3900 Wildlife
(Penalty Section 7 Del.C. §103(d))
15.1 Commercial Collection.
15.1.1 Unless otherwise provided by law or regulation of the Department, it shall be unlawful for any person to collect, possess, import, cause to be imported, export, cause to be exported, buy, sell or offer for sale any native wildlife species or any part thereof for commercial purposes without a permit from the Director. The permit shall limit the terms and conditions for collecting or possessing said wildlife within the State.
15.1.2 Notwithstanding subsection 15.1.1 of this section, native wildlife species may be possessed, imported, sold or offered for sale for commercial purposes without a permit from the Director if there is written documentation to confirm that said wildlife was legally taken in and transported from another state.
15.2 Collection and Possession of Reptiles and Amphibians.
15.2.1 Unless otherwise provided by law or regulation of the Department, it shall be unlawful for any person to remove from the wild or possess any native reptile or amphibian species, their eggs or parts without a permit from the Director.
15.2.2 Notwithstanding subsection 15.1.1 of this section, one individual of each of the following species or subspecies of reptiles and amphibians, may be collected and possessed without a permit.
Reptiles
Lizard, Northern Fence (Sceloporus
undulatus hyacinthinus)
Racer, Northern Black (Coluber constrictor
constrictor)
Skink, Five-lined (Eumeces fasciatus)
Snake, Black Rat (Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta)
Snake, Eastern Garter
(Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis)
Snake, Eastern Hognose (Heterodon
platirhinos)
Snake, Eastern Worm (Carphophis
amoenus amoenus)
Snake, Northern Water (Nerodia sipedon
sipedon)
Snake, Ringneck (Diadophis punctatus)
Terrapin, Diamondback (Malaclemys
terrapin)
Turtle, Common Musk (Sternotherus
odoratus)
Turtle, Eastern Box (Terrapene carolina
carolina)
Turtle, Eastern Mud (Kinosternon subrubrum
subrubrum)
Turtle, Painted (Chrysemys picta)
Turtle, Redbelly (Pseudemys rubriventris)
Turtle, Snapping (Chelydra serpentina)
Amphibians
Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana)
Frog, Green (Rana clamitans melanota)
Frog, New Jersey Chorus (Pseudacris
triseriata kalmi)
Frog, Northern Cricket (Acris crepitans
crepitans)
Frog, Pickerel (Rana palustris)
Frog, Southern Leopard (Rana utricularia)
Frog, Wood (Rana sylvatica)
Newt, Red-spotted (Notophthalmus
viridescens viridescens)
Peeper, Northern Spring (Pseudacris
crucifer crucifer)
Salamander, Northern Dusky
(Desmognathus fuscus fuscus)
Salamander, Northern Two-lined (Eurycea
bislineata)
Salamander, Redback (Plethodon cinereus)
Spadefoot, Eastern (Scaphiopus holbrookii
holbrookii)
Toad, American (Bufo americanus)
Treefrog, Gray (Hyla versicolor and Hyla
chrysoscelis)
15.2.3 It shall be unlawful to remove any reptile or amphibian from the wild and later release said reptile or amphibian back to the wild if it has been held in captivity for more than thirty (30) days.
15.2.4 Notwithstanding subsection 15.1.1 of this section, native reptiles and amphibians taken from the wild and lawfully possessed prior to August 15, 1999, may continue to be held in captivity, provided that written notification of the numbers and species being held is given to the Division prior to December 15, 1999.
15.3 Captive Breeding.
15.3.1 It shall be unlawful for any person to breed in captivity any native wildlife species without a permit from the Director. Said permit shall limit the terms and conditions for captive breeding of said wildlife.
15.3.2 It shall be unlawful for any person to release captive-bred species into the wild. A signed bill of sale shall accompany any captive-bred species that are sold.
15.3.3 This section shall not apply to accredited zoos or to raptors regulated by federal and State falconry or raptor propagation regulations.
15.4 Sale or Possession of CITES Listed Species.
It shall be unlawful for any person to sell or possess bear gall bladder, or other viscera from any species of bear, or any part of other species listed as prohibited by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). The possession of any part of a bear must be in conformance with CITES.
