(K-9 Roscoe by Officer Josh Hudson)

Reminder for the week: Most hunters must wear hunter orange during firearms deer seasons

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. 4-10 made 1,824 contacts with hunters, anglers, boaters, and the general public, issuing nine citations. Officers responded to 50 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. 7 and 10, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers discussed the role of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers and reviewed safe hunting practices, hunting laws, and what to expect when checked by an officer in the field with attendees of a Hunter Education Class at the Little Creek Hunter Education Training Center.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

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

Wildlife Conservation: Trespassing to hunt (3), and hunting deer in archery season with weapon other than a bow (1).

Fisheries Conservation: Recreational: Crab pot tampering (1).

Boating & Boating Safety: Operating a vessel with insufficient number of life jackets (1), and failure to observe slow no wake (1).

Other: Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (2).

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 hunters that, except for waterfowl hunters, wearing hunter orange is required for safety during all firearms deer seasons. Firearm deer hunters, as well as bow hunters and small game hunters, are required to wear no less than a total of 400 square inches of hunter orange on their heads, chests, and backs combined during firearms deer seasons. 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 three feet off the ground during firearms deer seasons.

For more information on hunting in Delaware, click on 2019-2020 Delaware Hunting and Trapping Guide. Wildlife area maps with area-specific regulations are available online at Delaware Wildlife Area Maps. Printed copies of the Delaware Hunting and Trapping Guide and the wildlife area maps are also available at the licensing desk in DNREC’s Richardson & Robbins Building, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901, or by calling the Wildlife Section office 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, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-739-9913, or 302-382-7167.

Reminder for the week: Where to find Sunday deer hunting information and related wildlife area maps

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 Sept. 30-Oct. 6 made 1,603 contacts with hunters, anglers, boaters, and the general public, issuing 30 citations. Officers responded to 56 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 Oct. 4, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers responded to a reported suspicious observation, discovering human remains along the north side of the C&D Canal west of the Route 1 bridge. The case was turned over to the Delaware State Police Homicide Unit for investigation.
• On Oct. 6, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers responded to a submerged vehicle on the south side of the C&D Canal west of the Route 1 bridge to join other first responders in a search, rescue and recovery operation. One survivor was located, with the driver and two occupants recovered and pronounced deceased on scene; officers continued to search the Canal for one missing occupant of the vehicle (the missing occupant was recovered on Oct. 10 and pronounced deceased on scene). The Delaware State Police Reconstruction Unit is currently investigating the cause of the incident.

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

Wildlife Conservation: Trespass to hunt (1), failure to tag antlerless deer (1), and wildlife area map violation – hunting outside of designated zone (2).

Fisheries Conservation: Recreational: Possession of undersized blue crabs (1) and unlicensed fishing (2).

Boating & Boating Safety: No boating safety certificate (1).

Public Safety: Failure to display required hunter orange during a firearms deer season (4).

Other: Resisting arrest (1), trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (12), operating a motor vehicle off an established roadway on a state wildlife area (1), driving a motor vehicle with an expired registration (3), and operating a motor vehicle without insurance (1).

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?
Sunday deer hunting is allowed in Delaware during the 2019/2020 deer hunting season on all Sundays that occur through Feb. 2, 2020, using those methods legal for the respective established hunting seasons.

For more information, to include Sunday deer hunting opportunities on public wildlife areas, please visit this link.

For more information on the 2019/2020 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 2019-2020 Delaware Hunting & Trapping Guide.

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

Reminder for the week: Who are Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police?

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 Sept. 23-29 made 3,311 contacts with hunters, anglers, boaters, and the general public, issuing 22 citations. Officers responded to 57 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 in the Community

• On Sept. 25 and 29, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers presented information on Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police careers, reviewed safe hunting, hunting laws, and what to expect when checked by an officer in the field at Hunter Education classes held at the Little Creek Hunter Education Training Center.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

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

Wildlife Conservation: Trespass to hunt (1).

Fisheries Conservation: Recreational: Possession of undersized striped bass (2), possession of undersized blue crabs (1), trespass to fish (2), unlicensed fishing (3), and no Fisherman Information Network (FIN) number (1).

