Reminder for the week: Paddle sports and vessel safety courses available

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 Oct. 1-7 made 2,469 contacts with hunters, anglers, boaters, and the general public, issuing 35 citations. Officers responded to 34 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 Oct. 1, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers answered hunting, fishing, and boating questions and displayed marine patrol vessel Bravo while attending the Clayton Fire Department open house.
• On Oct. 4, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers attended an event held on the Mike Castle Trail announcing the installation of a bicycle air pump and repair station donated by Bike Delaware and Grain HTO at the St. George’s Trailhead.
• On Oct. 6, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers answered hunting, fishing, and boating questions and displayed marine patrol vessel Romeo while attending the Houston Volunteer Fire Department’s Safety Day.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

Incidents of note:

• On Oct. 3, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers arrested Brandon James, 33, of Dover, for one count each of dumping on a state wildlife area and driving with a suspended or revoked license at Woodland Beach Wildlife Area near Smyrna. James was arraigned at Kent County Justice of the Peace Court 7 in Dover and released on a $600 unsecured bond pending a future court appearance.
• On Oct 5 (and Oct. 8 outside this reporting period) Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers arrested two individuals in separate incidents for possession of a firearm by person prohibited. The following press release was issued regarding the incidents: Firearm possession arrests.
• On Oct. 7, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers investigated a vessel accident with injuries that occurred at the south Reedy Point Jetty on the C&D Canal. The vessel operator was cited for inattentive operation of a motor vessel after striking the jetty.
• On Oct. 7, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers assisted Maryland Natural Resources Police on the C&D Canal just over the state line with a water rescue after a vessel had run aground and sank along the shoreline.
• On Oct. 7, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers rescued a kayaker from a culvert pipe near Delaware City. The following press release was issued regarding the incident: Kayaker rescued.

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

Fisheries Conservation: Recreational: Undersize white perch (3), unlicensed fishing (2), and trespass to fish (3).

Boating and Boating Safety: No fire extinguisher on board (1), operating a vessel with insufficient number of life jackets (4), inattentive operation of a motor vessel (1), and no life jacket on a child age 12 or younger as required by law (1).

Public Safety: Failure to display required hunter orange (1), public intoxication (1), possession of drug paraphernalia – marijuana related (3), possession of a firearm by a person prohibited (1), and possession of marijuana – civil (1)*.

Other: Camping on division lands (1), trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (5), dumping on a state wildlife area (2), damaging state property on a state wildlife area (1), operating an unregistered motor vehicle on a state wildlife area (2)*, unlawful entry of the C&D Canal dog training area (1)*, and driving with a suspended or revoked license (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?
Did you know that there is a FREE Paddle Sports Safety Course available online through BOATERexam? If you plan to canoe, kayak, or paddleboard, consider visiting this link to learn before you go!

Also, for those planning to take a motorized vessel out on the water, consider taking a boater safety course. These courses provide great safety tips and an overview of navigational aids, boating, and safety laws, as well as weather considerations that will come in handy with colder weather approaching. Reminder: if you were born on or after January 1, 1978, by Delaware law you are required to take a boater safety course before legally operating a motorized vessel.

For more information on boating safety classes, please visit http://de.gov/boatsafety or call Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Office of Boating Safety & Education at 302-739-9915.

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

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