Hearns Pond dam and boat ramp closed through July while replacement structures are completed

SEAFORD – Construction activity at Hearns Pond dam and boat ramp north of Seaford has been delayed this spring by high water and storm events, meaning public access areas at the pond will remain closed through July while the replacement dam and boat ramp are completed, according to DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife, which operates and maintains the state-owned facility.

The dam at Hearns Pond was overtopped and seriously damaged during a 2001 storm, draining the pond and causing serious downstream flooding damage. DNREC later funded a study to evaluate the condition and potential hazards of the dam, and worked with DelDOT to develop a replacement plan to bring the dam into compliance with Delaware’s Dam Safety Regulations. Replacing and upgrading the dam will also help ensure the pond continues to be a popular fishing site.

Access to the Hearns Pond boat ramp, parking lot and dam will remain closed during construction. Boaters who regularly use Hearns Pond may opt to use Concord Pond, approximately 3.5 miles southeast near Seaford, or Craigs Pond, approximately 5 miles southwest near Seaford.

For more information, please call the Fisheries Section at 302-739-9914.

Follow the Division of Fish & Wildlife on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/DelawareFishWildlife.

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

Vol. 47, No. 105

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Applications now being accepted for Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police’s second annual summer Youth Academy

Support sought for program for ages 12-15

DOVER – If you are a student aged 12 to 15 with an interest in natural resources and law enforcement, applications are now being accepted for the Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police’s second annual summer Youth Academy. Designed to teach students boating safety, hunter safety and how to protect our natural resources, and to nurture the relationship between our law enforcement officers and the community, the Youth Academy is held free of charge, with lunch provided for all participants.

Following its inaugural success last year, the summer program has been expanded this year to offer two sessions of the Basic Youth Academy, one each in New Castle County and Kent County, and an Advanced Youth Academy session in New Castle County. Students who complete the basic program will receive both their hunter safety and boating safety certifications.

The Advanced Youth Academy is open to anyone 12 to 15 years old who has either completed the 2016 Basic Youth Academy or has previously acquired his or her hunting safety and boating safety certifications. Participants will continue their education on the duties of a natural resources police officer, as well as learning additional outdoor skills. The advanced program includes a camping excursion with mandatory parent/guardian participation.

The three sessions will be held as follows:

  • Natural Resources Police Basic Youth Academy Session I – 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, June 26-30, Little Creek Hunter Education Training Center, 3018 Bayside Drive, Dover, DE 19901; Application deadline: Friday, May 19
  • Natural Resources Police Basic Youth Academy Session II – 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, July 10-14, Ommelanden Hunter Education Training Center, 1205 River Road, New Castle, DE 19720; Application deadline: Friday, June 2
  • Natural Resources Police Advanced Youth Academy – 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, August 1-5, Ommelanden Hunter Education Training Center,1205 River Road, New Castle, DE 19720; Application deadline: Friday, June 2

Each session is limited to the first 20 qualified applicants.

For the Basic Youth Academy, priority is given to those who have not already completed a hunter safety course or boating safety course. Applications must include a 250-word essay written by the applicant explaining why he or she wants to take part in the academy and what Delaware’s natural resources mean to him or her.

For the Advanced Youth Academy, priority is given to those who have already completed the Basic Youth Academy. Applications must include a 500-word essay written by the applicant explaining what the applicant learned from the 2016 Youth Academy or, if he or she did not attend the academy, what the applicant learned from hunter and boating safety courses.

“The Youth Academy is an excellent opportunity for our future outdoors men and women to obtain their boater and hunter safety certifications, learn about Delaware’s great outdoors and gain insight into what it’s like to be a Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Officer,” said Captain Brian Pollock, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police. “The advanced academy builds on the fundamentals learned from the basic academy and gives the students additional skills and training that would assist them in becoming the future guardians of Delaware’s natural resources as well as becoming a better hunter and angler.”DE F&W Natural Resources Police logo

Applications for the Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Youth Academy are available online at http://de.gov/fwenforcement and at the Delaware Fish & Wildlife licensing desk in DNREC’s Richardson & Robbins Building, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901.

Opportunities to support the Youth Academy are available, with the success of last year’s inaugural program made possible through the generous support and donations from various businesses, private organizations and individuals.

For more information regarding the Youth Academy or to inquire about supporting the program, please contact Captain Brian Pollock at 302-365-8703 or email brian.pollock@delaware.gov.

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.

This project is part of Delaware’s Children in Nature Initiative, a statewide effort to improve environmental literacy in Delaware, create opportunities for children to participate in enriching outdoor experiences, combat childhood obesity and promote healthy lifestyles. Delaware’s multi-agency initiative, which partners state and federal agencies with community organizations, is part of the national No Child Left Inside program.

