Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: Jan. 29-Feb.4

Reminder for the week: Conservation Order allows snow goose harvest

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. 29-Feb. 4 made 1,106 contacts with hunters, anglers, boaters and the general public, issuing 18 citations. Officers responded to 27 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 Jan. 31, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police arrested Joseph P. Dimattia, 38, of Dover, for two counts of failure to tag antlerless deer and one count each of failure to tag antlered deer and failure to check antlered deer within 24 hours, following an investigation into deer hunting violations near Townsend. Dimattia was arraigned at Kent County Justice of the Peace Court 7, where he plead guilty, was fined $180, including court costs, and released.

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

Wildlife Conservation: Failure to tag antlerless deer (2), failure to tag antlered deer (1), failure to check antlered deer within 24 hours (1), trespass to hunt (3), hunting migratory waterfowl without required state waterfowl stamp (1), and possession of over the limit Canada Geese (1).

Public Safety: Failure to drive at speed appropriate for conditions (1).

Other: Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (5), operating a motor vehicle off an established roadway on a state wildlife area (1)*, damaging state property on a wildlife area (1)*, and possession of drug paraphernalia (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?
Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind hunters that the 2018 Conservation Order to harvest snow geese will open Monday, Feb. 12 and run through Friday, April 13, 2018.

The Snow Goose Conservation Order allows use of unplugged shotguns and electronic calls, with no daily bag and possession limits. Legal shooting hours start a half-hour before sunrise and are extended to a half-hour after sunset. Federal and state hunting regulations otherwise apply.

Hunters who wish to participate in the Conservation Order must register for a free, annual permit, available by visiting www.dnrec.delaware.gov/delhunt. Participants are required to re-visit this website after the Conservation Order has closed to report their harvest to the Division of Fish & Wildlife. Participants must also have a valid Delaware hunting license or a Maryland resident hunting license, a Delaware waterfowl stamp, and a Delaware Harvest Information Program (HIP) number.

Hunters needing assistance in obtaining a permit number should call 302-735-3600 during business hours Monday through Friday. For more information on the Conservation Order, please call 302-739-9912 or visit www.fw.delaware.gov.

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Contact: Sgt. Brooke Africa, 302-382-7167, or Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-739-9913