Why It Matters: Previously, in Delaware, individuals who were at least 16 years old but under the age of 18 could not hunt with a firearm unless directly supervised by someone who was at least 21 years old and who was the lawful holder of a hunting license or who is lawfully exempt. The supervising person must have been within 30 yards and in direct line of sight of the supervisee and must have been lawfully allowed to hunt in Delaware. House Substitute 1 (HS 1) for House Bill 427 (HB 427) changed this by now allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to hunt and participate in target practice without the supervision of someone 21 years or older if they have the required prerequisites. The enactment of this legislation has increased opportunities for young sportsmen and women to hunt and recreationally shoot and encourages additional participation in our time-honored traditions.
Highlights:
- HS 1 for HB 427 was sponsored by Delaware Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Co-Chairs Rep. Jeff Spiegelman, Rep. William Carson, and Sen. Brian Pettyjohn and ultimately enacted by Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus member, Governor Matt Meyer.
- This legislation allows 16- and 17-year-olds the ability to hunt with a BB gun, projectile weapon, and/or a firearm without the direct supervision of someone 21 years or older, provided they have permission of a parent or guardian, have completed a hunter education course, and hold a valid Delaware hunting license. For target practice, the same requirements apply, except that they are not required to hold a valid Delaware hunting license as they are not hunting.
- The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) submitted a letter to Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus member Governor Matt Meyer, requesting the enactment of this legislation.
- HS 1 for HB 427 was signed into law on August 17, 2026.
In Delaware, and across many states, 16- and 17-year-olds can drive a vehicle unsupervised if they have passed the required educational courses and hold a valid driver’s license. Additionally, this age demographic can even hunt using archery equipment and/or a pellet/airgun unsupervised. But when it came to hunting and target shooting with firearms/projectile weapons in Delaware, 16- and 17-year-olds were prohibited from hunted or participating in target practice with a BB gun, projectile weapon/firearm unless they had direct supervision. HS 1 for HB 427 repealed this prohibition and implemented safety perquisites, expanding access to this age group of sportsmen and women.
As previously reported, HS 1 for HB 427 will allow “target practicing with a BB gun, projectile weapon, or firearm by a 16- or 17-year-old without direct supervision of a person age 21 or above, provided the 16- or 17-year-old has permission of a parent or guardian and the 16- or 17-year-old has completed a hunter education course. Additionally, a 16- or 17-year-old is allowed to hunt without direct supervision if they are in possession of a valid Delaware hunting license.” “target practicing with a BB gun, projectile weapon, or firearm by a 16- or 17-year-old without direct supervision of a person age 21 or above, provided the 16- or 17-year-old has permission of a parent or guardian and the 16- or 17-year-old has completed a hunter education course. Additionally, a 16- or 17-year-old is allowed to hunt without direct supervision if they are in possession of a valid Delaware hunting license.”
HS 1 for HB 427 was signed into law on August 17, 2026. The enactment of this legislation furthers the recruitment and retention of our up-and-coming hunters and recreational shooters. Delaware now joins its neighboring states of Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania by allowing 16- and 17-year-olds the ability to hunt unsupervised if the hunter has successfully completed their respective state’s hunter safety course and possesses the correct hunting license(s). Ensuring the recruitment and retention of our next generation of sportsmen and women is critical to maintaining and enhancing conservation funding, and consequently, wildlife and habitat management.
The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation applauds the Delaware Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus for continuing to champion pro-sportsmen and women’s legislation, and Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus member Governor Matt Meyer for signing this legislation into law which increases opportunities for our up and coming sportsmen and women.