Reminder for the week: Time to purchase your 2017 Delaware fishing license

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 Jan. 16-22 made 957 contacts with anglers, hunters, boaters and the general public, including eight vessel boardings for boating safety, hunting and fishing regulation compliance checks, issuing 16 citations. Officers responded to 44 complaints regarding possible violations of laws and regulations or requests to assist the public. An increased Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police presence continued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area and associated recreational trail.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police in the Community

• On Jan. 18, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers gave a presentation on Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officer careers to approximately 40 sixth graders at William Henry Middle School in Dover.
• On Jan. 22, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers spoke to students attending a Basic Hunter Education Course at the Fish & Wildlife Hunter Education Center in Little Creek. The students learned about the career and duties of a Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officer and what to expect when checked by an officer when hunting.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

Incidents of note:

• On Jan. 17, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police arrested Barney R. Foxwell Jr., 45, of Delmar, for failure to check antlerless deer within 24 hours, removing antlerless deer parts prior to checking and dumping solid waste materials following an investigation into deer carcasses dumped along a roadway near Delmar. Foxwell was arraigned at Sussex County Justice of the Peace Court 3, where he pled guilty and was fined $796, including court costs.
• On Jan. 19, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers responded to and are investigating a boat accident that occurred on Haven Lake in Milford. A small boat overturned causing the operator to enter the water, who was found clinging to the boat and rescued by the Carlisle Fire Department, transported to Milford Memorial hospital and treated for minor hypothermia.
• On Jan. 19, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police arrested Alfred M. Lee, 29, of Ocean View, for three counts of possession of an endangered species following an investigation. Officers received several tips from concerned citizens after Lee posted a picture online of three Pied-billed Grebes he had shot while waterfowl hunting near Frankford. Lee was arraigned at Sussex County Justice of the Peace Court 3, where he pled guilty and was fined $366, including court costs.

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

Wildlife Conservation: Failure to have hunting license in possession (1), possession of an unlawfully taken antlered deer (1)*, failure to tag antlered deer (1)*, failure to check antlerless deer within 24 hours (1), removing antlerless deer parts prior to checking (1), hunting migratory waterfowl over illegal bait (3), possession of unlawfully taken migratory waterfowl (1), and possession of endangered species (3).

Public Safety: Possession of a loaded firearm in a vessel (1).

Other: Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (2), and dumping solid waste (1).

*Includes citation(s) issued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area.

Are you AWARE?

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind anglers that it’s time to purchase their 2017 Delaware fishing licenses, as their 2016 licenses expired on Dec. 31. A valid fishing license is required for fishing, crabbing and clamming in Delaware in both tidal and non-tidal waters.

A resident annual fishing license costs $8.50 for ages 16 through 64. Anglers under the age of 16 and residents age 65 and older are not required to purchase fishing licenses in Delaware. Some requirements differ for non-resident anglers. Exempt persons may purchase fishing licenses if they so choose to help support fisheries management in Delaware.

Recreational anglers 16 years and older fishing Delaware waters also are required to obtain a Delaware Fisherman Information Network (F.I.N.) number; this number is generated automatically on all individual fishing licenses sold through Delaware’s electronic licensing system. License-exempt anglers, including Delaware residents 65 and older; non-resident boat fishing license holders who do not have an individual license; and individuals who do not have an individual license fishing on licensed boats, must obtain their free F.I.N. number by visiting www.delaware-fin.com or calling 800-432-9228 toll-free.

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 2017 Delaware Fishing Guide. The guide also is available in printed form at DNREC’s Dover licensing desk and will soon be available 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 de.gov/ogt.

Media Contact: Sgt. John McDerby, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-739-9913 or 302-354-1386

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