3 DE Reg. 289 (8/1/99)
3 DE Reg. 1738 (6/1/00)
6 DE Reg. 536 (10/1/02)
15 DE Reg. 1505 (04/01/12)
(Penalty Section 7 Del.C. §103(d))
16.1 Importation, Transportation and Possession.
16.1.1 Pursuant to §601 of Title 7, the importation, transportation, possession or sale of any endangered species of fish or wildlife, or hides or other parts thereof, or the sale or possession with intent to sell any article made in whole or in part from the skin, hide or other parts of endangered species of fish or wildlife is prohibited, except under license or permit from the Division.
16.2 Designation of Species by Division.
16.2.1 Pursuant to §601 of Title 7, the Division may designate species of fish and wildlife that are seriously threatened with extinction as endangered species. The Division will review the state list of endangered species and add species suggested by the public that have sufficient documentation for listing.
16.2.2 For the purposes of this section, the phrase “seriously threatened with extinction” shall mean that the species satisfies one or more of the following criteria:
16.2.2.1 Appears on the federal list of endangered species;
16.2.2.2 Ranked as “globally rare” (G1, G2, or G3), which means 100 or fewer populations worldwide; or
16.2.2.3 Is rare within the mid-Atlantic coastal plain.
16.2.3 Based upon the criteria prescribed by subsection 16.2.2 of this section, the following species are declared endangered in this State and are afforded the protection provided by § 601 of Title 7:
Amphibians
Salamander, Eastern Tiger (Ambystoma tigrinumtigrinum)
Treefrog, Barking (Hyla gratiosa)
Birds
Creeper, Brown BR (Certhia americana)
Eagle, Bald (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
Grebe, Pied-billedBR (Podilymbus podiceps)
Harrier, NorthernBR (Circus cyaneus)
Hawk, Cooper’sBR (Accipiter cooperii)
Heron, Black-Crowned Night- (Nycticorax nycticorax)
Heron, Yellow-Crowned Night- (Nyctanassa violacea)
Parula, NorthernBR (Parula americana)
Plover, Piping (Charadrius melodus)
Owl, Short-earedBR (Asio flammeus)
Oystercatcher, American (Haematopus palliatus)
Rail, Black (Laterallus jamaicensis)
Sandpiper, Upland (Bartramia longicauda)
Shrike, Loggerhead (Lanius ludovicianus)
Skimmer, Black (Rynchops niger)
Sparrow, Henslow's (Ammodramus henslowii)
Tern, CommonBR (Sterna hirundo)
Tern, Forster’sBR (Sterna forsteri)
Tern, Least (Sterna antillarum)
Warbler, Cerulean (Dendroica cerulea)
Warbler, Hooded BR (Wilsonia citrina)
Warbler, Swainson’s (Limnothlypis swainsonii)
Woodpecker, Red-headed (Melanerpes erythrocephalus)
Wren, Sedge (Cistothorus platensis)
BR Breeding population only
Fish
Sturgeon, Atlantic (Acipenser oxyrhynchus)
Insects
Beetle, Little White Tiger (Cicindela lepida)
Beetle, White Tiger (Cicindela dorsalis)
Beetle, Seth Forest Scavenger (Hydrochus sp.)
Elfin, Frosted (Incisalia irus)
Firefly, Bethany (Photuris bethaniensis)
Hairstreak, Hessel’s (Mitoura hesseli)
Hairstreak, King’s (Satyrium kingi)
Skipper, Rare (Problema bulenta)
Wing, Mulberry (Poanes massasoit chermocki)
Mammals
Squirrel, Delmarva Fox (Sciurus niger cinereus)
Mollusks
Lampmussel, Yellow (Lampsilis cariosa)
Lampmussel, Eastern (Lampsilis radiata)
Wedgemussel, Dwarf (Alasmidonta heterodon)
Pondmussel, Eastern (Ligumia nasuta)
Floater, Brook (Alasmidonta varicosa)
Mucket, Tidewater (Leptodea ochracea)
Reptiles
Sea Turtle, Leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea)
Sea Turtle, Atlantic Ridley (Lepidochelys kempii)
Sea Turtle, Green (Chelonia mydas)
Sea Turtle, Loggerhead (Caretta caretta)
Turtle, Bog (Clemmys muhlenbergii)
Snake, Corn (Elaphe guttata guttata)
