Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: March 21-27

Reminder for the week: Safety, ethical hunting practices encouraged when Delaware turkey season opens April 9

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, DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers between March 21-27 made 802 contacts with anglers, boaters, hunters and the general public, including 49 vessel boardings for boating safety and fishing regulation compliance checks. Officers responded to 34 complaints and issued 12 citations, two of which were related to the C&D Canal Conservation Area and associated recreational trail, where there is an increased Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police presence.

Incidents of note:

On March 24, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police arrested a man and woman for one count each of loitering to engage in sexual conduct at the Haven Lake Boat Ramp in Milford. Both were released with criminal summonses for mandatory court appearances in Justice of the Peace Court 7 in Dover at a later date.
On March 24, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers assisted with recovery of the body of missing Dover Air Force Base Airman Keifer Huhman, located by a fisherman along the southern shore of the C&D Canal near Delaware City. Airman Huhman was reported missing Feb. 7.

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

Wildlife Conservation: Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (2), and littering in a state wildlife area (2)*.

Fisheries Conservation: Unlicensed fishing (4), and possession of unlawfully taken striped bass (1).

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

Public Safety: Loitering to engage in sexual conduct (2).

* Citations issued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police News, Training and Outreach

DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police have been recognized with the Outstanding Agency Award presented by the NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service Office of Law Enforcement. Delaware was evaluated along with all 27 U.S. coastal states and six U.S. territories that are in the partnership with NOAA Office of Law Enforcement. This award was given to Delaware’s Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police for emphasis placed on partnerships in the Joint Enforcement Agreement; scheduling of priority-based patrols during times of federal fisheries’ peak activities, and for having complete case packages on priority violations.

Are you AWARE?
DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind the public that Delaware’s 2016 spring wild turkey hunting season begins Saturday, April 9 and runs through Saturday, May 7. With the excitement of spring turkey season, hunters are reminded to always place safety and ethical hunting practices first and foremost as they pursue the wary spring gobbler.

Unlike some other types of hunting, turkey hunting is an interactive sport that often involves calling to the birds and moving around in the woods to increase the opportunity of harvesting a gobbler. Hunters are reminded that it is unlawful to drive wild turkeys, to shoot a wild turkey on the roost or, for safety purposes, to wear red, white or blue while hunting.

While in pursuit of wild turkeys, hunters are also reminded that it is unlawful to hunt turkeys while using bait as an attractant. Some common baits that are illegally used are wheat, corn, sunflower seeds and various birdseed blends. Hunters must make sure there is no bait present in an area where they are hunting turkeys.

Delaware offers public hunting opportunities for wild turkeys on several state wildlife areas by permit only. To hunt wild turkeys on public land in Delaware, hunters must enter a lottery from which public lands permits are drawn. Delaware’s wild turkey season is broken down into four week-long segments. Turkey hunters are drawn via the lottery system and issued a permit that enables them to hunt a designated public land area, such as the C&D Canal Conservation Area or Redden State Forest during a specified one-week segment.

If you are selected for a public land permit, make sure that you carry both your permit and your turkey education card at all times while hunting. Always remember that a public permit only allows hunting in a specific designated wildlife area and only during one designated week of turkey season.

For hunters who harvest a spring gobbler, the Division of Fish & Wildlife requires that the turkey be checked at an authorized check station by 2:30 p.m. on the same day the turkey was harvested. Information obtained through the check stations is used by the Division of Fish & Wildlife to help manage Delaware’s wild turkey population.

For a list of turkey check stations, please visit http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/fw/Hunting/Pages/Wildlife.aspx. Check station hours may vary, so hunters are advised to call the station where they are likely to check a bird, to confirm the station’s hours of operation. Hunters who want to have their bird scored and entered into the National Wild Turkey Federation records also are reminded to have their bird’s live weight recorded on a certified scale. If the check station does not have a certified scale, hunters will be directed to another station to have the turkey re-weighed.

For turkey hunters who need to purchase a Delaware hunting license, licenses are sold online, at the licensing desk in DNREC’s Richardson & Robbins Building, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, and by license agents statewide. To find a participating agent, or to purchase a license online, visit Delaware Licenses. For additional information on Delaware hunting licenses, call 302-739-9918.

