Reminder for the week: Loaded firearms prohibited in or on motor vehicles, motorboats or farm machinery

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 Nov. 13-26 made 2,586 contacts with hunters, anglers, boaters, and the general public, including 102 vessel boardings for boating safety and fishing and hunting regulation compliance checks, issuing 100 citations. Officers responded to 111 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 Actions

Incidents of note:

• On Nov. 14, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers arrested Jacob H. Olszewski, 35, of Townsend, for one count of failure to tag antlered deer, one count of failure to check antlered deer within 24 hours, one count of removing antlered deer parts prior to checking, and two counts of possess or transport antlered deer that was unlawfully killed following an investigation into illegal hunting near Middletown. Olszewski was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 2 and released on a $5,000 unsecured bond pending a future court appearance in New Castle County Court of Common Pleas.
• On Nov. 18, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers cited commercial waterman John R. Moore, 55, of Magnolia, for six counts of failure to attach an oyster harvest tag to a bushel of oysters near Bowers Beach. Moore was fined $642, including court costs and released.
• On Nov. 18, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers arrested Glenn W. Browning, 60, of Georgetown, for three counts of firearm/weapon possession by person prohibited, one count of failure to tag antlered deer, one count of failure to check antlered deer within 24 hours, one count kill any antlered deer without first purchasing a hunters choice tag, two counts of possess or transport antlered deer that was unlawfully killed, one count of license forgery or misrepresentation, one count of unlicensed hunting, and one count must wear hunter orange following an investigation into illegal hunting near Springfield Road in Georgetown. Browning was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 3 and released on a $2,969 unsecured bond pending a future court appearance in Sussex County Court of Common Pleas. Brown was also ordered by the Court to relinquish all firearms and/or deadly weapons to the State.
• On Nov. 19, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers arrested John E. Tomeski II, 26, of Bridgeville, for one count of firearm/weapon possession by person prohibited, two counts of impede lawful hunting, one count of trespassing to hunt, and one count of possess or transport antlerless deer that was unlawfully killed following an investigation into illegal hunting near Georgetown. Tomeski was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 3 and released on a $7,000 unsecured bond pending a future court appearance in Sussex County Court of Common Pleas.
• On Nov. 22, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers arrested Jeremy Virdin, 18, of Dover, for one count of failure to check antlered deer within 24 hours following an investigation into the falsifying of deer registry information neat Smyrna. Virdin was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 7 and released, pending a future court appearance in Kent County Court of Common Pleas.
• On Nov. 22, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers arrested Michael A. Payton, 36, of Harrington, for two counts of possess or transport antlered deer that was unlawfully killed, two counts of trespassing to hunt, and one count of hunt deer during unlawful hours (nighttime) following an investigation into illegal hunting near Newark. Payton was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 2 and released on a $1,700 unsecured bond pending a future court appearance in New Castle County Court of Common Pleas.

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

Wildlife Conservation: Failure to tag antlered deer (2), failure to check antlered deer within 24 hours (3), removing antlered deer parts prior to checking (1), removing antlerless deer parts prior to checking (1), possess or transport antlered deer that was unlawfully killed (11), hunting with an unplugged shotgun capable of holding more than three shells (5), impede lawful hunting (2), possess or transport antlerless deer that was unlawfully killed (1), license forgery or misrepresentation (1), kill any antlered deer without first purchasing a hunters choice tag (1), must wear hunter orange (6)*, failure to tag antlerless deer (2), trespassing to hunt (12), hunting on a refuge (5), hunt deer during unlawful hours (nighttime) (1), possession of unlawfully taken geese (2), possession of prohibited shot size while hunting migratory waterfowl (1), possession of prohibited lead shot while hunting migratory waterfowl (2), hunting migratory waterfowl without required HIP number (2), and unlicensed hunting (2).

Fisheries Conservation: Recreational: unlicensed fishing (1), possession of undersize tautog (1), and possession of undersize black seabass (1).
Commercial: Failure to attach an oyster harvest tag to a bushel of oysters (6).

