Reminder for the week: Hunters reminded to avoid using railroad tracks for hunting access

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 Aug. 21-27 made 1,976 contacts with anglers, boaters and the general public, including 254 vessel boardings for boating safety and fishing regulation compliance checks, issuing 53 citations. Officers responded to 64 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 Aug. 26, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers displayed the Operation Game Theft trailer, provided a K-9 demonstration and discussed hunting and fishing enforcement during a National Wild Turkey Federation “Jake” event hosted by the Old Drawyers Creek Longbeard’s chapter of the NWTF in Odessa.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

Incidents of note:

• On Aug. 21, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers arrested Cassie M. Lynch, 32, of Felton after finding her asleep in a vehicle in the Blairs Pond parking lot near Milford. Lynch was charged with one count each of: possess, consume a controlled or counterfeit substance except human growth hormone without a prescription with an aggravating factor, possession of drug paraphernalia (non-marijuana) and trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area. Lynch was arraigned by video phone and received a $900 unsecured bond pending a hearing in the Kent County Court of Common Pleas at a later date. Lynch was then committed to Baylor Correctional Institute on $2,500 cash only bond for failing to appear at a previous Kent County Superior Court ordered hearing.

• On Aug. 25, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers arrested Patricia L. Wood, 55, of Claymont following a traffic stop in the Biddles Point parking lot of the Michael N. Castle Trail, near Delaware City. Wood was charged with criminal possession of marijuana and trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area. Wood was ordered to appear in New Castle County Justice of the Peace Court 9 at a later date. The operator of the vehicle, Kenneth A. McCalop, 33, of Wilmington was cited for driving without a valid license and trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area and was ordered to appear in New Castle County Justice of the Peace Court 9 at a later date.

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

Fisheries Conservation: Recreational: Unlicensed fishing (3), trespass to crab (1), possession of undersized summer flounder (2), possession of summer flounder parts (2), possession of undersized weakfish (1), possession of undersized croaker (8), illegal method of take- conch (1), possession of over the limit blue crab bushel (2), possession of undersized blue crabs (1), over the limit of recreational crab pots (2), improperly marked recreational crab pots (2), and no crab pot bycatch reduction device (turtle excluder) (2).

Boating and Boating Safety: Operating a vessel with insufficient number of life jackets (1), no life jacket on a child age 12 or younger as required by law (3), failure to observe slow no wake zone (1), operating an unregistered vessel (1), improper vessel registration marking (1), and no throwable life preserver as required for vessels 16 feet long or longer (1).

Public Safety: Operate a motor vehicle with excessive speed in a wildlife area (1), possession of marijuana- civil (1)*, possession of marijuana- criminal (1)*, possession of drug paraphernalia (non-marijuana) (1), and possess, consume a controlled or counterfeit substance except human growth hormone without a prescription with an aggravating factor (1).

Other: Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (11)*, operating a motor vehicle off an established roadway on a state wildlife area (1)*, and drive without a valid license (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. Wildlife violations may also be reported anonymously to Operation Game Theft by calling 800-292-3030 or online at http://de.gov/ogt.

Are you AWARE?
With early fall hunting seasons now open, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind hunters to avoid using railroad tracks for access to hunting areas.

“All railroad tracks are private property, and no one should be walking, driving or parking on tracks without landowner permission. If found on the tracks, violators will be charged with trespassing and fined,” said Lt. John McDerby, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police. “Those considering using railroad tracks for access to hunt doves or other game also need to consider the safety hazard involved – many railroad tracks throughout the state are still in active use.”

For more information on hunting in Delaware, including specific wildlife area rules, hunters should consult this year’s hunting & trapping guide and wildlife area maps, available online at Delaware Hunting Information. Hard copies of the guide and the hunting maps are also available at the licensing desk in DNREC’s Dover office at 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901, or by calling the Wildlife Section office at 302-739-9912.

Effective July 1, 2017, a Conservation Access Pass is required for any registered motor vehicle used to access designated Delaware State Wildlife Areas for any allowable activity, including hunting, birdwatching, hiking and photography. For more information, click Conservation Access Pass.

Follow 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, 302-739-9913 or 302-354-1386

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Reminder for the week: Wildlife area visitors encouraged to know and follow rules

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 Oct.10-16 made 1,577 contacts with anglers, hunters, boaters and the general public, including 74 vessel boardings for boating safety and fishing regulation compliance checks. Officers responded to 33 complaints received from the public regarding possible violations of laws and regulations.

