Reminder for the week: Spring ahead of Spring Aboard

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 Feb. 5-11 made 2,068 contacts with hunters, anglers, boaters and the general public, issuing 20 citations. Officers responded to 40 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

Incidents of note:

• On Feb. 5, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police arrested Timothy Hudson, 40, of Felton, for one count each of failure to check antlered deer within 24 hours, failure to tag antlered deer, failure to retain tag on antlered deer, and removing antlered deer parts prior to checking following an investigation into deer hunting violations near Harrington. Hudson was arraigned at Kent County Justice of the Peace Court 7, where he transferred his case to the Court of Common Pleas and was released on his own recognizance.
• On Feb. 5, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police arrested Joseph A. Sturgis, 65, of Magnolia, for two counts of possession of a firearm or ammunition by a person prohibited and one count of unlicensed hunting following an investigation into illegal hunting near Milton. Sturgis was arraigned at Sussex County Justice of the Peace Court 3, where he was released on a $10,001 unsecured bond, pending a future court appearance.

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

Wildlife Conservation: Failure to check antlered deer within 24 hours (1), failure to tag antlered deer (1), failure to retain tag on antlered deer (1), removing antlered deer parts prior to checking (1), and unlicensed hunting (1).

Fisheries Conservation: Cast net within 300 feet of spillway (1).

Public Safety: Possession of a firearm or ammunition by a person prohibited (2).

Other: Operating a motor vehicle off an established roadway on a state wildlife area (1)*, damaging state property on a wildlife area (3), possession of marijuana-civil (1), possession of drug paraphernalia (1), cause or contribute to the disposal or discharge of solid waste materials (2), and trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (4).

*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 want to remind boaters to spring ahead of the upcoming National Association of State Boating Law Administrators’ (NASBLA) Spring Aboard campaign for boating education and enroll in a boater safety course now.

This year the Spring Aboard campaign will take place from March 18-24. However, boating safety courses are being offered now. These courses cover the rules and regulations of Delaware’s waterways including: appropriate speed limits; responsible boating skills and awareness; how to distinguish navigational aids and water depths; weather tips; information about basic engine mechanics; required and/or recommended safety equipment; what to do if a Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officer stops your vessel, and the dangers of boating under the influence. Upon completing the course, boaters receive a boating safety certificate, which is required in Delaware for boaters born on or after Jan. 1, 1978.

For more information, including Delaware’s boating safety course schedule, access to the online Delaware Boating Handbook and other boating information, please visit Delaware Boating Safety, or contact Sgt. Brooke Africa, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police boating safety coordinator, at 302-739-9086 or email brooke.africa@delaware.gov.

Follow Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/DEFWNRPolice/.

Follow Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police on Twitter, https://twitter.com/DE_FW_NRPolice.

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

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