Delaware
Record numbers of hunters ready for Delaware’s spring turkey season
Brixi, a young turkey hunter, with her first Delaware gobbler harvested during a recent season /Delaware DNREC photo by Lauryn Downes
Youth Hunt Expanded to Include Ages 15 and Under; DNREC
Again Reminds Hunters to Register All Harvested Turkeys Online
Delaware’s upcoming spring turkey hunting season has been extended by a day thanks to a recent regulatory change, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced today.
The season will run from Saturday, April 11, through Sunday, May 10, as published in the Register of Regulations, offering turkey hunters with selected permits (Segment D) an additional day of hunting. The extra Sunday of turkey hunting for Segment D hunters is noted in the online version of the 2025-26 Delaware Hunting and Trapping Guide but not in print versions of the guide, which were produced before the regulations were amended.
The season will open with a special two-day youth and non-ambulatory hunt Saturday, April 4 and Sunday, April 5. In another regulatory change this year, young people under 16 years old may participate in youth hunts. Youth must be accompanied by an adult 21 years of age or older who has completed a Delaware-approved turkey hunter safety class and who possesses a Delaware hunting license or License Exempt Number (LEN). Accompanying adults may not hunt during the special youth-day hunt.
Regular-season turkey hunters under the age of 13 also must be accompanied by an adult 21 years of age or older who has completed a Delaware-approved turkey hunter safety class and who possesses a Delaware hunting license or a License Exempt Number (LEN).
Non-ambulatory hunters who participate in the special two-day hunt must use a wheelchair for mobility.
A permit is required for anyone who hunts on public lands – the permits can only be used on the public land location and during the turkey season segment for which they have been issued. Sunday hunting for turkeys is allowed on private lands with landowner permission and on state wildlife areas. Hunting on Sunday is not permitted on state forests or the Coastal Delaware National Wildlife Refuge Complex, which includes Bombay Hook NWR and Prime Hook NWR.
Record numbers of turkey hunters are expected to pursue Delaware gobblers this year after an all-time high of 992 turkey hunting applications were submitted for the 2026 spring turkey hunting permit lottery – with 540 permits made available to hunters for the upcoming season. For more information about hunting on state wildlife areas, wild turkey hunting in Delaware or the annual turkey hunting permit lottery, visit the de.gov/hunting webpage.
The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife also reminds hunters who bag a turkey that they must now report their harvest online or by phone rather than at an in-person check station. Hunters can register their turkey after logging into their DigitalDNREC account – or may expedite recording their information by clicking the Quick Hunting Registration link at the Digital DNREC app, or by calling 855-DEL-HUNT (855-335-4868).
Additionally, Delaware turkey hunters are reminded that the Division of Fish and Wildlife is continuing to expand new turkey harvest reporting procedures started in 2025. Hunters are now required to complete their turkey harvest report card prior to moving their bird from the location where it was harvested. Further change requires all first-time turkey hunters in Delaware age 13 or older to successfully complete a DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife-approved turkey education course.
Hunters who have completed the course receive the turkey harvest report card when purchasing their license or obtaining their License Exempt Number. Any hunters who took the turkey education course but did not receive a turkey harvest report card when obtaining a license or LEN should contact the DNREC Hunter Education Office at 302-735-3600 ext. 1. For more information about turkey hunting and the registration procedures, hunters should refer to the online Delaware Hunting and Trapping Guide.
About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities, and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife conserves and manages Delaware’s fish and wildlife and their habitats, and provides fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing and boating access on more than 75,000 acres of public land. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, X or LinkedIn.
Media Contacts: Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov; Alyssa Impressia, alyssa.imprescia@delaware.gov
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Looking for a new furry friend? Over 1,000 pets will be waiting to meet you at Brandywine Valley SPCA’s Mega Adoption Event in Delaware.
The event will take place Saturday, June 20, and Sunday, June 21, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Bob Carpenter Center at the University of Delaware in Newark.
Organizers said dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens from BVSPCA and participating partner organizations will be available throughout the event for $35 in adoption fees.
All pets available at the two-day event will be spayed/neutered, microchipped, and up to date on vaccinations.
The event is supported by Best Friends Animal Society, a national nonprofit organization whose goal is to end the killing of dogs and cats in America’s shelters and make the country no-kill. No-kill is defined by a 90% save rate for animals entering a shelter.
“Our Megas are such inspiring events, providing a lifeline to so many pets who have lost everything. Seeing these dogs and cats chosen by families eager to give them a new life full of love is what it’s all about,” BVSPCA CEO Adam Lamb said in a news release. “As the largest adoption event in the country, our goal with the size and format is to save even more lives by reaching folks who might not otherwise consider coming to a shelter to adopt.”
“We’re proud to support Brandywine Valley SPCA’s Mega Adoption Event and the incredible impact it has on pets and the community,” said Aurora Velazquez, East Regional Director, Best Friends Animal Society. “Events like this bring people together around the shared goal of helping more dogs and cats find loving homes.”
Organizers said a limited number of early-access fast passes will be available for purchase. If you are a fast pass holder, you will receive entry one hour before general admission on Saturday, June 20.
If you are considering adopting a new pet, please bring a leash and collar for dog adoptions, a carrier for cat adoptions, a valid ID, and the adoption fee.
This event will celebrate the BVSPCA’s 22nd Mega Adoption. Over the years, more than 22,000 pets have been adopted into loving homes.
More details and volunteer opportunities are available at megaadopt.com.
Dewey Beach restaurants and bars on gloomy Memorial Day weekend
As they say at The Starboard, “When it rains, we pour.”
No, Taylor Swift was not in Dewey Beach this weekend.
However, there was a little truth to the rumors that pervaded social media.
Travis and Jason Kelce were invited to a wedding in Dewey this weekend, Starboard owner Steve “Monty” Montgomery said.
“The groom played football with them at Cincinnati and is close with those boys,” Montgomery said.
The Starboard is one of Dewey’s most iconic bars and restaurants and has offshoots across town, such as Starboard RAW and Starboard Sauced.
Montgomery said he did close Starboard RAW for the wedding party May 29, but the professional football-playing brothers and Travis Kelce’s ultra-famous fiancée, Taylor Swift, did not end up attending the wedding.
Reach Shannon Marvel McNaught at smcnaught@gannett.com or on Facebook.
MUNCIE, Ind. — Indiana State Police is investigating an officer-involved shooting that took place in Muncie early Sunday morning.
According to ISP, around 12:13 a.m., officers from multiple agencies were called to an event in the area of Bunch Boulevard and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard on reports of a person shot.
A Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputy arrived at the scene and approached on foot. While the deputy was walking, he made an encounter with a vehicle and discharged his sidearm at the vehicle.
The circumstances and reason behind why the deputy fired his weapon remain under investigation.
The gunfire struck the vehicle, but no one was injured during the course of the incident.
The ISP Criminal Investigations Division is investigating the deputy’s use of force. Once the investigation is complete, the findings will be used by the Delaware County Prosecutor’s Office for review.
The investigation remains active and ongoing; no additional information is available at the time of this article’s publication.
This is a developing story; check back for updates.
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