Reminder for the week: Deer hunting seasons ending

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 Jan. 14-20 made 1,242 contacts with hunters, anglers, boaters, and the general public, issuing 43 citations. Officers responded to 35 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 Actions

• On Jan. 18, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers arrested Angelo J. Rispoli Jr., 23, of New Castle, for one count each of conspiracy third degree, hunting on a state game refuge, and two counts of possess or transport an antlered deer unlawfully killed near Wilmington. Rispoli was video arraigned at Sussex County Justice of the Peace Court 2 and released on unsecured bond pending a future court appearance.

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

Wildlife Conservation: Trespassing to hunt (1), provide hunting guide service without having required guide license (6), unlicensed hunting (3), unlawful to hunt migratory waterfowl except from designated blind sites (2), possession of prohibited lead shot while hunting migratory waterfowl (2), prohibited hunting device – waterfowl bait (3), federal rules adopted – no federal waterfowl stamp (1), possess or transport an antlered deer unlawfully killed (3), possess or transport an antlerless deer unlawfully killed (1), kill an antlered deer without purchasing a hunter choice tag (1), failure to attach antlered deer tag (1), failure to attach antlerless deer tag (1), failure to check antlered deer within 24 hours (1), failure to check antlerless deer within 24 hours (1), hunt antlerless deer in archery season with a weapon other than a bow & arrow (1), purchase or sell deer parts (1), use of unlawfully loaded rifle when in pursuit, taking or hunting of protected wildlife (1), hunting on a state game refuge (1), and set use metal traps without metallic plate or tag and license of owner (1).

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

Public Safety: Failure to display required hunter orange during a deer firearms season (2), unlawfully loaded firearm in/on a motor vehicle (1), and possess, purchase, own or control of a firearm by a person prohibited (1).

Other: Damage state property (1), trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (4)*, and conspiracy third degree (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 hunters of the end of deer hunting seasons:

• Shotgun season ends Sunday, Jan. 27
• Archery and Crossbow seasons end Thursday, Jan. 31
• Muzzleloader season ends Sunday, Feb. 3 (archery equipment and crossbows can be used during muzzleloader season)

Although deer hunting seasons are ending, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police still encourage the public who witness or has information about a game law violation to report the violator as soon as possible so we can immediately investigate. Some illegal activities that should be reported include:

• The use of an artificial light to illuminate wildlife, also known as spotlighting, in any manner, including from a motor vehicle, for the purpose of hunting or observing
• Target shooting on state wildlife areas (target shooting on private property is allowed seven days a week, within the parameters of local, county, and state ordinances)
• Shots fired from or across a public road or right-of-way, or within 15 yards of a public roadway (carrying a loaded weapon in a vehicle or vessel in association with hunting also is illegal)

For more information on the 2018/2019 hunting seasons – including hunter education, licensing, hunting and trapping seasons, limits, regulations, wildlife area information, and more, with sections devoted to deer, small game, turkey, and migratory birds – click on 2018-2019 Delaware Hunting & Trapping Guide. Newly updated wildlife area maps with area-specific regulations are available online at Wildlife Area Maps.

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

Paul E. Daisey

DOVER – DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police arrested a Frankford man on Jan. 21 for multiple deer poaching violations and a felony criminal charge, following an investigation into a reported poaching incident that occurred Jan. 17 on Railway Road near Millville.

Paul E. Daisey, 38, was charged with one count each of hunting deer during a closed season; hunting at nighttime; carrying an unlawfully loaded firearm in a vehicle; failure to check an antlerless deer within 24 hours; possessing or transporting an unlawfully killed antlerless deer; and felony intimidation of a witness. Daisey was arraigned at Sussex County Justice of the Peace Court 3, where he was released on an unsecured bond pending a future court appearance in the Sussex County Court of Common Pleas.

Officers are seeking additional information on this case, which can be provided by contacting Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Sr. Cpl. Oran White at 302-855-1921. Information received that leads to a conviction for a wildlife violation could result in a cash reward under DNREC’s Operation Game Theft program.

Citizens are encouraged to report wildlife violations to 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.

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.

Contact: Lt. John McDerby, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-365-8705 or 302-354-1386; or Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

Vol. 49, No. 16

Evidence photo of tires dumped in the Newark area. DNREC Natural Resources Police Environmental Crimes Unit photo.

NEWARK – Following an investigation into illegal dumping of scrap tires in Newark, DNREC Natural Resources Police Officers with the Environmental Crimes Unit arrested a Newark man Dec. 14 for illegal dumping and hauling solid waste without a permit. The illegal dumping of tires took place over several days earlier this month.

Robert B. Halter, 39, of Newark, was charged with two counts of causing or contributing to the disposal or discharge of solid waste materials and two counts of transportation, storage, or collection of solid waste without a permit.

