Sunday hunting helps set record Delaware deer harvest

The 2016-17 deer harvest set an all-time record for the state.

It was a very successful year for deer hunters in Delaware. Hunters harvested a record 14,742 deer, topping last season’s total of 14,681. This season is the seventh time in the past 12 years that more than 14,000 deer have been harvested in the state.

While deer harvest have been large in recent years, this year’s record-setting numbers may be the result of Sunday hunting, which was allowed for the first time this season. Hunters took 1,170 deer during the five Sundays in the season.

“Sunday deer hunting provided additional hunting opportunities,” said Division of Fish and Wildlife Director David Saveikis. “Sunday deer hunting occurred throughout the state without any notable conflict.”

The majority of deer were taken in Sussex County with 7,675 deer harvested, Kent County came in second at 4,397, and New Castle County had the least deer harvested at 2,670.

“Many hunters enjoyed success this year as indicated by the total harvest as well as several new records set,” said Wildlife Section Administrator Rob Hossler.

Among those other records, Kent County saw its highest number of deer harvested at 4,397. The total number of bucks harvested in a single season was also a record at 4,729.

“We fully expect hunters to continue to enjoy Delaware’s deer hunting opportunities for years to come,” Hossler said.