Contact: Joanna Wilson, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.
DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife announces 2011-2012 hunting license availability, changes in phone and online registration system
DOVER (June 28, 2011) – With 2011-2012 Delaware hunting licenses becoming available on July 1, the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife wants to make hunters and landowners aware of a new toll-free phone number and website address to access the hunter registration system. This phone and internet system is required to register deer and obtain a Harvest Information Program (HIP) Number, a License Exempt Number (LEN) and a Snow Goose Conservation Order Permit Number.
The new toll-free number to access this system is 1-855-335-4868 (1-855-DELHUNT). The new web address is www.dnrec.delaware.gov/delhunt. A customer service number, 302-735-3600, has also been established to help hunters with questions about the system.
“Although the changes are minor, we hope that they will make the system more ‘user-friendly’ for our hunters,” said Rob Hossler, Game Species program manager. The requirements for hunters and trappers are otherwise similar to previous years, he added.
• Hunters and trappers who are exempt from purchasing a license are required to obtain an annual License Exempt Number (LEN) from the Division at no cost. This number, also known as the Hunter Identification Number (HIN), must be obtained annually and used whenever a hunter is asked for a license number, such as for registering a deer. If a license-exempt hunter chooses to purchase a license anyway, then they do not have to obtain a LEN number. The LEN system was created so that game harvest and opinions of license-exempt hunters and trappers could be evaluated and considered when establishing new statutes, regulations and policies.
• Similar to last year, all successful deer hunters must register their deer within 24 hours of harvest. Using this phone and internet system, hunters will be asked a series of questions after which they will be given a Deer Harvest Registration Number. This number will serve as proof the animal was properly checked and should be kept for the hunter’s records and written in ink on the deer tag utilized for the animal harvested. Hunters who take their deer to a butcher shop or taxidermist will need to supply this number to the shop owner as proof the deer was registered.
• As in previous years, for the 2011-2012 season Delaware migratory bird hunters must obtain a HIP number as required under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Harvest Information Program. To get the number using the phone and internet system, hunters will be asked to provide their name and address, and answer a few questions about their previous year’s hunting effort and success with migratory birds, including ducks, geese, doves, woodcock, rails, snipe and coots. This number is available free of charge.
• Hunters interested in participating in the 2012 Snow Goose Conservation Order (CO) must have a valid Delaware or Maryland hunting license, a 2011 Delaware waterfowl stamp (Federal stamp not required), a Delaware HIP number and the free CO permit issued by the Division. This permit can be obtained, after Jan. 1, 2012, by computer registration at www.dnrec.delaware.gov/delhunt. This permit is available free of charge.
For questions about the hunter registration system, visit the website or call the customer service number at 302-735-3600.
Vol. 41, No. 245
