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Is deer season open in Delaware?

Every Delaware deer season we have read for 2026-27 from Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, Division of Fish and Wildlife, open or closed on the day you pick, and when the next one opens.

Delaware deer seasons 2026-27

Delaware's General Firearm deer season runs Nov 13 to Nov 22, 2026 and Jan 16 to Jan 24, 2027.

Some state wildlife areas and national wildlife refuges limit hunting further or use stand drawings, so check the rules for the land you plan to hunt.

Sunday deer hunting is legal only on private land, if the landowner allows it, and on designated public land.

ArcherySep 1 to Jan 31, 2027
CrossbowSep 1 to Jan 31, 2027
Youth and Non-ambulatory Hunt · youth under 16 and non-ambulatory hunters onlySep 26 to Sep 27 · Nov 7 to Nov 8
Special AntlerlessOct 2 to Oct 4 · Oct 23 to Oct 25 · Oct 30 to Oct 31 · Dec 12 to Dec 20
MuzzleloaderOct 9 to Oct 18 · Jan 25 to Jan 31
General FirearmNov 13 to Nov 22 · Jan 16 to Jan 24
Handgun and Straight-walled Pistol-caliber Rifle · Statewide except Wildlife Management Zones 1A and 1B onlyJan 2 to Jan 10

Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, Division of Fish and Wildlife. 2026-2027 Delaware Hunting & Trapping Guide: Deer Seasons (eRegulations, linked by DNREC), checked November 2026.

Deer Season DatesDelaware · 2026-27

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Deer season · Delaware · Today

Season open

Yes. 2 deer seasons are open in Delaware today: Archery, Crossbow.

Some state wildlife areas and national wildlife refuges limit hunting further or use stand drawings, so check the rules for the land you plan to hunt.

Archery
Crossbow
Youth and Non-ambulatory Hunt
Special Antlerless
Muzzleloader
General Firearm
Handgun and Straight-walled Pistol-caliber Rifle · Statewide except Wildlife Management Zones 1A and 1B

OctNovDecJan

ArcheryArcheryOpen
Sep 1 to Jan 31, 2027
Delaware's wording
"Archery | Statewide | Sept. 1–Jan. 31"
CrossbowCrossbowOpen
Sep 1 to Jan 31, 2027
Delaware's wording
"Crossbow | Statewide | Sept. 1–Jan. 31"
Youth and Non-ambulatory HuntYouth
Sep 26 to Sep 27 · Nov 7 to Nov 8
Youth under 16 and non-ambulatory hunters only
Delaware's wording
"Youth and Non-Ambulatory Deer Hunt, September 26–27 and November 7–8, 2026 | Any youth less than 16 years of age and individuals that are non-ambulatory, and use a wheelchair for mobility, may hunt."
Special AntlerlessAntlerless
Oct 2 to Oct 4 · Oct 23 to Oct 25 · Oct 30 to Oct 31 · Dec 12 to Dec 20
Delaware's wording
"Special Antlerless* | Statewide | Oct. 2–4, 23–25 and 30–31 | Dec. 12–20"
MuzzleloaderMuzzleloader
Oct 9 to Oct 18 · Jan 25 to Jan 31
Delaware's wording
"Muzzleloader | Statewide | Oct. 9–18 | Jan. 25–Jan. 31"
General FirearmFirearm
Nov 13 to Nov 22 · Jan 16 to Jan 24
Delaware's wording
"General Firearm | Statewide | Nov. 13–22 | Jan. 16–24"
Handgun and Straight-walled Pistol-caliber RifleFirearm
Jan 2 to Jan 10
Statewide except Wildlife Management Zones 1A and 1B only
Delaware's wording
"Handgun and Straight-walled Pistol-caliber Rifle | Season closed in Wildlife Management Zones 1A and 1B | Jan. 2–10"

Sundays

Sunday deer hunting is legal only on private land, if the landowner allows it, and on designated public land.

"Sunday deer hunting for established deer seasons is legal on private land at the discretion of the landowner and on designated publicly-owned lands."

Source

Hunter orange

"During a time when it is lawful to take a deer with a firearm, any person hunting any wildlife except migratory game birds in this state shall display hunter orange on that person’s head, chest, and back totaling no less than 400 square inches combined."

Hunting in Delaware

6 outfitters, guides and lodges listed in Delaware. Legal shooting hours in Delaware today.

See Delaware outfitters

Common questions

Deer season questions

Delaware's General Firearm deer season runs Nov 13 to Nov 22, 2026 and Jan 16 to Jan 24, 2027. Some state wildlife areas and national wildlife refuges limit hunting further or use stand drawings, so check the rules for the land you plan to hunt. Source: 2026-2027 Delaware Hunting & Trapping Guide: Deer Seasons (eRegulations, linked by DNREC).

Delaware's Archery season opens Sep 1, 2026. Source: 2026-2027 Delaware Hunting & Trapping Guide: Deer Seasons (eRegulations, linked by DNREC).

Sunday deer hunting is legal only on private land, if the landowner allows it, and on designated public land. Delaware's rule says: "Sunday deer hunting for established deer seasons is legal on private land at the discretion of the landowner and on designated publicly-owned lands."

Delaware's rule says: "During a time when it is lawful to take a deer with a firearm, any person hunting any wildlife except migratory game birds in this state shall display hunter orange on that person’s head, chest, and back totaling no less than 400 square inches combined."

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