Resident deer tag or permit entry cost.
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Deer Hunting in Delaware: Tags, Seasons & Regulations (2026)
Deer hunting in Delaware starts with the current deer cost entries, season dates, bag limits, and CWD rules.
Resident Tag $20 Deer tag/permit
Non-Resident Tag $50 Non-resident deer tag
Primary Season Sep 27 – Sep 28 & Nov 1-2 Youth/Non-Ambulatory
Draw Required? No (OTC) Over-the-counter tags
DEER QUICK ANSWER
Delaware Deer Tag Cost, Season & Rules: Quick Answer
Start here for Delaware deer tag cost, primary season timing, draw status, and CWD planning before using the full tables below.
Use this before adding the base license and trip permits.
Most hunters can start from the state license portal and available deer permits.
Youth/Non-Ambulatory; also check Archery & Crossbow.
This is the deer-specific support page owner for Delaware; general license questions belong on the state hub. For the June 21 zero-click deer-state rescue, this page answers tag cost, season dates, bag limit, draw status, and non-resident cost before sending broader license questions back to the state hub. For Delaware deer hunting, use the listed resident and non-resident deer cost entries together with the note: Licensed hunters receive antlerless tags on the harvest report card; resident Quality Buck/Hunter's Choice combo is $20 and non-resident antlered or Quality Buck tags are $50 each.. Because this page lists over-the-counter access, the main risk is choosing the correct weapon season, zone, and add-on permit. Delaware does not list a current CWD detection here, but carcass import rules can still affect travel.
OVERVIEW
Deer Hunting in Delaware
Delaware deer access is built around the license harvest report card plus paid antlered-deer options, not a blanket free deer-tag system. Licensed resident and non-resident hunters receive antlerless deer tags on the harvest report card, while residents use the $20 Quality Buck/Hunter's Choice structure and non-residents buy $50 antlered or Quality Buck tags when they want buck harvest access. Delaware has not detected CWD in its wild deer herd, but DNREC surveillance and carcass-import rules still matter for hunters bringing deer parts from other states.
Species present: White-tailed Deer
SEASONS
Delaware Deer Season Dates (2026)
All archery, firearm, and muzzleloader season dates.
Multiple Seasons
Delaware offers 9 distinct deer seasons. Check specific zone dates with the DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife — dates and bag limits may vary by management unit.
COSTS
Delaware Deer Tag Fees
Resident vs. non-resident tag and permit costs.
Resident
$20
Deer tag / permit
Non-Resident
$50
Over-the-counter tag available
Licensed hunters receive antlerless tags on the harvest report card; resident Quality Buck/Hunter's Choice combo is $20 and non-resident antlered or Quality Buck tags are $50 each.
PLAN YOUR NEXT STEP
Choose the right Delaware deer planning path
Jump into the state hub, shortlist pages, and deer-planning tools before you work through every remaining section.
Check the full Delaware license setup
Move back to the main state hub when you need the base license, non-resident options, or add-on permits outside deer tags; general license questions belong on the state hub.
Use deer-planning tools next
Shift from deer-tag detail into season timing, trip budgeting, and cross-state deer planning helpers.
Add a wider 2026 cost view
Check benchmark and non-resident premium reports before you commit to one deer state or trip budget.
REGULATIONS
CWD & Deer Hunting Regulations in Delaware
Chronic Wasting Disease status, antler restrictions, and weapon rules.
CWD Status
Not Detected
CWD Testing / Transport
No in-state detection listed
Delaware uses carcass-import and surveillance rules to reduce CWD risk; hunters should confirm current DNREC import guidance before bringing deer parts from CWD-affected areas.
Bag Limit
Daily: 1 · Season: Per tags purchased
Quality Buck (15"+ spread), antlered, antlerless tags separate; NR get 4 antlerless with license
Allowed Weapons
Bow, shotgun, muzzleloader
Official Source
Always verify current regulations with the official source: DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife . Season dates, bag limits, and CWD regulations may change annually.
FAQ
Deer Hunting in Delaware — FAQ
What is the true total cost to hunt deer in Delaware?
The true total cost starts with the hunting license and harvest report card, because licensed hunters receive antlerless tags through that card. Buck access is the extra layer: residents use the $20 Quality Buck/Hunter's Choice combo structure, while non-resident antlered deer tags and Quality Buck tags are listed at $50 each. Add any site-specific public-land or managed-hunt application rule before assuming every Delaware deer hunt is simple OTC.
Is CWD testing mandatory in Delaware?
Delaware does not list a statewide mandatory CWD testing rule for routine deer hunters. DNREC continues surveillance, and hunters should follow the current carcass-import guidance when traveling from CWD-affected states.
What are the antler restrictions?
Hunters may take no more than two antlered bucks in a license year. A Quality Buck Tag is limited to an antlered deer with at least a 15-inch outside antler spread.
Do I need a draw to hunt deer in Delaware?
Most Delaware license-and-tag deer access is not a statewide draw, but hunters still need the correct harvest report card tags and any antlered or Quality Buck tag that applies. Some public-land or managed hunts can use separate site-specific application rules.
What deer species can I hunt in Delaware?
Delaware is home to White-tailed Deer. Allowed weapons include bow, shotgun, muzzleloader.
Can non-residents hunt deer in Delaware?
Yes, non-residents can hunt deer in Delaware. The non-resident hunting license includes antlerless tags on the harvest report card, but non-resident antlered deer and Quality Buck tags cost $50 each.
Where should I compare the Delaware deer tag cost, deer season, and base hunting license?
Use this deer page for Delaware deer tag cost, deer season dates, bag limits, draw status, and non-resident deer tags. Use the Delaware hunting license page for the broader base license, online purchase path, hunter education, and non-deer add-ons.