Delaware Hunters Set Records For Deer And Turkey Harvests

This year’s deer and turkey hunting season yielded record harvests.(Photo by MELISSA STEELE)

Delaware hunters achieved a historic milestone during the 2024-25 hunting season, setting new state records for both wild turkey and white-tailed deer harvests, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) announced Tuesday.

This marks the first time in state history that record harvests for both species have been recorded in the same season — a reflection, officials say, of both strong wildlife populations and the popularity of hunting throughout the state.

During the spring wild turkey season, which ran from April 12 to May 10, hunters harvested 800 birds, breaking the previous record of 723 set in 2024.

That’s an 11% increase and a significant milestone for a species that only saw its first regulated hunting season in Delaware in 1991, following a restoration effort.

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“Delaware’s turkey hunters continue to play a vital role in wildlife conservation,” said Joe Rogerson, DNREC Wildlife Section administrator. “This season’s record numbers reflect not only favorable habitat conditions but also the commitment of hunters and landowners to sustainable game management.”

Sussex County led the state’s turkey harvest with 369 birds, followed by Kent County with 338 and New Castle County with 93.

Most turkeys — 630 — were taken on private land, but hunters also set a record on public land, bagging 170 birds.

Meanwhile, the state’s white-tailed deer season, which ran from Sept. 1 through Feb. 2, saw hunters harvest 18,823 deer — shattering the previous record of 17,265 set during the 2020-21 season.

The new record represents a 29.4% jump from the 2023-24 season, when 14,451 deer were harvested — the lowest total in recent years.

“The historic deer harvest also highlights continued success in wildlife conservation and management efforts across the state,” Rogerson said. “Indicative of both the resilience of Delaware’s deer population and the dedication of our hunters at pursuing our state’s big game animal, it also highlights the success of ongoing management strategies aimed at maintaining a healthy and balanced deer herd in Delaware.”

Sussex County again led the deer harvest with 9,628 deer. Kent and New Castle counties followed with 6,140 and 3,055, respectively.

The top-producing wildlife management zone was Zone 7 in southwestern Kent County, where hunters harvested 1,609 deer.

Among the season’s highlights was the harvest of a doe estimated to be 14.5 years old — likely one of the oldest deer ever recorded in the state.

The DNREC cited ongoing programs, including its deer damage assistance partnership with the Delaware Department of Agriculture, as instrumental in balancing herd management with agricultural needs.

The department also credited extended seasons and increased public land access for expanding hunting opportunities.