Reminder for the week: Youth hunting opportunities in Delaware

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.10-16 made 1,561 contacts with hunters, anglers, boaters, and the general public, issuing 26 citations. Officers responded to 59 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. 16, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers discussed the role of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers and answered hunting, fishing, and boating questions during a Hunter Education Class at the Ommelanden Hunter Education Training Center near New Castle.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

Incident of note:

• On Sept. 16, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers arrested an individual for multiple drug charges at Coursey Pond near Felton. The following press release was issued regarding the incident: DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police arrest Milford woman on multiple drug charges.

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

Wildlife Conservation: Unsigned federal migratory waterfowl stamp (1).

Fisheries Conservation: Recreational: Possession of undersized blue crabs (1), use of crab pots without required turtle excluder (1), possession of undersized striped bass (1), unlicensed fishing (4)*, and no F.I.N. (6).

Boating and Boating Safety: Operating an unregistered vessel (1) and no boat ramp certificate (1).

Public Safety: Striking dwelling with shot from firearm (1), excessive speed on a state wildlife area (1)*, possession of a controlled or counterfeit substance/cocaine (1), and possession of drug paraphernalia not marijuana-related (1).

Other: Parking in a no parking zone (1), operating a motor vehicle off an established roadway (1), 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?
Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police reminds the public that there are great opportunities for getting youth outdoors to hunt during the upcoming seasons. Three dates are set aside for youth during the 2018/2019 hunting season:

• Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days: October 20, 2018 and Feb. 9, 2019
• Youth/Non-ambulatory Disabled Deer Hunt: Nov. 3, 2018
• Youth/Non-ambulatory Disabled Turkey Hunt: April 6, 2019

Please remember the following when taking youth hunting:

• Both resident and non-resident youth ages 13-15 must purchase a junior hunting license to hunt in Delaware. If a youth turns 16 during a hunting season, the youth should purchase an adult hunting license rather than a youth license.
• An adult must accompany a youth hunter, and the adult must be a licensed hunter or license-exempt hunter who has the lawful right to hunt in Delaware. The youth must be under the direct supervision of the adult, which means within arm’s reach of the supervising adult.

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 Mitchell, 302-382-7167, or Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-739-9913.

Print