Delaware · License · 2026 Edition
Delaware Hunting License Cost 2026: Fees, Deer & Turkey Permits
A year costs $39.50 for residents and $199.50 for nonresidents.
Delaware doesn't sell a separate turkey stamp or tag — the base hunting license alone covers turkey once a hunter (age 13+) has also passed DNREC's free turkey hunting course and registers the bird within 24 hours; the Turkey permits section on this page is intentionally empty because of that, not a data gap. Deer works through a tag system instead: residents buy one $20 Hunters Choice/Quality Buck Tag Combo covering their first deer, while nonresidents choose between a $50 Quality Buck Tag or a $50 Antlered Deer Tag for their first animal — either residency can then add Antlerless Deer Tags at $20 each. The Wildlife Area Deer Stand/Waterfowl Blind Lottery Permit ($20) is left untagged by species below since it covers both deer stands and waterfowl blinds on state Wildlife Areas. Federal Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp is required on top of the state Waterfowl Stamp for anyone 16+ who hunts waterfowl — DNREC's own page notes it explicitly does not exempt hunters 65+ the way the state stamp does, and it's sold at Post Offices rather than by DNREC, so no price is asserted here. Hunters who qualify for an exemption (certain residents/nonresidents) still need a free License Exempt Number (LEN) rather than skipping licensing paperwork entirely.
01 — Base hunting license
| Type | Total | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Hunting License (ages 16-64) | $39.50 | |
| Junior Hunting License, Resident (ages 13-15) | $5 | |
| Resident Guide/Hunting License (ages 16-64) | $159.50 | Required for anyone paid to personally guide hunters. |
| Nonresident Hunting License (age 16+) | $199.50 | |
| Junior Hunting License, Nonresident (ages 13-15) | $50 | |
| Nonresident 3-Day Hunting License, Small Game (age 16+) | $75 | |
| Nonresident Guide/Hunting License (age 16+) | $475 | Required for anyone paid to personally guide hunters. |
02 — Deer permits
| Permit | Total | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hunters Choice/Quality Buck Tag Combo (Resident) | $20 | Covers a resident's first deer of the season. |
| Quality Buck Tag (Nonresident) | $50 | |
| Antlered Deer Tag (Nonresident) | $50 | |
| Additional Antlerless Deer Tag (Resident or Nonresident) | $20 |
03 — Waterfowl & migratory bird permits
| Stamp | Total | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware Waterfowl Stamp | $15 | Ages 16-64 for residents (residents 65+ exempt), age 16+ for nonresidents. A Federal Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp is also required, sold separately at Post Offices. |
Waterfowl hunters 16 and older also need HIP registration and a Federal Duck Stamp. Delaware duck season dates →
04 — Other permits
| Permit | Total |
|---|---|
| Wildlife Area Deer Stand/Waterfowl Blind Lottery Permit | $20 |
| Trapping License (Resident) | $10 |
| Trapping License (Nonresident) | $75 |
05 — Hunter education
Delaware requires a hunter education certificate for most first-time license buyers. Resident and nonresident hunters born after January 1, 1967 must complete a 10-hour hunter safety course before a hunting license can be issued. Turkey hunters also need a separate, free DNREC-approved turkey hunting course regardless of birth year.
Delaware hunter safety course — options, costs and where to register →
06 — Where to buy
Licenses and permits are sold through Digital DNREC, the state's official portal.
Where to hunt public land in Delaware — WMAs by county & access rules →
Delaware's hunting and trapping license year runs July 1 through June 30 (per DNREC).
FAQ
Can I hunt on my own land in Delaware without a license?
Delaware residents who own or live on a farm of 20 or more acres, plus immediate family living there, may hunt, fish, and trap it without a license. Deer tags and other harvest requirements still apply.
How much is a hunting license in Delaware?
A resident annual Delaware hunting license costs $39.50, and the nonresident annual license costs $199.50. Species permits for deer, turkey and waterfowl are charged on top — see the tables above. Prices are set by Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, Division of Fish and Wildlife and were read from their own license document on Aug 13, 2026.
How much is a nonresident hunting license in Delaware?
$199.50 for the annual nonresident license. Species permits come on top of the base license.
How much is a deer permit in Delaware?
Hunters Choice/Quality Buck Tag Combo (Resident) — $20. Quality Buck Tag (Nonresident) — $50. Antlered Deer Tag (Nonresident) — $50. Additional Antlerless Deer Tag (Resident or Nonresident) — $20. A deer permit is charged on top of the base hunting license.
What do I need to get a hunting license in Delaware?
Delaware requires a hunter education certificate for most first-time license buyers. Licenses are sold through Digital DNREC, the state's official portal. Delaware's hunting and trapping license year runs July 1 through June 30 (per DNREC).
Do I need a hunter safety course to buy a Delaware hunting license?
Yes, for most first-time buyers. Resident and nonresident hunters born after January 1, 1967 must complete a 10-hour hunter safety course before a hunting license can be issued. Turkey hunters also need a separate, free DNREC-approved turkey hunting course regardless of birth year.
Verified · Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, Division of Fish and Wildlife · Last verified 2026-08-13
Publisher's note. Prices read from the DNREC license offerings document, retrieved 2026-08-13. Review due 2027-06-01. Fees are set by the state and change without notice — confirm current prices before purchase.