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

Vol. 47, No. 59

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Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: Feb. 27- March 5

Reminder for the week: Time to purchase your 2017 Delaware fishing license

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 Feb. 27- March 5 made 999 contacts with anglers, hunters, boaters and the general public, including 10 vessel boardings for boating safety, hunting and fishing regulation compliance checks, issuing 10 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 associated recreational trail.

DE F&W Natural Resources Police logoFish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions
Citations issued by category, with the number of charges in parentheses, included:

Public Safety: Theft of services (1), and drive a motor vehicle without a valid license (2).

Other: Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (6)*, and operating a motor vehicle off an established roadway on a state wildlife area (1)*.
*Includes citation(s) issued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area.

Are you AWARE?
Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind anglers to purchase their 2017 Delaware fishing licenses. A valid fishing license is required for fishing, crabbing and clamming in Delaware in both tidal and non-tidal waters.

A resident annual fishing license costs $8.50 for ages 16 through 64. Anglers under the age of 16 and residents age 65 and older are not required to purchase fishing licenses in Delaware. Some requirements differ for non-resident anglers. Exempt persons may purchase fishing licenses if they so choose to help support fisheries management in Delaware.

Recreational anglers 16 years and older fishing Delaware waters also are required to obtain a Delaware Fisherman Information Network (FIN) number; this number is generated automatically on all individual fishing licenses sold through Delaware’s electronic licensing system. License-exempt anglers, including Delaware residents 65 and older; non-resident boat fishing license holders who do not have an individual license; and individuals who do not have an individual license fishing on licensed boats must obtain their free FIN number by visiting http://www.delaware-fin.comor calling 800-432-9228 toll-free.

Delaware fishing 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 2017 Delaware Fishing Guide. The guide also is available in printed form at DNREC’s Dover licensing desk and from license agents throughout the state.

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.

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Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: Feb. 6-12

Reminder for the week: Anglers need a fishing license, trout stamp, FIN number for trout season

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 Feb. 6-12 made 1,311 contacts with anglers, hunters, boaters and the general public, including 11 vessel boardings for boating safety, hunting and fishing regulation compliance checks, issuing 46 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.DE F&W Natural Resources Police logo

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police in the Community
• On Feb. 10, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers attended a career fair at Sussex Technical High School in Georgetown, where they presented information on Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police careers and discussed summer seasonal officer employment opportunities.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

Incident of note:
• On Feb. 9, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police cited a juvenile with multiple traffic violations after being observed operating a vehicle in an agricultural field near Townsend. Citations included malicious mischief by a motor vehicle, operating a motor vehicle without a valid license, failure to have insurance identification in possession, possession of a fictitious or cancelled registration card and operation of an unregistered motor vehicle. The juvenile was released to parents pending a future court date in New Castle County Family Court.

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

Wildlife Conservation: No snow goose conservation order permit (1), and possession of unlawfully taken antlerless deer (2)*.

Fisheries Conservation: Unlicensed fishing (4), and possession of undersized largemouth bass (1).

Public Safety: Malicious mischief by a motor vehicle (1), operating a motor vehicle without a license (1), failure to have insurance identification in possession (1), possession of a fictitious or cancelled registration card (1), operation of an unregistered motor vehicle (1), possession of a deadly weapon by a person prohibited (30)*, and possession of ammunition by a person prohibited (1)*.

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

* See related press release: Harrington man arrested by Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police for multiple deer hunting and firearm violations

Are you AWARE?
Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind anglers that with trout season opening downstate at 7 a.m. Saturday, March 4 and other spring fishing opportunities coming up soon, they need to purchase their 2017 Delaware fishing license and, if trout fishing, a state trout stamp.

Trout will be stocked in Tidbury Pond near Dover in Kent County and Newton Pond near Greenwood in Sussex County. Both ponds are closed to all fishing from Saturday, Feb. 18 until opening day March 4. Upstate, trout will be stocked in six streams in northern New Castle County: White Clay Creek, Christina Creek, Pike Creek, Beaver Run, Wilson Run and Mill Creek where the season opens at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 1. The six trout streams are closed to all fishing from Saturday, March 18 until opening day on April 1.

A resident annual Delaware recreational fishing license, which covers fresh and tidal waters as well as crabbing and clamming, costs $8.50 for ages 16 through 64. Persons under the age of 16 and residents age 65 and older are not required to purchase fishing licenses in Delaware, although exempt persons may purchase fishing licenses and trout stamps if they so choose to help support fisheries management and trout stocking efforts. For non-resident anglers age 16 and older, a Delaware fishing license costs $20.

