Delaware requires all hunters, resident or non-resident, born after January 1, 1967 to complete an approved hunter education course before buying a hunting license. The course itself isn't required to purchase a license if you were born on or before that date.
A resident hunting license costs $39.50, while a non-resident annual license costs $199.50. Licenses are sold through the Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife at Digital DNREC, by mail, or through an authorized license agent, and Delaware's hunting and trapping license year runs July 1 through June 30 of the following year.
Today, we cover how to get your Delaware hunting license and Hunter Education Certificate, step by step.
What Is a Hunting License in Delaware?
A Delaware hunting license is the base document DNREC requires before you can pursue game in the state. Deer and turkey require additional tags on top of the base license, and waterfowl hunters need a separate state stamp as well.
Your Hunter Education Certificate is a different document entirely. It proves you completed a DNREC-approved safety course, and once you finish the required Field Day, it's yours for good. Your license, by contrast, is only good through June 30 of the license year you bought it in.
Who Needs a Hunting License in Delaware?
Delaware requires a hunting license for residents ages 16 through 64 and non-residents age 16 or older who hunt in the state, with younger hunters and seniors handled through separate rules.
Hunter education works on a separate track from the license itself. Anyone born after January 1, 1967 must complete an approved hunter education course before buying a standard license, unless they fall into one of Delaware's age-based exemptions instead:
Under 13: No hunting license required, but must obtain a free License Exempt Number (LEN) and be accompanied by someone who lawfully holds a hunting license or has the lawful right to hunt.
Age 13 through 15: Complete hunter education, then purchase the reduced-fee Junior Hunting License ($5 resident, $50 non-resident).
Age 16 through 64: Complete hunter education if born after January 1, 1967, then purchase a standard Resident ($39.50) or Non-Resident ($199.50) license.
65 and older (resident): Exempt from the hunting license requirement entirely, though hunter education and any species tags still apply.
Whichever category applies to you, keep proof of your license and, if required, your certification on hand while hunting.
How to Get Your Delaware Hunting License (Step-by-Step)
Getting licensed in Delaware comes down to a few main steps, though the order shifts slightly depending on your age. Here's the full process from start to finish.
Purchase your license through Digital DNREC, by mail, or through an authorized license agent.
Select your license type: resident ($39.50), non-resident ($199.50), or the Junior Hunting License if you're 13 to 15.
Add a deer tag, turkey tag, or waterfowl stamp as needed for the species you're after.
Carry your digital or printed license, plus your Hunter Education Certificate, any time you hunt.
Once you've completed these steps, you're fully licensed and ready for the field. The sections below cover the hunter education course and license purchase in more detail.
Step 1: Complete an Approved Hunter Education Course
Delaware requires a live-fire Field Day no matter which path you choose, so plan for both the coursework and the in-person finish.
Online course plus Field Day: Complete the Hunter-Ed Delaware course ($34.95) at your own pace, then print your Field Day Entrance Voucher and register for the required in-person Field Day, which runs about 5 hours.
In-person classroom course: A free, 10-hour course taught by DNREC volunteer instructors, with the live-fire session built directly into the class.
Either path requires you to be at least 10 years old, and the Field Day Entrance Voucher from the online course is only valid for a limited window, so register for your Field Day promptly after finishing online. Once you pass and receive your Hunter Education Certificate, it never expires.
Step 2: Purchase Your License
Once you have your Hunter Education Certificate, if it applies to you, you can buy your license through Digital DNREC, by mail, or through an authorized license agent.
You'll need a government-issued photo ID, proof of hunter education if required, and payment.
Step 3: Add Tags and Go Hunting
Your base Delaware hunting license doesn't automatically cover deer or turkey. Deer hunters need a Hunter's Choice or Quality Buck tag, and additional antlerless tags are available separately, while waterfowl hunters need the state Waterfowl Stamp on top of the base license.
Once your license and any needed tags are in hand, you're ready to hunt.
Delaware Hunting License Requirements by Age
Here's a high-level overview of the requirements for hunting licenses in Delaware by age.
Delaware Hunting License Requirements (by Age)
Age
Requirement
Supervision/Hunter Education
Under 13
No license required
Must obtain a free License Exempt Number (LEN) and be accompanied by a licensed hunter
Hunter education required if born after January 1, 1967
16 through 64
Resident ($39.50) or Non-Resident ($199.50)
Hunter education required if born after January 1, 1967
65 and older (resident)
No license required
Hunter education and species tags still apply
Privileges and stamps: Deer hunters need a Resident Hunter's Choice/Quality Buck Tag Combo ($20) or a Non-Resident Quality Buck Tag or Antlered Deer Tag ($50 each), with additional antlerless tags available for $20.
