Reminder for the week: Natural Resources Police patrols increased to monitor hunting, fishing seasons concurrently in full swing
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 Aug. 22-28 made 2,263 contacts with anglers, boaters and the general public, including 419 vessel boardings for boating safety and fishing regulation compliance checks. Officers responded to 80 complaints and issued 47 citations, seven of which were related to the C&D Canal Conservation Area and associated recreational trail, where there continues to be an increased Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police presence.
Incidents of note:
- On Aug. 28, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers cited John R. Mitchell Jr., 42, of Ocean View with one count each of operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol (OUI), no personal flotation device, no fire extinguisher and no vessel registration card in possession. Mitchell was cited in the Indian River Bay near White House Beach. He was released with an order to appear in Justice of the Peace Court 14 at a later date.
- On Aug. 27, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers cited John J. Kass, 44, of Pottstown, Pa. with one count of OUI on Rehoboth Bay near Massey’s Landing. Kass was released with an order to appear in Justice of the Peace Court 14 at a later date.
- Increased patrols in Kent County wildlife areas during this time period resulted in multiple citations issued for entering after hours and one citation for possession of marijuana.
Citations issued by category, with the number of charges in parentheses, included:
Wildlife Conservation: Entering a wildlife area after hours (8)*.
Fisheries Conservation: Recreational: Unlicensed fishing (5)*, possession of undersized weakfish (1), possession of undersized summer flounder (1), possession of undersized blue crabs (4), crab pot tampering (non-commercial) (1), improperly marked recreational crab pots (2), possession of summer flounder parts (1).
Boating and Boating Safety: Operating a vessel with insufficient number of lifejackets (2), no lifejacket on a child age 12 or younger as required by law (7), operating under the influence (2), failure to observe slow-no-wake zone (3), failure to provide flares or visual distress signal equipment (1), failure to have fire extinguisher aboard (1), failure to possess registration card (1), and allowing the use of a non-compliant vessel (1), no boater education card (1).
Public Safety: Unregistered motor vehicle in a wildlife area (1)*, excessive speed in a wildlife area (1)*, possession of marijuana (1), possession of drug paraphernalia (1), criminal trespass (1).
* Citations issued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area: unlicensed fishing (4), entering a wildlife area after hours (1).
Are you AWARE?
With several hunting seasons having opened Sept. 1 and fishing still at full-throttle, DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police continue to increase patrols and closely monitor 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 vandalism, littering, dumping and damaging wildlife habitat.
“The public is encouraged to enjoy our wildlife, fishing and boating access areas and the unique outdoor experiences they offer,” said Sgt. John McDerby of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police. “However, as stewards of this land for the general public, we cannot allow the few people who do not respect our conservation mission to ruin things for the many who do. Those caught abusing our natural resources through illegal activities will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
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.
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 cause 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.
The following rules also apply to all state wildlife areas, fishing piers, public boat launching facilities and multi-use areas:
- Camping, swimming, target shooting (including paintball), dumping and littering, and fires are prohibited.
- 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 of these sites have a carry-in, carry-out trash policy.
“Littering can be a problem, especially in many fishing areas, so please leave no trace behind and take your trash with you,” Sgt. McDerby said.
For more information on individual wildlife areas, including the rules and regulations specific to each area, visitors are encouraged to give close attention to Delaware wildlife area maps published by the Division of Fish & Wildlife. The maps are available in hard copy at the licensing desk in DNREC’s Richardson & Robbins Building, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901, and also 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 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. 325