DOVER — The 2021-22 hunting seasons for mourning dove, deer (archery and crossbow) and resident Canada goose begin Wednesday, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control said this week.

Delawareans can hunt teal starting Sept. 11 and gray squirrel starting Sept. 15.
Dates and hours for seasons opening in September are as follows:

• Dove — Sept. 1-Oct. 4 for first-season split (half-hour before sunrise to sunset). Nontoxic shot must be used for dove-hunting on state wildlife areas during September; lead shot is not permitted. Hunting hours may differ at specific dove fields on certain state wildlife areas.
• Archery and crossbow deer — Sept. 1-Jan. 31, including Sundays (half-hour before sunrise to half-hour after sunset).
• Resident Canada goose — Sept. 1-25 (half-hour before sunrise to sunset).
• Teal — Sept. 11-29 (half-hour before sunrise to sunset, limited to the designated teal zone, which is south of the C&D Canal to Lewes and east of U.S. 13, U.S. 113/113A and Del. 1).
• Gray squirrel — Sept. 15-Feb. 5 (half-hour before sunrise to half-hour after sunset; closed during November’s shotgun deer season).

DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife offers many early-season hunting opportunities on state wildlife areas. Maps and rules are available here. Additional information on September migratory bird-hunting opportunities is available here.

A Delaware hunting license or license exempt number is required to hunt, and most waterfowl hunters are required to purchase a Delaware waterfowl (duck) stamp and a federal duck stamp.

Dove, goose and teal hunters also need a federal Harvest Information Program number, which can be obtained through the DNREC ePermitting website or at 855-DEL-HUNT.

Registered motor vehicles used to access designated wildlife areas owned or managed by the Division of Fish & Wildlife are required to display a conservation access pass. Hunters can opt to receive one free annual CAP with the purchase of any Delaware hunting license. Individuals will need the registration card for the vehicle to which the pass will be assigned.

Hunting licenses, waterfowl stamps and CAPs can be purchased here or from hunting license agents statewide.

Hunters obtaining an LEN should create a profile using the DNREC ePermitting portal or get an LEN at a hunting license agent. Federal duck stamps are available for purchase at U.S. post offices and Bombay Hook and Prime Hook national wildlife refuges, as well as on the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service website.

More information is available in the 2021/2022 Delaware Hunting & Trapping guide or by calling the Wildlife Section at 739-9912. Further details about licenses and CAPs are available via the Recreational Licensing Office at 739-9918.