Halter had active capias out of Justice of the Peace Court 11, New Castle County Court of Common Pleas, and Family Court. He was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 11 in New Castle, where he was committed to Howard Young Correctional Institution in Wilmington, after failing to pay $2,000 cash bond related to the prior capias. He received an additional $200 unsecured bond for the four charges of dumping and hauling scrap tires without a permit.

Delaware residents can report illegal trash dumping to DNREC’s Natural Resources Police Environmental Crimes Unit by calling the 24-hour environmental complaints line at 800-662-8802.

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

Vol. 48, No. 340

Reminder for the week: Don’t forget to download our app – DENRP Tip

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 Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers between Dec. 3-9 made 1,913 contacts with hunters, anglers, boaters, and the general public, issuing 40 citations. Officers responded to 50 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 Actions

• On Dec. 3, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers arrested Jeffrey A. Altman, 51, of Middletown, for one count each of failure to retain tag on antlerless deer, failure to check antlerless deer within 24 hours, possess or transport of unlawfully taken antlerless deer, and two counts of possession of a firearm/weapon by a person prohibited following an investigation into deer poaching near Middletown. Altman was arraigned at New Castle County Justice of the Peace Court 9 and released on a $3,300 unsecured bond, pending a future court appearance.

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

Wildlife Conservation: Failure to tag antlered deer (1), failure to tag antlerless deer (2), failure to retain tag on antlerless deer (3), failure to check antlerless deer within 24 hours (2), possess or transport of unlawfully taken antlerless deer (2), removing antlerless deer parts prior to checking (1), trespass to hunt (1), federal rules adopted – possession of prohibited lead shot while hunting migratory waterfowl (5), federal rules adopted – hunting migratory waterfowl without required federal waterfowl stamp (1), hunting migratory waterfowl over illegal bait (2), hunting with an unplugged shotgun capable of holding more than three shells (1), and possession of protected wildlife – cormorant (1).

Fisheries Conservation: Commercial: Possession of undersized oysters (2) and failure to attach oyster harvesting tag to bushel containing oysters (1).

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

Public Safety: Striking an occupied dwelling with shot discharged from a firearm (2) and possession of a firearm/weapon by a person prohibited (2).

Other: Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (6)*, spinning tires (1)*, malicious mischief by a motor vehicle (1)*, and operating a motor vehicle without insurance (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?
Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police have launched a new law enforcement app, enabling the public to connect with our officers, receive alerts, and submit anonymous tips from your smartphones.

Developed by software company tip411, the app encourages the public to provide our agency with factual and anonymous information leading to the arrest of poachers and other violators. The app is available for free download by searching “DENRP Tip” via the Google Play Store or the iTunes App Store. The app can be used with 100 percent anonymity, as tip411’s technology removes all identifying information before our officers see the tips.

When considering what type of tips to report, note that Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, including two K-9 tracking units, investigate hunting, fishing, and boating violations; respond to and investigate boating and hunting accidents; respond to poaching complaints through Operation Game Theft; and patrol state-owned boating access areas, fishing ponds, piers, and 19 state wildlife areas encompassing nearly 65,000 acres statewide. Our officers also conduct marine law enforcement patrols and boating safety checks on Delaware waterways, including within the state’s three-mile offshore limit in the Atlantic Ocean.

We look forward to hearing from you!

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

Evidence seized in the Dec. 11 arrest of two Sussex County men for weapons and poaching violations. DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police photo.

DOVER – DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers arrested two Sussex County men last night for multiple weapons and poaching violations while investigating a report of individuals trespassing to hunt near Millsboro.

Brendon Dibble, 20, of Millsboro, was charged with one count each of possession of a firearm by a person prohibited, unlicensed hunting, trespassing to hunt, and failure to display required hunter orange during a firearms deer season. Dibble was arraigned through Sussex County Justice of the Peace Court 3, where he was released on a $2,200 unsecured bond pending a future court appearance in the Sussex County Court of Common Pleas.

William Novello, 49, of Millsboro, was charged with 15 counts of possession of a firearm by a person prohibited, two counts of unlicensed hunting, and one count each of trespassing to hunt, failure to display required hunter orange during a firearms deer season, and unlicensed trapping. Novello was arraigned through Justice of the Peace Court 3, where he was released on a $30,500 unsecured bond pending a future court appearance in the Sussex County Court of Common Pleas.

As a result of the arrests and search of their residences, a crossbow, four compound bows,14 firearms, numerous knives, and ammunition were seized.

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.

Contact: Sgt. Brooke Mitchell, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-739-9086 or 302-382-7167; or Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

Vol. 48, No. 333