The Top 7 Reasons Delaware Is the Best State for Deer Hunting

In Delaware, deer hunting is in its prime, with an overabundance of whitetails throughout the First State. 2020 shotgun season alone brought in 7,068 whitetails, according to the Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife. If that sounds like a lot, for such a small state, there’s more to deer hunting in Delaware than just shotgun season.

States manage their deer populations similarly; however, some do better than others. Though Delaware sees its fair share of mild hunting seasons, the First State is currently on the rebound, with high harvest numbers in most of the 18 zones.

Delaware, like most states, has its ups and downs. However, there’s no time like the present, and there are several reasons Delaware is the place to put up a tree stand. All signs point north this year, with previous harvests suggesting that succeeding years will bring highly successful harvests.

5 Reasons Delaware Is The Best State For Deer Hunting

Delaware is surprisingly diverse as a small state with marshlands, coastlines, and dense hardwood forests. State regulations and recently mild winters are paving the way for increases in whitetail populations. Delaware is peaking; now is one of the best times to hunt.

1. Public Land

Roughly 10% of the state is public land. This may not sound like much, but in a state the size of Delaware, 10% is a sizeable chunk. This opens up some opportunities for hunters who can’t find private land to hunt on or can’t afford the club memberships private landowners often create.

Delaware State Park has over 6,000 acres of real estate hunters can take advantage of during the season. Throw a 1,330-acre lake into the mix, and an abundant water source draws in whitetail. Delaware’s public land is often very convenient for hunters because it offers camping opportunities.

You can camp overnight, hunt in the morning, fish on the lake throughout the afternoon, and head back out for the evening hunt before calling it a day.

2. Delaware Has One Of The Longest Hunting Seasons

According to the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), deer hunting season in the state lasts five months. Deer hunting season runs from September to February, though the take method is divided into different categories. For instance, there is a shotgun season, bow hunting (which includes crossbows), muzzleloaders, and rifles.

3. The Whitetail Deer Population Is Extensive

Despite such a long deer season, the whitetail population in Delaware is increasing. Some of Delaware’s zones have so many deer that they list these areas as “above carrying capacity.” The state has 18 wildlife management zones, and the Division of Fish and Wildlife utilizes aerial infrared to monitor and count deer each year.

Unfortunately, This is causing more deer encounters in neighborhoods and more road accidents as deer try to cross. When overpopulation to this degree occurs, hunting permissions naturally go up.

4. Deer Quality

Outside of Delaware, deer hunting in the First State is thought of as underwhelming. This assumption is based on the size of the state, with people equating state size with quality deer herds. The deer quality in Delaware is just as good as in the Midwest.

5. Habitat Quality

In Delaware’s 2010 to 2019 Deer Management Plan, habitat is highlighted as a primary focus for improvement and sustainability, where food, water, cover, and space are essential for quality of life. This management program includes the following:

• Staying on top of deer management by focusing on individual zones
• Develop a methodology for handling these delicate ecosystems
• Conduct research, gather assessments, promote education, and improve population control
• Define and develop a management method that coordinates with population needs and human impacts
• Define the various causes behind deer population impacts
• Improve agriculture by reducing damage
• Create and continually manage “urban” deer

Improving habitat quality for Delaware deer hunting is a primary goal throughout the state, and it’s certainly paying dividends in 2023–2024.

6. Delaware Is Developing A New Portal For Hunters

One of the most irritating aspects of hunting in any state is discovering all the legal ins and outs, obtaining licenses, and ensuring that you adhere to the method of take throughout the season. Delaware deer hunting became much easier with the new, streamlined, all-in-one-place hub for hunters and prospective hunters.

The site includes educational material, news highlights, contact information, and opportunities to purchase hunter permits and licenses. It operates like a traditional e-store, with a shopping cart and user profile information. It makes it much easier for hunters to get the necessary information, licenses, and permits.

7. Delaware Deer Hunting Continues Through Sundays

It’s “Sunday Fun Day” throughout Delaware’s hunting season, as hunters can climb into their blinds and stand on Sundays. Delaware used to be one of the few remaining states with restrictions or outright bans on Sunday hunting.

Delaware now allows it. The only rule hunters have to observe is the current method of take. It doesn’t change just because it’s Sunday. If shotgun season is open, you can hunt with a shotgun on Sundays. The same applies to all other take methods according to Delaware’s restrictions.

Final Thoughts

In Delaware, deer hunting is a big deal for a small state. The number of deer harvested each year is in the thousands, with multiples of that taking their place in time for the next season. As long as the deer population exceeds numbers and current expectations, Delaware will remain wide open, with an extended hunting season each year.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © SevenMaps/Shutterstock.com