Boating & Boating Safety: Failure to maintain a proper lookout (1), operating a vessel with insufficient number of life jackets (1), and no throwable life preserver aboard as required for vessels 16 feet long or longer (1).

Public Safety: Driving a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol (1), careless driving (1)*, contents protruding beyond limits of vehicle (1)*, and passenger failure to occupy seating position (1)*.

Other: Littering on a state wildlife area (1) and trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (4).

*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?
You may not be familiar with the Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, our mission, and how we serve you and our natural resources.

Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers are certified police officers for the State of Delaware. We work in public service to conserve Delaware’s fish and wildlife resources and ensure safe boating and public safety by promoting compliance with laws and regulations through education and enforcement actions, achieved through collaborative community policing of hunting, fishing and boating laws, promoting boating education and safety, responding to boating emergencies, and partnering in Delaware’s Homeland Security maritime mission.

Examples of incidents to which Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers respond include boating violations, hunting violations, recreational and commercial fishing violations, trespassing to hunt or fish, wildlife area violations, search and rescues, and investigations of boating accidents and hunting incidents.

For more information, please contact 302-739-9086. To report violations, incidents, or accidents please call the Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police 24-hour dispatch line at: 302-739-4580 or 1-800-523-3336.

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, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-739-9913, or 302-382-7167.

Reminder for the week: Hunters are required to wear hunter orange and properly transport firearms for safety

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 Sept. 16-22 made 2,384 contacts with hunters, anglers, boaters, and the general public, issuing 40 citations. Officers responded to 57 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 in the Community

• On Sept. 17, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers presented information to a Hunter Education Class held at Little Creek Hunter Education Training Center, including information on the role of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers, safe hunting practices, hunting laws, and what to expect when checked by an officer in the field.
• On Sept. 20, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers discussed the role of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers, answered hunting, fishing, and boating questions, and displayed the Marine Patrol vessel Oscar during a safety day at Lulu M. Ross Elementary School in Milford.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

• On Sept. 20, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers arrested Christopher Ribolla, 37, of Clayton, for one count each of unlicensed hunting, failure to display conservation access pass, unattended vehicle in a wildlife area, and driving with a suspended or revoked license at the Woodland Beach Wildlife Area near Smyrna. Ribolla was arraigned at Kent County Justice of the Peace Court 7 and released on his own recognizance pending a future court date.
• On Sept. 21, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers responded to a report of a vessel accident in which a 20’ vessel struck equipment related to a dredging operation of the Bulkhead Shoal Channel in the Delaware River near Delaware City. The vessel sustained damage but no passengers were injured. The accident remains under investigation at this time.

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

Wildlife Conservation: No federal duck stamp (1), hunting wildlife out of season (1), unlicensed hunting (1), and failure to display conservation access pass (1).

Fisheries Conservation: Recreational: Possession of undersized blue crab (1), possession of undersized tautog (1), unlawful possession of tautog (1), unlicensed fishing (3), and no Fisherman Information Network (FIN) number (2).

Boating & Boating Safety: Operating a vessel with insufficient number of life jackets (4), operating a personal watercraft without required life jackets (1), no fire extinguisher on board (1), no boating safety certificate (1), failure to have boating safety certificate in possession (1), no boat ramp certificate (1), operating an unregistered vessel (2), failure to observe slow no wake (1), and negligent operation of a motor vessel (1).

Public Safety: Driving a motor vehicle under the influence (1), failure to remain in lane of traffic (1), improper use of taillights (1), and possession of marijuana – civil (1).

Other: Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (8)*, unattended vehicle in a wildlife area (1), driving with a suspended or revoked license (1), and operating a motor vehicle without proof of 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. 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 hunters that they are required to wear hunter orange for safety during all firearm deer seasons, except when hunting migratory birds. Firearm deer hunters, as well as bow hunters and small game hunters, are required to wear no less than a total of 400 square inches of hunter orange on their heads, chests, and backs combined during firearm deer seasons. Deer hunters concealed inside ground-level blinds during firearm deer seasons must also place 400 square inches of hunter orange within 10 feet outside of the blind and at least 3 feet off the ground.

