Reminder for the week: Rules on using bait while hunting in Delaware

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. 25 – Dec. 1 made 1,172 contacts with hunters, anglers, boaters, and the general public, issuing 31 citations. Officers responded to 47 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 in the Community

• On Nov. 25, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers attended a Toys for Tots donation event with DNREC Secretary Shawn Garvin, State Parks Natural Resources Police, and Environmental Crimes Natural Resources Police at the Brandywine Zoo as reported in a DNREC press release.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

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

Wildlife Conservation: Hunting migratory waterfowl over illegal bait (1), possession of unlawfully taken waterfowl (1), hunting migratory waterfowl without required federal waterfowl stamp (3), possess/transport unlawfully taken game – antlerless deer (6), trespass to hunt (1), and hunting on a refuge (2).

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

Public Safety: Possession, purchase, ownership, or control of a firearm, deadly weapon, or ammunition by a person prohibited (5), possession of marijuana – civil (1)*, possession of marijuana – aggravating factor other than for personal use (1), possession of a controlled substance – tier 5 methamphetamines (1), manufacture, deliver, or possession of LSD (1), possession of human growth hormones without prescription (1), and possession of drug paraphernalia (1).

Other: Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (4)* and wildlife area map violation – parked in an area designated no stopping, standing, or parking (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?
Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind hunters that it is illegal to use bait to hunt game, except for hunting deer on privately-owned lands. Bait is defined in Delaware law as any nontoxic food material, compound, or mixture of ingredients which wildlife is able to consume.

For more information on hunting in Delaware, click on 2019-2020 Delaware Hunting and Trapping Guide. Printed copies of the Delaware Hunting and Trapping Guide are available at the licensing desk in DNREC’s Richardson & Robbins Building, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901, or by calling the Division of Fish & Wildlife’s Wildlife Section at 302-739-9912. The printed guide also is available from license agents throughout the state.

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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