Why It Matters: Delaware was the first of the original thirteen colonies to ratify the Constitution of the United States, thus enshrining it as the “First State.” While it is the “First State,” it is also the second smallest state by total land area in the entire U.S. Regardless of its size, Delaware continues to punch above its weight class when it comes to sportsmen and women’s policy issues. The 2026 legislative session was no different as several pro-sportsmen and women’s pieces of legislation were passed.
Highlights:
- House Bill 278 (HB 278), or better known as the “Sportsmen’s Omnibus Bill”, introduced by the Caucus, made several positive changes for sportsmen and women in Delaware. This legislation was enacted by Governor’s Sportsmen’s Caucus Member Governor Meyer in June.
- House Substitute 1 (HS 1) for House Bill 427 (HB 427) introduced by the Caucus, 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, completed a hunter education course, and hold a valid Delaware hunting license. For target practice, the same requirements apply, except they are not required to hold a valid Delaware hunting license as they are not hunting. This bill is awaiting enactment from Governor Meyer.
- Senate Bill 212 (SB 212), introduced by Sen. Dave Wilson and members of the Delaware Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus (Caucus), sought to start the process of amending the Delaware State Constitution for the Right to Hunt, Fish, and Trap. With many amendments (Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 212), it passed through the Senate unanimously but ultimately failed to make it out of the House or Representatives (with corrective amendments) before adjournment, ultimately leading to the legislation failing this year but providing a roadmap for the initiative’s future attempts in the “First State”.
During this legislative session, the Delaware Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus (Caucus) was hard at work to expand access and opportunity for sportsmen and women in the “First State.” The Caucus achieved several significant victories for Delaware’s sporting-conservation community, including eliminating the state’s final statutory prohibitions on Sunday hunting – a longstanding priority of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF). The Caucus also expanded hunting opportunities for young sportsmen and women and advanced an effort to enshrine the right to hunt, fish, and trap in the Delaware Constitution. Together, these initiatives strengthen outdoor access, support the next generation of sportsmen and women, and help sustain the conservation funding that benefits Delaware’s wildlife, natural resources, and all residents.
When it comes to the “Sportsmen’s Omnibus Bill,” Governor Meyer enacted this legislation in June of this year. As previously reported, this legislation removed the last standing legislative prohibition on Sunday hunting in the First State by removing small game from the list of prohibited species that may be lawfully hunted on Sundays. This legislation also removed the legislative prohibition on smokeless powder for muzzleloaders was also repealed, which allows the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s Division of Fish and Wildlife (Division) to potentially implement the use of FireStick-compatible muzzleloaders and airbows. This legislation also clarifies and updates what calibers may be used for straight wall cartridge hunting (greater than .30 cal).
Additionally as previously reported, the General Assembly passed HS 1 for HB 427 that will allow sportsmen and women ages 16 & 17 to hunt or recreational shoot with a firearm/projectile weapon unsupervised so long as they have parental/guardian permission and have passed the hunters safety course and hold an active hunting license (only required for hunting).
Finally, as previously reported, Delaware sought to adopt the constitutional right to hunt, fish, and trap. CSF testified in strong support of the original language before the Senate Executive Committee, but it was unfortunately amended by the same committee to a version that undermined the intent of such a constitutional amendment. Though it made it through the Senate as amended, it did not make it through the House of Representatives before adjournment and is now “dead.” Delaware has a unique process for amending their state constitution. It is the only state in the U.S. that does not require voter approval (via ballot measure) to amend the state constitution. To amend the State Constitution, the proposed amendment must be agreed upon by two-thirds majority of its elected members in both chambers. Then it is required that it must be published three months prior to the next general election in at least 3 newspapers in each county. Finally, after the election, the subsequent General Assembly must vote on the same amendment again, passing both chambers by two-thirds majority. CSF looks forward to working with the Caucus on this initiative in the future.
The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) applauds the Delaware Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus for continuing to champion pro-sportsmen and women’s legislation. Additionally, CSF thanks Governor’s Sportsmen’s Caucus member, Governor Matt Meyer, for supporting the First State’s Sportsmen and Women.
Related Policy
