Reminder for the week: Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police hiring full-time officers

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’s Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers between Nov.19-25 made 1,063 contacts with hunters, anglers, boaters, and the general public, issuing 40 citations. Officers responded to 36 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 Nov. 25, 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 Little Creek Hunter Education Training Facility.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

Incidents of note:

• On Nov. 20, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers arrested Shannon D. Cockrell, 49, of Newark, for one count each of trespass to hunt, killing an antlered deer without first purchasing a hunter’s choice deer tag, failure to tag antlered deer, and possession or transport of an unlawfully taken antlered deer, following an investigation into trespassing to hunt on private property near Newark. Cockrell was arraigned at New Castle County Justice of the Peace Court 9 in Middletown, where he plead guilty and was fined $4,319, including court costs.
• On Nov. 25, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers arrested Edward R. Wyatt, 69, of Harrington, for one count each of unlicensed hunting, killing an antlered deer without first purchasing a hunter’s choice deer tag, failure to tag antlered deer, failure to retain tag on antlered deer, failure to check antlered deer within 24 hours, unlawfully removing antlered deer parts prior to checking, and possession or transport of an unlawfully taken antlered deer near Felton. Wyatt was arraigned at Kent County Justice of the Peace Court 7 in Dover, where he transferred his case to the Court of Common Pleas, and was released on his own recognizance.

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

Wildlife Conservation: Trespass to hunt (2), hunting on a refuge (1), unlicensed hunting (1), failure to tag antlered deer (2), failure to retain tag on antlered deer (1), killing an antlered deer without first purchasing a hunters choice deer tag (2), failure to check antlered deer within 24 hours (1), unlawfully removing antlered deer parts prior to checking (1), possession or transport of an unlawfully taken antlered deer (3), hunting with an unplugged shotgun capable of holding more than three shells (1), hunting migratory waterfowl with illegal toxic lead shot (3), hunting migratory waterfowl after established shooting hours (3), federal rules adopted – no federal waterfowl stamp (1), possession of unlawful game (2), and wildlife area map violation (1).

Fisheries Conservation: Commercial: Failure to attach oyster harvesting tag to bushel containing oysters (6).

Boating and Boating Safety: No navigation lights (1) and operating a motor vessel with insufficient number of life jackets (3).

Public Safety: Possession of a loaded firearm in a motor vessel (2).

Other: Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (3).

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 are hiring full-time officer positions. If you are interested in joining the agency, don’t wait, submit your application today! The application deadline is Dec. 5, 2018.

To submit an application, visit the State of Delaware Employment link here. For questions about Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police or the role of officers, contact Sgt. Brooke Mitchell by e-mail at brooke.mitchell@delaware.gov or by phone at 302-382-7167.

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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