Boating and Boating Safety: Operating an unregistered vessel (1), no boating safety certificate (1), obstructing use of a public boat ramp (1), and operating a vessel with insufficient number of life jackets (1)*.

Public Safety: Firearm/weapon possession by person prohibited (5), possession of a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle (3), carrying a loaded firearm in a motor vessel (1), hunting within a safety zone (1), possession of marijuana-civil (1), possession of marijuana-criminal (1), and possession of drug paraphernalia (3).

Other: Wildlife area map violation (1), operating a motor vehicle off an established roadway on a state wildlife area (1)*, trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (4)*, parking violation for unattended vehicle (1), and littering/dumping on a state wildlife area (2).

*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?
Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police reminds hunters that it is illegal when engaged in activities related to hunting to have a loaded firearm or ammunition in the magazine or chamber of such firearm in ones’ possession in, against or on any automobile, other vehicle or any piece of farm machinery; these loaded firearm and ammunition restrictions also apply to motorboats and sailboats under power. The only exception is when it is otherwise lawful to hunt crippled migratory birds from a motorboat, as permitted by federal law.

Note the following restrictions on transporting specific firearms:

• Muzzleloader: You cannot transport a muzzleloader with a charge in the barrel unless the cap or primer is removed and the gun is enclosed in a case or the striking mechanism is removed.
• Crossbow: Must not be in the cocked position.

The above also applies to Concealed Carry Deadly Weapons (CCDW) Permit holders when they are engaged in activities related to hunting.

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 302-354-1386 or Sgt. Brooke Africa 302-382-7167, or Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police 302-739-9913

Reminder for the week: Waterfowl hunters advised to remove lead shot from gear

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 Nov. 6-12 made 1,625 contacts with hunters, anglers, boaters and the general public, including 12 vessel boardings for boating safety and fishing and hunting regulation compliance checks, issuing 64 citations. Officers responded to 84 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 Actions

Incident of note:

• On Nov. 6, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers arrested Chad Lingenfelder, 31, of Seaford, for one count of failure to register antlerless deer within 24 hours, one count of failure to tag antlerless deer, one count of possess or transporting unlawfully taken antlerless deer, one count of hunting deer with a shotgun during archery season, and one count of game animal not consumed or utilized for its value, following an investigation into illegal hunting off Shingle Point Road near Georgetown. Lingenfelder was arraigned at Sussex County Justice of the Peace Court 3 where he plead guilty, was fined $667, including court costs, and released.

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

Wildlife Conservation: Failure to register antlerless deer within 24 hours (3), failure to tag antlerless deer (1), possess or transporting unlawfully taken antlerless deer (1), hunting deer with a shotgun during archery season (1), game animal not consumed or utilized for its value (1), unlicensed hunting (7), failure to tag deer (4), must wear hunter orange (8), trespassing to hunt (7), hunting with an unplugged shotgun capable of holding more than three shells (9), spotlighting (1), unlawful method of deer hunting by baiting lands (2), illegal method of take (1), and unlawful to remove antlerless deer parts prior to examining deer by division (1).

Fisheries Conservation: Recreational: Possession of undersized tautog (1).

Public Safety: Possession of a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle (5), vehicle constructed/loaded to prevent contents from dropping (1), driving while suspended or revoked (1), operating a motor vehicle without insurance card in possession (1), and operating an unregistered off highway vehicle (1).

Other: Operating a motor vehicle off an established roadway on a state wildlife area (1), and trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (6).

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 the second waterfowl hunting season segment opening Nov. 20-25, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind waterfowl hunters to again check their hunting gear bags, coats, boats and any other gear to make sure they are not carrying any lead shot.

Non-toxic shot, as approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is required for all waterfowl hunting within the State of Delaware. There are no exceptions. For a list of currently approved non-toxic shot types visit https://flyways.us/faq/what-type-shot-approved-non-toxic-us.

