Reminder for the week: Spring Aboard is here!

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, DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers between March 5-11 made 841 contacts with hunters, anglers, boaters and the general public, issuing 25 citations. Officers responded to 30 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 March 5, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police arrested Alfred Alberts Jr., 28, of Georgetown, for several hunting violations that occurred during the 2017 hunting season near Harrington. Alberts was charged with two counts of possession of a firearm or ammunition by a person prohibited and one count of unlicensed hunting. Alberts was arraigned at Sussex County Justice of the Peace Court 2 where he was released on a $6,100 unsecured bond pending a future court date.
• On March 5, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police arrested Jonathan W. Hutson, 39, of Felton, for three counts of unlawful sale of striped bass not weighed and tagged at official station following an investigation into the illegal sale of striped bass near Rehoboth. Hutson was arraigned at Sussex County Justice of the Peace Court 3 where he pled guilty, was fined $495, including court costs, and was released.
• On March 7, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police arrested Tyler Williams, 33, of Church Hill, Md., for one count each of: impeding lawful hunt, possession of a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle, and hunting from a motor vehicle near Milford. Williams was arraigned at Sussex County Justice of the Peace Court 3, where he was released on a $300 unsecured bond pending a future court date.

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

Wildlife Conservation: Impeding lawful hunt (1), unlicensed hunting (1), and trespassing to hunt (1).

Fisheries Conservation: Commercial: Unlawful sale of striped bass not weighed and tagged at official station (3).
Recreational: Possession of undersized striped bass (1).

Public Safety: Possession of a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle (1), hunting from a motor vehicle (1), driving off roadway (1), possession of marijuana-civil (3)*, possession of drug paraphernalia (1)*, careless driving (1)*, driving with a suspended or revoked license (1)*, operating a motor vehicle without insurance (1)*, and possession of a firearm or ammunition by a person prohibited (2).

Other: Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (5)* and target shooting on a state wildlife area (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?
Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police want to remind boaters the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators’ (NASBLA) Spring Aboard campaign for boating education begins this Sunday, March 18 and runs through Saturday, March 24.

The following education providers are offering the Delaware-approved online version of the boating safety course and other courses at a discounted price during the Spring Aboard Campaign:

• 50% off any course – discount code: SpringAboard2018
• 50% off any course – discount code: SpringAboard18
• 50% off all specialized courses – discount code: ABOARD

Delaware’s Office of Boating Safety and Education also provides volunteer instructors for private and non-profit organizations, schools, clubs, and the general public to educate boaters on skills and seamanship and to encourage them to be safe, knowledgeable, and responsible.

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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