Why It Matters: Each year, legislatures and state fish and wildlife agencies make changes to state hunting rules and regulations. This is why it is vital that you check your state’s hunting regulations prior to going afield to ensure you are not violating the law and potentially finding yourself with a citation from a game warden. Changes, such as those that occurred this year in Delaware, can often be overlooked and/or forgotten about but could have the potential for a substantial consequence.
Highlights:
- Be sure to check out Delaware’s updated regulations here.
- Throughout the year, fish and wildlife agencies across the country undergo review and revision of hunting, fishing, and trapping regulations and statutes. While significant changes are usually well publicized and have the attention of media outlets, it is important to check for any updates prior to going afield.
- Delaware provides us with the perfect example of significant updates to hunting regulations following a court ruling that changed who can and cannot hunt unsupervised under the age of 21.
State fish and wildlife agencies propose hunting regulation changes to things such as season dates, bag limits, public lands, methods of take, supplemental feeding and baiting, the use of attractants, and more. Like anyone, hunters can make the mistake of getting comfortable with their home state’s regulations because they may have been a certain way for decades. That’s why it is critical to review the regulations annually prior to going afield. Additionally, it may be of benefit to follow your state’s fish and wildlife agency on social media platforms to keep up to date on any changes they may post on their page.
A great example of significant changes that occurred to hunting regulations this year comes out of Delaware. Legislation was signed into law this past August by Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus member Governor Matt Meyer that 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.
However, 18- to 20-year-olds are once again required to have direct supervision when hunting with a firearm. In 2022, the Delaware General Assembly passed legislation prohibiting anyone under the age of 21 from purchasing, owning, or possessing certain firearms. However, it included an exception for firearm possession while hunting for individuals ages 18 to 20 if those individuals were under direct supervision. In 2025, the Delaware Superior Court ruled that this legislation was unconstitutional, temporarily allowing 18- to 20-year-olds the ability to hunt with a firearm without direct supervision. In September of this year, the Delaware Supreme Court overturned the Superior Court’s ruling, placing the possession restrictions back in place for 18- to 20-year-olds. As a result of these two competing policies it is now legal for a 16- and 17-year-old to hunt without direct supervision with a firearm in certain contexts, but it is illegal for an 18-, 19-, or 20-year-old to do the same.
Moving forward, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) will continue to work with legislators and state fish and wildlife agencies to provide ample access and opportunity for sportsmen and women of all ages while using the most up-to-date and available science when it comes to making hunting rules and regulations.