Waterfowl hunters age 16 and older need the state Waterfowl Stamp ($15) and the Federal Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp. Anyone hunting a Wildlife Area deer stand or waterfowl blind by lottery needs a separate permit ($20).
Delaware is one of the few states where the online course still ends with a live-fire Field Day, so budget time for both the self-paced portion and the in-person session. The chart below offers a quick overview of both formats.
Delaware Hunter Safety Course Formats Comparison
Format
Provider
Cost
Time
Exam
Online plus Field Day
Hunter-Ed
$39.95
Self-paced online, plus a 5-hour in-person Field Day
Unit quizzes online, then a required Field Day with live shotgun firing at aerial clay target
In-Person Classroom
DNREC volunteer instructors
Free
About 10 hours
Live-fire session and coursework combined into one class
Once you complete either path and pass the Field Day, that Hunter Education Certificate is yours for life with nothing further to renew. Only your Delaware hunting license needs replacing, and that happens every year when the license year resets on July 1.
What to Bring To Buy Your License
Make sure you have the right documentation handy to purchase your Delaware hunting license. You'll need:
A government-issued photo ID
Proof of your Hunter Education Certificate, if you're required to hold one
Payment (card online or in person, or check by mail)
Proof of Delaware residency, if applying for resident rates
Delaware Hunting Laws and Penalties
Hunting-related licensing violations in Delaware are classified as environmental misdemeanors rather than standard criminal charges.
Unlicensed non-residents caught in possession of protected game face a class B environmental misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of $250 to $1,000 and up to 30 days in jail. More serious violations, like illegally taking an antlered deer, are class A environmental misdemeanors carrying fines of $1,000 to $10,000 and up to 60 days in jail.
A first offense involving illegal deer harvest also results in a two-year loss of hunting privileges, with or without a license, and a second offense extends that loss to five years. Fines generally cannot be suspended below the minimum prescribed amount for the violation class.
What About Reciprocity?
Delaware accepts hunter education certificates from any U.S. state, Canadian province, or country that meets International Hunter Education Association (IHEA-USA) standards. States and provinces with their own mandatory hunter education requirements return the favor and accept a Delaware Hunter Education Certificate, so your card travels with you if you hunt elsewhere.
What Out-of-State Visitors Should Know
Non-resident hunters pay $199.50 for an annual license, or $75 for a 3-day small game license if visiting for a shorter trip. Additionally, non-resident deer hunters need a Quality Buck Tag or Antlered Deer Tag at $50 each.
First-time hunters born after January 1, 1967 must still complete hunter education regardless of home state, though a qualifying out-of-state certificate satisfies the requirement.
Start Your Delaware Hunter Safety Course Today, Then Get Your Hunting License
The Hunter-Ed Delaware course is approved by DNREC, self-paced, and available on any device, with a required in-person Field Day to complete certification. Complete the course and get your lifetime Delaware hunter education certificate.
Approved by Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife (DNREC) | Last verified August 12, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How much does a hunting license cost in Delaware?
A: A resident hunting license in Delaware costs $39.50, while a non-resident annual license costs $199.50. Both license types are valid for the license year running July 1 through June 30. Deer hunters also need a separate tag, which runs $20 for the resident Hunter's Choice/Quality Buck combo or $50 for either non-resident deer tag.
Q: Do I need hunter education to hunt in Delaware?
A: Yes, Delaware requires hunter education for anyone, resident or non-resident, born after January 1, 1967 before they can buy a hunting license. Hunters born on or before that date are exempt, and children under 13 can hunt without a license or certification as long as they're accompanied by a licensed adult.
Q: Is a field day required for the online hunter safety course in Delaware?
A: Yes, Delaware's online hunter safety course requires a separate in-person Field Day after the online coursework, typically running about 5 hours. The Field Day includes live shotgun firing at aerial clay targets and is led by DNREC-certified volunteer instructors.
Q: Can a 12-year-old hunt in Delaware without a license?
A: A 12-year-old can hunt in Delaware without a license, since Delaware doesn't require one until age 13. They still need a free License Exempt Number (LEN) and must be accompanied by someone who lawfully holds a hunting license or has the lawful right to hunt.
Q: Does Delaware's hunter education certificate work in other states?
A: Yes, a Delaware Hunter Education Certificate is accepted in any U.S. state, Canadian province, or country with a mandatory hunter education requirement that meets IHEA-USA standards. This reciprocity means Delaware-certified hunters generally don't need to retake a course before hunting elsewhere.
Q: What's the penalty for hunting without a license in Delaware?
A: Unlicensed non-residents caught with protected game in Delaware face a class B environmental misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of $250 to $1,000 and up to 30 days in jail. More serious violations, such as illegally taking an antlered deer, escalate to a class A environmental misdemeanor with fines of $1,000 to $10,000 and a mandatory loss of hunting privileges for two years on a first offense.
