DNREC: Registration Open For Delaware’s Mandatory Wild Turkey Hunting Courses

With Delaware’s annual wild turkey hunting season approaching, DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife Hunter Education Program reminds both resident and non-resident hunters that they must pass a turkey hunting course approved by the Delaware Division of Fish & Wildlife before they can legally hunt turkeys in the First State. Other hunter education requirements also apply for anyone hunting turkeys in Delaware. These requirements have collectively helped Delaware turkey hunters achieve an excellent hunting safety record.

Registration is now open for one-day turkey hunting courses offered by the Division of Fish & Wildlife at the following locations in Kent, Sussex, and New Castle counties, with each class held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.:

• Kent County – Saturday, Jan. 26 at the Little Creek Hunter Education Training Center, 3018 Bayside Drive, Dover, DE 19901
• New Castle County – Saturday, March 9 at the Ommelanden Hunter/Trapper Education Training Center and Range, 1205 River Road, New Castle, DE 19720
• Sussex County – Sunday, March 24 at the Lewes Fire Department, Station #2 at Nassau, 32198 Janice Road, Lewes, DE 19958

Delaware’s turkey hunter education course teaches students age 10 and older turkey hunting safety information, as well as current wild turkey hunting laws and regulations in the state. Students also learn wild turkey biology and behavior, Delaware’s wild turkey history, and turkey calling, which can help improve turkey hunting success.

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to print their Delaware Turkey Hunter Safety Card or have the turkey course certification added to their Delaware Hunter Education Card. Such proof of both hunter education and turkey hunting safety certification must be carried while turkey hunting.

All students planning to attend one of the courses must register in advance. To register for a course, click Hunter Education Online Access and after logging in, click “Sign me up” and select “Mandatory Turkey Ed.” Students may also contact the Hunter Education Office at 302-735-3600, ext. 1.

Delaware’s 2019 wild turkey season will run from Saturday, April 13 through Saturday, May 11, excluding Sundays, with a youth/non-ambulatory disabled turkey hunt on Saturday, April 6. For more information on wild turkey hunting in Delaware, click on 2018-2019 Delaware Hunting and Trapping Guide. The guide is also available in printed form at DNREC’s Dover licensing desk in the Richardson & Robbins Building, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901 and from license agents throughout the state.