Reminder for the week: Public urged to report violations of hunting and wildlife regulations

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 Sept. 3-9 made 1,886 contacts with hunters, anglers, boaters, and the general public, issuing 42 citations. Officers responded to 50 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 Sept. 6, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers gave a presentation on the role of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers and answered hunting, fishing, and boating questions during a Hunter Education Class at the Little Creek Hunter Education Training Center.

• On Sept. 8, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers, along with the United States Coast Guard, assisted the Pennsville, New Jersey Police Department using marine patrol vessels to maintain a security zone for a fireworks event along the Delaware River.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions
Incidents of note:

• On Sept. 3, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers arrested Gary Hendrix, 60, of Wilmington, for one count each of operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol and negligent operation of a motor vessel at the Indian River Marina. Hendrix was issued a summons for a mandatory court appearance at a later date and released.

• On Sept. 5, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers arrested Matthew Ewing, 35, of Frederica, for 20 counts of improper display of commercial crab pot license number on buoy on the Delaware Bay. Ewing was arraigned and released at Kent County Justice of the Peace Court 7, where he pled guilty and was fined $336, including court costs.

• On Sept. 8, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers responded to a boat accident involving a boat striking the 5th Street Bridge in Delaware City that resulted in minor injuries to the operator and significant boat damage. The accident is still under investigation.

• On Sept. 8, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers responded and rescued two uninjured individuals who fell off a kayak on the Rehoboth Bay.

Citations issued by category, with the number of charges in parentheses, included:
Wildlife Conservation: Hunting with an unplugged shotgun capable of holding more than three shells (1).
Fisheries Conservation: Recreational: Trespass to fish (1), possession of undersized Atlantic croaker (1), and possession of undersized blue crabs (2). Commercial: Improper display of commercial crab pot license number on buoy (20).

Boating and Boating Safety: Failure to observe slow no wake (1), no boating safety certificate (1), operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol (1), negligent operation of a motor vessel (1), and operating an unregistered vessel (1).

Public Safety: Excessive speed on a state wildlife area (1)* and possession of drug paraphernalia – civil (1)*.

Other: Operating a motor vehicle off an established roadway on a state wildlife area (1)*, damaging state property on a wildlife area (1)*, trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (7)*, and dumping 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 http://de.gov/ogt.

Are you AWARE?
Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police encourage the public to report violations of Delaware’s hunting and wildlife regulations through Operation Game Theft (OGT), a fund established in 1980 by the Delaware General Assembly to assist in the apprehension and conviction of game law violators. Funded with fines collected for violation of game laws in Delaware and with donations from various sources, OGT provides cash rewards up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of persons involved in game law violations. The identity of those providing information is kept confidential.

Please report any suspicious or illegal activity that you observe as soon as possible to Operation Game Theft by calling 800-292-3030. You can also visit Operation Game Theft online for more information about the OGT or to report illegal activity.

• 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.

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