For hunters age 16 and older, a federal migratory bird hunting and conservation stamp, commonly called “the duck stamp,” is also required to hunt waterfowl. Federal duck stamps may be purchased at U.S Post Offices, Bombay Hook and Prime Hook national wildlife refuges and online at www.fws.gov/duckstamps; no exemptions are made for persons 65 years or older for purchasing federal stamps. For more information on federal stamps, call 800-STAMP24 (800-782-6724).

For more information on waterfowl hunting in Delaware, visit 2017-2018 Delaware Hunting and Trapping Guide. Printed copies of the guide and the wildlife area maps are also available at DNREC’s Dover license desk, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901, or by calling the Wildlife Section office at 302-739-9912. The printed guide also is available from license agents throughout the state.

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.

DOVER – To help successful hunters whose generosity supports DNREC’s Sportsmen Against Hunger program and provide venison for needy Delawareans, the Division of Fish & Wildlife today announced the list of private butcher shops accepting donated deer during the state’s 2017/18 deer hunting season. All donated venison will be distributed to charitable groups participating in the program.

Last year, 18,154 pounds of venison from 631 deer donated by hunters was divided among 32 food pantries and shelters statewide, providing 72,616 meals. Since it began in 1992, the Sportsmen Against Hunger program has provided over 2 million meals for Delawareans in need.

Successful hunters can take their deer directly to participating private butcher shops, or they may drop off their deer at any of the DNREC-maintained walk-in coolers listed below.

Participating Butcher Shops

Sussex County

• Dave’s Cut ‘Em Up, 6854 Delmar Road, Delmar, DE 19940
  302.381.7257

Kent County

• Miller’s Butcher Shop, 577 Morgans Choice Road, Wyoming, DE 19934
  302.697.8278
• D&J Custom Cutting, 89 Myers Drive, Hartly, DE 19953
  302.492.0323

New Castle County

• Townsend Deer Butchering, 1300 Dexter Corner Road, Townsend, DE 19734
  302.378.3268

DNREC-Maintained Coolers for Donated Deer

Sussex County

• Assawoman Wildlife Area, 37604 Mulberry Landing Road, Frankford, DE 19945
• Gumboro Community Center, 36849 Millsboro Highway, Millsboro, DE 19966
• Redden State Forest Headquarters, 18074 Redden Forest Drive, Georgetown, DE 19947
• Trap Pond State Park, 33587 Bald Cypress Lane, Laurel, DE 19956

Kent County

• Woodland Beach Wildlife Area, 4876 Hay Point Landing Road, Smyrna, DE 19977
• Norman G. Wilder Wildlife Area, 782 Kersey Road, Viola, DE 19979
• Mosquito Control Office, 1161 Airport Road, Milford, DE 19963

New Castle County

• Augustine Wildlife Area, 303 North Congress Street, Port Penn, DE 19731

Hunters donating deer at a DNREC-maintained cooler are asked to call the phone number posted on the cooler so that the deer can be transported for processing in a timely manner. Hunters are reminded that any deer dropped off at a cooler also must be field-dressed and registered by the hunter donating it, with the registration number written on the field tag attached to the animal. Coolers are checked frequently, with donated deer taken to the Sussex Correctional Institution’s deer butchering program or to participating private butcher shops for processing.

All deer harvested in Delaware, including donated deer, must be registered 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 hunting in Delaware, click on 2017-2018 Delaware Hunting and Trapping Guide. The guide also is available in printed form at DNREC’s Dover licensing desk in the Richardson & Robbins Building, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901, and from license agents statewide.

For more information on the Sportsmen Against Hunger Program, please visit Sportsmen Against Hunger, or contact Bill Jones, Kent County Regional Wildlife Manager, 302-284-4795. For deer information, please contact Deer and Furbearer Biologist Emily Boyd, at 302-735-3600.

Vol. 47, No. 244

-30-

DOVER – With Delaware’s November shotgun deer hunting season opening Friday, DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife’s Hunter Education Program reminds hunters born on or after Jan. 1, 1967 that they need to have a Hunter Safety Card as proof of having taken a Basic Hunter Education Safety Course in order to purchase a Delaware hunting license, and also must carry the card while hunting.

