Reminder for the week: Wildlife area visitors encouraged to know and follow rules

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 July 29-Aug. 4 made 2,491 contacts with anglers, boaters, and the general public, issuing 88 citations. Officers responded to 130 complaints regarding possible violations of laws and regulations or requests to assist the public. A 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 Aug. 1, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers arrested Omar Blue, 37, of Wilmington, Melissa Tinsley, 36, of Middletown, and Renee Rogers, 35, of Wilmington, at the south side of the C&D Canal Conservation Area near Reedy Point. Blue was charged with one count each of carrying a concealed dangerous instrument, possess/consume a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia – not marijuana related, possession of marijuana – civil, and trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area. Tinsley was charged with one count of trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area. Rogers was charged with one count each of possess/consume a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia – not marijuana related, and trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area. All subjects were released upon completion of the investigation.

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

Fisheries Conservation: Recreational: Possession of undersized blue crabs (15)*, failure to tend to crab pots at least once within required 72-hour timeframe (1), use of crab pots without required turtle excluder (1), illegal method of take of conch (2), possession of undersized summer flounder (1), possession of undersized white perch (2), over-the-limit bluefish (2), possession of a prohibited shark (1), unlicensed fishing (6)*, no Fisherman Information Network (FIN) number (8), and trespass to fish (1).

Boating & Boating Safety: No life jacket on a child age 12 or younger as required by law (1), operating a vessel with insufficient number of life jackets (2), operating a personal watercraft without required life jackets (1), no throwable life preserver aboard as required for vessels 16 feet long or longer (1), operating a non-compliant vessel (1), no boating safety certification (5), no boat ramp certificate (1), operating an unregistered vessel (1), and operating a vessel without a vessel registration card in possession (1).

Public Safety: Carry a concealed dangerous instrument (1)*, possess/consume a controlled substance (2)*, possession of drug paraphernalia – not marijuana related (2)*, possession of

Other: Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (18)*, operating a motor vehicle off an established roadway on a state wildlife area (1), wildlife area map violation – crabbing in a closed area (2), conduct activity in wetland without a permit (1), no stopping, standing, or parking (2), criminal trespass 3rd (1), and criminal mischief under $1,000 (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. The Public 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 visitors to enjoy our state wildlife areas while complying with established rules and regulations.

General wildlife area rules and regulations include:
• State wildlife areas are open from sunrise to sunset and closed to public access from sunset to sunrise, with the exception of those lawfully engaged in hunting or fishing. Others found in state wildlife areas between sunset and sunrise will be cited for trespassing after hours.
• Camping, swimming, dumping and littering, target shooting (including paintball), and fires are prohibited in state wildlife areas.
• Horses and bicycles may only be ridden on maintained roads or trails that have been designated by the Division on current wildlife area maps.
• Hunting is permitted only in specified areas and only when in season.
• Parking in a manner that blocks access to a road, trail, or boat ramp is prohibited. Violators will be towed at owner’s expense.
• Operating vehicles off-road, including ATVs, is prohibited; all vehicles must be registered, remain on designated roads, and not exceed a speed of 20 mph.
• All state wildlife areas are designated carry-in, carry-out for trash.

For more information on regulations for specific wildlife areas, click Delaware Hunting Maps. Hard copies of the maps are also available at the licensing desk in DNREC’s Dover office at 89 Kings Highway, or by calling the Wildlife Section office at 302-739-9912.

Media contact: Sgt. Brooke Mitchell, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-739-9913, or 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.

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