Reminder for the week: Be cautious when boating icy waters or walking on frozen ponds

DOVER – To achieve public compliance with laws and regulations 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. 1-7 made 915 contacts with hunters, anglers, boaters and the general public, issuing 23 citations. 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 in the Community

• On Jan. 5, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers and K9 River attended an event sponsored by The Sisterhood of the Outdoors at the Cabela’s store in Newark.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

Incident of note:

• On Jan. 1, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers cited Brandon W. Kemp, 18, of Magnolia, for one count each of the following: hunting migratory waterfowl without required federal waterfowl stamp, hunting migratory waterfowl without required HIP number, hunting migratory waterfowl without required state waterfowl stamp, hunting illegally on Sunday, possession of unlawfully taken game, and hunting migratory waterfowl with illegal toxic lead shot following an illegal hunting near Magnolia. Kemp was arraigned at Kent County Justice of the Peace Court 7, where he plead guilty, was fined $250, including court costs and released.

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

Wildlife Conservation: Hunting migratory waterfowl without required federal waterfowl stamp (3), hunting migratory waterfowl without required HIP number (1), hunting migratory waterfowl without required state waterfowl stamp (2), hunting illegally on Sunday (1), possession of unlawfully taken game (1), hunting migratory waterfowl with illegal toxic lead shot (2), hunting with an unplugged shotgun capable of holding more than three shells (1)*, and prohibited hunting device (bait) (3).

Public Safety: Possession of marijuana-civil (1).

Other: Operating a motor vehicle off an established roadway on a state wildlife area (1), trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (5), damaging state property (1), and parking violation (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 de.gov/ogt.

Are you AWARE?

With the cold weather, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind anglers, hunters and winter outdoor enthusiasts of the potential hazards of ice and being in winter weather, and offers these tips:

• Waterfowlers using a boat while hunting should watch ice conditions and currents carefully to avoid becoming locked in by ice. Drifting ice in tidal marshes and waterways also can complicate rescue efforts.
• Anglers and outdoor enthusiasts should exercise extreme caution when venturing out onto ice, and should always take along someone who could provide or summon help in an emergency situation.
• Examine ice carefully before walking on it. Freshwater ice should be a minimum of 2 to 3 inches thick, clear and sound, with no thin spots caused by springs or currents. Be wary of snow on the ice, which can hide weak spots. For ice fishing, ice should be at least 4 inches thick.
• Driving ATVs, snowmobiles and passenger vehicles on ice is strongly discouraged. To support the weight of a vehicle, ice must be at least 7 to 10 inches thick. Without an extended period of extreme cold, ice is unlikely to reach this thickness in Delaware.

Media 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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