DOVER – DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife is pleased to announce that its full-color 2017 calendar is available now, just in time for the New Year. Each month of the calendar depicts seasonal photographs of the division’s public wildlife and fishing areas and education facilities. New features in this year’s annual calendar include daily sunrise and sunset times and 2017 hunting and fishing season dates, as well as the usual monthly seasonal outdoor activity reminders and a convenient Division of Fish & Wildlife contact directory.

This year’s calendar features photos by Division of Fish & Wildlife staff members Stew Michels, Jay Davis, Kim Gadow, Craig Rhoads, Karen Bennett, Wayne Lehman, Denise Husband, Rob Gano, Audrey DeRose-Wilson, Bill Jones and Mary Rivera.

“The 2017 calendar showcases the natural beauty of Delaware’s public wildlife areas, fishing ponds and nature centers,” said Division of Fish & Wildlife Director David Saveikis. “These are just some of the sites the division manages in serving the public as we fulfill our guiding slogan ‘We Bring You Delaware’s Great Outdoors through Science and Service.’ Get your calendar today to enjoy pictures of some of Delaware’s best wild places and outdoor scenery as you use the calendar throughout the year.”

Calendars are available for $5 at the following locations:

• DNREC’s licensing desk at 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901, open 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday thru Friday;
• Owens Station Shooting Sports & Hunter Education Center, 12613 Hunters Cove Road, Greenwood, DE 19950, open 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Tuesday thru Sunday; and
• Ommelanden Hunter Education Training Center and Public Shooting Range, 1205 River Road, New Castle, DE 19720, open 12:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Wednesday and 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Calendars also may be ordered for $6 including postage and handling by calling the Division of Fish & Wildlife at 302-739-9910, Monday thru Friday between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., or by sending a check made out to “Delaware Division of Fish & Wildlife” to Jennifer Childears, Delaware Division of Fish & Wildlife, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901.

Media contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

Vol. 46, No. 425

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Reminder for the week: Boat owners reminded to renew boat registrations before New Year use

DOVER – To achieve public compliance through education and enforcement actions that help conserve Delaware’s fish and wildlife resources and ensure safe boating and public safety, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers between Dec. 5-11 made 2,432 contacts with anglers, hunters, boaters and the general public, including 99 vessel boardings for boating safety, hunting and fishing regulation compliance checks, resulting in the issuance of 266 citations. Officers responded to 37 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 associated recreational trail.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

Incidents of note:

• On Dec. 6, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police arrested a commercial waterman from Milton for 140 counts of possession of undersized channel conch. Charges stemmed from a commercial fishing compliance boarding conducted by officers on Nov. 8 near Lewes. The subject was arraigned at Sussex County Justice of the Peace Court 3 where he pled guilty to 14 counts and was fined $1,284.
• On Dec. 7, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police arrested a commercial waterman from Ellendale for 109 counts of possession of undersized channel conch. Charges stemmed from a commercial fishing compliance boarding conducted by officers on Nov. 30 near Slaughter Beach. The subject was arraigned at Sussex County Justice of the Peace Court 3 where he pled guilty to 20 counts and was fined $1,820.

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

Wildlife Conservation: Unlicensed hunting (1), trespassing to hunt (1), hunting with an unplugged shotgun capable of holding more than three shells (2), hunting migratory waterfowl during closed season – Canada Goose (1), possession of unlawfully taken waterfowl – Canada Goose (1), hunting migratory waterfowl without required state waterfowl stamp (1), possession of unlawfully taken game – rabbit (2), wildlife area map violation – failure to hunt as permitted by area rules (3), hunting migratory waterfowl without required federal waterfowl stamp (1), and possession of prohibited lead shot while hunting migratory waterfowl (2).

Fisheries Conservation: Commercial: Possession of undersized channel conch (249).

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

Public Safety: Failure to display required hunter orange during a firearms deer season (1).

Are you AWARE?
Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind boaters that if their Delaware boat registrations expire Dec. 31, the registration must be renewed before taking their boats out on the water in 2017.

State law requires that all motor-powered vessels that are principally used in Delaware or used, docked or stowed on Delaware waters for more than 60 consecutive days must be registered in Delaware. Registration numbers provide identification for recovering lost or stolen vessels or identifying vessels violating the law, and help locate persons involved in boating accidents.

“Under Delaware’s boating laws, the operator of a vessel – not necessarily the owner – is responsible for ensuring the vessel is registered, carries all required safety equipment and is operated in a safe manner,” said Sgt. John McDerby, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police boating safety coordinator.

Delaware’s online boat registration system was recently modernized with the installation of a new online system that improves electronic management of registration records to ensure better accuracy and consistency. Boat owners can currently renew their registrations online Boat Registration Renewal or through DNREC’s boat registration office at 89 Kings Highway in Dover. For more information, contact the boat registration office at 302-739-9916.

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. Wildlife violations may also be reported anonymously to Operation Game Theft by calling 800-292-3030 or online at http://de.gov/ogt.

Like Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police on Facebook, www.facebook.com/pages/Delaware-Fish-Wildlife-Natural-Resources-Police.

