Reminder for the week: Hunters reminded to avoid using railroad tracks for hunting access

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. 9-15 made 1,389 contacts with hunters, anglers, boaters and the general public, including 54 vessel boardings for boating safety and fishing regulation compliance checks, issuing 29 citations. Officers responded to 39 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 Oct. 10, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers attended two civics classes at Georgetown Middle School where they conducted K9 demonstrations.
• On Oct. 12, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers displayed the Operation Game Theft Trailer and discussed hunting, fishing, boating and the Operation Game Theft program during Community Day at the Harrington Fire Department sponsored by the Harrington Police Department.
Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

Incidents of note:

• On Oct. 11, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers arrested Daniel A. Allen, 21, of Seaford, for one count of resisting arrest with force or violence and intentionally fleeing from a peace officer, one count of second-degree assault to injure a law enforcement officer, one count of possession of marijuana for other than personal use, one count of trespassing after hours on state wildlife area, and one count of cause or contributing to the disposal or discharge of solid waste materials as the result of an earlier incident that occurred in the Nanticoke Wildlife Area, near Laurel. Allen was arraigned at Sussex County Justice of the Peace Court 2 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $12,202 secured bond. An earlier DNREC press release was issued in regards to the incident: http://news.delaware.gov/2017/10/04/dnrecs-fish-wildlife-natural-resources-police-searching-suspect-assault-officer/
Citations issued by category, with the number of charges in parentheses, included:

Wildlife Conservation: Unlawful to hunt on Sundays in Delaware State Forest lands (1), and must wear hunter orange (1).

Fisheries Conservation: Recreational: Unlicensed fishing (3)*, trespass to fish (2), possession of undersized white perch (3), possession of undersized tautog (2), and possession of undersized blue crabs (1).

Boating and Boating Safety: Operating a vessel with insufficient number of life jackets (1).

Public Safety: Driving without a valid driver’s license (1)*, failure to have required insurance (1)*, resisting arrest with force or violence and intentionally fleeing from a peace officer (1), and assault 2nd injure law enforcement officer (1).

Other: Operating a motor vehicle off an established roadway on a state wildlife area (2)*, operating an unlicensed or unregistered vehicle on a state wildlife area (2)*, destruction of state property (3)*, failure to transfer title and registration (1)*, trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (1), possession of marijuana other than personal use (1), and cause or contribute to the disposal or discharge of solid waste materials (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 800-292-3030 or online at http://de.gov/ogt.

Are you AWARE?
With early fall hunting seasons now open, DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind hunters to avoid using railroad tracks for access to hunting areas.

“All railroad tracks are private property, and no one should be walking, driving or parking on tracks without landowner permission. If found on the tracks, violators will be charged with trespassing and fined,” said Lt. John McDerby, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police. “Those considering using railroad tracks for access to hunt doves or other game also need to consider the safety hazard involved – many railroad tracks throughout the state are still in active use.”

For more information on hunting in Delaware, including specific wildlife area rules, hunters should consult this year’s hunting & trapping guide and wildlife area maps, available online at Delaware Hunting Information. Hard copies of the guide and the hunting 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.

Effective July 1, 2017, a Conservation Access Pass is required for any registered motor vehicle used to access designated Delaware State Wildlife Areas for any allowable activity, including hunting, birdwatching, hiking and photography. For more information, please click Conservation Access Pass.

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.

Contact: Lt. John McDerby 302-354-1386 or Sgt Brooke Africa 302-382-7167, or DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police 302-739-9913

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