Reminder for the week: Delaware’s wildlife, fishing and boating area visitors asked to respect state’s natural resources

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’s Division of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers between April 25-May 1 made 692 contacts with anglers, boaters, hunters and the general public, including 53 vessel boardings for boating safety and fishing regulation compliance checks. Officers responded to 24 complaints and issued 17 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.

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

Wildlife Conservation: Unlicensed hunting (1), hunting turkeys on a state wildlife area without required permit (1), harassing migratory waterfowl (1), hunting migratory waterfowl without required state waterfowl stamp (1), hunting migratory waterfowl without required federal waterfowl stamp (1), hunting migratory waterfowl without required federal harvest information program (HIP) number (1), damaging state property on a wildlife area (1)*, and operating a motor vehicle off an established roadway on a state wildlife area (2)*.

Fisheries Conservation: Commercial: Net-marking violation (1).

Boating and Boating Safety: No fire extinguisher (1).

Public Safety: Possession of a firearm/deadly weapon by a person prohibited (4), possession of ammunition by a person prohibited (1), and operating an uninsured motor vehicle on a state wildlife area (1)*.

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

Two press releases also were issued about these citations:

• Hartly man arrested on numerous charges including possession of multiple weapons by a person prohibited
• Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police investigating commercial crab boat accident

Are you AWARE?
With the arrival of spring weather, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police are increasing patrols and monitoring state wildlife areas, fishing piers, public boat launching facilities and multi-use areas for visitor safety and compliance, as well as checking for illegal activity such as vandalism, littering, dumping and damaging wildlife habitat.

“The public is encouraged to enjoy our wildlife, fishing and boating access areas and the unique outdoor experiences they offer,” said Sgt. John McDerby of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police. “However, as stewards of these areas for Delaware, we cannot allow the few people who do not respect our conservation mission to ruin things for the many who do. Those caught abusing our natural resources through illegal activities will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

State wildlife areas, fishing piers and boat launching facilities 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 wildlife area rules. Individuals not meeting these requirements and found at these sites between sunset and sunrise face fines up to $100 for trespassing after hours.

Wildlife area visitors also are reminded that it is illegal to operate motor vehicles – including motorcycles, cars, trucks and SUVs – off established roadways in state wildlife areas. Violators who cause damage will be cited for destruction of state property. In addition, 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.

The following rules also apply to all state wildlife areas, fishing piers, public boat launching facilities and multi-use areas:

• Camping, swimming, target shooting (including paintball), dumping and littering, and fires 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.

“Littering can be a problem, especially in many fishing areas, so please leave no trace behind and take your trash with you,” Sgt. McDerby said, noting that the policy of carry-in, carry-out of trash is required in all state wildlife areas, fishing piers, public boat ramps and multi-use areas.

For more information on individual wildlife areas, including the rules and regulations specific to each area, visitors are encouraged to give close attention to Delaware wildlife area maps published by the Division of Fish & Wildlife. The maps are available in hard copy at DNREC’s Dover licensing desk in the Richardson & Robbins Building, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901. The maps also are posted 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 http://de.gov/ogt.

Media Contacts: Sgt. 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. 165

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