Reminder for the week: Proper gear, precautions help protect winter boaters from cold weather hazards

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. 11-17 made 1,756 contacts with anglers, boaters, hunters and the general public, including 21 vessel boardings for boating safety and fishing regulation compliance checks. Officers responded to 24 complaints and issued 16 citations. This week, with an expanded Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police presence continuing to be deployed as a deterrent, no citations were issued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area and associated recreational trail.

Items of note:

• 

  On Jan. 13, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police arrested Michael L. Obrien, 32, of Seaford, for one count each of possession of a firearm by a person prohibited and hunting with a firearm during archery deer season on Nanticoke Wildlife Area. Obrien was video-arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 2 in Rehoboth Beach and released on $5,000 unsecured bond pending a preliminary hearing in the Sussex County Court of Common Pleas.

• On Jan. 11, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police cited Joel Marousek, 51, of Marydel, for one count each of using a pistol to hunt and kill a deer during archery season and possession of unlawfully taken game, with fines totaling $330, including court costs. The deer was seized as evidence and subsequently donated to Delaware’s Sportsmen Against Hunger program.

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 (4), hunting deer with a firearm during archery season (2), possession of unlawfully taken game (4), no federal duck stamp (2), and hunting migratory waterfowl before legal shooting hours (2).

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

Public Safety: Possession of a firearm by a person prohibited (1).

Are you AWARE?
DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind the boating public to take precautions for winter weather and cold water, which puts those who hunt, fish or cruise our waterways at risk from hypothermia if they fall overboard.

“For those hardy outdoor enthusiasts who boat, fish and hunt in the winter, staying safe in the event of a boating mishap is all about choosing and using the right gear,” said Sgt. John McDerby, Division of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police. “Falling overboard or getting excessively chilled or wet on deck can put you at risk for hypothermia, so dress and outfit yourself appropriately.”

Immersion in cold water can lead very quickly to hypothermia, in which the body instinctively protects its core by shutting down blood flow to limbs first. The U.S. Coast Guard recommends wearing layers for protection and warmth, including gloves and a hat. Recommended gear also includes three types of protective clothing to reduce risk: flotation coats, which double as life jackets but may not protect against hypothermia if the wearer falls into cold water; immersion or survival suits, which can increase survival time in cold water; or a dry suit to keep water out and, with thermal layers beneath, keep warmth in.

Other recommended safety items include:

• Life jackets, worn by everyone on board, especially non-swimmers in all seasons; Delaware law requires that all children 12 years old and younger aboard a vessel wear a lifejacket while underway;
• Blankets, to stay warm on board while awaiting rescue;
• Multiple means of communication – a fully-charged cell phone and a marine radio; and
• Items to attract the attention of rescuers: a whistle, a personal position locator beacon (PLB), a personal emergency locator light and/or flares, all kept in immersion suit pockets, secured with a lanyard.

Boat operators should also plan to spend a little extra time on vessel preparations and maintenance to help prevent breakdowns on the water, including checking fuel levels before heading out. “An equipment failure that would be a minor inconvenience in warmer weather could be life-threatening this time of year,” Sgt. McDerby said.

Sgt. McDerby also added these tips:

• Check your vessel’s capacity plate for maximum weight to avoid overloading, which can lead to possible capsizing; hunting parties are reminded to take the weight of their gear into account.
• Keep your cell phone in a secure pocket and sealed in a plastic bag.
• Pack a set of dry clothing in a sealed plastic bag.
• If you fall overboard or capsize, stay with your boat for a better chance of being found sooner.
• Keep clothing on to help retain heat.
• File a “float plan” with a responsible friend or family member. Include a description of your boat, when you plan to head out, who is going with you, where you plan to go and when you plan to return.

“Filing a float plan is always a good idea, because unforeseen circumstances can hit boaters in any season at any time, including a storm, engine problems, swamping and injuries or other health issues,” Sgt. McDerby said. “With your plans in a friend or family member’s hands, they can call for help if you’re overdue and tell searchers where to begin looking for you, saving precious time.”

For more information on safe boating practices in Delaware, including an easy-to-use float plan form, please visit Delaware Boating Safety on the Division of Fish & Wildlife website.

