Reminder for the week: Sunday deer hunting regulations

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 Dec. 4-10 made 1,355 contacts with hunters, anglers, boaters and the general public, including 86 vessel boardings for boating safety and fishing and hunting regulation compliance checks, issuing 27 citations. Officers responded to 32 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

• Throughout the month of November, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers paid to participate in “No Shave November.” Officers who participated contributed $434 to the hurricane relief efforts that will directly assist Fish & Wildlife officers and their families in those affected areas.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

Incidents of note:

• On Dec. 8, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers arrested Jayson Armstrong, 34, of Delaware City, for one count each of possession of a firearm by a person prohibited and unlicensed hunting on the C&D Canal near New Castle. Armstrong was arraigned at New Castle County Justice of the Peace Court 11 and released on a $5,001 unsecured bond pending a future court appearance in New Castle County Court of Common Pleas.
• On Dec. 4, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources police officers arrested a Magnolia man for possession of a weapon by a person prohibited and multiple deer hunting violations. The following press release was released in regards to the incident: Magnolia man arrested by DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police for weapons possession by a person prohibited and multiple deer hunting violations.

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

Wildlife Conservation: Hunting closed area (2), hunt deer during unlawful hours (nighttime) (1), unlicensed hunting (1)*, trespassing to hunt (6), hunting with an unplugged shotgun capable of holding more than three shells (1), possession of prohibited lead shot while hunting migratory waterfowl (2), no federal waterfowl stamp (1), and transport unlawfully taken antlerless deer (2).

Fisheries Conservation: Recreational: trespassing to fish (2) and possession of unlawfully taken crappie (2).

Public Safety: Possession of a firearm by a person prohibited (7)*.

*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?
Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind hunters that Sunday deer hunting is only permitted on specified days on private lands with landowner permission and on certain public lands designated by government agencies. The only Sunday deer hunting remaining for the 2017/2018 hunting season is on Jan.14, 2018. Sunday deer hunting can occur during the regular deer hunting hours of one-half hour before sunrise until one-half hour after sunset. Wildlife areas are open for Sunday deer hunting, however portions of some wildlife areas are closed to Sunday deer hunting, as indicated on these maps. Sunday deer hunting is not allowed on any portion of the DNERR-Blackbird Creek Reserve; that includes the following portion that is open to deer hunting during certain other days.

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Contact: 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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