Delaware General Assembly Permits Sunday Hunting for All Game Animals and Simplifies Deer Hunting Handgun Ammunition Rules

Original title: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 7 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO REGULATIONS AND PROHIBITIONS CONCERNING GAME AND FISH.

Last action · June 10, 2026: Signed by GovernorSponsors: Jeff Spiegelman and 9 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

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What This Bill Does

Hunters are now allowed to hunt all game animals and birds with established seasons on Sundays. Private landowners and public agencies gain discretion to permit or restrict Sunday hunting on their properties, and handgun ammunition rules for deer hunting are simplified.

Why it matters

Hunters and landowners gain new scheduling flexibility and modernized equipment choices starting June 10, 2026, while the state's official list of regulated game animals is updated to exclude hares and include skunks and weasels.

Who It Affects

Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Hunters

Hunters gain permission to hunt on Sundays for all game animals with established seasons and can use simplified handgun ammunition and updated hunting implements.

Directly affected

Private landowners

Private landowners receive discretion to determine when and where Sunday hunting is permitted on their property.

Directly affected

Public agencies

Public agencies gain discretion to decide when and where Sunday hunting occurs on public lands under their control.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sunday hunting now allowed for all game animals in Delaware?

Yes, Sunday hunting is permitted for all for which the Department has established hunting seasons.

Can private landowners choose whether to allow Sunday hunting on their property?

Yes, private landowners and public agencies are allowed discretion regarding when and where Sunday hunting is permitted on their lands.

Which animals were added or removed as game animals under this law?

European and snowshoe hares were removed as game animals, while skunks and weasels were added as game animals.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

Current status: Signed into law.

Procedural history

11 actions

Jun 10, 2026Office of the GovernorEnrolled
Signed by Governor
May 7, 2026SenateFloor
Passed By Senate. Votes: 19 YES 2 ABSENT
May 5, 2026SenateCommittee
Reported Out of Committee (Environment, Energy & Transportation) in Senate with 8 On Its Merits
Mar 17, 2026SenateIntroduced
Assigned to Environment, Energy & Transportation Committee in Senate
Mar 17, 2026HouseFloor
Passed By House. Votes: 38 YES 1 NO 2 ABSENT
Mar 17, 2026HouseCommittee
Amendment HA 2 to HB 278 - Passed In House by Voice Vote

Show 5 earlier actions

Mar 17, 2026HouseCommittee
Amendment HA 1 to HB 278 - Passed In House by Voice Vote
Mar 17, 2026HouseCommittee
Amendment HA 2 to HB 278 - Introduced and Placed With Bill
Mar 11, 2026HouseCommittee
Reported Out of Committee (Natural Resources & Energy) in House with 6 Favorable, 5 On Its Merits
Mar 10, 2026HouseCommittee
Amendment HA 1 to HB 278 - Introduced and Placed With Bill
Jan 27, 2026HouseIntroduced
Introduced and Assigned to Natural Resources & Energy Committee in House

Version history

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