For more information on hunting in Delaware, click on 2015-2016 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. For more information about public lands that allow turkey hunting, click Wildlife Area Hunting Maps or State Forest Maps.

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.

Media Contacts: Cpl. John McDerby, DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-739-9913 or 302-354-1386, or Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 46, No. 106

DNREC, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service continue investigation into deaths of five bald eagles in Sussex County

Two eagles found sick and disoriented March 19 near Dagsboro released back into wild after rehabilitation by Tri-State Bird Rescue

DAGSBORO – While U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service agents and DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers continue an investigation into the March 19-20 deaths of five bald eagles in Sussex County, two eagles captured that weekend disoriented and possibly near death have been released back into the wild after rehabilitation by Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research of Newark, DNREC and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service announced today.

The case began with the March 19 discovery of a dead bald eagle in a field near Dagsboro. Later that morning, a group of eagles that appeared sick and disoriented were found in a farm field about a mile away from the dead bird. Five eagles from that group were captured by Tri-State and DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police; three of those birds died in transit to Newark from as yet undetermined causes. Two more eagles – one dead, one alive – were found the next morning, March 20, in the same area. The live bird also was taken to Tri-State.

The first eagle to be rehabilitated, a second-year female, was released to the wild from Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research’s facility last week. “The eagle was demonstrating excellent flight skills and strength in our large outdoor flight cage – she was ready to go,” said Tri-State Executive Director Lisa Smith, noting that because the bird was not an adult, it was not critical to return her to “territory” she had occupied in Sussex County.

“We carefully weigh the advantages of returning birds of prey to the area where they were found against the risk of possible injury during transport,” Smith said. “This eagle was very active, and we were concerned that she would not travel calmly. We considered it best to release her here and allow her to get where she might be going under her own steam.”

The second eagle to be returned to the wild, a mature female, soared into clearing skies over Sussex County yesterday morning, her release overseen by Tri-State representatives and Fish & Wildlife Natural Resource Police after her successful rehabilitation. One eagle remains at Tri-State, now in stable condition, with its rehabilitation continuing.

Neither U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service agents nor DNREC Natural Resources Police are commenting on what may have caused the deaths of the five bald eagles – all sent last week to the USFWS forensics lab in Ashland, Ore., for testing. “This is an active investigation and we do not know what caused the five eagles to become sick and die,” said Sgt. John McDerby, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police. “We continue to ask people not to attempt to capture or handle any eagles they encounter on the ground, but to call us and report any birds that may appear sick or injured.”

Sick or injured eagles can be reported to the Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police dispatch center at 800-523-3336. Anyone with information about the dead eagles is urged to call the 24-hour Operation Game Theft hotline at 800-292-3030. All Operation Game Theft calls are kept confidential by DNREC.

Thirteen bald eagles were found dead Feb. 20 near Federalsburg, Md., with a determination made by USFWS forensics lab that those eagles “did not die from natural causes.” A reward totaling $30,000 from USFWS and conservation partners has been offered to anyone with information leading to conviction in the Maryland case. A portion of that reward – including $5,000 posted by the American Bird Conservancy – could be made available in the Delaware case for information leading to a criminal conviction.

Media Contacts: Sgt. John McDerby, DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-739-9913 or 302-354-1386, or Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 46, No. 99

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: March 14-20

Reminder for the week: Harvest of river herring, use of nets near spillways, retaining striped bass during spawning season unlawful in Delaware

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, DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers between March 14-20 made 933 contacts with anglers, boaters, hunters and the general public, including 16 vessel boardings for boating safety and fishing regulation compliance checks. Officers responded to 23 complaints and issued nine citations. This week, with an expanded Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police presence continuing to be deployed as a deterrent, no citations were issued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area and associated recreational trail.

An incident of note:

On March 16, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police cited Gary L. Bell Jr., 32, of Bridgeville, for two counts of possession of river herring during a closed season at Craigs Mill Pond near Seaford. Bell received fines totaling $214, including court costs.

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

Wildlife Conservation: Failure to register antlerless deer within 24 hours (4), and operating a motor vehicle off an established roadway on a state wildlife area (1).

Fisheries Conservation: Unlicensed fishing (2), and possession of river herring during a closed season (2).

