Hunters, trappers reminded to buy a 2014-2015 license
Dover, DE -(Ammoland.com)- The 2014-2015 Delaware Hunting and Trapping Guide is available online and in print, the Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife announced today.
This year’s cover features the winning photograph in the Division’s 2013 Hunting Photography Contest, “Patiently Waiting” by Jason Gary of Hartly. The guide is available now at participating license agents throughout the state, at the Division of Fish and Wildlife’s licensing desk in the Richardson and Robbins Building at 89 Kings Highway in Dover, and online at 2014-2015 Hunting and Trapping Guide.
Features include details on the newly-established coyote hunting and trapping seasons; changes to trapping regulations and deer tagging information; a summary of the 2013-2014 deer harvest; a request for volunteers to participate in the Division of Fish and Wildlife’s annual turkey brood survey; and a new youth hunting section to help parents and young hunters prepare for the upcoming hunting season.
Hunters and trappers are encouraged to review the guide before heading afield this fall. Season dates for the 2014-2015 hunting and trapping seasons are provided, as well as a summary of Delaware laws and regulations pertaining to legal harvest of game species. Readers can also find information on licensing/permit requirements, hunting opportunities on public lands, and hunting and trapping classes offered by the Division of Fish and Wildlife’s Hunter Education Program. Migratory game bird seasons have recently been finalized and are now posted online at 2014-15 Migratory Game Bird Seasons. A printed season summary will be available soon where licenses are sold.
Licenses and waterfowl stamps for the 2014-2015 hunting and trapping seasons went on sale July 1.
“Licenses may be purchased from more than 85 authorized license agents throughout the state, at the licensing office in DNREC’s Richardson & Robbins Building, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, or by visiting us online at Delaware Licenses,” said Candace Dunning, Recreational License Program coordinator with the Division of Fish and Wildlife.
Delaware residents age 16 or older and under the age of 65 and non-residents age 16 or older must purchase a hunting license to hunt in Delaware. A junior hunting license is required for youths age 13 through 15. Hunters age 16 and older who are not license-exempt must purchase a state waterfowl stamp to hunt ducks or geese, and all waterfowl hunters age 16 and older must purchase a federal duck stamp.
Hunters and trappers who are exempt from purchasing a license must obtain an annual, free License Exempt Number (LEN). Hunters who plan to pursue migratory gamebirds such as ducks, geese and doves, must register for an annual, free Harvest Information Program (HIP) number. LEN and HIP numbers can be obtained through the Division of Fish and Wildlife’s Hunter and Trapper Registration System (HTR), which can also be used to register a deer harvest. This free, easy-to-use system is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and offers a choice between using the mobile-friendly website or a phone system.
But before you start dialing, please note that for the 2014-2015 season, the Division of the Fish and Wildlife has partnered with Cabela’s to enter hunters and trappers who use the HTR system via the website into a drawing for one of 20 donated $50 gift cards. Using the website instead of the live customer service phone number to access the HTR system is a cost-savings measure that helps the Division direct more funding to on-the-ground habitat conservation and management, and to public hunting areas.
“We are really pleased to have Cabela’s work with us to entice hunters and trappers to give the HTR website a try,” said Wildlife Section Administrator Rob Hossler, Division of Fish and Wildlife. “We want to continue to offer these services for free, and if we can find ways to stretch our conservation dollars and also give some lucky folks the chance to win a donated Cabela’s gift card, that is a win-win for everyone.”
To use the new HTR system, please visit online. Gift card drawings will be conducted periodically during the hunting season, but only hunters and trappers who use the website to obtain their HIP and LEN permits, or to register their deer will be eligible. If you prefer to talk to a live customer service representative, please call 855-DELHUNT (855-335-4868), but note that you will not be eligible for the Cabela’s gift card drawing.
Hunters who enjoy hunting on state wildlife areas should note that a $20 State Wildlife Area Deer Stand/Waterfowl Blind Lottery Permit is required for any hunter using a state deer stand and or waterfowl blind acquired through a daily lottery.
“This permit will be linked to your hunting license or LEN number at the time of purchase. So if you purchase your permit at a later date, please remember to bring your hunting license or LEN number with you,” Dunning said.
For those marking their calendars for next year’s hunting, note that the printed version of the guide contains an error on page 13, in the 2014-2015 Scheduled Youth Hunts box: the April 4, 2015 Youth/Non-Ambulatory Disabled hunt date is a turkey hunt (and not a deer hunt as incorrectly stated in the printed guide).
About the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC)
The mission at DNREC is to protect and manage the state’s vital natural resources, protect public health and safety, provide quality outdoor recreation and to serve and educate the citizens of the First State about the wise use, conservation and enhancement of Delaware’s Environment.