An increased Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police presence continued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area and associated recreational trail.

Incidents of note:

• On Oct. 11, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police arrested Raymond C. Coppage, 72, of Dagsboro and charged him with five counts of possession of unlawful killer traps, three counts of set or use metal trap without metallic plate or tag and license, one count of no trapping license and one count of trapping out of season near Dagsboro. Coppage pled guilty at Justice of the Peace Court # 3 to one count of possessing unlawful killer traps, one count of set or use metal trap without metallic plate or tag and license, one count of no trapping license and one count of trapping out of season and was fined $780, including court costs. All but one of Coppage’s traps were confiscated permanently.

• On Oct. 12, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resource Police officers arrested Steven D. Chisenhall, 47, and Ralph E. Tucker II, 63, both of Delaware City, for drug violations and fishing offenses at the Biddle’s Point parking lot on the C&D Canal Conservation Area near Delaware City. Chisenhall was charged with one count of possession of drug paraphernalia, one count of possession of heroin and one count of failure to possess a fishing license. He was video-arraigned at Delaware State Police Troop 9 for JP Court #2 and released on $2,200 unsecured bond. Tucker was charged with one count of possession of drug paraphernalia and one count of failure to possess a fishing license. He was issued a mandatory appearance in the Court of Common Pleas and released.

• On Oct. 12, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police arrested Richard W. Marion, 52, of New Castle for one count of terroristic threatening after he was involved in a domestic incident at the Biddle’s Point parking lot of the C&D Canal Conservation Area near Delaware City. Marion was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court # 9 and released on his own recognizance.

• On Oct. 13, Fish and Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers cited Jonesha Knight of Smyrna for possession of marijuana at the Blackbird State Forest’s Shaffner Tract parking lot near Townsend. Knight was fined $272 and released.

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

Wildlife Conservation: Set illegal body gripping traps – prohibited trap size (5), no metal tags on traps (3), no trapping license (1), trapping out of season (1), removal of antlerless deer parts prior to registering (3), and failure to attach antlerless deer tag (3).

Fisheries Conservation: Recreational: Unlicensed fishing (2)*, and possession of undersize tautog (1).

Public Safety: Possession of controlled substance – heroin (1)*, possession of drug paraphernalia (2)*, loaded firearm in a vehicle (1), no insurance on a vehicle (1), operating a motorcycle without a license (2), and terroristic threatening (1)*.

Other: Entering a state wildlife area after hours (3), wildlife area map violation (2), driving with a suspended license (1), and camping illegally on Division of Fish & Wildlife property (1).

*Citations issued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area and associated recreational trail.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police in the Community
• On Oct. 9, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers displayed the Operation Game Theft Trailer and spoke to attendees about the Natural Resources Police Youth Academy at a Ducks Unlimited event at the Leipsic Fire Hall.

• On Oct. 13, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers attended a “Dover Welcomes You” event held at the Dover Air Force Base. Officers talked to new military personnel about Delaware’s hunting, fishing and boating opportunities and how to obtain permits and licenses.

• On Oct. 14, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers attended a meet-and-greet for the Weimaraner Dog Club of Washington D.C. at the C & R Center on the Norman Wilder Wildlife Area near Viola. Officers spoke about state wildlife areas and regulations regarding dog training.

• On Oct. 16, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers attended a hunter education class at the Little Creek hunter education training center, presenting hunting legal requirements and what to expect when checked by a Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officer. Approximately 50 people were in attendance, ranging in age from youth to adults.

Are you AWARE?
With cooler fall temperatures settling in, DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind visitors to enjoy our state wildlife areas while complying with established rules and regulations.

General wildlife area rules and regulations include:
• State wildlife areas are open from sunrise to sunset and closed to public access from sunset to sunrise, with the exception of those lawfully engaged in hunting or fishing. Anyone not engaged in these activities when found in state wildlife areas between sunset and sunrise will be cited for trespassing after hours.
• Camping, swimming, dumping and littering, target shooting (including paintball) and fires are prohibited in state wildlife areas.
• Dog training is permitted only within established dog training areas or during open hunting seasons for the game animals that the dog is being trained to hunt.
• Hunting is permitted only in specified areas and only when in season.
• Firearms are prohibited on state wildlife areas from March 1 through Aug. 31, except as otherwise authorized by the Division of Fish & Wildlife for hunting or dog training.
• Operating vehicles off-road, including ATVs, is prohibited; all vehicles must be licensed, remain on designated roads and not exceed a speed of 20 mph.
• All state wildlife areas are designated carry-in, carry-out for trash.

