Muzzleloading hunters in Delaware have a short time to prepare for their early muzzleloader season. Delaware describes their muzzleloader rules as follows:

Muzzleloader: no smaller than .42 caliber with a barrel length of at least 20 inches. Source

Muzzleloaders must be loaded from the muzzle using any manufacturer’s approved propellant and they may be equipped with a scope. Source

The Delaware muzzleloader deer season runs from Oct. 7 through 16, including Sundays (½- hour before sunrise to ½-hour after sunset).

Deer hunting is reportedly allowed on all Sundays through Jan. 31, 2023, using only those hunting methods legal for the respective established deer hunting seasons, with additional information available at de.gov/sundayhunt.

Hunters in Delaware can also take advantage of the later muzzleloader season, running from Jan. 23 - 29.

More information can be found at the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control website.