Reminder for the week: Happy Holidays to you and yours

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 Dec.10-16 made 2,118 contacts with hunters, anglers, boaters, and the general public, issuing 38 citations. Officers responded to 46 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 presented information on Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police careers, safe hunting practices, hunting laws, and what to expect when checked by an officer in the field during multiple Basic Hunter Education Courses at the Little Creek Hunter Education Training Center.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

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

Wildlife Conservation: Possession of unlawfully taken game – mallard (1), possession of unlawfully taken game – white-tailed deer (2), failure to tag antlered deer (1), failure to retain tag on antlered deer (2), failure to check antlered deer within 24 hours (1), removing antlered deer parts prior to checking (1), failure to display required hunter orange during a firearms deer season (2), unlicensed hunting (4), hunting on a refuge (1), hunting within 1500’ of an established blind (1), and trespassing to hunt (2).

Public Safety: Possession of a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle (1) and possession of a firearm by a person prohibited (16).

Other: Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (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 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?
Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police wish you and yours a Happy Holiday season.

Also, some New Year reminders:

• Boaters – Delaware boat registrations expire Dec. 31, and must be renewed before taking boats out on the water in 2019. Boat owners can register their boats or renew their registrations online, through DNREC’s boat registration office at 89 Kings Highway in Dover, or through private agents throughout the state. For more information, visit Delaware Boat Registration Information or contact the boat registration office at 302-739-9916.
• Anglers – It’s time to purchase your 2019 Delaware fishing licenses on or after Jan. 1, as 2018 licenses expire Dec. 31. A valid fishing license is required for fishing, crabbing, and clamming in Delaware in both tidal and non-tidal waters. Delaware fishing licenses are sold online, at the licensing desk in DNREC’s Richardson & Robbins Building, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901 and by license agents statewide. To find a participating agent, or to purchase a license online, visit Delaware licenses. For additional information on Delaware fishing licenses, call 302-739-9918.

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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