Delaware

Regulatory Agency

Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, Division of Fish and Wildlife

(302)-739-9910

License Details

License Duration

The permit is valid until the date specified on the permit. The permit will become invalid is reporting measures are not followed for the previous year.

How to Apply

  • Applicants must complete the DFW’s approved training course
  • Obtain a grade of at least 80% on the competency exam

Renewal and Reporting

Permitee’s must reapply for the program and retake a knowledge exam. Permits will be renewed when all reporting requirements for the previous year are met

An annual report must be submitted by January 31st of each year. Failure to submit the report will make the permit invalid

  • Reports should be mailed to: Wildlife Section, 6180 Hay Point Landing Rd, Smyrna, DE 19977 or by email attention to joseph.rogerson@state.de.us

Laws and Regulations

  • The permitee or their designee shall be in possession of this permit while engaged in nuisance wildlife control activities and shall show the permit to any member of the DFW or landowner requesting to see such permit.
  • All traps must be checked, and any captured animals or birds removed, no more than 24 hours after they are set. Permittees who rent, lend, or otherwise transfer traps to clients under authority of this permit are responsible for their client’s compliance with this requirement.
  • Traps must be set according to best management practice standards published by the Division and must be set to avoid the taking of household pets and non-target wildlife.
  • Regarding reports, these records shall be updated within 24 hours of the event or job completion and shall be open to inspection by the DFW at any time.
  • Permitee must describe to the client the estimated costs, types of control that will be used to alleviate damage, and obtain the landowner’s or tenant’s permission before initiating control efforts.
  • The carcass of all dead wildlife must be disposed of within 24 hours of their discovery. Above ground disposal of the carcass is not permitted.
  • Wildlife may NOT be kept in possession of the permitee for more than 24 hours. During this time, wildlife taken during control operations shall be released, taken to a wildlife rehabilitator, or euthanized.
  • The use of toxicants for the taking of wildlife is permissible provided the permitee furnish all applicable state and/or federal permits or licenses to the DFW. All toxicant use must follow label instructions as well as methods described within the Delaware WCO Training Manuals.
  • The pelts, meat, and glands from animals taken outside of a regulated season may not be sold.

Laws Regarding Translocation

All coyotes captured must be euthanized and may not be released alive.

Wildlife shall NOT be released within the city limits of any city, State Wildlife Area, State Park property, or National Wildlife Refuge.

Landowner permission is required before any wildlife are released onto a new location.

Wildlife which are relocated must be released in a suitable habitat, preferably within 10 miles of the capture location.

Trap Tags

All traps must be tagged by the permittee’s name and address, or WCO Permit Number in the following manner (Delaware WCO XX).

Hunting and Trapping License

A hunting license is not required to obtain this permit. However, if a firearm will be used as a method of euthanasia then a valid hunting license is required

The Permitee must possess a valid Delaware Trapping License or valid License Exempt Number if the pelts or meat of animals harvested during an open trapping season for that species are to be sold