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Delaware Sportsmen's Caucus, 411 Legislative Avenue, Dover, DE (2026)

10/20/2026

OCTOBER 20, 2026 -- Delaware’s Advisory Council on Tidal Finfisheries will hold a hybrid (in-person and virtual) meeting tomorrow, 10/21, at 6 p.m. to discuss issues related to tidal finfish management.

The in-person meeting will be held in the Little Creek Hunter Education Training Center, 3018 Bayside Drive, Dover, DE 19901.

For general meeting information, including the meeting agenda and instructions on attending the meeting virtually, visit the Delaware Public Meeting Calendar at https://publicmeetings.delaware.gov/ #/meeting/86683

If you have questions about the meeting or for more information on Delaware fisheries, please call DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife Fisheries Section at 302-739-9914.

09/29/2026

NEWS: Court Ruling and a New Law Combine for Peculiar Effect on Young Adult Hunter Supervision Requirements

-- State Rep. Jeff Spiegelman and State Sen. Brian Pettyjohn Pledge Corrective Measure in the Upcoming General Assembly --

SEPTEMBER 29, 2026 -- A Delaware Supreme Court ruling earlier this month on a four-year-old state law, combined with recently enacted legislation, has created an odd situation in which some young adults will require a greater degree of supervision than teenagers.

The seeds of this dysfunction began with the enactment of a 2022 state law (House Bill 451) changing the age at which a person could possess, purchase, and sell a fi***rm in Delaware. Although the law was not intended to apply to hunting with a fi***rm, it inadvertently imposed a new requirement that an older adult directly supervise hunters between the ages of 16 and 21.

Last year, a Superior Court judge overturned a portion of the law, ruling that Delaware’s constitutional right to possess and use fi***rms applied to all Delawareans age 18 or older. That decision eliminated the supervision mandate for hunters ages 18 to 20.

A new law enacted earlier this summer (House Bill 427) eliminated the supervision requirement on 16- and 17-year-olds.

However, the Delaware Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the Superior Court’s determination that people between the ages of 18 and 21 enjoyed the same constitutional fi***rm rights as other adults has created an irrational situation. While 16- and 17-year-olds hunting with a fi***rm and meeting certain requirements* can do so without direct supervision, adults ages 18 through 20, hunting with some types of fi***rms cannot.

Eighteen-, 19-, and 20-year-old hunters can hunt without the direct supervision of an older adult when using a sh***un, muzzleloader, handgun, or a r***e using straight-walled handgun am******on. However, if hunting with a rimfire or centerfire r***e, they must legally be under direct supervision.

“This is exactly the type of confusing and unfair patchwork of requirements I was trying to address by sponsoring and advocating for the successful enactment of HB 427 earlier this year,” said State Rep. Jeff Spiegelman (R-Townsend, Smyrna, Clayton), a co-chair of the General Assembly’s bipartisan Delaware Sportsmen’s Caucus (DSC).

Fellow DSC co-chair, State Sen. Brian Pettyjohn (R-Georgetown), agreed this circumstance needs to be fixed. "It makes no sense that a 17-year-old can hunt on their own while a 19-year-old needs someone looking over their shoulder to hunt squirrels with a .22," he said. "These are adults who can vote, sign contracts, and serve in our Armed Forces. Nobody intended this outcome, and I'm confident we can work across the aisle in January to fix it."

Both men said that because the 153rd General Assembly is in recess, nothing can be done immediately to address the problem during the current fall hunting seasons. However, they pledged to introduce legislation in January to give 18-, 19- and 20-year-olds the same hunting freedoms that currently apply to 16- and 17-year-olds.

* Hunters who are 16- and 17-years-old can hunt without direct supervision if they have permission from a parent or guardian, have completed an approved basic hunter education course, and are in possession of a valid hunting license.

# # #

09/24/2026

OPINION: Recent Tragedy Should Remind All Hunters of the Need to Practice Safety

SEPTEMBER 23, 2026: The recent shooting death of a 39-year-old Georgetown woman involving a deer hunter is an urgent reminder of the responsibility all sportsmen and women have to follow essential safety practices whenever they are in the field.

“This is a tragedy that should have never happened,” said State Rep. Jeff Spiegelman, one of the four co-chairs of the Delaware Sportsmen’s Caucus, a group of lawmakers that advocate for hunting and fishing issues in the General Assembly.

