Quail Hunting Season in Delaware: Dates, Limits, and Rules for Pen-Raised Birds
October 29, 2026
Quail hunting season in Delaware looks different from what most upland hunters expect. Wild bobwhite quail are closed to hunting statewide, so the only legal quail hunting comes from pen-raised birds released for the purpose.
That detail trips up plenty of hunters who see a season date in an old guide and head afield. This article covers the 2026-27 dates, the species rules, bag and possession limits, permits, legal methods, shooting hours, Sunday rules, and where you can actually hunt.
Important Note: Delaware rules change every year, and the print and online versions of the state guide have disagreed before. In 2023, DNREC corrected a misprinted small game opening date that appeared in the printed guide. Always confirm dates against the current Delaware Hunting and Trapping Guide before you go.
Quail Hunting Season Dates in Delaware
For 2026-27, the pen-raised bobwhite quail season runs from Nov. 23, 2026 through Feb. 28, 2027, according to Delaware’s small game regulations (last updated June 25, 2026). Those same regulations state that the season is closed for wild quail.
The dates follow a formula written into state code. Under 7 Del. Admin. Code § 3900-4.0, pen-raised and released bobwhite may be hunted from the Monday before Thanksgiving through the second Saturday of February. The published 2026-27 calendar runs a bit longer than that formula suggests, so treat the current guide as the final word.
Third-party sites also disagree on the end date. One aggregator lists a Nov. 23, 2026 to Jan. 2, 2027 window, while the state regulations and another 2026-27 summary list a Feb. 28 close. When sources conflict, go with the DNREC guide.
| Season | Dates | Who Can Hunt |
|---|---|---|
| Pen-Raised Bobwhite (General) | Nov. 23, 2026 to Feb. 28, 2027 | Licensed hunters with required permit |
| Wild Bobwhite | Closed | No one |
| Private Shooting Preserves | Oct. 15 to Mar. 31 | Licensed hunters at approved preserves |
The wild quail closure is not new. Hunters in earlier years had a short wild season, such as the Nov. 20, 2023 to Jan. 6, 2024 window DNREC announced. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service notes that Delaware closed all hunting of wild bobwhite for the 2025/26 season.
State code also says the Division will reassess the statewide wild quail closure every three years. That means a reopening is possible someday, but nothing in the 2026-27 materials points to one.
Quail Species You Can Hunt in Delaware
The only quail you can legally hunt in Delaware is the bobwhite (Colinus virginianus), and only if it is a pen-raised bird that has been released. Wild bobwhites still live in Delaware’s grasslands, hedgerows, and field edges, but they are off-limits.
That distinction matters in the field. The regulations say it is unlawful to hunt wild quail, and that quail may not be hunted without a permit from the Division. A bird flushing from a weedy field border is not automatically fair game, even during the open season.
If you want other upland birds on the same trip, Delaware’s small game list also includes ring-necked pheasant, which opens alongside quail in most years. Our guides to dove hunting season in Delaware and turkey hunting season in Delaware cover the other bird seasons you can pair with a quail outing.
Quail Bag and Possession Limits in Delaware
There is no daily bag limit on pen-raised bobwhite quail in Delaware. Both the state small game regulations and the 2026-27 season summaries list the limit as “no limit.”
Older web sources sometimes show a limit of 6 birds a day. That figure comes from a guide that is more than three years old and does not reflect the pen-raised-only system, so do not rely on it.
The possession rules still apply. The small game regulations say no person may have more than two times the daily bag limit at one time where a limit exists. Birds you have processed and stored at your permanent residence do not count against your possession limit.
- Daily bag limit: no limit on pen-raised bobwhite
- Wild quail: none may be taken
- Birds processed and stored at home: not counted toward possession
No limit does not mean no responsibility. Keep your birds identifiable and your permit paperwork handy, since wildlife officers can ask to see both.
Licenses and Permits Required to Hunt Quail in Delaware
You need a valid Delaware hunting license, plus the quail-specific permit the Division requires. State code says it is unlawful to harvest wild quail without a permit and that permits may go to landowners with at least 40 acres of suitable quail habitat. For pen-raised birds, the small game regulations still require a Division permit before you hunt quail.
As of the 2026-27 season, StateOutdoors.org lists a resident adult license (ages 16-64) at $39.50 and a nonresident adult license at $199.50. The license year runs July 1 to June 30. Fees can change, so check DNREC before you buy.
| Hunter Type | License Requirement |
|---|---|
| Resident adult (16-64) | Annual hunting license, listed at $39.50 |
| Nonresident adult (16+) | Annual hunting license, listed at $199.50 |
| Resident age 65+ | Exempt from the standard license, but needs a free License Exempt Number (LEN) |
| Under 13 | No regular license, but needs a LEN and qualifying supervision |
Landowners are not exempt just because the birds are on their own ground. According to Hunting Locator’s 2026-27 guide, Delaware requires a valid license regardless of land ownership unless you qualify for a specific exemption.