“We encourage Delaware residents and visitors to enjoy our beautiful wildlife areas by engaging in a host of low-impact activities, including hunting and fishing in season, hiking, wildlife and bird watching, photography, kayaking, canoeing and enjoying established trails,” said Sgt. John McDerby, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police. “To protect our wildlife areas and enhance their enjoyment for the many visitors who follow the rules, however, we strictly enforce state regulations, as well as Delaware criminal law.”

For more information on regulations for specific wildlife areas, click Delaware Hunting Maps. Printed copies of the maps are also available at the licensing desk in DNREC’s Dover office at 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901, or by calling the Wildlife Section office at 302-739-9912.

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.

Contact: Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-739-9913, Lt. Carl Winckoski, 302-542-2115 or Sgt. John McDerby, 302-354-1386; or  Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

Vol. 46, No. 356

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DOVER – During the two-week period Aug. 1-14, DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police marine patrols statewide investigated seven boating accidents and issued numerous boating safety-related citations to help keep Delaware waterways safer for boaters.

• On Aug. 13, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police conducting a routine vessel safety and fisheries compliance check cited Stephen J. Healy III, 56, of Townsend, for operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol, operating a vessel with an expired registration, no navigation lights, no sound-producing device and no fire extinguisher at the Woodland Beach Boat Ramp east of Smyrna. Healy was given a mandatory appearance at Justice of the Peace Court 7 in Dover at a later date.
• On Aug. 12, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police investigated a boating accident with injuries near Pot-Nets Bayside near Long Neck, in which a personal watercraft (PWC) overturned in rough waters, ejecting the operator and passenger. The passenger was treated for a dislocated ankle at Beebe Medical Center in Lewes. The operator, who was not injured, was not cited in the incident.
• On Aug. 12, Peter A. Bailey, 60, of Milton, was cited for negligent operation of a personal watercraft, causing an accident, and failure to observe a slow-no-wake zone on Rehoboth Bay. The PWC struck a pontoon boat, causing approximately $1,500 in damages. No injuries were reported. Bailey was fined $107, including court costs.
• On Aug. 8, Benard W. Sparenberg, 51, of Seaford, was cited for operating a vessel under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol at the Lewes Public Boat Ramp. Sparenberg was given a mandatory appearance at Justice of the Peace Court 14 in Georgetown at a later date.
• On Aug. 8, Ricky Riordan, 64, of Fort Myers, Fla., was cited for careless operation of a vessel. The 51-foot vessel collided with the Reedy Island jetty near the town of Augustine. No injuries were reported to the operator or passenger. Riordan was fined $107, including court costs.
• On Aug. 8, Anthony Black, 30, of New Castle, was cited for inattentive operation of a vessel. The 17-foot vessel collided with the Pea Patch Island jetty. No injuries were reported to the operator or four passengers, who were transported along with the vessel to Delaware City. Black was fined $107, including court costs.
• On Aug. 8, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police responded to a report of a 36-foot sailboat on fire in the C&D Canal near St. Georges. Delaware City Fire Company arrived on scene and suppressed the flames, and the vessel’s two occupants escaped without injury. The incident remains under investigation.
• On Aug. 7, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police responded to a report of an overturned vessel in the Delaware Bay south of Augustine Beach. The 16-foot vessel capsized when its trot line became entangled with a commercial crab pot. The vessel’s two occupants clung to the overturned vessel for approximately two-and-a-half hours before they were rescued by the Delaware City Fire Company’s marine unit near the Smyrna River. No injuries were reported and no citations were issued in the incident.
• On Aug. 7, Jamie L. Bieller, 33, of Parkville, Md., was cited for careless operation of a vessel and no boating safety education certificate. The 14-foot vessel capsized in the C&D Canal. No injuries were reported to the operator or passenger, who were rescued by the Port Penn Volunteer Fire Company. Bieller was fined $214, including court costs.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind boaters that they are legally required to report boating accidents when:

• A person dies;
• A person is injured and requires medical treatment beyond first aid;
• Damage to the vessel and other property totals more than $500; or
• A person disappears from the vessel under circumstances that indicate death or injury.

