Reminder for the week: Hunters and residents encouraged to review Delaware hunting and wildlife area 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 Oct. 29-Nov. 4 made 2,505 contacts with hunters, anglers, boaters, and the general public, issuing 46 citations. Officers responded to 51 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

• Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers discussed the role of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers, answered questions regarding hunting, fishing and boating, and displayed the Operation Game Theft trailer at the Townsend Fire Department’s open house.
• Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers provided security and logistical support for the “Walk Across Delaware” event at the Michael N. Castle Trail.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

Incident of note:

• On Oct. 30, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers arrested a Marydel man for multiple hunting and traffic charges and a Harrington juvenile for multiple hunting charges following an investigation into deer poaching near Harrington. A DNREC press release was issued regarding the incident.

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

Wildlife Conservation: Hunting at nighttime (2), hunting deer during closed season (2), hunting fox during closed season (1), hunting migratory waterfowl after established shooting hours (6), unlicensed hunting (5), hunting with an unplugged shotgun capable of holding more than three shells (3), federal laws adopted – no federal waterfowl stamp (2), hunting migratory waterfowl without required state waterfowl stamp (1), and failure to display required hunter orange during a firearms deer season (3)*.

Fisheries Conservation: Recreational: trespassing to fish (3).
Commercial: Possession of undersized oyster (1) and failure to attach oyster harvesting tag to bushel containing oysters (1).

Boating and Boating Safety: Operating a vessel with insufficient number of life jackets (2).

Public Safety: Having an unlawfully loaded firearm (3), discharging a firearm within 15 yards of a public road (1), conspiracy 3rd degree (2), driving without a valid license (1), and passing on a double yellow line (1).

Other: Failure to have vehicle insurance identification in possession (1), expired vehicle tags (1), fictitious or cancelled vehicle registration card, number plate or tag (1), trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (1), operating a motor vehicle off an established roadway on a state wildlife area (1)*, and destruction of state property (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?
With hunting season in full swing, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind both hunters and residents who live near hunting areas to become familiar with Delaware hunting regulations. Those who are visiting our state wildlife areas are also reminded to become familiar with established rules and regulations.

General hunting and wildlife area rules and regulations include:

• During all firearms deer seasons, all hunters on both private and public lands, except those hunting migratory waterfowl, are required to wear hunter orange for safety reasons in the form of no less than 400 square inches of hunter orange material on the head, chest, and back combined.
• Hunting is permitted only in specified areas and only during designated hunting seasons.
• After harvesting a deer, an appropriate tag must be attached to the animal before it is field dressed or moved from the place of harvest.
• All successful deer hunters must register their deer within 24 hours of harvest through the Division of Fish & Wildlife’s Hunter and Trapper Registration (HTR) system. Deer hunters are encouraged to access the system online using a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer at www.dnrec.delaware.gov/delhunt. Those who prefer to talk to a live customer service representative can call 855-DELHUNT (855-335-4868).

For more information on the 2018/2019 hunting seasons – including hunter education, licensing, hunting and trapping seasons, limits, regulations, wildlife area information and more, with sections devoted to deer, small game, turkey, and migratory birds – click on 2018-2019 Delaware Hunting & Trapping Guide.

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