DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: July 8-14

Reminder for the week: Afterhours use of state wildlife and fishing areas prohibited unless hunting, fishing, or boating

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 July 8-14 made 3,360 contacts with anglers, boaters, and the general public, issuing 41 citations. Officers responded to 85 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.Picture of the DNREC Natural Resources Police Badge

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police in the Community
• On July 8-12, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers held their annual Kent County Basic Youth Academy attended by 23 participants at the Little Creek Hunter Education Center.

• On July 9, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers discussed the role of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers, answered hunting, fishing and boating questions, and took campers on a police boat ride during the White Clay Creek State Park’s Ranger summer camp.

• On July 10, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers discussed the role of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers, answered hunting, fishing and boating questions, and displayed a patrol vessel during the Touch-a-Truck event held at the Dover Public Library.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

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

Fisheries Conservation: Recreational: Improperly marked crab pots (1), possession of undersized blue crabs (9), possession of undersized white perch (2), possession of flounder parts (1), removing a prohibited shark from the water (1), failure to release protected shark unharmed (1), unlicensed fishing (3), and no Fisherman Information Network (FIN) number (4).

Boating & Boating Safety: No life jacket on a child age 12 or younger as required by law (1), operating a vessel with insufficient number of life jackets (4), operating a personal watercraft without required life jackets (1), water ski in a prohibited area (1), allowing use of a non-compliant vessel (1), no boating safety certification (1), and failure to have vessel registration card in possession (1).

Public Safety: Possession of marijuana – civil (1)* and failure to stop on command of a police officer (1).

Other: Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (7)*.

*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 are increasing patrols and closely monitoring state wildlife areas, fishing piers, public boat launching facilities, and multi-use areas for visitor safety and compliance, as well as checking for illegal activity such as drug use, littering, and damaging wildlife habitat.

State wildlife areas, fishing piers, and boat launching facilities are closed to the public from sunset to sunrise unless a person is actively and lawfully engaged in fishing, hunting, or boating in accordance with state regulations and individual wildlife area rules. Individuals not meeting these requirements and found at these sites between sunset and sunrise face fines up to $100 for trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area.

To report boating, fisheries, and wildlife violations, please call the Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police 24-hour dispatch line at: 302-739-4580 or 1-800-523-3336.

Media Contact: Sgt. Brooke Mitchell, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-739-9913, or 302-382-7167.

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.

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Frankford man pleads guilty to deer poaching after arrest by DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police

Case results in two-year loss of hunting license and restitution through Operation Game Theft

DOVER – A Frankford man who was arrested Jan. 21 by DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police on multiple deer poaching violations and a felony criminal charge near Millville recently entered a guilty plea during his pre-trial hearing in Sussex County Superior Court.

Paul E. Daisey, 38, plead to hunting deer during a closed season and disorderly conduct. Daisey’s plea resulted in his forfeiting his hunting license for two years, making restitution of $2,380 to the Division of Fish & Wildlife’s Operation Game Theft fund, serving one year of Level 1 probation, and forfeiture of a firearm seized by Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police when he was arrested.

The public is 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.

  • 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. Brooke Mitchell, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-739-9913, or 302-382-7167; or Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

Vol. 49, No. 182

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DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: June 17-23

Reminder for the week: Observe safety precautions when towing water skiers, tubers, and knee-boarders

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 June 17-23 made 2,210 contacts with anglers, boaters, and the general public, issuing 38 citations. Officers responded to 69 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 Actions

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

Fisheries Conservation: Recreational: Possession of undersized blue crabs (4), crab pot tampering (1), tending over-the-limit crab pots (2), possession of a prohibited shark (1), unlicensed fishing (1), and no Fisherman Information Network (FIN) number (2).

Boating & Boating Safety: No life jacket on a child age 12 or younger as required by law (4), operating a personal watercraft without required life jackets (2), jumping the wake of another vessel (1), waterskiing in a prohibited area (1)*, negligent operation of a motor vessel (1), failure to observe slow no wake (4), no boat ramp certificate (1), no boating education certificate (2), and operating an unregistered vessel (2)*.

Other: Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (8)* and littering (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 boaters of some important safety regulations when towing water skiers, tubers, or knee-boarders:
• Requires at least three participants – the water skier, the boat operator, and a competent observer.
• Personal watercraft (PWC) used for towing skiers, tubers, or knee boarders must have enough seats – minimum of three – to carry the operator, observer, and skier.
• Recreational water skiers, tubers, and knee-boarders must wear lifejackets at all times.
• Operators and passengers of a personal watercraft, regardless of age, must wear lifejackets at all times.
• A tow line cannot exceed 75 feet in length.
• Observe all “slow-no-wake” areas.
• Avoid traveling at unsafe speeds, including in congested areas.
• Observe marked “No Water Skiing” areas, which include all marked swimming areas, Assawoman Canal, Rehoboth-Lewes Canal and portions of Indian River Inlet, Roosevelt Inlet, Whites Creek, and the channel through Masseys Landing.
• Maintain a safe and reasonable distance from shipping lanes, other vessels, persons, and property.
• Water skiing is prohibited at night between sunset and sunrise, and within 100 feet of persons in the water, piers, docks, floats, wharfs, vessels anchored or adrift, and private or public boat launch ramps.

To report boating, fisheries, and wildlife violations, please call the Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police 24-hour dispatch line at: 302-739-4580 or 1-800-523-3336.

Media contact: Sgt. Brooke Mitchell, 302-382-7167, or Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-739-9913

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.

