Reminder for the week: Wildlife area visitors encouraged to know and follow rules

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, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers between Oct.10-16 made 1,577 contacts with anglers, hunters, boaters and the general public, including 74 vessel boardings for boating safety and fishing regulation compliance checks. Officers responded to 33 complaints received from the public regarding possible violations of laws and regulations.

An increased Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police presence continued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area and associated recreational trail.

Incidents of note:

• On Oct. 11, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police arrested Raymond C. Coppage, 72, of Dagsboro and charged him with five counts of possession of unlawful killer traps, three counts of set or use metal trap without metallic plate or tag and license, one count of no trapping license and one count of trapping out of season near Dagsboro. Coppage pled guilty at Justice of the Peace Court # 3 to one count of possessing unlawful killer traps, one count of set or use metal trap without metallic plate or tag and license, one count of no trapping license and one count of trapping out of season and was fined $780, including court costs. All but one of Coppage’s traps were confiscated permanently.

• On Oct. 12, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resource Police officers arrested Steven D. Chisenhall, 47, and Ralph E. Tucker II, 63, both of Delaware City, for drug violations and fishing offenses at the Biddle’s Point parking lot on the C&D Canal Conservation Area near Delaware City. Chisenhall was charged with one count of possession of drug paraphernalia, one count of possession of heroin and one count of failure to possess a fishing license. He was video-arraigned at Delaware State Police Troop 9 for JP Court #2 and released on $2,200 unsecured bond. Tucker was charged with one count of possession of drug paraphernalia and one count of failure to possess a fishing license. He was issued a mandatory appearance in the Court of Common Pleas and released.

• On Oct. 12, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police arrested Richard W. Marion, 52, of New Castle for one count of terroristic threatening after he was involved in a domestic incident at the Biddle’s Point parking lot of the C&D Canal Conservation Area near Delaware City. Marion was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court # 9 and released on his own recognizance.

• On Oct. 13, Fish and Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers cited Jonesha Knight of Smyrna for possession of marijuana at the Blackbird State Forest’s Shaffner Tract parking lot near Townsend. Knight was fined $272 and released.

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

Wildlife Conservation: Set illegal body gripping traps – prohibited trap size (5), no metal tags on traps (3), no trapping license (1), trapping out of season (1), removal of antlerless deer parts prior to registering (3), and failure to attach antlerless deer tag (3).

Fisheries Conservation: Recreational: Unlicensed fishing (2)*, and possession of undersize tautog (1).

Public Safety: Possession of controlled substance – heroin (1)*, possession of drug paraphernalia (2)*, loaded firearm in a vehicle (1), no insurance on a vehicle (1), operating a motorcycle without a license (2), and terroristic threatening (1)*.

Other: Entering a state wildlife area after hours (3), wildlife area map violation (2), driving with a suspended license (1), and camping illegally on Division of Fish & Wildlife property (1).

*Citations issued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area and associated recreational trail.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police in the Community
• On Oct. 9, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers displayed the Operation Game Theft Trailer and spoke to attendees about the Natural Resources Police Youth Academy at a Ducks Unlimited event at the Leipsic Fire Hall.

• On Oct. 13, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers attended a “Dover Welcomes You” event held at the Dover Air Force Base. Officers talked to new military personnel about Delaware’s hunting, fishing and boating opportunities and how to obtain permits and licenses.

• On Oct. 14, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers attended a meet-and-greet for the Weimaraner Dog Club of Washington D.C. at the C & R Center on the Norman Wilder Wildlife Area near Viola. Officers spoke about state wildlife areas and regulations regarding dog training.

• On Oct. 16, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers attended a hunter education class at the Little Creek hunter education training center, presenting hunting legal requirements and what to expect when checked by a Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officer. Approximately 50 people were in attendance, ranging in age from youth to adults.

Are you AWARE?
With cooler fall temperatures settling in, DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind visitors to enjoy our state wildlife areas while complying with established rules and regulations.

General wildlife area rules and regulations include:
• State wildlife areas are open from sunrise to sunset and closed to public access from sunset to sunrise, with the exception of those lawfully engaged in hunting or fishing. Anyone not engaged in these activities when found in state wildlife areas between sunset and sunrise will be cited for trespassing after hours.
• Camping, swimming, dumping and littering, target shooting (including paintball) 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 when in season.
• Firearms are prohibited on state wildlife areas from March 1 through Aug. 31, except as otherwise authorized by the Division of Fish & Wildlife for hunting or dog training.
• Operating vehicles off-road, including ATVs, is prohibited; all vehicles must be licensed, remain on designated roads and not exceed a speed of 20 mph.
• All state wildlife areas are designated carry-in, carry-out for trash.

“We encourage Delaware residents and visitors to enjoy our beautiful wildlife areas by engaging in a host of low-impact activities, including hunting and fishing in season, hiking, wildlife and bird watching, photography, kayaking, canoeing and enjoying established trails,” said Sgt. John McDerby, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police. “To protect our wildlife areas and enhance their enjoyment for the many visitors who follow the rules, however, we strictly enforce state regulations, as well as Delaware criminal law.”

For more information on regulations for specific wildlife areas, click Delaware Hunting Maps. Printed copies of the maps are also available at the licensing desk in DNREC’s Dover office at 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901, or by calling the Wildlife Section office at 302-739-9912.

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.

Like Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police on Facebook, www.facebook.com/pages/Delaware-Fish-Wildlife-Natural-Resources-Police.

Follow Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police on Twitter, https://twitter.com/DE_FW_NRPolice.

Contact: Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-739-9913, Lt. Carl Winckoski, 302-542-2115 or Sgt. John McDerby, 302-354-1386; or  Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

Vol. 46, No. 356

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