To report a boating accident, please contact Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police by calling 800-523-3336 or 302-739-4580.

Boaters navigating Delaware waters also are reminded that operating a boat with a blood alcohol level of 0.08 percent or higher is in violation of Delaware and federal laws. Boat operators found to be at or above the limit will find their voyage terminated, will be cited and may have their vessel impounded. Boat operators found to be under the influence also can face fines and potential jail time.

For more information on safe boating practices and regulations, please visit Delaware Boating Safety.

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

Vol. 46, No. 308

Reminder for the week: Personal watercraft operators need to review rules for their vessels

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’s Division of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers between July 4-10 made 1,610 contacts with anglers, boaters and the general public, including 304 vessel boardings for boating safety and fishing regulation compliance checks. Officers responded to 71 complaints and issued 57 citations, one of which was 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 July 10, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police cited James W. Short, 61, of Ocean View, for operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol and failure to observe slow-no-wake zone on Indian River Bay. Short was given a mandatory appearance at Justice of the Peace Court 14 in Georgetown at a later date.
• On July 8, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police cited William J. Lis, 67, of Wilmington, for operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol and no navigation lights on Indian River Bay. Lis was given a mandatory appearance at Justice of the Peace Court 14 in Georgetown at a later date.
• On July 4, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police cited Scott A. Focht, 38, of Bala Cynwyd, Pa., for operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol, clamming in a closed and/or polluted area, possession of over-the-limit hard clams, no boating education certificate and unlicensed fishing on Rehoboth Bay. Focht was given a mandatory appearance at Justice of the Peace Court 14 in Georgetown at a later date.

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

Wildlife Conservation: Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (4), and hunting after hours (1).

Fisheries Conservation: Recreational: Unlicensed fishing (13)*, possession of undersized blue crabs (12), use of recreational crab pots without required turtle excluder (3), tending more than two recreational crab pots (1), improperly marked crab pot (1), failure to tend recreational crab pots at least once within required 72-hour timeframe (1), possession of over-the-limit hard clams (1), and possession of undersized white perch (2).

Boating and Boating Safety: Operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol (3), negligent operation of a vessel (3), operating a vessel with insufficient number of lifejackets (1), no life jacket on a child age 12 or younger as required by law (2), failure to observe slow-no-wake zone (1), operating an unregistered vessel (1), no boating education certificate (4), no boat ramp certificate (1), and no navigation lights (1).

Public Safety: Clamming in a closed and/or polluted area (1).

* Citation issued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area: unlicensed fishing (1).

Are you AWARE?
DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind personal watercraft (PWC) owners – especially new owners – to review Delaware’s boating laws and regulations and understand how they apply to PWC operation prior to heading out on the waterways.

As PWC manufacturers develop new and innovative technology increasing the comfort, size and speed of PWCs, also known as jet skis, their popularity and use continue to grow on Delaware’s waterways. As popularity and use of PWCs grows nationally, so do accidents, violations and conflicts with other recreational boaters.

Since PWCs are considered motor vessels, operators must comply with several safety and operation requirements, some of which are specific to PWC operation. The following laws apply to all PWCs operated on Delaware waters:

• Anyone born after Jan. 1, 1978 must complete an approved boating safety course and carry their boating safety education card with them prior to operating a motor vessel – including a PWC – in Delaware waters.
• PWC operators must be age 16 or older. Ages 14 and 15 may operate a PWC, but only under the direct supervision of a parent or legal guardian on board. Youth under age 14 may not operate a PWC on Delaware waters.
• PWC times of operation are restricted to the hours of sunrise to sunset.
• PWC operators and passengers must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved lifejacket at all times while underway.
• PWCs are equipped with an emergency ignition safety “kill” switch attached to a lanyard required to be worn by PWC operators. This switch shuts off the engine if the operator is thrown from the proper operating position.
• All PWCs must be equipped with safety equipment that includes a whistle, horn or other sound-producing device, and a Coast Guard-approved fire extinguisher.
• Prohibited PWC maneuvers which endanger the safety of persons and property include:
  • Weaving through congested vessel traffic;
  • Jumping or attempting to jump the wake of another vessel;
  • Following within 100 feet of a water skier; and
  • Speeding in restricted speed areas.
• Towing water skiers is prohibited without a rear-facing observer on board. The PWC also must be designed by the manufacturer to carry the operator, the observer and the person or persons being towed.
• Do not exceed the manufacturer’s carrying capacity of any PWC.
• Within the Delaware waters of the Atlantic Ocean and Delaware’s Inland Bays adjacent to incorporated areas, PWCs are required to maintain headway speed or slower when operating less than 300 feet from all persons in the water and any shoreline, wharfs, piers, docks, boat launching areas, pilings, bridge structures, moored, drifting or anchored vessels, and all non-motorized vessels.
• Except for the waters of Delaware’s Inland Bays adjacent to incorporated areas and the Atlantic Ocean, PWCs must maintain headway speed or slower when operating less than 100 feet from all wharfs, docks, boat launching facilities, piling, bridges structures, moored, drifting or anchored vessels, all non-motorized vessels and any shoreline. In all areas, PWCs must remain at least 300 feet from all persons in the water.

