7 Del. Admin. Code § 3900-5.0

Current through Reigster Vol. 28, No. 6, December 1, 2024

Section 3900-5.0 - Wild Turkeys

(Penalty Section 7 Del.C. § 103(d))

5.1 Possession of Live Wild Turkeys.

5.1.1 It shall be unlawful for any person, other than authorized representatives of the Division, to possess live wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) in Delaware without the birds being confined at all times.

5.1.2 If wild turkeys kept in captivity escape and cannot be recaptured within 72 hours the Division must be contacted.

5.1.3 It shall be unlawful to collect or possess any live wild turkey or their eggs from the wild.

5.2 Instruction Requirement.

5.2.1 It shall be unlawful for any person 13 years of age or older to hunt wild turkeys in Delaware before passing a Division approved course of instruction in turkey hunting, which includes Division approved internet courses. Persons 13 years of age or older must have proof of course completion in their possession while turkey hunting.

5.2.2 Youth hunters under the age of 13 must be accompanied by an adult 21 years of age or older who has successfully completed a Division approved course of instruction in turkey hunting. The adult must have a valid hunting license or license exempt number (LEN).

5.3 Method of Take.

5.3.1 It shall be unlawful for any person to use any firearm to hunt wild turkeys, except a 10, 12, 16, 20, 28, or .410 gauge shotgun loaded with shot no larger than size 4 or a longbow, compound bow or crossbow with a broadhead arrow, 7/8 inches in minimum width.

5.3.2 It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt wild turkeys on or over a baited field or with dogs.

5.3.3 It shall be unlawful for any person to "drive" wild turkeys.

5.3.4 It shall be unlawful for any person to shoot any wild turkey that is in a roost tree.

5.3.5 It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt wild turkeys if said person is wearing any garment with the external colors white, red, or blue.

5.3.6 It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt wild turkeys and use artificial turkey decoys of either sex that are wholly or partially made from any part of a turkey that was formerly alive.

5.3.7 It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt wild turkeys using an electronic calling device.

5.4 Season, Registration, and Limit.

5.4.1 Turkeys may be hunted in accordance with the statutes and regulations of the State of Delaware governing the hunting of turkeys: from the second Saturday in April through the fourth Saturday succeeding said opening Saturday. It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt wild turkeys on publicly-owned lands without the written authorization of the land-managing agency, except when hunting during the Special Season for Young and Disabled Hunters as described in 5.5 of this section.

5.4.2 It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt wild turkeys, except from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1:00 p.m.

5.4.3 It shall be unlawful for any person to not check a wild turkey at an authorized checking station by 2:30 p.m. on the day of kill or register their turkey within 24 hours of killing said turkey by phone or over the internet through systems authorized by the Division. Turkeys taken to a processor, taxidermist or given to another person must be registered before the animal is transferred. After registering a turkey, hunters will be given a turkey registration number. This number must be recorded in ink on the approved Turkey Harvest Report Card listed in subsection 5.4.5 of this section. It shall be unlawful to knowingly enter incorrect information when registering a turkey.

5.4.4 Retention of Turkey Registration Number. If a harvested turkey is no longer in a hunter's possession, a self-produced or Division issued possession tag shall remain affixed to the turkey bearing either the turkey registration number if the turkey has been registered or the hunter's hunting license or License Exempt Number and the harvest date if the turkey has not been registered. The turkey registration number shall be recorded on the possession tag once it has been registered.

5.4.5 Upon implementation of the phone or internet reporting system as described in subsection 5.4.3, each person who hunts and kills a turkey shall, immediately after the killing and before removing the turkey from the location of the killing, punch/cut the appropriate portion of their approved Turkey Harvest Report Card and record in ink the date of harvest on the Turkey Harvest Report Card. Turkey Harvest Report Cards shall remain in a hunter's possession at all times while hunting turkeys.

5.4.6 It shall be unlawful for any person to take or attempt to take a turkey without a beard. It shall be unlawful for any person to take or attempt to take more than one bearded wild turkey per season.

5.5 Special Season for Young and Disabled Hunters

5.5.1 Turkeys may be hunted on private land and selected public land on the Saturday prior to the opening of the regular spring turkey hunting season by disabled (non-ambulatory) hunters using a wheelchair for mobility, and hunters 10 years of age or older but less than 16 years of age (10-15 years inclusive). Hunters 13-15 years of age must have completed an approved course in hunter training as well as a Division approved turkey hunter safety class and possess a Delaware Resident or Non-Resident Junior Hunting License. Young hunters must be accompanied by a licensed non-hunting adult who is 21 years of age or older who has also completed a Delaware approved turkey hunter safety class. Young hunters must be of sufficient size, physical strength and emotional maturity to safely handle a firearm.

7 Del. Admin. Code § 3900-5.0

3 DE Reg. 289 (08/01/99)
11 DE Reg. 334 (09/01/07)
12 DE Reg. 496 (10/01/08)
15 DE Reg. 1505 (04/01/12)
17 DE Reg. 238 (8/1/2013)
27 DE Reg. 874 (5/1/2024) (Final)