Contact: Greg Moore, Wildlife Administrator, phone: (302) 739-9912
or Melinda Carl, Public Affairs, phone: (302) 739-9902

Division of Fish and Wildlife Announces 2006-2007 Hunting Seasons

The Delaware Division of Fish & Wildlife, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, is pleased to announce the migratory bird and upland hunting seasons for 2006 – 2007.

Division Director Patrick Emory noted that the fall forecast “looks promising” for most waterfowl species. “If the weather cooperates, we should have a good waterfowl hunting season,” said Emory.

The waterfowl hunting seasons this year for Delaware hunters are as follows:

2006–2007 Delaware Migratory Bird Seasons:

Dove (12 bird daily limit)
Sept. 1 – Sept. 23, noon to sunset
Oct. 16 – Oct. 28, ½ hour before sunrise to sunset
Dec. 13 – Jan. 15, ½ hour before sunrise to sunset

Resident Canada Goose (15 bird daily limit)
Sept. 1 – Sept. 15

Early Teal (4 bird daily limit)
Sept. 21 – Sept. 30
Geographic limitations in coastal zone only, ½ hour before sunrise to 10 a.m.

Youth Hunt (Standard limits apply)
Oct. 21

Ducks (6 bird daily limit*)
Oct. 27 – Nov. 9
Nov. 20 – Dec. 2
Dec. 11 – Jan. 20

*Six duck basic bag including no more than: 2 scaup, 1 black duck, 4 mallards (2 hens), 1 pintail, 2 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 1 mottled duck, 1 fulvous tree duck, 4 scoters, and 1 canvasback. Harlequin closed.

Snow Goose (15 bird daily limit)
Oct. 12 – Nov. 9
Nov. 20 – Jan. 20
Jan. 22 – Mar. 10 (Mon., Wed., Fri., Sat. only)

Bombay Hook
Snow Goose Season
Oct. 9 – Jan. 19
Feb. 5 – March 7

Brant (2 bird daily limit)
Dec. 25 – Jan. 27

Migrant Canada Goose (2 bird daily limit)
Nov. 20 – Dec. 2
Dec. 14 – Jan. 20

Coots & Mergansers (daily limit 15 coots, 5 mergansers, including 2 hooded mergansers)
Same season dates as ducks

Rail/King, Clapper (10 bird daily limit)
Sora, Virginia (25 bird daily limit)
Gallinules, Moorhens (15 bird daily limit)
Sept. 1 – Nov. 9

Woodcock (3 bird daily limit)
Nov. 20 – Dec. 9
Dec. 21 – Dec. 30

Snipe (8 bird daily limit)
Nov. 20 – Jan. 31

Sea Ducks (7 bird daily limit)
Sept. 18 – Jan. 19

Upland hunting seasons have been established and stabilized on a five-year basis through 2010-2011. Delaware continues to support healthy populations of upland game species. Hunters should have no trouble filling their bag with their favorite game.

2006-2007 Delaware Upland Seasons:

White-tail Deer
Archery
Sept. 1 – Jan. 31

Muzzleloader
Oct. 6 – Oct. 14
Jan. 22 – Jan. 27

Shotgun
Nov. 10 – Nov. 18
Jan. 13 – Jan. 20

Special Antlerless
Oct. 16
Oct. 20 – 21
Oct. 23
Oct. 27 – 28
Oct. 30
Dec. 9 – Dec. 16

Handgun
Jan. 6 – Jan. 13

Youth Hunt
Nov. 4

Bobwhite Quail
Nov. 20-Feb. 3

Cottontail Rabbit
Nov. 20-Feb. 3

Ring-necked Pheasant
Nov. 20-Jan. 12

Gray Squirrel
Sept. 15-Oct. 5
Oct. 16-Nov. 9
Nov. 20-Dec. 8
Dec. 18-Jan.12

Wild Turkey
April 14-May 4, 2007

Hunters interested in applying for goose blinds and deer stands on specified public lands should complete the application in the back of the Hunting & Trapping Guide or through the Division’s web page: www.fw.delaware.gov .

According to Wildlife Administrator Greg Moore, the pre-season lottery for deer stands and goose blinds will be held in early October and all applications must be submitted by Friday, Sept. 15, 2006. Applications for turkey hunting on public lands are due Friday, Dec. 8, 2006 with the drawing to be held Friday, Dec. 15, 2006.

For more information about the hunting seasons, contact the Wildlife Section at 302-739-9912 or visit www.fw.delaware.gov. 

 

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