The Division of Fish and Wildlife reminds hunters and all other outdoor enthusiasts that this year’s November shotgun deer season will be Friday, Nov. 14 through Saturday, Nov. 22.

Of all the deer seasons Delaware has, the shotgun season draws the most interest from hunters.  “It’s remarkable to believe that of Delaware’s five-month deer season, nearly 50 percent of the overall annual deer harvest will occur during these eight days in mid-November,” said Game Mammal Biologist Joe Rogerson. “This year we anticipate the total deer season harvest will be approximately 13,500 deer, with nearly 6,000 of them harvested during the November shotgun deer season.” 

Hunters who are fortunate enough to harvest a deer and already have enough venison are encouraged to donate their deer to the Delaware Sportsmen Against Hunger Program. All donated deer will be processed free of charge to the hunter, and the meat will be distributed to participating charitable groups. The Division maintains five walk-in coolers where hunters may donate field-dressed, tagged deer at the following locations:

• New Castle County
              Augustine Wildlife Area
• Kent County
             Woodland Beach Wildlife Area
• Sussex County
              Redden State Forest
              Assawoman Wildlife Area
              Trap Pond State Park

Successful hunters may also take their deer to any of the participating private butcher shops found throughout the state.

COOPERATING BUTCHER SHOPS
New Castle County

Bill’s Deer Butchering                         Marks Butcher Shop
1210 Dutch Neck Road                         7296 Grantham Lane (River Road Ind. Park)
Middletown DE  19709                          New Castle, DE  19720
302-836-3299                                          302-229-0897

Townsend Deer Butchering
1300 Dexter Corner Road
Townsend, DE 19734
302-378-3268

Kent County

Custom Butcher Shop                                  D&J Custom Cutting
577 Morgans Choice Road                           89 Meyers Drive
Wyoming, DE  19934                                      Hartley, DE  19953
302-697-8278                                                  302-492-0323

Sussex County

Double “K” Deer Cutters                               Johnson’s Custom Cutting
2841 Windsong Lane                                       21404 Burton Road
Georgetown, DE  19947                                  Milton, DE  19968
302-249-0240                                                     302-684-1790

Mark’s Deer Cutting
24910 Hollyville Road
Millsboro, DE  19966
302-933-0307

New this year, hunters may use a handgun in lieu of a shotgun during any deer season in which a shotgun may be used.

For more information on deer hunting in Delaware, please visit http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/fw/Hunting/Pages/DeerInfo.aspx.