For more information on safe boating practices in Delaware, including more details on PWC laws and regulations, please visit Delaware Boating Safety.

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.

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

Vol. 46, No. 257

DOVER – Two new officers with unique skillsets and specialized training have joined DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police. Working with their human partners, AFC Josh Hudson and AFC Chelsea Allen, K-9 Rosco and K-9 River will be on the job, using their sensitive Labrador retriever noses to locate everything from discarded weapons to poached wildlife to lost children.

The two new K-9 teams graduated from the Maryland Natural Resources Police K-9 Academy on June 17 following an intensive 10-week training course, with certification in human tracking, evidence location and wildlife evidence tracking of deer and wild turkeys.

“Their training is scent-specific. If you hold up an article of clothing from, say, a lost or missing child, that’s what they will track, and what they will find,” said Lt. Casey Zolper, who oversees the Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police K-9 program. “They can dig up game that someone’s hidden when over-the-limit or taken out of season, or find illegal guns and ammunition that have been discarded by somebody breaking the law. Just seeing these dogs on duty is a great deterrent to potential violators.”

AFC Hudson began his law enforcement career as a seasonal officer eight years ago, becoming a full-time officer in 2012 and graduating from the police academy in 2013. He brought Rosco home at eight weeks old from a Felton kennel and was well into training him as a hunting dog when an opportunity to join law enforcement came up for the two-and-a-half-year-old chocolate Lab. “Our natural resources police section was looking for new K-9 officers,” AFC Hudson said. “Rosco tested, met their tough criteria and was accepted into the program.”

AFC Allen also worked as a seasonal officer before entering the police academy, graduating in 2014 and joining Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police as a full-time officer. Her new partner, River, a black Lab, was donated to Fish & Wildlife’s K-9 program by Bill Adams of Milford. “I was very excited to hear the agency was looking for new K-9s – partnering on a K-9 unit is something I’ve always wanted to do,” said AFC Allen. “As soon as I met River, I knew she would make a great K-9 partner.”

The two new K-9 teams will walk in some big pawprints. The Fish & Wildlife K-9 program began in 2006, when then-AFC Zolper was paired with K-9 Officer Warden – who proved his skills on a wide variety of cases, from search-and-rescue to natural resource cases to DNREC criminal cases as well as in assisting other police agencies. He tracked all types of articles, people and wildlife, including illegally-taken doves, turkeys, ducks and deer. Warden also helped locate marijuana growing in state wildlife areas, tracked missing and wanted persons and found key evidence in criminal cases that included firearms, ammunition and even a personal item related to an attempted homicide.

When not working in the field, Warden often served as Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police’s K-9 ambassador, demonstrating his unique skills at schools and attending statewide community events, which the new K-9 officers also have as their charge. Warden died in 2014, just a few days shy of retirement at age 10. “Following K-9 Warden’s distinguished service, we knew we wanted to continue the program,” said Chief Robert Legates, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police. “We feel confident these two new K-9 teams will pick up the work Lt. Zolper and K-9 Warden did so well and provide the same outstanding level of service to the people and wildlife of Delaware.”

AFC Hudson and K-9 Rosco are based in Sussex County and AFC Allen and K-9 River are based in New Castle, but will respond as needed throughout the state. In addition to handling DNREC natural resources police cases, the two K-9 teams also will be available to assist state, county and municipal police agencies.

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