Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: April 3-9

Reminder for the week: After-hours entry to wildlife, fishing and boating areas limited

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 April 3-9 made 1,732 contacts with anglers, hunters, boaters and the general public, including 41 vessel boardings for boating safety, hunting and fishing regulation compliance checks, issuing 14 citations. Officers responded to 28 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 associated recreational trail.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police in the Community

On April 7, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers attended an event hosted by Senator Chris Coons and attended by the Namibian Ambassador H.E. Martin Anjaba at the Delaware Museum of Natural History in Wilmington. The event highlighted issues of illegal international wildlife trade and poaching in Africa and included a screening of the film Warlords of Ivory, followed by a panel discussion.
On April 7, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers attended a law enforcement job fair hosted by the Criminal Justice Department at the Delaware Technical College campus in Stanton.
On April 8, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers displayed the Operation Game Theft trailer and a patrol boat and gave tracking demonstrations with K-9 River during the Ducks Unlimited Greenwing youth event at Owens Station near Greenwood.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

Incidents of note:

On April 7, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police cited an individual for loitering to engage or solicit another to engage in sex at Records Pond near Laurel. The individual was fined $107, including court costs and released.
On April 7, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police cited an individual for loitering to engage or solicit another to engage in sex at the Garrisons Lake Boat Ramp near Dover. The individual was fined $107, including court costs and released.
On April 8, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police cited two individuals for turkey hunting violations near Harrington. Robert W. Hawkins, 18, of Harrington, was cited for wild turkey method of take – unlawful to hunt with bait and for unlawful to hunt wild turkey without course of instruction. Hawkins was fined $684, including court costs and released. Domenick M. Skinner, 19, of New Castle, was cited for wild turkey method of take – unlawful to hunt with bait. Skinner was fined $342, including court costs, and released.
Throughout March, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers conducted evening crime prevention operations in Kent and southern New Castle counties, targeting Division of Fish & Wildlife state wildlife areas, ponds and fishing and boating access areas in response to complaints of damaged state property, illegal drug use, littering and trespassing. Of the 26 citations issued during these operations, 22 were for trespassing after hours and four were for drug-related offenses. Citations were issued at: Woodland Beach Fishing Pier, Cedar Swamp Wildlife Area near Smyrna, Port Mahon boat ramp and fishing pier near Dover, Barkers Landing Boat Ramp near Magnolia and Milford Neck Wildlife Area and Haven Lake Boat Ramp near Milford. In addition, a woman was taken into custody by Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police at the Haven Lake Boat Ramp on an outstanding warrant for violation of probation, arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 3 and transported to the Sussex Correctional Institution in Georgetown.

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

Wildlife Conservation: Wild turkey method of take-unlawful to hunt with bait (2), and unlawful to hunt wild turkey without course of instruction (1).
Fisheries Conservation: Recreational: Unlicensed fishing (2)*, and over the limit – freshwater trout (1).
Public Safety: Loitering to engage or solicit another to engage in sex (2).
Other: Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (5), and damaging state property on a wildlife area (1)*.
*Includes citation(s) issued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area.

Are you AWARE?

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind visitors to division 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. Anyone not meeting these requirements found in Division of Fish & Wildlife sites between sunset and sunrise faces fines up to $100 for trespassing after hours. Continuing operations are planned statewide to curb illegal activity on Fish & Wildlife properties.

For more information on individual wildlife areas, including the rules and regulations specific to each wildlife area, wildlife area visitors are encouraged to review Delaware wildlife area maps. These maps are available in hard copy at DNREC’s Dover licensing desk in the Richardson & Robbins Building, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901, and online at Delaware Wildlife Area Maps.

Operation Game Theft

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.

