crow: through March 31, 2020 (Thursday, Friday, and Saturdays only)
· Red fox (chase) through April 30, 2020**
· Groundhog: through June 30, 2020 (open year-round)
*Raccoon and opossum may be hunted from 7 p.m. until midnight during the December and January firearm deer seasons.
**Red fox chase season closed during December antlerless season.