Follow Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police on Twitter, https://twitter.com/DE_FW_NRPolice.

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

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Entries accepted through Jan. 31

DOVER – There’s still time to take that great hunting photograph while afield and enter the Division of Fish & Wildlife’s 2016/17 Delaware Hunting Photo Contest, with the Jan. 31, 2017 contest deadline a few weeks away. The winning photo will be featured on the cover or inside of the 2017/18 Delaware Hunting and Trapping Guide to be published next year.

A judging panel comprised of DNREC staff will be looking for photos that best portray this year’s contest theme, “Hunting with Family or Friends.” Judges also will look at technical criteria including resolution, clarity and composition.

“The hunting photo contest is a great chance to showcase and share adventures with other hunters,” said Division of Fish & Wildlife Director David Saveikis. “The theme helps reinforce and capture the fun of a shared outdoor hunting experience.”

The contest is open to all Delaware residents, with a maximum of three entries per person. To be eligible, photographs must have been taken in Delaware. Portrait orientation is preferred; landscape photos, if chosen among contest winners, may be cropped for presentation.

Photographs must be submitted as 8×10-inch photo quality prints, with no frames or mats and no markings or signatures on the front or back. Winning entries must be available in a digital version with resolution of 300 dpi or greater (when enlarged to 8×10 inches).

Normal processing of RAW image files, minimal cropping and minor adjustments to color and contrast are acceptable. HDR and focus stacking are permitted as long as manipulation is disclosed upon entry. Nothing should be added to the image or, aside from dust spots, taken away. The entrant must hold all rights to the photograph and must not infringe on the rights of any other person. Images that involve unlawful harm to wildlife or damage to the environment should not be submitted and will not be accepted. Entries will not be returned.

Entries may be mailed to the DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife Photo Contest, Attention: Jennifer Childears, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901. All entries must be postmarked or delivered by Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2017, and must include a completed and signed entry form. A photo release form is also required for photos that include images of children younger than 18. Information and forms are available on the Division of Fish & Wildlife’s website or may be requested by calling Jennifer Childears at 302-739-9910, or email jennifer.childears@delaware.gov.

Media contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

Vol. 46, No. 423

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DOVER – DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife reminds hunters that a variety of game species are in season from now until February, and to be aware of other hunters who may be using diverse hunting methods while pursuing different game animals. Firearm small game hunters, squirrel hunters in particular, should know that they may find themselves sharing their hunting spots with camouflaged archery deer hunters in tree stands.

All hunters also are reminded of the requirement to wear no less than a total of 400 square inches of hunter orange on their heads, chests and backs during all firearms deer seasons, with the exception of those hunting migratory birds. Deer hunters concealed inside ground-level blinds also must place 400 square inches of hunter orange within 10 feet outside of the blind and at least 3 feet off the ground.

Ongoing or upcoming deer seasons:
• Archery/crossbow – thru Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2017 (No Sunday deer hunting allowed during archery and crossbow season except for designated Sundays during certain firearms seasons)
• Special antlerless – thru Saturday, Dec. 17
• Handgun – Saturday, Jan. 7-Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017 (No Sunday deer hunting allowed during handgun season)
• Shotgun – Saturday, Jan. 14-Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017, including Sunday, Jan. 15
• Muzzleloader – Monday, Jan. 23-Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017 (No Sunday deer hunting allowed during January muzzleloader season)

Ongoing or upcoming waterfowl/migratory game bird seasons include:
• Ducks – thru Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017
• Brant – thru Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017
• Snow geese – thru Saturday, Feb. 4, 2017
• Canada geese – Friday, Dec. 16-Saturday, Feb. 4, 2017
• Snow Goose Conservation Order – Monday, Feb. 6-Friday, Feb. 10, 2017 and Monday, Feb. 13-Friday, April 7, 2017
• Youth waterfowl day – Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017
• Mourning dove – thru Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017
• Woodcock and snipe – Wednesday, Dec. 14-Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017

Snow goose season is open on youth waterfowl day Feb. 11, but hunters must follow normal season requirements, including hunting hours 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset, plugged shotguns, no electronic calls and daily bag limit of 25.

Hunters who wish to participate in the Snow Goose Conservation Order must register for a free, annual permit after Jan. 1, 2017 and report their harvest after the season closes in April.

Ongoing small game and furbearer hunting seasons include:
• Quail – thru Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017
• Gray squirrel and pheasant – thru Saturday, Feb. 4, 2017
• Rabbit, raccoon, opossum, red fox and coyote – thru Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017

Hunters are reminded to check daily bag limits and possession limits, as well as types of firearms and ammunition permitted for the game they are planning to hunt. If hunting on public lands, hunters also should review wildlife area maps and rules, including legal shooting hours and dates, specific rules for each wildlife area and any permits they may need. Wildlife area maps and rules are available at DNREC’s Dover licensing desk in the Richardson & Robbins Building, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901, or online at Delaware Wildlife Area Maps.

For more information on hunting in Delaware, click on 2016-2017 Delaware Hunting and Trapping Guide. The guide also is available in printed form at DNREC’s Dover licensing desk and from license agents throughout the state.