Media Contact: Sgt. John McDerby, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-739-9913 or 302-354-1386

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: March 27-April 2

Reminder for the week: Safe, ethical hunting practices encouraged for Delaware turkey season opening April 8

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 March 27-April 2 made 1,007 contacts with anglers, hunters, boaters and the general public, including 26 vessel boardings for boating safety, hunting and fishing regulation compliance checks, issuing 15 citations. Officers responded to 26 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 associated recreational trail.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

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

Fisheries Conservation: Recreational: Unlicensed fishing (5), possession of shad in a closed area (1), and possession of blueback herring in a closed area (1).

Boating and Boating Safety: Operating a vessel with insufficient number of life jackets (2), and operating a personal watercraft (PWC) without lifejackets (2).

Other: Operating a motor vehicle off an established roadway on a state wildlife area (2)*, damaging state property on a wildlife area (1), and trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (1).

*Includes citation(s) issued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area.

Are you AWARE?

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind the public that Delaware’s 2017 spring wild turkey hunting season begins Saturday, April 8 and runs through Saturday, May 6. With the excitement of spring turkey season, hunters are reminded to always place safety and ethical hunting practices first and foremost.

Unlike some other types of hunting, turkey hunting is an interactive sport that often involves calling to the birds and moving around in the woods to increase the opportunity of harvesting a gobbler. Hunters are reminded that it is unlawful to drive wild turkeys, to shoot a wild turkey on the roost or, for safety purposes, to wear red, white or blue while hunting.

While in pursuit of wild turkeys, hunters are also reminded that it is unlawful to hunt turkeys while using bait as an attractant. Some common bait that is illegally used includes wheat, corn, sunflower seeds and various birdseed blends. Hunters are responsible for ensuring that no bait is present in an area where they are hunting turkeys.

Delaware offers hunting opportunities for wild turkeys on several state wildlife areas and state forests by permit only. To hunt wild turkeys on public land in Delaware, hunters must enter a pre-season lottery from which public lands permits are drawn. Delaware’s wild turkey season is broken down into four week-long segments. Turkey hunters are drawn via the lottery and issued a permit that enables them to hunt a specified public land area during a specified one-week segment.

Hunters selected for a public land permit must carry their permit, as well as their turkey education card and hunting license at all times while hunting. Always remember that a public permit only allows turkey hunting in a specific designated wildlife area or state forest and only during the one designated week of turkey season.

For hunters who harvest a spring gobbler, the Division of Fish & Wildlife requires that the turkey be checked at an authorized check station by 2:30 p.m. on the same day the turkey was harvested. Information obtained through the check stations is used by the Division of Fish & Wildlife to help manage Delaware’s wild turkey population.

2017 turkey check station hours may vary, so hunters are advised to call the station where they are likely to check a bird to confirm the hours of operation. Hunters who want to have their bird scored and entered into the National Wild Turkey Federation records also are reminded to have their bird’s live weight recorded on a certified scale. If the check station does not have a certified scale, hunters will be directed to another station to have the turkey re-weighed.

For turkey hunters who need to purchase a Delaware hunting license, 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, visit the 2016-2017 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. For more information about public lands that allow turkey hunting, look at the Wildlife Area Hunting Maps or State Forest Maps.

Media Contact: Sgt. John McDerby, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-739-9913 or 302-354-1386

Delaware Waterfowl, Trout Stamp contests set for April 8

DOVER – Wildlife art enthusiasts, stamp and print collectors, waterfowl hunters, anglers, birdwatchers and wetland conservationists will gather at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, April 8 for the judging of Delaware’s annual Waterfowl Stamp and Trout Stamp contests, which will be held at the Delaware Ducks Unlimited Greenwing Event at Owens Station Shooting Sports & Hunter Education Center, 12613 Hunters Cove Road, Greenwood, DE 19950. Following the competition, entries will be on display at Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge April 10-24.

Sponsored by DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife in partnership with Ducks Unlimited, the annual waterfowl stamp contest draws entries by renowned and emerging artists from across the country. The winning artwork will be reproduced on a stamp which must be carried by most waterfowl hunters. Waterfowl stamps are also purchased by collectors and other conservation-minded citizens.

