Reminder for the week: Happy Thanksgiving hunting reminders

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, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers between Nov.12-18 made 1,017 contacts with hunters, anglers, boaters, and the general public, issuing 98 citations. Officers responded to 52 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 Nov. 15, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers arrested three Kent County men for multiple poaching violations near Farmington. A DNREC press release was issued regarding the incident.
• On Nov. 16, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers arrested two Sussex County men for multiple deer poaching violations near Frankford. A DNREC press release was issued regarding the incident.

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

Wildlife Conservation: Trespass to hunt (6), hunting deer during a closed season (7), hunting at nighttime (7), unlicensed hunting (3), failure to tag antlerless deer (4), failure to retain tag on antlerless deer (1), failure to check antlerless deer within 24 hours (2), unlawfully removing antlerless deer parts prior to checking (3), possession or transport of an unlawfully taken antlerless deer (2), failure to tag antlered deer (2), failure to check antlered deer within 24 hours (1), possession or transport of an unlawfully taken antlered deer (4), killing an antlered deer without first purchasing a hunters choice deer tag (1), hunting with an unplugged shotgun capable of holding more than three shells (3), hunting rabbits out of season (1), and method of take violation (2).

Fisheries Conservation: Recreational: Possession of undersized tautog (1).

Boating and Boating Safety: Failure to maintain a proper lookout (1).

Public Safety: Possession of a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle (9), hunting from a motor vehicle (7), shooting within 15 yards of a public roadway (4), discharging a firearm within 100 yards of an occupied structure (1), failure to display required hunter orange during a firearms season (4), failure to complete an approved hunters safety course of instruction (2), and hunting within a safety zone (1).

Other: Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (5)*, conspiracy 3rd degree (9), theft under $1,500 (1), criminal mischief (1), and underage possession/consumption of alcohol (3).

*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 wishes you a Happy Thanksgiving.

For those who will be hunting this holiday, please remember the following:

• Waterfowl hunters should check their hunting gear bags, coats, boats, and any other gear to make sure that they are not carrying any lead shot left over from deer or other 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.
• Prior to registering a deer, hunters may not cut the meat or remove any part of the deer except the internal organs (known as viscera).
• If you have an emergency, call Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police 24 hour dispatch line at 302-739-4580.

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

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