Reminder for the week: Dumping of solid waste on state wildlife areas illegal

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 Feb. 4-10 made 1,308 contacts with hunters, anglers, boaters, and the general public, issuing 22 citations. Officers responded to 25 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 Feb. 6, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers discussed the role of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers, answered hunting, fishing and boating questions, and displayed the popular Operation Game Theft trailer at a Cub Scout Pack 283 meeting at Christ the Teacher School in Newark.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

• On Feb. 4, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers arrested Tristan M. Friel, 21, of Federalsburg, Md., for one count each of license forgery or misrepresentation, failure to check an antlerless deer within 24 hours, unlawful removal of antlerless deer parts prior to checking, possess or transport an antlerless deer that was unlawfully killed, failure to retain tag on an antlerless deer, and fail to retain division or homemade receipt tag with antlerless deer near Harrington. Friel was video arraigned at Kent County Justice Peace Court 7 and was released on unsecured bond pending a future court appearance.
• On Feb. 8, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers assisted the Montgomery County Md. Department of Police by coordinating a large-scale search of the C&D Canal Conservation Area and Fort DuPont State Park for a Maryland man gone missing on January 24, resulting in the recovery of the victim’s body as reported by the Montgomery County Police.

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

Wildlife Conservation: License forgery or misrepresentation (1), failure to check an antlerless deer within 24 hours (1), unlawful removal of antlerless deer parts prior to checking (1), possess or transport an antlerless deer that was unlawfully killed (1), failure to retain tag on an antlerless deer (1), fail to retain division or homemade receipt tag with antlerless deer (1), impede lawful hunting (1), unlicensed trapping (2), and setting traps without required permanent tag (2).

Public Safety: Loitering to engage or solicit another to engage in sex (4).

Other: Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (5)*, 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 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 remind the public that unauthorized disposal or dumping of solid waste is prohibited in the state, including on state wildlife areas. Dumping of trash or yard waste on state wildlife areas is an ongoing issue for which Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police patrol, with dumping convictions subject to criminal charges, fines, and restitution. The public is encouraged to report dumping activity, which can be done anonymously, by calling 1-800-523-3336 or using the DENRP Tip app described above.

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: Lt. John McDerby, 302-354-1386, or Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-739-9913

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