This year marks the 38th anniversary of the Delaware Waterfowl Stamp contest, which began in 1980 to raise funds for waterfowl conservation, including acquiring and improving wetland habitats vital to the survival of migratory waterfowl. To date, more than $2.8 million has been raised from the purchase of Delaware Waterfowl Stamps. The new Waterfowl Stamp, which will go on sale for the 2018/19 hunting season, will feature artwork that must include a pintail duck and a Golden Retriever.

For the 2018 Trout Stamp contest, artists from across the nation had the opportunity to submit paintings of rainbow, brown or brook trout for consideration. The winning artwork will be reproduced on a stamp that is required for most trout anglers. Some 6,500 trout anglers and stamp collectors support this program annually, generating funds to purchase trout for stocking in six northern New Castle County streams, Tidbury Pond in Kent County and Newton Pond in Sussex County.

Delaware’s 2018/19 Waterfowl Stamp will be selected by a panels five judges that includes a Ducks Unlimited designee and a member of the Advisory Council on Wildlife and Freshwater Fish, with the remaining three judges randomly selected by the director of the Division of Fish & Wildlife from a pool of available judges that includes conservationists, biologists and artists. The 2018 Delaware Trout Stamp also will be selected by five judges including a member of the Delaware Trout Association and a member of the Advisory Council on Wildlife and Freshwater Fish, with the remaining three judges also randomly selected by the director of the Division of Fish & Wildlife from a pool including anglers, biologists and artists.

For more information on Delaware’s Waterfowl Stamp and Trout Stamp programs, please contact the Division of Fish & Wildlife at 302-739-9911, or visit http://de.gov/waterfowlstampor http://de.gov/troutstamp.

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

Vol. 47, No. 74

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Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: March 20-26

Reminder for the week: Keeping striped bass from spawning grounds during spawning season 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, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers between March 20-26 made 1,083 contacts with anglers, hunters, boaters and the general public, including 58 vessel boardings for boating safety, hunting and fishing regulation compliance checks, issuing 32 citations. Officers responded to 41 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 associated recreational trail.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police in the Community

• On March 21, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers attended the 10th annual law enforcement career fair, hosted by the Delaware Chapter of NOBLE (National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives) at Delaware State University in Dover.

• On March 23, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers presented information about the upcoming Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Youth Academies and about Operation Game Theft to a Boy Scout Troop near Newark.

• On March 25, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police displayed the Operation Game Theft trailer at the annual LureFest event held at Bowers Beach Fire Department in Bowers Beach.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

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

Wildlife Conservation: Possess or transport unlawfully taken antlered deer (2), and possess or transport unlawfully taken antlerless deer (1).

Fisheries Conservation: Recreational: Unlicensed fishing (8). Commercial: Commercial net marking violation (1).

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

Public Safety: Possession of firearm by a person prohibited (3), possession of a deadly weapon by a person prohibited (2), and possession of marijuana (1).

Other: Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (7), excessive speed on a state wildlife area (1)*, unlawful to enter dog training area on C&D Canal (3)*, littering upon a public roadway (1), and criminal impersonation (1).

*Includes citation(s) issued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area.

Are you AWARE?
Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind anglers that during Delaware’s striped bass spawning season, which begins April 1 and continues through midnight on May 31, it is unlawful for any person to take and retain any striped bass from the Nanticoke River or its tributaries, the Delaware River and its tributaries to the north of a line extending due east beginning at and including the south jetty at the mouth of the C&D Canal, or the C&D Canal or its tributaries. Anglers are required to practice catch and release fishing during this season with no harvest allowed in these areas.

In addition, regulations require anglers fishing with natural bait on any striped bass spawning ground during the closed spawning season to use a non-offset circle hook. The Division of Fish & Wildlife recommends that circle hooks always be used when fishing natural baits because of their proven ability to reduce hook-and-release mortality for striped bass and other fish species. The circle hook’s design usually results in fish being hooked in the mouth, simplifying hook removal and reducing injury to the released fish.

