Delaware Questions

[Recurve50 LBS]

My son and I are heading to Sussex County Delaware tomorrow morning. Does anyone know of a range to shoot at? Does one need a licence to hunt groundhogs there? I love to practice and improve my stalking skills on some live critters.

[Shooty1]

Woodchucks are enemies of the state:

TITLE 7
Conservation
Game, Wildlife and Dogs
CHAPTER 7. REGULATIONS AND PROHIBITIONS CONCERNING GAME AND FISH
Subchapter VII. Woodchuck or Groundhog

§ 797. Woodchuck or groundhog not protected wildlife.

The animal known as woodchuck or groundhog shall not be a form of protected wildlife in this State.

7 Del. C. 1953, § 811; 52 Del. Laws, c. 68; 70 Del. Laws, c. 275, § 104.;

§ 798. Taking of woodchuck or groundhog.

The woodchuck or groundhog may be hunted, trapped, caught, shot, killed, sold, shipped or otherwise disposed of, by any person and at any time.

7 Del. C. 1953, § 812; 52 Del. Laws, c. 68; 70 Del. Laws, c. 275, § 104.;

Don't you wish all laws were this clear? As for where you could go shoot them, that I can't say. There is a 3d range or two in sussex, though, which might be hosting shoots.

[SELFBOW19953]

Be sure you have landwoner permission before you go stalking.  Call Rob Gano at 302-539-3160, he manages State Wildlife Areas in Sussex County, to see if you'd be allowed to go on State lands.

I don't know of any archery ranges in Sussex, he may know that as well.

Good luck.

[Recurve50 LBS]

Wow! That makes it crystal clear how they feel about groundhogs in Delaware. I would definatly get the land owner's permission before putting a stalk on anything.

I wrote down the phone number listed above. I'll try giving him a call if we strike out looking for a place to shoot.

Thank you for your help guys.

[Surveyor527]

Originally posted by Recurve50 LBS:
My son and I are heading to Sussex County Delaware tomorrow morning. Does anyone know of a range to shoot at? Does one need a licence to hunt groundhogs there? I love to practice and improve my stalking skills on some live critters.

Recurve, the Gander Mountain store in Salisbury has an indoor range. Take Route 13 South out of Delmar, about 3 mi or so. Watch for Popeye's Chicken on your right, Gander is just past it. Turn Right right before Arby's if you miss it.

[Recurve50 LBS]

We've been to that Gander Mtn store but I didn't know there was a range there. Thanks for the info.

[Recurve50 LBS]

Well my son and I had a great time in Delaware this past extended weekend. We did shoot at that club in Seaford. My friends have a friend, Joe who is a club member there and he brought us there for a couple hours of shooting.

Although we didn't go out stalking groundhogs, we did see many whitetails and rabits. I might have to go back there and get a non resident licence and try hunting deer and bunnys.

Thanks everyone that gave us info for our trip.