Are you AWARE?
With spring fishing season gearing up, DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police reminds recreational anglers that it is unlawful in Delaware to harvest and use river herring for bait and that they need to use an alternate type of bait. Signs giving notice of the fishery closure are posted at fishing spots known to hold river herring. Fines for illegal possession of river herring begin at $50 for a first offense, and increase to $100-$500 for a second offense. For more information, click on river herring.

Anglers are also reminded that during spawning season for striped bass in Delaware, which begins April 1 and continues through midnight on May 31, it is unlawful for any person to take and retain any striped bass from the Nanticoke River or its tributaries, the Delaware River and its tributaries to the north of a line extending due east beginning at and including the south jetty at the mouth of the C&D Canal, or the C&D Canal or its tributaries. Anglers are required to practice catch and release fishing during this season with no harvest allowed in these areas.

In addition, regulations require anglers fishing with natural bait on any striped bass spawning ground during the closed spawning season to use a non-offset circle hook. The Division of Fish & Wildlife recommends that circle hooks always be used when fishing natural baits because of their proven ability to reduce hook-and-release mortality for striped bass and other fish species. The circle hook’s design usually results in fish being hooked in the mouth, simplifying hook removal and reducing injury to the released fish.

Also, as fish begin entering the spillways this spring, anglers are reminded that using any type of net to catch fish in tidal water within 300 feet below a dam or spillway is illegal, with the exception of using a landing net on a fish caught with hook and line.

Most anglers are required to have a Delaware fishing license. Licenses are sold online, at the licensing desk in DNREC’s Richardson & Robbins Building, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, 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.

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

Media Contacts: Cpl. John McDerby, DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-739-9913 or 302-354-1386, or Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 46, No. 95

Delaware turkey hunting season to open April 9

DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife announces this year’s check stations

DOVER – Delaware’s spring turkey hunting season opens Saturday, April 9, and runs through Saturday, May 7, DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife announced today. Hunting hours are a half-hour before sunrise until 1 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Hunters are reminded that only bearded birds may be taken, and that all harvested birds must be checked at an authorized turkey check station by 2:30 p.m. on the day of the hunt. Bag limit is one bearded bird per turkey hunter per year.

Hunters must have successfully completed a mandatory turkey education class before they can legally hunt wild turkeys in Delaware. Turkey hunters also are required to carry their Hunter Education/Turkey Education card certifying successful completion of the mandatory turkey course.

Hunting on public lands, including state forest lands, is by preseason lottery permit only. Hunters must carry their public lands permit while hunting and may only hunt the designated area and season segment/dates specified in the permit.

DNREC Hunter Education Coordinator Mark Ostroski offered some tips for a safe and successful hunt. “A successful turkey hunt depends on many factors, including skill, careful preparation and attention to safety details,” he said. “Hunters should be sure to pattern their gun, because knowing where and how your gun shoots can be the difference between failure and success at bagging that big gobbler.”

Ostroski noted that hunters also should remember these important safety practices:

Take time to identify your target and what lies beyond;
It is illegal and unsafe to wear clothing that includes the colors red, blue, black or white while turkey hunting;
Never stalk a wild turkey; and
Do not imitate the male gobbling call while trying to attract another gobbler.

The wild turkey remains one of Delaware’s top wildlife restoration successes after being on the verge of extinction by the early 20th century. In the early 1980s, the Division of Fish & Wildlife partnered with the Delaware chapters of the National Wild Turkey Federation and Delaware Wild Lands to reestablish a wild turkey population in the state. By 1991, the population had grown large enough to permit opening a wild turkey hunting season, and the big birds continue to thrive and multiply.

Last year, 633 birds were harvested, the second highest record to date and only 54 fewer turkeys than the previous seasons harvest of 687. “Over the past four seasons, hunters have harvested more than 600 turkeys each season, which can be attributed to the growing popularity of spring turkey hunting and a healthy turkey population,” said Wildlife Biologist Joe Rogerson.

Authorized turkey check stations for 2016 will be available at the following locations:

New Castle County*

Ommelanden Hunter Education and Training Center
1205 River Rd, New Castle, DE 19720
302-323-5333

*Note: On page 31 of the of the 2015/16 Delaware Hunting and Trapping Guide, Master Baiters Bait and Tackle in New Castle, is listed as a 2016 Delaware Turkey Check Station, but they will not be participating this season.