Both resident and non-resident anglers age 16 and older also are required to obtain a Delaware Fisherman Information Network (FIN) number. The free number is included as part of a Delaware fishing license purchase. License-exempt anglers, including Delaware residents 65 and older, may visit www.delaware-fin.com or call 800-432-9228 toll-free to obtain their free FIN number.

Most trout anglers also must purchase a Delaware Trout Stamp, with the exception of anglers younger than age 12 and resident anglers age 65 and older. For residents age 16 through 64, a trout stamp costs $4.20. For residents age 12 through 15, a young angler trout stamp costs $2.10. For non-residents, a trout stamp is required for all anglers age 12 and older and costs $6.20.

Delaware fishing 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 2017 Delaware Fishing Guide. The guide also is available in printed form at DNREC’s Dover licensing desk, and from license agents throughout the state.

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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Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: Jan. 23-29

Reminder for the week: Conservation Order allows snow goose harvest

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 Jan. 23-29 made 1173 contacts with anglers, hunters, boaters and the general public, including 40 vessel boardings for boating safety, hunting and fishing regulation compliance checks, issuing 27 citations. Officers responded to 43 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.DE F&W Natural Resources Police logo

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police in the Community

• On Jan. 28-29, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers spoke to students attending Turkey Hunter Education Courses at the Fish & Wildlife Hunter Education Center in Little Creek. The students learned about the career and duties of a Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officer and what to expect when checked by an officer when hunting.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

Incidents of note:

• On Jan. 23, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police cited Brian T. Pitts, 27, of Smyrna, for resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, possession of drug paraphernalia, operating a vessel with an insufficient number of life jackets and operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol on the Blackbird River near Townsend. Pitts was processed and released pending a future court appearance.

• On Jan. 26, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police arrested Antonio Couto, 64, of Milton for the willful obstruction or impeding of lawful hunting for having intentionally interfered with a deer hunter near Milton. Couto was arraigned at Sussex County Justice of the Peace Court 3, where he pled guilty and was fined $298, including court costs.

• On Jan. 28, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police cited two individuals from Sussex County for one count each of possession of a loaded firearm in a vessel while underway and hunting from an underway vessel as the result of shooting at migratory waterfowl from their underway vessel near the Indian River Inlet. Fines for each individual total $333, including court costs.

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

Wildlife Conservation: Willful obstruction or impeding of lawful hunting (1), hunting deer with a shotgun during muzzleloader season (2), hunting migratory waterfowl without required HIP number (1), leaving migratory waterfowl in the custody of another without tagging (2), possession of over the limit Canada goose (2), and hunting from a vessel within 1500’ of an established blind (1).

Boating & Boating Safety: Operating a vessel with insufficient number of life jackets (1), and operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol (1).

Public Safety: Possession of a loaded firearm in a vessel while underway (3), hunting from an underway vessel (2), disorderly conduct (1), resisting arrest (1), possession of marijuana (1), and possession of drug paraphernalia (1).

Other: Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (6), and unlawful to remove firewood from a state wildlife area (1)*.

*Includes citation(s) issued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area.

Are you AWARE?
Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind hunters that the 2017 Conservation Order to harvest snow geese will open Monday, Feb. 6 and run through Friday, Feb. 10, then will reopen Monday, Feb. 13 and run through Friday, April 7.

To participate in the Conservation Order, hunters must obtain and keep in their possession while hunting snow geese a free Snow Goose Conservation Order permit number, available at www.dnrec.delaware.gov/delhunt. Individuals needing assistance in obtaining the permit number should call 302-735-3600 during business hours Monday through Friday.

Participants must also have a valid Delaware hunting license or a License Exempt Number (LEN) or a Maryland resident hunting license, a 2016/17 Delaware waterfowl stamp and a federally-required Delaware Harvest Information Program (HIP) number. A federal waterfowl stamp is not required during the Conservation Order.

The LEN and HIP number are available, and participants in the Conservation Order are required to report their hunting activity and success to the Division of Fish & Wildlife by Monday, May 1, 2017, at the website above or by calling 855-DELHUNT (855-335-4868).

The Snow Goose Conservation Order allows use of unplugged shotguns and electronic calls, with no daily bag and possession limits. Legal shooting hours start a half-hour before sunrise and are extended to a half-hour after sunset. Federal and state hunting regulations otherwise apply.

All state wildlife areas will be open to snow goose harvest during the Conservation Order beginning Monday, Feb. 6. Hunting will be allowed on a first-come, first-served basis with no registration required, and hunters can hunt at any location on these wildlife areas except for posted refuges and safety zones. The federal Bombay Hook and Prime Hook national wildlife refuges are not participating in the Conservation Order.

For more information on the Snow Goose Conservation Order, please call 302-739-9912 or visit www.fw.delaware.gov.

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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