Hunting in Delaware: Top Spots for Hunting in the First State

Delaware offers an abundance of hunting opportunities with a varied landscape of forests and wetlands, which makes it the prime home for game animals. Deer and waterfowl are the top hunted animals in the first state, and hunters flock to Delaware in search of these critters.

If you are looking for the best hunting in Delaware, here are some of the top spots you should keep in mind:

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Deer Hunting

Although Delaware is small geographically, the state has a population of large bucks, making it one of the prime hunting areas in the region. Delaware has 18 deer management zones controlled by the Department of Natural Resources. Of those 18, Sussex County yielded the highest five-year average harvest, according to the state's 2013/14 deer harvest survey. Redden State Forest is the best spot to find deer in Sussex County.

The survey also found that Kent County is the area with the second-highest harvest and an abundance of deer. Areas where hunters are most likely to find success, according to Game and Fish Magazine, are Blackiston Wildlife Area, Norman G. Wilder Wildlife Area, and Little Creek Wildlife Area.

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Another area for deer hunters to consider is C&D Canal Wildlife Area. This region is a mix of forest lands and has more than 5,000 acres available for public hunting.

Waterfowl

There are two primary areas hunters should concentrate on when hunting for waterfowl in Delaware, according to Game and Fish Magazine.

• Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge: Permits are required, but the habitat is controlled with hunting. The refuge is open to the public and home to some of the best wildlife marshes in the state. Bombay is centrally located and considered a stopover as part of the migratory route for snow geese, Canada geese, pintails, green-winged teal, mallards and wood ducks.
• Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge: Hunting by the public is permitted in this controlled habitat, which is considered a lush landscape for waterfowl. Prime Hook has 4,200 acres of marshland, which provides nesting habitat for wood ducks, black ducks and many other species of wildfowl.

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources stays on top of all hunting activities in the state and issues reports annually pertaining to game numbers. The Division of Fish & Wildlife websites includes information.

This article is for information only. Please check current regulations before hunting.

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