Reminder for week: State wildlife areas, forests monitored for criminal activity

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. 29-March 6 made 886 contacts with anglers, boaters, hunters and the general public, including 21 vessel boardings for boating safety and fishing regulation compliance checks. Officers responded to 55 complaints and issued 24 citations, four 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.

Incidents of note:

• On March 4, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police cited a man and woman for one count each of lewdness in the C&D Canal Conservation Area near Delaware City. The woman also was cited for one count of criminal impersonation. Both were released pending court appearances in the New Castle County Court of Common Pleas at a later date.
• On March 2, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police arrested Juan Y. Ramirez-Yerena, 20, of Selbyville, for resisting arrest, possession of drug paraphernalia and criminal trespass in an agricultural field near Selbyville. Ramirez-Yerena was video-arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2 in Rehoboth Beach and remanded to the Sussex Correctional Institution in Georgetown. He remains in custody pending an immigration investigation.
• On March 1, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police cited three men for one count each of loitering to engage in sexual conduct in Redden State Forest near Georgetown. All three have court dates pending at a later date in Justice of the Peace Court 3 in Georgetown.

Citations issued by category, with the number of charges in parentheses, included:

Wildlife Conservation: Operating a motor vehicle off an established roadway on a state wildlife area (1)*, and trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (9).

Fisheries Conservation: Unlicensed fishing (3).

Boating and Boating Safety: Operating a vessel with insufficient number of life jackets (1), and no sound-producing device on board (1).

Public Safety: Resisting arrest (1), possession of drug paraphernalia (1), criminal impersonation (1)*, loitering to engage in sexual conduct (3), lewdness (2)*, and criminal trespass (1).

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

Are you AWARE?
DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police reminds visitors to state wildlife areas, fishing ponds, boat ramps and piers and to state forests that these areas are multiple-use public recreational areas which are monitored for criminal activity.

“Public use of our state-owned wildlife areas and hunting, boating and fishing access areas and of state forests is intended for law-abiding anglers, boaters, hunters, birdwatchers and other outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy appropriate recreational outdoor activities,” said Sgt. John McDerby, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police. “Criminal activities are not tolerated in these areas, including trespassing after hours, vandalism, drug and excessive alcohol use, illegal weapon possession or use and inappropriate public sexual conduct. Those caught abusing and misusing these areas through illegal activities will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

The following rules also apply:

• State wildlife areas, fishing piers and boat launching facilities and state forests are closed to the public from sunset to sunrise unless a person is actively and lawfully engaged in fishing, hunting or boating in accordance with state regulations and individual area rules.
• Operating motor vehicles – including motorcycles, cars, trucks and SUVs – off established roadways in state wildlife areas is illegal.
• Operating a motor vehicle that is not licensed for use on established public roadways – including ATVs – is prohibited both on and off-road on state wildlife areas.
• Camping, swimming, target shooting (including paintball), fires, dumping and littering are prohibited in state wildlife areas.
• Dog training is permitted only within established dog training areas or during open hunting seasons for the game animals that the dog is being trained to hunt.
• Hunting is permitted only in specified areas and only during designated hunting seasons.
• Firearms are prohibited on state wildlife areas from March 1 to Aug. 31, except during legal hunting seasons or as authorized by the Division of Fish & Wildlife.
• All of these sites have a carry-in, carry-out trash policy.

For more information on individual wildlife areas, including the rules and regulations specific to each area, visitors are encouraged to consult Delaware wildlife area maps published by the Division of Fish & Wildlife. The maps are available in hard copy at DNREC’s Dover licensing desk, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901, and also can be found online at Delaware Wildlife Area Maps.

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 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. 75

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