Reminder for the week: Hunters should pay attention to established blinds, property lines

DOVER –  Officers responded to 33 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 Actions

Incident of note:

• On Oct. 28, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers responded to a fatal boat accident on the Broadkill River, north of Oyster Rocks Road, near Milton. At this time the accident still remains under investigation. The following press release was issued in regards to the accident: Victim of Saturday’s fatal boating accident in Sussex County identified.

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

Wildlife Conservation: Impeding lawful hunt (1), trespassing to hunt (1), and hunting migratory waterfowl without required federal waterfowl stamp (1).

Fisheries Conservation: Recreational: Possession of undersized blue crab (1), and trespassing to fish (2).

Boating and Boating Safety: Operating a vessel with insufficient number of life jackets (2)*.

Public Safety: Trespassing to hunt on railroad tracks (6).

Other: Operating a motor vehicle off an established roadway on a state wildlife area (1)*, and lewdness (2)*.

*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 de.gov/ogt.

Are you AWARE?
Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind hunters participating in waterfowl hunting season that hunting from a vessel within 1,500 feet of an established waterfowl blind without permission is prohibited.

Also, hunting game on private property without permission of the owner and/or residents is considered trespassing to hunt and is a hunting violation. Tracking or recovering game on another’s property, shooting on another’s property or crossing another’s private property to reach a hunting area are examples of trespassing to hunt. Those cited for trespassing to hunt face potential fines up to $100 plus court costs.

Other rules and general hunting information:

• Hunters should check daily bag limits and possession limits, as well as types of arms and ammunition permitted for the game they are planning to hunt.
• If hunting on public wildlife areas, hunters should review wildlife area maps and rules, including hunting times, specific rules for each wildlife area and any permits they may need. Wildlife area maps and rules are available at DNREC’s Dover licensing desk or online at Delaware Wildlife Area Maps.
• Waterfowl hunters should make sure they have their hunting licenses, state and federal stamps and Harvest Information Program number (HIP) before they head for their blinds. To conveniently obtain your free HIP number online from your smartphone, tablet, laptop or desktop, click www.dnrec.delaware.gov/delhunt. Hunters also may call 1-855-335-4868 (1-855-DELHUNT) toll-free.

Delaware hunting 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 hunting licenses, call 302-739-9918.

For more information on hunting in Delaware, click on 2017-2018 Delaware Hunting and Trapping Guide. The guide also is available in printed form at DNREC’s Dover licensing desk and from license agents throughout the state.

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, twitter.com/DE_FW_NRPolice.

Media Contact2: Lt. John McDerby, 302-354-1386, or Sgt. Brooke Africa, 302-382-7167, or Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-739-9913.

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