Delaware

Delaware is home to a beautiful oceanfront coastline, mineral-rich soil, and numerous waterways. The First State has a vibrant and authentic history, spanning the entirety of America’s existence. With about 68,000 acres of public land, Delaware offers a plethora of sportsmen’s activities and water sports options. In addition to big game animals of white-tailed deer and red foxes, the small game variety of Delaware is exuberant, ranging from coyotes, ring-neck pheasants, quail, and cottontail rabbits. Waterfowlers are also in for a treat as ducks and snow geese are abundant in Delaware.

For more information on the elected officials protecting and promoting the sportsmen’s traditions in Delaware, please contact: Kaleigh Leager

Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus

Senator Tom Carper

Delaware Governors Sportsmen's Caucus Member

Governor Matt Meyer

Delaware Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus Leadership

Representative William Carson Jr. Senator Brian Pettyjohn Senator Nicole Poore Representative Jeff Spiegelman

Delaware Policy Highlights

Caucus sponsored/driven Senate Bill 108 (2025) repealed prohibitions on popular knives for sportsmen and women.

Caucus sponsored/driven House Bill 271 (2024) repealed game birds from the remaining Sunday hunting prohibitions in the First state.

Caucus sponsored/driven Senate Bill 198 (2018) expanded Sunday hunting opportunities on both public and private lands throughout the First State.

Paid Hunting License Holders

Paid Angling License Holders

.6 M

Generated for Wildlife Conservation

Federal Land Hunting & Angling Access

Many sportsmen and women depend on federal lands managed by agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Fish and… Read more.

Sunday Hunting Restrictions

Sunday hunting bans are one of the last remaining examples of the puritanical blue laws that were initially designed to encourage church attendance. At the… Read more.

Conservation Tax Incentives

One important tool for protecting fish and wildlife habitat is a state-level tax credit for gifts of land for conservation or conservation easements. With a… Read more.

Federal Land Habitat Management

Properly managed wildlife habitat is essential for supporting sustainable and healthy wildlife populations. Well-managed lands containvarious successional stages that provide a diversity of habitats capable… Read more.

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August 31, 2026

Delaware Enacts Legislation to Expand Hunting and Shooting Sports Opportunities for Young Sportsmen and Women

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 […]

August 17, 2026

Hunting Seasons are Approaching in the Mid-Atlantic: Here is What You Need to Know

Why It Matters: In the Mid-Atlantic, deer, dove, and teal season(s) are right around the corner. To kick things off, hunters are beginning to scout for white-tailed bucks and are awaiting the arrival of the migrating mourning doves, green-winged and blue-winged teal. With all the excitement of hunting season approaching, there are a few changes to the region’s […]

August 3, 2026

Why the “Off-Season” is a Great Time to Get Involved in the Public Policy Process

Why It Matters: Across the US, most legislative sessions have either adjourned or are in summer recess, meaning most legislators are back in their home districts. Requesting a meeting with your legislator(s) outside of the hustle and bustle of the legislative season is the perfect time for sportsmen and women to become familiar with their state representative’s stance on sporting issues as well […]

July 13, 2026

Small but Mighty! Delaware’s Legislative Session Adjourns with Many Victories for Sportsmen and Women

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 […]

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Delaware – 2026 American System of Conservation Funding Fact Sheet

Delaware: American System of Conservation Funding Fact Sheet

2013 Sportsmen’s Economic Impact Report – Delaware

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Impact You Can See

Legislatures in AL, AR, DE, GA, IL, KY, LA, MS, NH, NV, NY, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, UT, VT, and WV celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Sportfish Restoration Program and formally recognized the crucial role that sportsmen and women play in funding conservation efforts through the “user pays, public benefits” structure of the American System of Conservation Funding.