Hunters who took their Delaware hunter safety course after 2008 and need a new copy of their Hunter Safety Card may go online to get it. Hunters should click on Hunter Education Access. The system will ask for their last name, date of birth and the last four digits of their Social Security Number. After entering their information, hunters will be able to print a new card.

Those who took their hunter safety course prior to 2008 should call the Hunter Education Office at 302-735-3600 ext. 1 to update their records so they can go online to print a new card.

In years past, hunters were required to provide their Hunter Safety Number when they purchased their first Delaware license. That number was then stored in licensing records and automatically pulled up when hunters purchased their next annual license. Due to a change in licensing software, hunter safety numbers are no longer automatically applied to future license purchases.

Delaware hunting licenses are sold online, at the licensing desk in DNREC’s Richardson & Robbins Building, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901, and by license agents statewide. To find a participating agent, or to purchase a license online, visit Delaware Licenses. For additional information on Delaware hunting licenses, call 302-739-9918.

For more information on hunting in Delaware, click on 2017-2018 Delaware Hunting and Trapping Guide. The guide also is available in printed form at DNREC’s Dover licensing desk, and from license agents throughout the state.

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

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

Vol. 47, No. 238

-30-

Reminder for the week: Hunters should pay attention to established blinds, property lines

DOVER –  Officers responded to 33 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 Actions

Incident of note:

• On Oct. 28, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers responded to a fatal boat accident on the Broadkill River, north of Oyster Rocks Road, near Milton. At this time the accident still remains under investigation. The following press release was issued in regards to the accident: Victim of Saturday’s fatal boating accident in Sussex County identified.

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

Wildlife Conservation: Impeding lawful hunt (1), trespassing to hunt (1), and hunting migratory waterfowl without required federal waterfowl stamp (1).

Fisheries Conservation: Recreational: Possession of undersized blue crab (1), and trespassing to fish (2).

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

Public Safety: Trespassing to hunt on railroad tracks (6).

Other: Operating a motor vehicle off an established roadway on a state wildlife area (1)*, and lewdness (2)*.

*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 de.gov/ogt.

Are you AWARE?
Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind hunters participating in waterfowl hunting season that hunting from a vessel within 1,500 feet of an established waterfowl blind without permission is prohibited.

Also, hunting game on private property without permission of the owner and/or residents is considered trespassing to hunt and is a hunting violation. Tracking or recovering game on another’s property, shooting on another’s property or crossing another’s private property to reach a hunting area are examples of trespassing to hunt. Those cited for trespassing to hunt face potential fines up to $100 plus court costs.

Other rules and general hunting information:

• Hunters should check daily bag limits and possession limits, as well as types of arms and ammunition permitted for the game they are planning to hunt.
• If hunting on public wildlife areas, hunters should review wildlife area maps and rules, including hunting times, specific rules for each wildlife area and any permits they may need. Wildlife area maps and rules are available at DNREC’s Dover licensing desk or online at Delaware Wildlife Area Maps.
• Waterfowl hunters should make sure they have their hunting licenses, state and federal stamps and Harvest Information Program number (HIP) before they head for their blinds. To conveniently obtain your free HIP number online from your smartphone, tablet, laptop or desktop, click www.dnrec.delaware.gov/delhunt. Hunters also may call 1-855-335-4868 (1-855-DELHUNT) toll-free.

Delaware hunting 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 hunting licenses, call 302-739-9918.

For more information on hunting in Delaware, click on 2017-2018 Delaware Hunting and Trapping Guide. The guide also is available in printed form at DNREC’s Dover licensing desk and from license agents throughout the state.

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, twitter.com/DE_FW_NRPolice.

Media Contact2: Lt. John McDerby, 302-354-1386, or Sgt. Brooke Africa, 302-382-7167, or Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-739-9913.

-30-