“There are rules that anyone hunting with a deadly weapon must follow to protect themselves and others,” Rep. Spiegelman said. “Make certain to positively identify your target and know what is beyond before shooting. If forced to make a split-second decision about whether it's safe to take a shot, err on the side of caution and don't pull the trigger.”

Rep. Spiegelman noted that Delaware is one of the most densely populated states in the nation, meaning hunters often share the landscape with other people who live, work, or recreate nearby.

“When hunting, there is no excuse for flouting the rules or complacency," he said. "Ignoring proper practices for the sake of convenience or to fill your tag is a recipe for a potential disaster that cannot be undone.”

As a critical reminder, the following safety rules should always be followed when hunting with a sh***un, r***e, pistol, or other weapon:

-- Always identify your target to 100% certainty. Never shoot at sounds or movement.
-- Know what is beyond your target and make certain it is safe to shoot.
-- Keep the fi***rm pointed in a safe direction at all times.
-- Keep your safety on and your finger outside the trigger guard until you are ready to fire.
-- Be certain of your surroundings and the potential path of the projectile before taking a shot.
-- Observe Delaware’s standard safety zone, which typically bars hunting with a fi***rm within 100 yards of a house, occupied building, or barn.
-- Do not shoot towards a house or road, even if you are outside the safety zone.
-- When there is any doubt about whether a shot is safe, do not take it.

09/16/2026

DNREC CWD meeting happening NOW

Join the online meeting here:

09/10/2026

NEWS: DNREC to Hold Community Meeting on Chronic Wasting Disease Temporary Regulations Affecting Deer September 16

SEPTEMBER 10, 2026 -- The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control will hold a community meeting regarding Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in the auditorium at Delaware Technical Community College Owens Campus in Georgetown on Wednesday, September 16 at 6:30 p.m.

For anyone unable to attend the in-person meeting, DNREC has made participation by a virtual option available via Microsoft Teams – with more information and registration found on the DNREC events calendar. https://dnrec.delaware.gov/events/community-meeting-chronic-wasting-disease/

DNREC recently announced the adoption of temporary deer hunting and rehabilitation regulations to try to limit the spread of CWD and confine it to the area where it has been found in central Sussex County. The Division of Fish and Wildlife will explain the temporary regulation provisions and why they are necessary.

DNREC will listen to community feedback and take questions during the meeting, with limited time slots available to speak.

Comments will be limited to two minutes, and interested parties must sign up beforehand. To sign up, individuals may email [email protected] by 4 p.m. on Tuesday, September 15, or arrive early for the meeting on September 16. DNREC staff will be present starting at 6:10 p.m. at the Del Tech College auditorium for sign-up.

Please note that this meeting is informational and not part of a formal public comment related to the regulations. Possible permanent changes to regulations in response to CWD will be open for formal public comment during the standard regulatory process later this year.

More information – including the state response plan to CWD in Delaware, a map of the CWD Management Zone, and public guidance for dealing with CWD – can be found on the CWD webpage: de.gov/cwd .

08/27/2026

NEWS: 2026-27 Delaware Hunting Season to Open September 1 for Deer, Canada Goose and Dove

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced today that several Delaware hunting seasons will open on Tuesday, Sept. 1, marking the start of the overall 2026-27 hunting season. These early seasons are a longstanding tradition for the state’s hunters, who, through such early opportunities afield, play a vital role in conserving Delaware’s wildlife resources.

Delaware deer hunters will open the season on Tuesday, Sept. 1, with the archery and crossbow seasons. Gamebird hunters can go afield the same day for the start of resident Canada goose and mourning dove seasons. Opening later in the month are the special September seasons for teal and gray squirrels. For a complete list of season dates and regulations for all species throughout the rest of the season, refer to the annual Delaware Hunting & Trapping Guide.

Recent legislative and regulatory changes present new opportunities for the 2026-27 hunting season, including:

Sunday hunting to be open for all game species
Expanded muzzleloader specifications
Expanded straight-walled pistol-caliber r***es
Eliminating the minimum age requirement for the special Delaware youth hunts by the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife, and
Legislation that allows 16- and 17-year-olds to hunt and conduct target practice without direct supervision, as long as they have permission from a parent or guardian and have completed basic hunter education.
Also, for the second year, expanded hunting opportunities are available during the resident Canada goose season except at locations where and when the special September teal season is open. Hunters should check the 2026 Hunting & Trapping Guide for additional information on the changes for waterfowl hunting.

Hunters who plan to go afield during the early seasons for resident Canada geese, teal, and mourning doves are reminded that these migratory bird seasons have not yet been finalized – they should check the Federal Register from Aug. 26 for news regarding the finalizing of federal regulations and expect to find final season selections for Delaware in the register by Aug. 31.

Because migratory bird hunting is ultimately regulated under the authority of the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act, final approval from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is required before season frameworks selected by Delaware and other states become official. USFWS’s process for approving states’ season frameworks is undergoing substantive changes, which is why approvals have taken longer than normal to be finalized. Meanwhile, the states and USFWS continue to work together to develop a more efficient process that can be completed sooner.

With the recent detection of Chronic Wasting Disease, an addendum to the hunting and trapping guide is now available online and will be in hard copy at licensing agents throughout the state. Hunters are advised to review the addendum regarding new requirements and opportunities for having their deer tested. More information, including the addendum, can also be found on the de.gov/cwd webpage.

More information about hunting on state wildlife areas can be found in the 2026 Hunting & Trapping Guide and in updated Delaware wildlife area maps, which are expected to be online by Sept. 1. Information on hunting licenses, the state waterfowl stamp, and the Conservation Access Pass can be found on the de.gov/huntinglicense webpage.

08/26/2026

NEWS: The Point at Cape Henlopen Oceanside Beach Reopens Sept. 1 to Anglers and Beachgoers

AUGUST 26, 2026 -- The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control will reopen a stretch of oceanside beach at The Point at Cape Henlopen State Park on Tuesday, Sept. 1. The Point’s bayside beach will remain closed until Thursday, Oct.1 for use by shorebirds migrating south for the winter.

The Point has closed annually since 1993 every March for the benefit of threatened and endangered beach-nesting and migratory shorebirds, including piping plovers, oystercatchers, least terns, red knots and other species before it reopens in the late summer-early fall for beachgoers and anglers.

The DNREC Divisions of Parks and Recreation, Fish and Wildlife and Watershed Stewardship have worked together since 1990 to implement a management plan to increase beach-nester and migratory shorebird populations. Closing The Point to park visitors provides an area of undisturbed beach and intertidal habitat for a host of shorebirds, gulls, terns and other waterbirds to rest and feed after the breeding season, one of only three in the state.

This year, the divisions teamed up to create two new nesting plots, or exclosures, to improve the chances of survival for least terns, a state-endangered species, which have historically nested at The Point. The plots include six-foot fencing around the exclosure with a two-foot skirt under the area to protect nesting birds against predators. The strategy also included least tern decoys and a battery-powered music box that broadcasts the birds’ calls to encourage nesting in the area.

There were approximately 150 least tern nests counted by the Division of Fish and Wildlife at The Point, with half of those nests located inside the fencing, and 125 least tern chicks were counted. With the least tern season still active, the area is expected to produce about 60 fledglings.

The Point also attracted 10 pairs of piping plover, a federally-endangered species, that fledged 12 chicks.

Reservations will open for the Point Crossing drive-on surf fishing beach oceanside on Tuesday, Aug. 25 for the weekend of Aug 29-30 and on Tuesday, Sept. 1, for the weekend of Sept. 5-6 and Thursday, Sept. 3, for Labor Day, Sept. 7.

Cape Henlopen State Park is offering a free, guided 1.7-mile-hike to The Point on Oct. 1 to explore the beauty of this special area and its ecological importance. It is open to ages 7 and up with an adult and is free with a paid park entrance. Pre-registration is required by calling (302) 645-6852.

For more information on the least tern project, visit the DNREC News webpage. For activities year-round at Cape Henlopen State Park, see the destateparks.com/park/cape-henlopen webpage.

08/21/2026

NEWS: New Law Allows Some Youth Hunters to Hunt, Target Shoot Independently

Earlier this week, the governor signed legislation to allow some young Delawareans to hunt and target shoot independently.

Sponsored by State Rep. Jeff Spiegelman (R-Townsend, Smyrna, Clayton), House Substitute 1 for House Bill 427 (as amended), allows 16 and 17 year-olds to target shoot or hunt without the direct supervision of an adult over the age of 21.

Under the measure, qualifying youths must have the permission of a parent or guardian, complete a hunter education course and, if pursuing game, have a valid hunting license.

Additional sponsors on the bill included State Rep. Bill Carson (D-Smyrna) and Sen. Brian Pettyjohn (R-Georgetown). All three legislators are co-chairs of the General Assembly's Delaware Sportsmen's Caucus, a bipartisan group of lawmakers that study hunting an fishing issues and advocate for sportsmen.

"Recruiting young hunters is paramount to maintaining Delaware's sporting heritage," Rep. Spiegelman said. "This law represents a key tool to do exactly that. Thank you to all the stakeholders, especially our non-profit partners, for helping to preserve the future of hunting in the First State."

08/17/2026

NEWS: Wildlife Officials Adopt Emergency Hunting Regulations in Attempt to Limit Spread of Chronic Wasting Disease

AUGUST 17, 2026 -- With the start of deer hunting season less than a month away, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) has adopted emergency regulations to try to limit the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD).

The fatal illness was first confirmed in Delaware earlier this year in a deer harvested in lower, central Sussex County. CWD has been reported in animals in 37 states. Internationally, it has been reported in deer, elk, reindeer, and moose in Canada, Norway, Finland, and Sweden. Caused by a misfolded protein called a prion, there is a great deal about the illness that remains unknown.

Last month, DNREC worked with federal officials and local landowners to conduct a cluster sampling of 100 deer adjacent to the area where CWD was first detected. That effort did not reveal any additional presence of the disease.

The new emergency regulations – which relate to the area where CWD was found – are designed to reduce activities that bring deer together, limit the movement of potentially infected animals and infectious material, and increase CWD testing during the upcoming season. State and federal wildlife disease experts will continue CWD surveillance.

The new regulations, implemented as of today (August 17), do the following:

-- Establish a CWD Management Zone (CMZ) that encompasses ----- Wildlife Management Zones 14 and 16, including DNREC’s Midlands Wildlife Area and Trap Pond State Park, in lower Sussex County. Use this link to access a map of the zones:https://www.eregulations.com/assets/docs/resources/DE/Wildlife_Management_Zones.pdf
-- Prohibit the use of bait and feed for attracting deer within the CMZ;
-- Require hunters to check-in deer harvested within the CMZ during the November general fi***rm “sh***un” deer season (November 13-22) at two designated stations:
------ 1. The Jones Crossroads Landfill near Georgetown.
------ 2. The Gumboro Service Center, near where the Whitetail Open takes place.

-- Define requirements for hunters moving harvested deer out of the CMZ elsewhere within the state.
-- Prohibit the rehabilitation and relocation of “rescued” deer fawns originating within the Sussex County CMZ, and
-- Place a statewide ban on the use of natural urine-based “buck lures” to hunt deer. (The prions that cause the disease are shed in bodily fluids and can be transmitted from direct contact or by deer browsing vegetation in CWD-tainted soil.)

Hunters interested in having their deer tested during the hunting season will be able to do so at self-serve drop-off locations located throughout the state. More details for this service, to be provided at no cost to hunters, will be available on the DNREC website prior to the start of the season.

Before the season begins, the Division of Fish and Wildlife will distribute an addendum to the 2026 Delaware Hunting and Trapping Guide with expanded information about CWD. This pamphlet will be available when hunters pick up their guide in hard copy and also will be found on the CWD webpage at: de.gov/cwd

08/13/2026

NEWS: DNREC Closes Seaford Fishing Pier Based on Unsafe Structural Findings

AUGUST 13, 2026 -- The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control has closed the Seaford Fishing Pier located within the Seaford boat ramp fishing access area on the Nanticoke River after structural flaws were detected during an engineering assessment of the pier this week by the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife.

The assessment of the pier, which predates DNREC’s construction upgrades to the Seaford boat ramp in 1997, raised several structural concerns, including support pile deterioration and a sinkhole forming from a faltering bulkhead. Based on those structural findings, DNREC closed the pier as unsafe for anglers and public access.

DNREC Fisheries Section Administrator Jordan Zimmerman said the pier’s closure was decided out of an abundance of caution, and that the Division of Fish and Wildlife is “working with the engineering firm to develop options either for remediation of the pier or replacing it with a new pier.”

The Seaford boat ramp and parking lot, managed by DNREC in partnership with the City of Seaford, are not impacted by the closure of the pier and will remain open.

Anglers who fish from the pier are encouraged to utilize the smaller public fishing pier at River View Park, which is directly adjacent to the Seaford boat ramp. Signage has been placed at the fishing pier to help direct the public to the alternative angling site.

Delaware Sportsmen's Caucus

10/20/2026

09/29/2026

09/24/2026

09/16/2026

09/10/2026

08/27/2026

08/26/2026

08/21/2026

08/17/2026

08/13/2026

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