Most anglers are required to have a Delaware fishing license. 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 2017 Delaware Fishing Guide. The guide also is available in printed form at DNREC’s Dover licensing desk, and from license agents throughout the state.

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. John McDerby, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-739-9913 or 302-354-1386.

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DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife announces 2017 Delaware turkey hunting season dates

Youth/disabled hunt day set for April 1; regular season to open April 8

DOVER – DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife announced today turkey hunting opportunities for the upcoming season, starting with a special one-day hunt Saturday, April 1 for youth ages 10 through 15 and for hunters who are disabled and use a wheelchair. The regular turkey hunting season opens Saturday, April 8, and runs through Saturday, May 6, with no Sunday hunting. Hunting hours for both the youth/disabled hunt day and the regular hunting season are a half-hour before sunrise until 1 p.m.

Hunters are reminded that only bearded birds may be taken, and that all harvested birds must be checked at an authorized turkey check station by 2:30 p.m. on the day of the harvest. Bag limit is one bearded bird per turkey hunter per year.

On the special hunt day April 1, youth hunters must be accompanied by a licensed, non-hunting adult who is 21 years of age or older who has completed a Delaware approved turkey hunter safety class. Hunters 10 through 12 years of age must have a License Exempt Number (LEN). Hunters 13 years of age or older must have a junior or adult hunting license or a LEN, and must have successfully completed a mandatory turkey education class before they can legally hunt wild turkeys in Delaware. Turkey hunters must carry their Hunter Education/Turkey Education card while hunting.

Except during the special one-day hunt for youth and hunters with disabilities, hunting on public lands, including state forest lands, is by lottery permits only, which were issued this past January for the 2017 hunting season. Hunters must carry their public lands permit while hunting and may only hunt the designated area and season segment/dates specified in the permit. The application form for the 2018 Public Land Turkey Hunt can be found in the upcoming 2017/2018 Hunting and Trapping Guide.

Division of Fish & Wildlife Hunter Education Coordinator Mark Ostroski offered some tips for a safe and successful hunt. “A successful turkey hunt depends on many factors, including skill, careful preparation and attention to safety details,” Ostroski said. “Hunters should be sure to pattern their gun, because knowing where and how your gun shoots can be the difference in bagging that big gobbler.”

Ostroski noted that hunters also should remember these important safety practices:

Take time to identify your target and what lies
It is illegal and unsafe to wear clothing that includes the colors red, blue, black or white while turkey hunting;
Never stalk a wild turkey; and
Do not imitate the male gobbling call while trying to attract another gobbler.

The wild turkey continues as one of Delaware’s top wildlife restoration successes after being on the verge of extinction in the state by the early 20th century. In the early 1980s, the Division of Fish & Wildlife partnered with the Delaware chapters of the National Wild Turkey Federation and Delaware Wild Lands to reestablish a wild turkey population in the state. By 1991, the population had grown large enough to permit opening a wild turkey hunting season, and the turkey population continues to thrive.

Last year, 706 birds were harvested, the highest record to date. “Over the past four seasons, hunters have harvested more than 600 turkeys each season, which can be attributed to the growing popularity of spring turkey hunting and a healthy turkey population,” said Gamebird Biologist Justyn Foth, Division of Fish & Wildlife.

For a list of authorized turkey check stations for 2017, click Delaware Turkey Hunting information.
NOTE: The list of check stations is subject to change without notice. Check station hours may vary, so hunters are advised to call the station where they are likely to check a bird to confirm the hours of operation.

Hunters who want to have their bird scored and entered into the National Wild Turkey Federation records are reminded to have their bird’s live weight recorded on a certified scale. If the check station does not have a certified scale, hunters will be directed to another station to have the turkey re-weighed.

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 and information about turkey season segments, click on 2016-2017 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. For more information about public lands that allow turkey hunting, click Wildlife Area Hunting Maps or State Forest Maps.

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

Vol. 47, No. 72

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