Reminder for the week: Don’t forget to download our app – DENRP Tip

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 Dec. 3-9 made 1,913 contacts with hunters, anglers, boaters, and the general public, issuing 40 citations. Officers responded to 50 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

• On Dec. 3, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers arrested Jeffrey A. Altman, 51, of Middletown, for one count each of failure to retain tag on antlerless deer, failure to check antlerless deer within 24 hours, possess or transport of unlawfully taken antlerless deer, and two counts of possession of a firearm/weapon by a person prohibited following an investigation into deer poaching near Middletown. Altman was arraigned at New Castle County Justice of the Peace Court 9 and released on a $3,300 unsecured bond, pending a future court appearance.

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

Wildlife Conservation: Failure to tag antlered deer (1), failure to tag antlerless deer (2), failure to retain tag on antlerless deer (3), failure to check antlerless deer within 24 hours (2), possess or transport of unlawfully taken antlerless deer (2), removing antlerless deer parts prior to checking (1), trespass to hunt (1), federal rules adopted – possession of prohibited lead shot while hunting migratory waterfowl (5), federal rules adopted – hunting migratory waterfowl without required federal waterfowl stamp (1), hunting migratory waterfowl over illegal bait (2), hunting with an unplugged shotgun capable of holding more than three shells (1), and possession of protected wildlife – cormorant (1).

Fisheries Conservation: Commercial: Possession of undersized oysters (2) and failure to attach oyster harvesting tag to bushel containing oysters (1).

Boating & Boating Safety: Operating a vessel with insufficient number of life jackets (1) and negligent operation of a motor vessel (1).

Public Safety: Striking an occupied dwelling with shot discharged from a firearm (2) and possession of a firearm/weapon by a person prohibited (2).

Other: Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (6)*, spinning tires (1)*, malicious mischief by a motor vehicle (1)*, and operating a motor vehicle without insurance (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 or through the DENRP Tip app on a smartphone, which can be downloaded free of charge by searching “DENRP Tip” via the Google Play Store or the iTunes App Store. Wildlife violations may also be reported anonymously to Operation Game Theft by calling 800-292-3030, going online to http://de.gov/ogt or using the DENRP Tip app. Verizon customers can connect to Operation Game Theft directly by dialing #OGT.

Are you AWARE?
Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police have launched a new law enforcement app, enabling the public to connect with our officers, receive alerts, and submit anonymous tips from your smartphones.

Developed by software company tip411, the app encourages the public to provide our agency with factual and anonymous information leading to the arrest of poachers and other violators. The app is available for free download by searching “DENRP Tip” via the Google Play Store or the iTunes App Store. The app can be used with 100 percent anonymity, as tip411’s technology removes all identifying information before our officers see the tips.

When considering what type of tips to report, note that Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, including two K-9 tracking units, investigate hunting, fishing, and boating violations; respond to and investigate boating and hunting accidents; respond to poaching complaints through Operation Game Theft; and patrol state-owned boating access areas, fishing ponds, piers, and 19 state wildlife areas encompassing nearly 65,000 acres statewide. Our officers also conduct marine law enforcement patrols and boating safety checks on Delaware waterways, including within the state’s three-mile offshore limit in the Atlantic Ocean.

We look forward to hearing from you!

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