Current and upcoming hunting seasons include:

• Archery and crossbow deer season: through Feb. 2, 2020
• Gray Squirrel season: through Feb. 1, 2020 (closed during November shotgun deer season)
• Snow goose season: Oct. 1-Jan. 31, 2020, and Feb. 8, 2020
• Antlerless deer: Oct. 4-6, 21, and 25-28, including Sundays
• Muzzleloader deer season: Oct. 11-20 and Jan. 27 – Feb. 2, 2020

Hunters also are reminded that transporting a loaded firearm in any motorized vehicle, including ATVs, is prohibited. A muzzleloader can be transported with a charge in the barrel only if the cap, primer or striking mechanism is removed and the gun is enclosed in a case.

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, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-739-9913, or 302-382-7167.

Reminder for the week: Hunters must be aware of restrictions and regulations
when importing harvested deer carcasses or parts from other states into 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 Sept. 9-15 made 2,076 contacts with hunters, anglers, boaters, and the general public, issuing 63 citations. Officers responded to 67 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

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

Wildlife Conservation: Trespass to hunt (1), no federal duck stamp (1), and failure to display conservation access pass (2).

Fisheries Conservation: Recreational: Possession of undersized white perch (3)*, possession of undersized striped bass (1), trespass to fish (3), unlicensed fishing (4)*, and no Fisherman Information Network (FIN) number (2).

Boating & Boating Safety: Failure to report a motor vessel accident (1), failure to operate a reasonable speed to avoid a motor vessel collision (1), and operating a vessel with insufficient number of life jackets (1)*.

Public Safety: Possession of a concealed deadly weapon – firearm (1), possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony (1), possession of drug paraphernalia – not marijuana related (2), possession of drug paraphernalia – civil (2), possession of marijuana other than for personal use (1), possession of marijuana – civil (2)*, possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver (1), possession of heroin (1), possession of a controlled substance with aggravating factor (1), unreasonable speed (2), careless driving (2), excessive speed on a wildlife area (1)*, failure to adhere to learner’s permit restrictions (1), and failure to stop at a red light (1).

Other: Possession of a weapon with an altered serial number (1), conspiracy 3rd degree (2), operating an unregistered motor vehicle (1), driving with a suspended or revoked license (1), escaping load from motor vehicle (1), dumping (2), wildlife area map violation – parking outside of designated zone (2), trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (13)*, and trespass closed area on Division lands (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?
It is unlawful to import or possess any carcass or parts of a carcass of any member of the family Cervidae (deer, elk, or moose) originating from areas of another state or Canadian province where Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) has been found in free-ranging or captive deer or other Cervidae species.

However, the following deer, elk, and moose parts may be imported into the state:

• Boned-out meat that is cut and wrapped
• Quarters or other portions of meat with no part of the spinal column or skull attached
• Hides or capes with no skull attached
• Clean (no meat or tissue attached) skull plates with antlers attached
• Antlers (with no meat or tissue attached)
• Upper canine teeth (buglers, whistlers, or ivories)
• Finished taxidermy products

Regionally, the states of Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia have confirmed the presence of CWD. From these states, hunters are restricted from bringing entire deer carcasses into Delaware and may only bring the above mentioned parts from the counties in which CWD has been found. If hunters are hunting in portions of these states outside of those areas, they are not restricted from bringing a harvested carcass back to Delaware.

CWD is documented in the following counties in neighboring states, and are subject to the import restrictions:

• Maryland – Allegany and Washington counties
• Pennsylvania – Adams, Armstrong, Bedford, Berks, Blair, Cambria, Clarion, Clearfield, Cumberland, Franklin, Fulton, Huntington, Jefferson, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Mifflin, Perry, Snyder, Somerset, Westmoreland, and York counties
• Virginia – Clarke, Culpeper, Frederick, Madison, Orange, Shenandoah, and Warren counties
• West Virginia – Berkley, Grant, Hampshire, Hardy, Jefferson, Mineral, and Morgan counties

CWD has been detected in 26 states and three Canadian provinces. For a complete list of restricted areas within other states, please visit http://cwd-info.org/ or contact the Division of Fish & Wildlife at 302-735-3600.

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, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-739-9913, or 302-382-7167.