Effective October 30, 2009, the Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife changed their guidelines for distance learning. Students are now required to spend a minimum amount of time on each course page before proceeding to the certification exam.

Click here to go to the latest version of the Today's Hunter in Delaware online course—the official hunter education course of the Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife.

Go to the new Delaware course

The following course material is for reference only. Please go to the new course to complete your Delaware certification.

Carrying Capacity

The resources in any given habitat can support only a certain quantity of wildlife. As seasons change, food, water, or cover may be in short supply. Carrying capacity is the number of animals the habitat can support all year long. The carrying capacity of a certain tract of land can vary from year to year. It can be changed by nature or humans.

carrying capacity graphic

carrying capacity: The number of animals the habitat can support throughout the year without damage to the animals or to the habitat

Factors that limit the potential production of wildlife include:

Accidents
Disease/parasites
Hunting
Old age
Pollution
Predators
Starvation

If the conditions are favorable, wildlife populations produce a surplus, which can be harvested on an annual, sustained basis.

Animal populations graphic

Delaware Division of
Fish & Wildlife

Course Overview

Course Chapters

Wildlife Guide

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Delaware Hunting
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Official hunting safety course for Delaware hunters last modified: November 9, 2009
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