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DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: Nov. 19-25

Reminder for the week: Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police hiring full-time officers

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.19-25 made 1,063 contacts with hunters, anglers, boaters, and the general public, issuing 40 citations. Officers responded to 36 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 Nov. 25, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers discussed the role of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers and answered hunting, fishing, and boating questions during a Hunter Education Class at the Little Creek Hunter Education Training Facility.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

Incidents of note:

  • On Nov. 20, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers arrested Shannon D. Cockrell, 49, of Newark, for one count each of trespass to hunt, killing an antlered deer without first purchasing a hunter’s choice deer tag, failure to tag antlered deer, and possession or transport of an unlawfully taken antlered deer, following an investigation into trespassing to hunt on private property near Newark. Cockrell was arraigned at New Castle County Justice of the Peace Court 9 in Middletown, where he plead guilty and was fined $4,319, including court costs.
  • On Nov. 25, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers arrested Edward R. Wyatt, 69, of Harrington, for one count each of unlicensed hunting, killing an antlered deer without first purchasing a hunter’s choice deer tag, failure to tag antlered deer, failure to retain tag on antlered deer, failure to check antlered deer within 24 hours, unlawfully removing antlered deer parts prior to checking, and possession or transport of an unlawfully taken antlered deer near Felton. Wyatt was arraigned at Kent County Justice of the Peace Court 7 in Dover, where he transferred his case to the Court of Common Pleas, and was released on his own recognizance.

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

Wildlife Conservation: Trespass to hunt (2), hunting on a refuge (1), unlicensed hunting (1), failure to tag antlered deer (2), failure to retain tag on antlered deer (1), killing an antlered deer without first purchasing a hunters choice deer tag (2), failure to check antlered deer within 24 hours (1), unlawfully removing antlered deer parts prior to checking (1), possession or transport of an unlawfully taken antlered deer (3), hunting with an unplugged shotgun capable of holding more than three shells (1), hunting migratory waterfowl with illegal toxic lead shot (3), hunting migratory waterfowl after established shooting hours (3), federal rules adopted – no federal waterfowl stamp (1), possession of unlawful game (2), and wildlife area map violation (1).

Fisheries Conservation: Commercial: Failure to attach oyster harvesting tag to bushel containing oysters (6).

Boating and Boating Safety: No navigation lights (1) and operating a motor vessel with insufficient number of life jackets (3).

Public Safety: Possession of a loaded firearm in a motor vessel (2).

Other: Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (3).

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?
Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police are hiring full-time officer positions. If you are interested in joining the agency, don’t wait, submit your application today! The application deadline is Dec. 5, 2018.

To submit an application, visit the State of Delaware Employment link here. For questions about Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police or the role of officers, contact Sgt. Brooke Mitchell by e-mail at brooke.mitchell@delaware.gov or by phone at 302-382-7167.

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


DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: Oct. 29-Nov. 4

Reminder for the week: Hunters and residents encouraged to review Delaware hunting and wildlife area regulations

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 Oct. 29-Nov. 4 made 2,505 contacts with hunters, anglers, boaters, and the general public, issuing 46 citations. Officers responded to 51 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

  • Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers discussed the role of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers, answered questions regarding hunting, fishing and boating, and displayed the Operation Game Theft trailer at the Townsend Fire Department’s open house.
  • Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers provided security and logistical support for the “Walk Across Delaware” event at the Michael N. Castle Trail.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

Incident of note:

  • On Oct. 30, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers arrested a Marydel man for multiple hunting and traffic charges and a Harrington juvenile for multiple hunting charges following an investigation into deer poaching near Harrington. A DNREC press release was issued regarding the incident.

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

Wildlife Conservation: Hunting at nighttime (2), hunting deer during closed season (2), hunting fox during closed season (1), hunting migratory waterfowl after established shooting hours (6), unlicensed hunting (5), hunting with an unplugged shotgun capable of holding more than three shells (3), federal laws adopted – no federal waterfowl stamp (2), hunting migratory waterfowl without required state waterfowl stamp (1), and failure to display required hunter orange during a firearms deer season (3)*.

Fisheries Conservation: Recreational: trespassing to fish (3).
Commercial: Possession of undersized oyster (1) and failure to attach oyster harvesting tag to bushel containing oysters (1).

Boating and Boating Safety: Operating a vessel with insufficient number of life jackets (2).

Public Safety: Having an unlawfully loaded firearm (3), discharging a firearm within 15 yards of a public road (1), conspiracy 3rd degree (2), driving without a valid license (1), and passing on a double yellow line (1).

Other: Failure to have vehicle insurance identification in possession (1), expired vehicle tags (1), fictitious or cancelled vehicle registration card, number plate or tag (1), trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (1), operating a motor vehicle off an established roadway on a state wildlife area (1)*, and destruction of state property (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 hunting season in full swing, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind both hunters and residents who live near hunting areas to become familiar with Delaware hunting regulations. Those who are visiting our state wildlife areas are also reminded to become familiar with established rules and regulations.

General hunting and wildlife area rules and regulations include:

  • During all firearms deer seasons, all hunters on both private and public lands, except those hunting migratory waterfowl, are required to wear hunter orange for safety reasons in the form of no less than 400 square inches of hunter orange material on the head, chest, and back combined.
  • Hunting is permitted only in specified areas and only during designated hunting seasons.
  • After harvesting a deer, an appropriate tag must be attached to the animal before it is field dressed or moved from the place of harvest.
  • All successful deer hunters must register their deer within 24 hours of harvest through the Division of Fish & Wildlife’s Hunter and Trapper Registration (HTR) system. Deer hunters are encouraged to access the system online using a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer at www.dnrec.delaware.gov/delhunt. Those who prefer to talk to a live customer service representative can call 855-DELHUNT (855-335-4868).

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.

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.