Kent County

McKay Wildlife and Hunter Education Field Office
6180 Hay Point Landing Road, Smyrna, DE 19977
(Intersection of Route 9/Shorts Landing Road)
302-735-3600
Little Creek Wildlife Area Check Station
Route 9/Bayside Drive͕, Little Creek, DE 19961
(Just south of the Town of Little Creek)
302-739-4610
Williamsville Store
3544 Williamsville Road, Houston, DE 19954
(Intersection of Deep Grass Lane and Williamsville Road)
302-424-2277
First State Sporting Goods
825 Halltown Road, Marydel, DE 19964
302-343-9696
Miller’s Butcher Shop
577 Morgans Choice Road, Wyoming, DE 19934
302-697-8278
LP Sports Center
1 East Street, Spartan Plaza, Harrington, DE 19952
302-398-6373
Delmarva Speed & Sport
689 Warner Road, Milford, DE 19963
302-424-1179

Sussex County

Wildlife Recreations
9641 Tharp Road, Seaford, DE 19973
302-629-4524
Hook ‘Em & Cook ‘Em
3444 Coastal Highway, Unit 3, Bethany Beach, DE 19930
302-539-6243
That Place
30618 Millsboro Highway, Millsboro, DE 19966
302-934-9260
Bucks and Ducks Sports Center
14882 Hardscrabble Road, Seaford, DE 19973
302-875-5600
Kelly’s Outdoors
29920 John J. Williams Highway, Millsboro, DE 19966
302-934-7517

NOTE: The list of check stations is subject to change without notice. Visit Hunting Information after April 1 for any changes before the season begins. Check station hours may vary, so hunters are advised to call the station where they are likely to check a bird to confirm the hours of operation. Hunters who want to have their bird scored and entered into the National Wild Turkey Federation records are reminded to have their bird’s live weight recorded on a certified scale. If the check station does not have a certified scale, hunters will be directed to another station to have the turkey re-weighed.

Most hunters are required to have a Delaware hunting license. Hunting licenses are sold online, at the licensing desk in DNREC’s Richardson & Robbins Building, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, and by license agents statewide. To find a participating agent, or to purchase a license online, visit Delaware Licenses. For additional information on Delaware hunting licenses, call 302-739-9918.

To hunt wild turkeys on public land in Delaware, hunters must enter a lottery from which public lands permits are drawn. Delaware’s wild turkey season is broken down into four week-long segments, this year spanning April 9-May 7. Turkey hunters are drawn via the lottery system and issued a permit that enables them to hunt a designated public land area, such as the C&D Canal Conservation Area or Redden State Forest, for example, during a specified one-week segment.

For more information on hunting in Delaware, including the application for the public land permit lottery and information about turkey season segments, click on 2015-2016 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. For more information about public lands that allow turkey hunting, click Wildlife Area Hunting Maps or State Forest Maps.

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

Vol. 46, No. 94

Wildlife advisory council to meet March 29 in Dover

Alternate approach to proposed conservation access pass to be considered

DOVER – The Delaware Advisory Council on Wildlife and Freshwater Fish will consider an alternate approach to the proposed conservation access pass that will be presented by DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife at the council’s next meeting at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 29 at DNREC’s Richardson & Robbins Building auditorium, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901. The previously proposed conservation access pass approach was developed with extensive public and council input to establish a fee for accessing state wildlife areas.

Agenda items include:

Approval of minutes
Migratory game bird seasons review and approval (for 2016/2017 season)
Future council meeting schedule – date and time
Tundra swan hunting (season consideration)
Bobwhite quail season extension (of existing hunting season)
Proposed conservation access pass – alternate approach
Division of Fish & Wildlife director’s update

In January, the Division of Fish & Wildlife held a series of public workshops on wildlife program services and associated revenues that included discussion of increasing hunting and trapping license fees and establishing a conservation access pass and associated fee for admission to state wildlife areas. At its January meeting, the wildlife advisory council considered and approved these changes. Any license fee increases or new fees require approval of the Delaware General Assembly before becoming effective.

For more information, please contact the Wildlife Section at 302-739-9912.

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

Vol. 46, No. 89