Media contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

Vol. 46, No. 422

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Reminder for the week: Public urged to report violations of hunting and wildlife regulations through Operation Game Theft

DOVER – To achieve public compliance through education and enforcement actions that help conserve Delaware’s fish and wildlife resources and ensure safe boating and public safety, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers between Nov. 28-Dec. 4 made 804 contacts with anglers, hunters, boaters and the general public, including 50 vessel boardings for boating safety and fishing regulation compliance checks, issuing 59 citations. Officers responded to 29 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 associated recreational trail.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

Incident of note:
• On Dec. 1, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police arrested a commercial waterman from Lewes, for 33 counts of improperly marked commercial conch pots. During a routine check of commercial conch pot compliance in the Delaware Bay, near Lower Middle Shoal, officers located 98 pots belonging to the individual that were illegally marked. He was arraigned at Kent County Justice of the Peace Court 7 and released pending a future court appearance at Kent County Court of Common Pleas.

The following press release was issued related to this week’s citations:
• Kent County man arrested for multiple firearm hunting related and drug violations

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

Wildlife Conservation: Trespass to hunt (1), possess an illegally taken antlered deer (2), possess an illegally taken antlerless deer (2), and cut live trees or shrubs on state forest property (1).

Fisheries Conservation: Recreational: Unlicensed fishing (1), and possession of undersized striped bass (1).
Commercial: Improperly marked conch pots (33).

Public Safety: Possession of a firearm by a person prohibited (4), possession of a deadly weapon by a person prohibited (3), possession of ammunition by a person prohibited (3), possession of marijuana (1), possession of drug paraphernalia (1), possession of a prescription drug not a controlled substance without a prescription (1), criminal impersonation (1), impersonate a police officer (1), forgery 2nd (1), reckless driving (1), and driving while suspended or revoked (1).

Are you AWARE?
Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police encourage the public to report violations of Delaware’s hunting and wildlife regulations through Operation Game Theft (OGT), a fund established in 1980 by the Delaware General Assembly to assist in the apprehension and conviction of game law violators. Funded with all fines collected for violation of game laws in Delaware and with donations from various sources, OGT provides rewards up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of persons involved in game law violations. The identity of those providing information is kept confidential, and rewards are paid in cash.

Following is a list of rewards paid by Operation Game Theft for information on violations covered under the fund:

Rewards of $100 – $1,000
• Commercialization of wildlife (sale of wildlife or wildlife parts)
• Killing an endangered/threatened species
• Any violation in which a Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officer is assaulted
• Fleeing to avoid prosecution for a wildlife violation
Rewards of $100 – $500
• Illegally hunting black ducks, canvasbacks, turkeys or Canada geese
• Poisoning wildlife
• Destruction of state wildlife areas or equipment
• Gross over-limits of wildlife
• Illegally hunting waterfowl or deer on state game refuges
• Willful obstruction of lawful hunting
• Illegally hunting/trapping out of season or at night
• Hunting during license revocation
• Possession, tending or setting killer traps with a jaw spread in excess of 5 inches
Rewards up to $100
• Fraudulent use of hunting license and/or fraudulently obtaining a hunting license
• Illegally hunting with a rifle
• Dumping trash on state wildlife areas

NOTE: An additional $100 reward will be paid by the Delaware Chapters of the National Wild Turkey Federation for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone illegally killing a wild turkey in Delaware.

Operation Game Theft’s primary focus is on catching and deterring those who illegally kill wildlife species, including ducks, geese, wild turkeys, white-tailed deer and endangered or threatened species. “While poaching is broadly defined as the illegal hunting or killing of wildlife, it actually robs natural resources from the people of Delaware, especially from the majority of hunters who hunt legally and ethically,” said Sgt. John McDerby, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police. “With the help of Delaware citizens, we can better battle poaching to conserve our wildlife resources.”

Residents and landowners in Delaware are encouraged to report any suspicious or illegal activity that they observe as soon as possible to Operation Game Theft by calling 800-292-3030 or online at Operation Game Theft. “To report a violation, please provide all the information you can. Details that might seem insignificant often help in solving cases,” Sgt. McDerby said. “And the sooner you can get the information to us, the better the chances are that we can catch violators.”

Useful details include:
• Time, date and location of the violation observed;
• Species and numbers of wildlife involved;
• How the animal was taken and its current location, if known;
• A vehicle description and tag number; and
• Age, height, weight, hair color, clothing and any other identifying features of the violator(s), if this information can be obtained safely without contacting, confronting or attempting to restrain the violator(s).

For more information, contact Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police at 302-739-9913 during weekday business hours or call the 24-hour line at 302-739-4580.

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. Wildlife violations may also be reported anonymously to Operation Game Theft by calling 800-292-3030 or online at http://de.gov/ogt.

Like Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police on Facebook, www.facebook.com/pages/Delaware-Fish-Wildlife-Natural-Resources-Police.

Follow Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police on Twitter, https://twitter.com/DE_FW_NRPolice.

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

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