Numerous Delaware hunting and trapping seasons are open in December, including the third and final duck hunting season split that opens Friday, Dec. 11 and the special antlerless deer hunting season opening Saturday, Dec. 12. Deer hunting is allowed on all Sundays, using only those hunting methods legal for the respective deer hunting season, with more information available online at de.gov/sundayhunt. Hunters are encouraged to harvest does (female deer) to help manage the size and quality of the deer population.
Hunting and trapping seasons opening in December:
Hunting:
● Beaver: Dec. 1 to March 20, 2021, private land only
● Woodcock and common snipe: Dec. 5 to Jan. 19, 2021
● Ducks, coots and mergansers: Dec. 11 to Jan. 30, 2021
● Brant: Dec. 11 to Jan. 30, 2021
● Antlerless deer: Dec. 12 to 20, including Sundays Dec. 13 and 20, 2020*
● Canada geese (migratory): Dec. 19 to Jan. 18, 2021
*Archery and crossbow hunters may hunt deer during the December antlerless season, but they may NOT harvest antlered deer.
Trapping:
● Muskrat, mink, otter, raccoon, opossum and nutria:
○ New Castle County: Dec. 1 to March 10, 2021 (March 20 on embanked meadows)
○ Kent and Sussex counties: Dec. 15 to March 15, 2021
● Red fox and coyote: Dec. 1 to March 10, 2021
● Beaver: Dec. 1 to March 20, 2021, private land only
Continuing hunting seasons include:
● Bobwhite quail: through Jan. 2, 2021
● Mourning dove: through Jan. 30, 2021
● Sea ducks in the Special Sea Duck Area: through Jan. 30, 2021
● Tundra swan (by special permit ONLY): through Jan. 30, 2021
● Snow goose: through Jan. 30, 2021, and Feb. 6, 2021
● Archery and crossbow deer: through Jan. 31, 2021, including all Sundays
● Gray squirrel:
