Delaware

Sub-species: Eastern

Tags: Over the counter but public land hunting is by lottery drawing only

Application Period: Jan 6 deadline

Electronic or Print at Home Fulfillment:  YES

Hunter Education Required:  YES, if born after Jan 1, 1978

Bag Limit: One bearded bird

2026 Season Dates: April 11- May 9; Public lands segments A April 11-17; B April 18-24; C April 25-May 1; D May 2-9

Special Youth Hunt: April 4-5

Special Disabled Hunt: April 4-5 for non-ambulatory hunters

Decoys Allowed: Yes (decoys are not allowed to contain any part of a once live turkey).

Tagging Instructions: Turkeys  no longer have to be presented at an authorized checking station.  Hunters can register their turkeys by visiting  de.gov/DigitalDNREC or by calling 1-855-DEL-HUNT.  All successful turkey hunters must register their turkey within 24 hours of harvest.

Noteworthy Restrictions: Sunday hunting is now permitted for turkeys.  Legal shooting hours are half an hour before sunrise to 1:00 p.m.  No electrical calls.  All first time Delaware turkey hunters must complete a Turkey Hunting Safety Course.   For safety reasons, it will be illegal to wear any visible garment having the colors red, white or blue.  Hunters that successfully harvest a turkey are not required to attach a tag to their turkey at the place of kill before the turkey is moved, however they must complete the appropriate section on the Turkey Harvest Report Card.

Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife

302-739-9910

Purchase License Online  

Licenses Needed to Hunt Turkeys