Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Wildlife Management topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee advances discussion on modernizing hunting rules; DNREC says Sunday hunting system already in place
Summary
Sen. Patty John told the committee HB 278 updates game classifications and hunting equipment rules and clarifies Sunday hunting for all game species within seasons; DNREC said Sunday hunting has existed for deer and game birds and expects no rise in participation if smaller game is added.
Senator Patty John told the Senate Energy, Environment and Transportation Committee on May 5 that House Bill 278, with two House amendments, modernizes Delaware's game and fish laws to reflect current wildlife management practices and technology.
"It updates Delaware's game and fish laws to reflect modern wildlife management practices and hunting technology," the sponsor said, listing changes to species classifications, allowable ammunition for deer hunting and a restoration of prior cartridge case-length language in the amendment.
Joe Rogerson, wildlife section administrator with the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s Division of Fish and Wildlife, told the committee the state has allowed Sunday deer hunting for about a decade and expanded Sunday game-bird hunting two years ago. "What this bill would do is it would allow game animals, so rabbits, squirrels, fox," Rogerson said, and he added that DNREC does not expect a significant increase in hunter participation because the primary species hunters pursue are already allowed on Sundays.
Committee members asked about safety and public use of parks. Rogerson said the agency posts maps showing areas open to Sunday hunting, closes areas commonly used by birdwatchers and photographers, and relies on defined boundaries rather than buffer zones to separate hunting from non-hunting areas. He noted standard safety zones around houses and structures (100 yards for firearm hunting, 50 yards for archery; higher limits in parts of New Castle County).
Public commenters supported the bill. Jeff Fagan, president of Darcy Sports Association, said Sunday hunting has existed for deer with no known conflicts and urged committee support. Sydney Grossnickel of the Delaware Farm Bureau said the bill balances landowner flexibility, agriculture needs and conservation goals.
No committee vote was recorded on HB 278 during the session.
The committee will take any further procedural steps at a later date.
