Hunting Program Dates and Hours

The Wolfe Neck Hunting Program allows for archery only hunting during any deer season established by Delaware Fish and Wildlife and permitted by Delaware State Parks. The established deer seasons are noted below in the advertised Delaware Deer Hunting Seasons and Bag Limits. Hunters are reminded that there is no Sunday hunting in the Wolfe Neck Hunting Program Area as it is part of the State Park. Hunters are reminded to obtain the required State Park hunting permit available from the Delaware State Parks and a valid hunting license available by the Delaware Fish and Wildlife. Hunting is permitted only in the provided stands and ground blinds, ladder stands and climbing stands are prohibited. Additionally, hunters are required to wear at least 400 square inches of hunter orange while traveling to, coming from, or in an established stand.

Deer hunting hours are 1/2 hour before sunrise until 1/2 hour after sunset.

SEASONS

DATES

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Archery*

Statewide

Sept. 1 - Jan. 31

Hunters may use archery equipment during the muzzleloader, general firearm, and handgun and straight-walled pistol-caliber seasons provided they wear at least 400 square inches of hunter orange material displayed on the head chest, and back.

Crossbow*

Statewide

Sept. 1 - Jan. 31

Hunters may use crossbow equipment during the muzzleloader, general firearm, and handgun and straight-walled pistol-caliber seasons provided they wear at least 400 square inches of hunter orange material displayed on the head, chest, and back.

Muzzleloader

Statewide

Oct. 6 - 15

Jan. 22 - 28

Muzzleloaders must be loaded from the muzzle using any manufacturer’s approved propellant and they may be equipped with a scope.

General Firearm
(Also known as Shotgun Seasons)

Statewide

Nov. 10 - 19

Jan. 13 - 21

Shotguns, muzzleloaders, handguns, authorized straight-walled pistol-caliber rifles, and archery equipment may be used during the general firearm seasons.** Shotguns, straight-walled pistol-caliber rifles, muzzleloaders, and crossbows may be equipped with a scope.

Special Antlerless*

Statewide
Oct. 1, 16, 20 - 23, 27 - 30
Dec. 9 - 17

Legal methods of take during these seasons include archery equipment, muzzleloaders, and shotguns. Only antlerless deer may be harvested during the special antlerless seasons. However, archery (including crossbow) hunters may take antlered deer in October but NOT during the December special antlerless season.

Handgun and Straight-

Walled Pistol-Caliber Rifle

Season closed in Wildlife Management Zones 1A and 1B

Jan. 6, 8 - 12

Sunday, Jan. 7 is not open to handgun or straight-walled pistol-caliber rifle hunting. Authorized straight-walled pistol-caliber rifles may be used during the handgun season. See Deer Hunting for more season details.

Youth and Non-Ambulatory Hunt

Statewide

Nov. 4 and 5

Hunters may use archery equipment, muzzleloaders, shotguns, handgun, or authorized straight-walled pistol-caliber rifles.

 

*Archery and crossbow hunters may take antlered deer during the October antlerless deer season, but not during the December antlerless season.

**It is now legal to hunt deer with a handgun and authorized straight-walled pistol-caliber rifle during any shotgun deer season (excluding the special antlerless seasons). Only 2 antlered deer may be taken during any license year (July 1 – June 30) by all methods and seasons combined. There is no limit on antlerless deer provided a hunter has an antlerless deer tag in their possession before harvesting additional antlerless deer.