Pro Tip: License and permit details are handled through DNREC. The state points hunters to de.gov/huntinglicense for license, stamp, and Conservation Access Pass information, so start there before opening day.
Youth rules also shifted for 2026-27. DNREC reports that the minimum age for special youth hunts is going away, and that 16- and 17-year-olds can hunt without direct supervision if they have parental permission and have completed basic hunter education, per the 2026-27 season announcement.
Legal Weapons and Methods for Quail Hunting in Delaware
Shotguns are the standard tool for quail, and a trained dog does a lot of the work. Delaware’s small game rules allow bows and firearms for small game generally, according to Sportsman’s Warehouse’s state summary, but a shotgun is by far the practical choice for flushing bobwhites.
For gauge and load, a lightweight 20- or 12-gauge with #7.5 or #8 shot is a common recommendation for quail and dove. On refuges, the rules get tighter. At Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge, shotgun shot is the only permitted method of take, and non-toxic shot is required there.
Hunter Orange During Deer Seasons
Pen-raised quail season overlaps Delaware’s firearm deer seasons. State code says hunter orange must be displayed during a deer firearms season, so pack an orange hat and vest even on a quail-only hunt.
Dogs and Walking Techniques
Quail hold tight and flush at close range, so a pointing or flushing dog makes a real difference. Without one, walk slowly through hedgerows and field borders and expect birds to burst up from a few feet away.
Shooting Hours and Sunday Hunting Rules for Quail in Delaware
Upland game hours run from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset, per the state small game regulations. The exceptions are raccoons, opossums, and frogs, which are not relevant to quail.
Sunday hunting is now broadly legal. DNREC announced that for the 2026-27 season, Sunday hunting opens for all game species. The small game table that lists quail is labeled as including Sundays.
Earlier seasons already allowed Sunday quail hunts. Huntwise’s 2025-26 guide listed the bobwhite season with Sunday hunts allowed, so weekend hunters have had this option for a while.
Important Note: Sunday access is not identical everywhere. Private land with landowner permission is generally open during established dates, while public-land Sunday access depends on each tract’s rules. Sunday hunting is also prohibited in Delaware State Parks, per Sportsman’s Warehouse’s summary.
Check the tract-level rules for any wildlife area before you plan a Sunday trip. If you are also chasing deer on the same property, our deer hunting season in Delaware guide explains how those seasons overlap with small game.
Quail Hunting on Public Land and Hunting Preserves in Delaware
Most Delaware land is privately owned, so you will need landowner permission for private ground. Public options exist through DNREC wildlife areas and national wildlife refuges. Huntwise describes nineteen public wildlife areas covering about 68,000 acres of flat terrain, coastal marsh, and hardwood forest.
Because wild quail are closed, public land is only useful for quail if pen-raised releases are part of the program at that site and you hold the needed permit. Confirm this with DNREC before you drive out, since a wildlife area open for other small game may not offer quail at all.
Refuges add their own rules. Bombay Hook and Prime Hook open specific tracts to small game, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service refuge page says to check brochures for season dates and closures.
Private Shooting Preserves
Preserves are the most reliable way to hunt quail in Delaware. The season on private shooting preserves runs Oct. 15 through Mar. 31, which starts about five weeks before the general pen-raised season and ends a month after it.
Preserves release birds on managed ground, so you get a true upland experience with dogs and flushes. Call ahead for pricing, bird counts, and guide options, since those vary by operation.
| Option | Season | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Private Shooting Preserve | Oct. 15 to Mar. 31 | Longest window and managed bird releases |
| Private Land With Permission | Nov. 23, 2026 to Feb. 28, 2027 | Hunters with a landowner contact and permit |
| DNREC Wildlife Areas | Varies by area | Hunters who confirm quail availability first |
If you want to expand your Delaware calendar beyond quail, tick activity is worth knowing about when you walk grassy cover. Our tick season in Delaware guide explains when to expect them, and our look at deer hunting season in New Jersey helps if you hunt across the Delaware River.
Delaware quail hunting comes down to three facts: wild birds are closed, pen-raised bobwhites run Nov. 23 to Feb. 28 with no bag limit, and preserves give you the widest window. Get your license and quail permit squared away early, wear hunter orange during deer seasons, and verify every date in the current state guide before opening day.