Reminder for the week: Public encouraged to report fishing, hunting, boating violations

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 Sept. 18-24 made 2,081 contacts with hunters, anglers, boaters and the general public, including 86 vessel boardings for boating safety and fishing regulation compliance checks, issuing 19 citations. Officers responded to 30 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 Michael N. Castle Trail.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police in the Community

• On Sept. 19, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers presented information on firearms safety, game animal identification and what to expect when checked by an officer in the field at a hunter safety education class, in Little Creek.  
• On Sept. 19, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers presented information on firearms safety, game animal identification and what to expect when checked by an officer in the field hunter safety education class at Owens Station, near Greenwood.
• On Sept. 23, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers discussed boating safety, search and rescue, and hunting and fishing enforcement at the Townsend Fair. Officers displayed the Operation Game Theft Trailer, which was very popular.
• The week of Sept. 18-22, 2017, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers AFC Chelsea Allen, Cpl. Josh Hudson with K-9 River and K-9 Rosco attended their quarterly K-9 training hosted by Maryland Natural Resource Police, at Camp Baker in Western Maryland.  K-9s River & Rosco were both recertified in human tracking, article search, as well as scent detection for deer, waterfowl & fish.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

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

Fisheries Conservation: Recreational: Unlicensed fishing (3), possession of undersized white perch (1), possession of undersized summer flounder (1), and possession of undersized blue crabs (1).

Public Safety: Possession of drug paraphernalia (1).

Other: Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (3), trespassing in a closed area of a state wildlife area (8), and damage to division property (1).

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

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 800-292-3030or online at http://de.gov/ogt.

Are you AWARE?

With hunting season underway, Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police encourage residents and visitors to report violations of fishing, hunting and boating regulations, and share tips on information needed to investigate and make a case based on such reports.

“Since it is not possible for Natural Resources Police officers to be everywhere 24/7, we encourage compliant anglers, hunters and boaters as well as the general public to report possible fish, wildlife and boating regulation violations to us for investigation,” said Lt. John McDerby, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police. “A timely call with good information helps our officers to better protect more of our resources, enforce Delaware’s regulations and educate the public.”

To ensure accurate, complete reports, callers are encouraged to take written notes when they witness what they believe to be a violation. The following information will assist agents in their investigation:

• Time of day/night, date and location of the alleged violation
• Descriptions of the alleged violators including any details on clothing and physical appearance; names if known
• Descriptions of any vehicles or vessels involved; license plate numbers or boat registration numbers if known
• Descriptions of any weapons involved
• Descriptions of any fish, wildlife or other resources involved
• Any other details about the incident witnessed, including possible human victims

“Just one word of caution to ethical hunters and others who witness illegal activity: for your own safety, do not try to confront suspected violators yourself,” Lt. McDerby added. “Leave that to trained natural resources police officers.”

To report any suspicious or illegal activity observed, contact Operation Game Theft by calling 800-292-3030 or online at Operation Game Theft.

For more information, contact Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police at 302-739-9913 during weekday business hours or call the 24-hour line at 302-739-4580.

Follow 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.

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

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