Delaware General Assembly


CHAPTER 202 - GAME CHANGING DATES OF OPEN SEASON

AN ACT TO AMEND CHAPTER 74 OF THE REVISED CODE OF DELAWARE, 1935, ENTITLED "FISH, OYSTERS AND GAME" BY CHANGING THE DATES OF THE OPEN SEASON IN CERTAIN CASES.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Delaware in General Assembly met:

SECTION 1. That Chapter 74 of the Revised Code of Delaware, 1935, be amended by striking out 2821. Sec. 20 thereof and inserting in lieu thereof a new section 2821. Sec. 20 as follows:

2821. Sec. 20. Open Season for Game; Proviso:--The open season during which it shall be lawful to catch, kill or pursue or attempt to catch, kill or pursue any of the following birds and animals shall, respectively, be as follows:

Cock pheasant, from November 15th to December 31st, next following: Quail (bob-white, partridge), from November 15th to December 31st, next following: Rails, reed birds, woodcock, doves, ducks, geese and other waterfowl, including brant, snipe, coot, Wilson snipe or jacksnipe, gallinules, season to conform in all cases to Federal laws and regulations governing migratory birds; mink, otter and muskrat from December 1st to March 10th, next following, provided that in cases of embanked meadow or marsh in New Castle County the dates shall be from December 1st to March 20th, next following; red fox from October 1st to April 30th next following, (provided, however, it shall be unlawful for any person to shoot or kill a red fox from October 1st to April 30th, this being set apart merely for the privilege of hunting red foxes with dogs); raccoon and opossum from November 1st to January 15th next following; squirrels from September 15th to November 1st next following; hare and rabbit from November 15th to December 31st, next following; frogs from May 1st to December 31st, next following. The above open seasons shall include the days defining them.

It shall be unlawful to kill any raccoon or opossum, or needlessly destroy, break or interfere with any den or lair of any raccoon or opossum, or to set fire to, burn or otherwise mutilate any tree, living or dead, stump or log for the purpose of killing or destroying in any way any raccoon or opossum at any time of the year, between one hour before sunrise and one hour after sunset.

Approved April 24, 1945.