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. 17

SEAFORD – Following an investigation, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police arrested a Milford man Jan. 20 for weapons and hunting violations related to an illegal deer drive on Marshy Hope Wildlife Area west of Bridgeville.

Gerald L. Bradley, 53, was charged with two felony counts of possession of a firearm/ammunition by a person prohibited and one count each of unlicensed hunting and participating in an unlawful deer drive on state lands. A shotgun and 12 rounds of ammunition were seized as evidence.

Following video arraignment in Justice of the Peace Court 2 in Rehoboth Beach, Bradley was released on $2,500 unsecured bond on the weapons and hunting-related charges, pending a preliminary hearing, but was then remanded to the Sussex Correctional Institution in Georgetown in lieu of $100 secured bond for an unrelated warrant out of Superior Court.

Six other individuals involved in the illegal deer drive also were cited for one count each of participating in an unlawful deer drive on state lands and fined $107 each, including court costs.

The DNREC 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 and 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 www.dnrec.delaware.gov/fw/Hunting/Pages/OpGameTheft.aspx.

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

Vol. 46, No. 19

GEORGETOWN – Following a criminal investigation, a Georgetown man was arrested Jan. 19 by Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police for multiple weapons, drug and hunting violations, including possession of weapons by a person prohibited.

Franklin D. Conaway III, 37, was charged with five felony counts of possession of a firearm/ammunition by a person prohibited; one count each of possession of drug paraphernalia, unlicensed hunting and failure to display required hunter orange during a firearms deer season; and two counts each of possession of unlawfully taken antlered deer, failure to tag antlered deer and failure to check antlered deer within 24 hours.

Officers seized as evidence two shotguns, a handgun, a bow with arrows, an assortment of ammunition, drugs, drug paraphernalia and deer parts. In addition, the investigation by Natural Resources Police found that Conaway had an active warrant for his arrest with the Delaware State Police on charges of driving with a suspended or revoked license, failure to maintain lane position and leaving the scene of an accident.

Conaway was taken to Justice of the Peace Court 3 in Georgetown for a bond hearing, and was remanded to the Sussex Correctional Institution in Georgetown in lieu of $56,250 secured bond, pending a preliminary hearing in the Sussex County Court of Common Pleas.

The DNREC 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 and 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 www.dnrec.delaware.gov/fw/Hunting/Pages/OpGameTheft.aspx.

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

Vol. 46, No. 18

Weekly reminder: After-hours entry, off-roading, target shooting in wildlife areas unlawful

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. 4-10 made 851 contacts with anglers, boaters, hunters and the general public, including 74 vessel boardings for boating safety and fishing regulation compliance checks. Officers responded to 23 complaints and issued 12 citations, one of which was related to the C&D Canal Conservation Area and associated recreational trail, where there remains an increased Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police presence.

An item of note:

• On Jan. 4, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police cited Cody R. Stellar, 18, of Smyrna, for possession of marijuana near Townsend, with fines totaling $131, including court costs.

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

Wildlife Conservation: Operating a motor vehicle off an established roadway on a state wildlife area (1)*, hunting with an unplugged shotgun (1), no federal duck stamp (1), federal regulation/hunting brant out of season (1), possession of toxic lead shot while waterfowl hunting (1), and possession of over-the-limit waterfowl (1).

Fisheries Conservation: Unlicensed fishing (2).

Boating and Boating Safety: Operating a vessel with insufficient number of life jackets (1), and no boating safety certificate (1).

Public Safety: Possession of marijuana (1), and operating a motor vehicle without insurance (1).

* Citation issued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area.

Are you AWARE?
DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind visitors to state wildlife areas, fishing piers and boat launching facilities that these areas are closed to the public from sunset to sunrise unless a person is actively and lawfully engaged in fishing or hunting in accordance with state regulations and individual wildlife area rules. Individuals not meeting these requirements who are found in state wildlife areas between sunset and sunrise face fines up to $100 for trespassing after hours.

Wildlife area visitors also are reminded that it is illegal to operate motor vehicles – including motorcycles, cars, trucks and SUVs – off established roadways in state wildlife areas. Violators found to have caused damage also will be cited for destruction of state property. In addition, operating a motor vehicle that is not licensed for use on established public roadways – including ATVs – is prohibited both on and off-road on state wildlife areas.