16.3 Federally Listed Species.
16.3.1 Pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 USC §§ 1531-1543), as amended, the Secretary of the Interior must publish in the Federal Register a list of all fish and wildlife species determined by him or her or the Secretary of Commerce to be endangered species. The federal list of endangered species is hereby adopted and all species listed thereon are hereby declared to be endangered species in the State as prescribed in §601 of Title 7.
16.3.2 It shall be unlawful for any person to collect, possess or sell any species of fish or wildlife listed as endangered or threatened pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, without the appropriate federal permits.
3 DE Reg. 1738 (6/1/00)
6 DE Reg. 536 (10/01/02)
(Penalty Section 7 Del.C. §103(d))
17.1 List of Species
The following species or groups of species shall be considered Species of Special Concern for the purpose of qualifying for federal funds for wildlife restoration: Endangered species as designated by state or federal regulations; species designated by WR-16, Section 2, colonial nesting birds; shorebirds; wading birds; neotropical migrant birds; beach nesting birds; bald and golden eagles; peregrine falcons; other raptors, grassland nesting birds; birds of early successional habitat; bobwhite quail; wild turkey; freshwater mussels; bats; nutria; and overly abundant species such as deer, beavers, southern nesting Canada geese, and red fox.
6 DE Reg. 536 (10/1/02)
Penalty Section 7 Del.C. §103(d))
18.1 Retrieval and Possession of Game Animals. A person wounding or killing a game animal shall make a reasonable effort to retrieve the wounded or dead game animal. The retrieved game animal shall be retained in the individual's possession until any of the following occurs:
18.1.1 The game animal is processed for consumption, consumed or utilized for its fur value.
18.1.2 The game animal is transported to the individual's residence, to a taxidermist, or to a place of commercial processing.
18.1.3 The game animal is utilized for scientific, educational or research purposes.
18.2 Any use of a game animal as not described in items 18.1.1 - 18.1.3 above will be deemed wanton waste.
11 DE Reg. 334 (09/01/07)
(Penalty Section 7 Del.C. §103(d))
20.1 Permit for releasing game birds
20.1.1 All persons possessing or releasing 25 or fewer domestically raised quail, chukar partridge, Hungarian partridge and pheasants into the wild must obtain a permit from the Division. This permit is free.
20.2 Banding Released Game Birds.
20.2.1 All domestically raised quail, chukar partridge, Hungarian partridge and pheasants must be leg banded with a Division approved band before being released into the wild. Person herein must report the number of birds banded, the type of bird released (quail, chukar partridge, Hungarian partridge or pheasant) and the release date and location.
12 DE Reg. 496 (10/01/08)
(Penalty Section 7 Del.C. §103(d))
21.1 Persons required to obtain a Delaware Guide License
21.1.1 All individuals receiving monetary or in-kind compensation for providing personal guide services to hunters are required to have a Delaware Guide License.
21.2 Age Requirement
21.2.1 Persons acquiring a guide license, must be 18 years of age or older
21.3 Fish and Wildlife Violations
21.3.1 Persons acquiring a guide license must not have been convicted for violations of any wildlife or fisheries statutes or regulations within the last three years prior to applying for a Delaware Guide License.
21.4 Reporting
21.4.1 All persons possessing a Delaware Guide License are required to complete and submit an annual report to the Division within seven days after the close of the season to include the following information which must be readily available for inspection by enforcement officers: full name of each hunter, address of each hunter in the party, hunting license number for each hunter, date, number and species of each animal harvested, location of hunts and the name and license number of the guide.
21.5 Record Retention
21.5.1 The guide shall retain all hunting field records for a period of three years.
21.6 General Hunting License
21.6.1 A resident or non resident hunting license is not required for persons holding a valid Delaware Guide License.
12 DE Reg. 496 (10/01/08)
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