TOWNSEND – DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers concluded an investigation into illegal deer hunting Tuesday with the arrest of a New Castle County man for illegal weapons possession charges along with numerous charges related to the illegal take of at least 14 deer during Delaware’s 2015/16 deer season.

James R. Smith III, 38, of Bear, was charged Feb. 9 with two counts of possession of a firearm or ammunition by a person prohibited; three counts of failure to register antlered deer within 24 hours; three counts of failure to tag antlered deer; three counts of butchering antlered deer prior to registration; six counts of possession of or transporting unlawfully taken antlered deer; 10 counts of failure to register antlerless deer within 24 hours; 10 counts of failure to tag antlerless deer; 10 counts of butchering antlerless deer prior to registration and 24 counts of possession of or transporting unlawfully taken antlerless deer. Two shotguns, ammunition, a compound bow, a crossbow, several deer antlers and a large quantity of packaged deer meat were seized as evidence.

Smith was released on $14,900 unsecured bond, pending a court appearance at a later date.

“Under Delaware law, persons whose criminal and legal history includes prior felony convictions or misdemeanor convictions associated with violent crimes, drug convictions or mental conditions as defined under the law or court-issued protection from abuse orders (PFAs) are prohibited from possession of ammunition, firearms and other deadly weapons,” said Sgt. John McDerby of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police. “Any deer taken by a person under this prohibition is considered an illegal take, and subject to arrest.”

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 Contacts: 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. 37

MIDDLETOWN – DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers while on patrol Feb. 8 arrested six Maryland residents for drug possession and other charges after stopping them for illegally operating a motor vehicle and motorcycles in a habitat-sensitive area of the C&D Canal Conservation Area.

Arrested were:

• Matthew W. Williams, 22, of Elkton, Md., was charged with possession with intent to deliver heroin; possession of marijuana; possession of drug paraphernalia; conspiracy 2nd degree; operating a motor vehicle off an established roadway on a state wildlife area; operating an off-highway vehicle without a helmet; operating an unregistered motor vehicle on a state wildlife area; damaging state property on a wildlife area and criminal impersonation. Williams was committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution in Wilmington in default of $54,200 secured bond.
• Domonque L. Wesley, 23, of Elkton, Md., was charged with possession with intent to deliver heroin; possession of marijuana; possession of drug paraphernalia; conspiracy 2nd degree; operating a motor vehicle off an established roadway on a state wildlife area; operating an off-highway vehicle without a helmet; operating an unregistered motor vehicle on a state wildlife area; damaging state property on a wildlife area and criminal impersonation. Wesley was committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution in Wilmington in default of $54,200 secured bond.
• Anthony J. Favarulo, 24, of Chesapeake City, Md., was charged with possession with intent to deliver heroin; possession of marijuana; possession of drug paraphernalia; conspiracy 2nd degree; operating a motor vehicle off an established roadway on a state wildlife area and damaging state property on a wildlife area. Favarulo was committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution in Wilmington in default of $53,200 secured bond.
• Three 18-year-olds – Deanna Wesley, Breana Blackstone and Tamera Webster – all from Elkton, Md., also were arrested and charged with one count each of possession of marijuana. The three received fines totaling $131 each, including court costs, and were released.

“Fish and Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers routinely patrol and enforce state laws and regulations on wildlife areas throughout the state,” said Capt. Drew Aydelotte of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police. “Our officers’ vigilance in these areas goes beyond the concrete buildings and off the pavement, where many would mistakenly believe they are out-of-sight to conduct their illegal acts.”

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 Contacts: 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. 35

TOWNSEND – Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers and the Delaware State Police Aviation Unit found and safely returned to his family mid-day Sunday a 13-year-old boy reported lost earlier that morning while looking for shed deer antlers on the Eagles Nest Wildlife Area.

After the youngster became separated from family members at the Sandom Tract of the wildlife area, the family searched until late morning and called 911 after they were unable to find him. Fish & Wildlife officers set up a command post and coordinated search efforts by responding agencies on the 130+ acre property, with the Delaware State Police Aviation Unit locating the boy standing in waist-deep water in Blackbird Creek.

Fish & Wildlife officers on foot reached the boy and led him out of the woods to be reunited with his family. He was later transported to Christiana Medical Center for medical evaluation and treatment for minor hypothermia.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police were assisted in the search by DSP aviation and Troop 9 patrol units, DNREC Parks & Recreation Natural Resources Police, the Townsend Fire Department and New Castle County Paramedics.

Media Contacts: 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. 34

Reminder for the week: Time to purchase your 2016 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, DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers between Jan. 25-31 made 1,052 contacts with anglers, boaters, hunters and the general public, including 62 vessel boardings for boating safety and fishing regulation compliance checks. Officers responded to 42 complaints and issued 20 citations, three of which were related to the C&D Canal Conservation Area and associated recreational trail, where there is an increased Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police presence.

