Reminder for the week: Anglers need fishing license, trout stamp, FIN number for trout season

DOVER – To achieve public compliance through education and enforcement actions that help conserve Delaware’s fish and wildlife resources and ensure safe boating and public safety, DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers between Feb. 8-14 made 1,172 contacts with anglers, boaters, hunters and the general public, including four vessel boardings for boating safety and fishing regulation compliance checks. Officers responded to 18 complaints and issued 110 citations, 27 of which were related to the C&D Canal Conservation Area and associated recreational trail, where there is an increased Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police presence.

An item of particular note:

• On Feb. 13, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers coordinated with the family of missing Airman Keifer Huhman to conduct a ground search of the C&D Canal Conservation Area near the Roth Bridge, where his vehicle was recovered Feb. 7. Fish & Wildlife marine units had also searched the canal after initial reports that Airman Huhman was missing. Approximately 75 volunteers joined the search in response to the family’s request via social media. At this writing, Airman Huhman remains missing, and Fish & Wildlife officers are continuing to check the area.

Citations issued this week by offense category included the following, with the number of charges in parentheses:

Wildlife Conservation: Failure to register antlered deer within 24 hours (4), failure to tag antlered deer (4), failure to retain tag on antlered deer (1), butchering antlered deer prior to registration (4), transporting unlawfully taken antlered deer (3), possession of unlawfully taken antlered deer (3), failure to register antlerless deer within 24 hours (11), failure to tag antlerless deer (11), failure to retain tag on antlerless deer (1), butchering antlerless deer prior to registration (11), transporting unlawfully taken antlerless deer (12), possession of unlawfully taken antlerless deer (12), possession of unlawfully taken Canada goose (1), trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (1), operating a motor vehicle off an established roadway on a state wildlife area (3)*, operating an unregistered motor vehicle on a state wildlife area (2)*, damaging state property on a state wildlife area (3)*, and dumping on a state wildlife area (2).

Public Safety: Possession of a firearm or ammunition by a person prohibited (1), possession of a deadly weapon by a person prohibited (1), possession with intent to deliver heroin (3)*, possession of marijuana (6)*, possession of drug paraphernalia (3)*, conspiracy 2nd degree (3)*, operating an off-highway vehicle without a helmet (2)*, and criminal impersonation (2)*.

* Citations issued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area.

Note: Two press releases issued recently relate to this week’s blotter:

• Six arrested on drug charges in C & D Canal Conservation Area
• Bear man faces more than 70 charges for weapons and deer hunting violations

Are you AWARE?
DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind anglers that with trout season opening downstate at 7 a.m. Saturday, March 5 and other spring fishing opportunities coming up soon, they need to purchase their 2016 Delaware fishing license and, if trout fishing, a state trout stamp. Trout will be stocked in Tidbury Pond near Dover in Kent County and Newton Pond outside of Greenwood in Sussex County. Both ponds are closed to all fishing from Saturday, Feb. 20 until opening day on March 5. Upstate, trout season in six stocked trout streams opens at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 2.

A resident annual Delaware recreational fishing license, which covers fresh and tidal waters as well as crabbing and clamming, costs $8.50 for ages 16 through 64. Persons under the age of 16 and residents age 65 and older are not required to purchase fishing licenses in Delaware, although exempt persons may purchase fishing licenses and trout stamps if they so choose to help support fisheries management and trout stocking efforts. For non-resident anglers age 16 and older, a Delaware fishing license costs $20.

Most trout anglers also must purchase a Delaware Trout Stamp, with the exception of anglers younger than age 12 and resident anglers age 65 and older. For residents age 16 through 64, a trout stamp costs $4.20. For residents age 12 through 15, a young angler trout stamp costs $2.10. For non-residents, a trout stamp is required for all anglers age 12 and older and costs $6.20.

Both resident and non-resident anglers age 16 and older also are required to obtain a Delaware Fisherman Information Network (FIN) number. The free number is included as part of a Delaware fishing license purchase. License-exempt anglers, including Delaware residents 65 and older, may visit www.delaware-fin.com or call 800-432-9228 toll-free to obtain their free FIN number.

Delaware fishing licenses are sold online, at the licensing desk in DNREC’s Richardson & Robbins Building, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, and by license agents statewide. To find a participating agent, or to purchase a license online, visit Delaware Licenses. For additional information on Delaware fishing licenses, call 302-739-9918.

For more information on fishing in Delaware, click on 2016 Delaware Fishing Guide. The guide also is available in printed form at DNREC’s Dover licensing desk, and from license agents throughout the state.

DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife recognizes and thanks the majority of anglers, hunters and boaters who comply with and support Delaware’s fishing, hunting and boating laws and regulations. Citizens are encouraged to report fish, wildlife and boating violations to the Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police by calling 302-739-4580. Wildlife violations may also be reported anonymously to Operation Game Theft by calling 800-292-3030 or online at http://de.gov/ogt.

Media Contacts: Cpl. John McDerby, DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-739-9913 or 302-354-1386, or Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 46, No. 49

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