“With recent heavy rains and changing temperatures, the ground is especially vulnerable to damage from vehicles operating off-road,” said Sgt. John McDerby of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police. “Doing ‘donuts’ or four-wheeling in wildlife areas is irresponsible and illegal behavior that damages essential wildlife habitat, as well as generating unnecessary work and expense to repair the damage.”

Other noteworthy general wildlife area rules and regulations to remember include:

• Camping, swimming, fires, target shooting (including paintball) and dumping or littering 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 during designated hunting seasons.
• Firearms are prohibited on state wildlife areas from March 1 to Aug. 31, except during legal hunting seasons or as authorized by the Division of Fish & Wildlife.
• All state wildlife areas are designated carry-in, carry-out for trash.

For more information on individual wildlife areas, including the rules and regulations specific to each wildlife area, wildlife area visitors are encouraged to check out Delaware wildlife area maps. These maps are available in hard copy at DNREC’s Dover licensing desk and online at Delaware Wildlife Area Maps.

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. 9

Reminder for the week: Take note of winter hunting, fishing seasons and prep for weather

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 Dec. 28-Jan. 3 made 786 contacts with anglers, boaters, hunters and the general public, including 62 vessel boardings for boating safety and fishing regulation compliance checks. Officers responded to 36 complaints and issued seven citations, one of which was related to the C&D Canal Conservation Area and associated recreational trail, where there remains 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: Not hunting from designated blind (2).

Boating and Boating Safety: Operating a vessel with insufficient number of life jackets (2), and operating an unregistered motor vessel (1).

Public Safety: Driving without a valid license (1), and driving with a suspended or revoked license (1).

* One citation was issued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area: operating a vessel with an insufficient number of life jackets.

Are you AWARE?
DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind hunters and anglers of upcoming and ongoing hunting and fishing season dates:

• Striped bass – Recreational season open all year in tidal waters within three miles of shore; catch-and-release only in Nanticoke and Delaware rivers and the C&D Canal and their tributaries from April 1-May 31 during spawning season. The taking, possession, and targeting of striped bass in federal waters, which begin three miles offshore, are prohibited.
• Handgun deer season – closes Saturday, Jan. 9, south of the C&D Canal on private lands and many state wildlife areas; consult state wildlife area maps for area-specific rules and regulations
• Shotgun deer season – Saturday, Jan. 16-Saturday, Jan. 23
• Muzzleloader deer season – Monday, Jan. 25-Saturday, Jan. 30
• Archery/crossbow deer season – open through Saturday, Jan. 30
• Migratory Canada goose, snow goose and duck seasons – open through Saturday, Jan. 30
• Small game hunting seasons – gray squirrel and pheasant (open through Saturday, Feb. 6), and rabbit (open through Monday, Feb. 29)*

*NOTE: Small game hunters are required to wear hunter orange during all firearms deer seasons; archery hunters also are required to wear hunter orange, including those afield north of the C&D Canal during handgun deer season.

Hunters and anglers also are reminded to be well-prepared for winter weather, which of late has included extreme fluctuations in temperature. “With this winter’s hard-to-predict weather, it’s especially important for hunters and anglers to make sure they leave a plan of where they will be and anticipated time of return with a responsible friend or family member,” said Sgt. John McDerby of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police.

Other tips include:

• Check the latest weather forecast before heading out and dress appropriately in layers.
• Anticipate changes such as rain, snow or temperature drop, and pack extra weatherproof and/or dry clothing as needed.
• Pack and carry a small survival kit that includes a fully charged cell phone, flashlight with fresh batteries, compass, water, snacks and an emergency blanket.
• When accessing hunting and fishing areas, park your vehicle in a designated parking area adjoining a roadway, if available, and preferably on high, firm ground.

For more information on hunting and fishing in Delaware, click on 2015-2016 Delaware Hunting and Trapping Guide or 2015 Delaware Fishing Guide. Both guides also are available in printed form at the licensing desk in DNREC’s Richardson & Robbins Building, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, and from license agents statewide. State wildlife area hunting maps are available in hard copy at DNREC’s Dover licensing desk and online at Delaware Hunting Maps.

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. 3