Items of particular note:

• On Jan. 31, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police arrested Aaron R. Proden, 44, of Millsboro, and charged him with one count each of operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol (OUI) and operating an unregistered vessel at the Lewes Boat Ramp. Proden was taken to Delaware State Police Troop 7 in Lewes for an intoxilyzer test and released pending a mandatory court appearance at a later date.
• On Jan. 30, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police cited Scott D. Melson, 47, of Smyrna, for one count of hunting migratory waterfowl with prohibited lead shot near Smyrna; on Jan. 26, Melson was cited for one count of hunting deer with a shotgun during muzzleloader season in the same area. Melson was fined $107, including court costs, for the waterfowl charge, and $165, including court costs, for the deer charge.

Citations issued this week by offense category included the following, with the number of charges in parentheses:

Wildlife Conservation: Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (5)*, operating a motor vehicle off an established roadway on a state wildlife area (2)*, hunting deer with a shotgun during muzzleloader season (1), hunting off of an established blind site on a state wildlife area (3), and three federal violations: hunting migratory waterfowl with prohibited lead shot (1), hunting migratory waterfowl without required HIP number (1), and possession of harlequin duck out of season (1).

Public Safety: Carrying a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle (1).

Boating and Boating Safety: Operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol (1), operating an unregistered vessel (2), operating a vessel with insufficient number of life jackets (1), and no boating safety certificate (1).

* Two citations for trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area and one citation for operating a motor vehicle off an established roadway on a state wildlife area were issued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area.

Are you AWARE?
DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind anglers that it’s time to purchase their 2016 Delaware fishing licenses, as their 2015 licenses expired on Dec. 31. 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 (F.I.N.) 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 fishing on licensed boats who do not have an individual license, must obtain their free F.I.N. number by visiting www.delaware-fin.com or 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 2016 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.

Media Contacts: 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. 33

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, DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers between Jan. 18-24 made 715 contacts with anglers, boaters, hunters and the general public, including 41 vessel boardings for boating safety and fishing regulation compliance checks. Officers responded to 37 complaints and issued 32 citations, two of which were related to the C&D Canal Conservation Area and associated recreational trail, where there is an increased Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police presence.

Citations issued this week by offense category included the following, with the number of charges in parentheses:

Wildlife Conservation: Unlicensed hunting (3)*, participating in an unlawful deer drive on state lands (7), possession of unlawfully taken antlered deer (2), failure to tag antlered deer (2), failure to check antlered deer within 24 hours (2), and possession of prohibited lead shot while hunting migratory waterfowl (1).

Public Safety: Possession of a firearm/ammunition by a person prohibited (7), failure to display required hunter orange during a firearms deer season (2)*, carrying a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle (1), and possession of drug paraphernalia (1).

Driving with a suspended or revoked license (1), failure to maintain lane position (1), and leaving the scene of an accident (1). (Natural Resources Police processed the preceding charges for Delaware State Police.)

Other: Blocking state forest access gate (1).

* One citation for each of these charges was issued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area.

NOTE: Two DNREC press releases detailing charges included in this week’s blotter were recently issued:

• Georgetown man jailed on numerous charges including possession of multiple weapons by a person prohibited
• Milford man faces charges including weapons violations in connection with illegal deer drive near Bridgeville

Are you AWARE?
DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind hunters that the 2016 Conservation Order to harvest snow geese will open Monday, Feb. 1 and run through Friday, Feb. 5, then will reopen Monday, Feb. 8 and run through Saturday, April 9. The Conservation Order will be closed on Saturday, Feb. 6, for a special statewide youth waterfowl hunting day.

To take advantage of the Conservation Order, hunters must obtain a free Snow Goose Conservation Order permit number, which must be in their possession while pursuing snow geese. Hunters also are required to report their participation and success to the Division of Fish & Wildlife by Sunday, May 1. Participants must have a valid Delaware hunting license or a Maryland resident hunting license, a 2015-16 Delaware waterfowl stamp and a Delaware Harvest Information Program (HIP) number. A federal waterfowl stamp is not required.

To obtain a Snow Goose Conservation Order permit number or HIP number, and to report participation and success, please visit www.dnrec.delaware.gov/delhunt. Hunters needing assistance in obtaining a permit number should call 302-735-3600 during business hours Monday through Friday.

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.

Most state wildlife areas will be open to hunting during the Conservation Order beginning Monday, Feb. 1. Wildlife areas in New Castle and Sussex counties will be open on a first-come, first-served basis with no registration required, except Assawoman Wildlife Area where hunters must self-register at the Assawoman check station. In Kent County, individual sign-in will be required at Woodland Beach, Little Creek and Ted Harvey wildlife areas. Sign-in will not be required at Blackiston, Milford Neck or Norman G. Wilder wildlife areas.

To avoid conflicts with the spring 2016 wild turkey season, snow goose hunting will be prohibited on state wildlife areas after Friday, April 8. Bombay Hook and Prime Hook national wildlife refuges are not participating in the Conservation Order. For more information, 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.

Media Contacts: 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. 27