DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: Oct. 7-13

Reminder for the week: Don’t forget to download the enforcement app DENRP Tip

DOVER – To achieve public compliance with laws and regulations through education and enforcement actions that help conserve Delaware’s fish and wildlife resources and ensure safe boating and public safety, DNREC’s Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers between Oct. 7-13 made 2,857 contacts with hunters, anglers, boaters, and the general public, issuing 28 citations. Officers responded to 44 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
• From Oct. 7-10, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers continued to search the C&D Canal for one missing occupant from a submerged vehicle incident. The missing occupant was recovered Oct. 10 and pronounced deceased on scene. The Delaware State Police Reconstruction Unit is currently investigating the cause of the incident.

• On Oct. 8, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers responded to and initiated an investigation of a non-injury, property-damage incident in which a sailboat struck the Reedy Island Jetty in the Delaware River. The vessel was removed by a private salvage company.

Citations issued by category, with the number of charges in parentheses, included:
Wildlife Conservation: Wildlife area map violation – using a firearm in an area closed to Sunday firearm deer hunting (1).

Fisheries Conservation: Commercial: Possession of undersized oysters (17). Recreational: Possession of undersized tautog (2).

Other: Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (4), littering on a state wildlife area (1), and target shooting at Blackbird State Forest (3).

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. The public is encouraged to report fish, wildlife, and boating violations to the Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police by calling 302-739-4580 or through the DENRP Tip app on a smartphone, which can be downloaded free of charge by searching “DENRP Tip” via the Google Play Store or the iTunes App Store. Wildlife violations may also be reported anonymously to Operation Game Theft by calling 800-292-3030, going online to http://de.gov/ogt, or using the DENRP Tip app. Verizon customers can connect to Operation Game Theft directly by dialing #OGT.

Are you AWARE?
Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police encourage the public to download our law enforcement app as described above, which enables you to connect with our officers, receive alerts, and submit anonymous tips from your smartphones.

When considering what type of tips to report, note that Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, including two K-9 tracking units, investigate hunting, fishing, and boating violations; respond to and investigate hunting and boating incidents; respond to poaching complaints through Operation Game Theft; and patrol state-owned boating access areas, fishing ponds, piers, and 19 state wildlife areas encompassing nearly 65,000 acres statewide. Our officers also conduct marine law enforcement patrols and boating safety checks on Delaware waterways, including within the state’s three-mile offshore limit in the Atlantic Ocean.

We look forward to hearing from you!

-End-

DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: Sept. 3-9

Reminder for the week: Public urged to report violations of hunting and wildlife regulations

DOVER – To achieve public compliance with laws and regulations through education and enforcement actions that help conserve Delaware’s fish and wildlife resources and ensure safe boating and public safety, DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers between Sept. 3-9 made 1,886 contacts with hunters, anglers, boaters, and the general public, issuing 42 citations. Officers responded to 50 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 in the Community
• On Sept. 6, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers gave a presentation on the role of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers and answered hunting, fishing, and boating questions during a Hunter Education Class at the Little Creek Hunter Education Training Center.

• On Sept. 8, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers, along with the United States Coast Guard, assisted the Pennsville, New Jersey Police Department using marine patrol vessels to maintain a security zone for a fireworks event along the Delaware River.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions
Incidents of note:

• On Sept. 3, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers arrested Gary Hendrix, 60, of Wilmington, for one count each of operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol and negligent operation of a motor vessel at the Indian River Marina. Hendrix was issued a summons for a mandatory court appearance at a later date and released.

• On Sept. 5, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers arrested Matthew Ewing, 35, of Frederica, for 20 counts of improper display of commercial crab pot license number on buoy on the Delaware Bay. Ewing was arraigned and released at Kent County Justice of the Peace Court 7, where he pled guilty and was fined $336, including court costs.

• On Sept. 8, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers responded to a boat accident involving a boat striking the 5th Street Bridge in Delaware City that resulted in minor injuries to the operator and significant boat damage. The accident is still under investigation.

• On Sept. 8, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers responded and rescued two uninjured individuals who fell off a kayak on the Rehoboth Bay.

Citations issued by category, with the number of charges in parentheses, included:
Wildlife Conservation: Hunting with an unplugged shotgun capable of holding more than three shells (1).
Fisheries Conservation: Recreational: Trespass to fish (1), possession of undersized Atlantic croaker (1), and possession of undersized blue crabs (2). Commercial: Improper display of commercial crab pot license number on buoy (20).

Boating and Boating Safety: Failure to observe slow no wake (1), no boating safety certificate (1), operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol (1), negligent operation of a motor vessel (1), and operating an unregistered vessel (1).

Public Safety: Excessive speed on a state wildlife area (1)* and possession of drug paraphernalia – civil (1)*.

Other: Operating a motor vehicle off an established roadway on a state wildlife area (1)*, damaging state property on a wildlife area (1)*, trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (7)*, and dumping on a state wildlife area (1)*.

*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?
Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police encourage the public to report violations of Delaware’s hunting and wildlife regulations through Operation Game Theft (OGT), a fund established in 1980 by the Delaware General Assembly to assist in the apprehension and conviction of game law violators. Funded with fines collected for violation of game laws in Delaware and with donations from various sources, OGT provides cash rewards up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of persons involved in game law violations. The identity of those providing information is kept confidential.

Please report any suspicious or illegal activity that you observe as soon as possible to Operation Game Theft by calling 800-292-3030. You can also visit Operation Game Theft online for more information about the OGT or to report illegal activity.

-30-

DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: Aug. 21-27

Reminder for the week: Hunters reminded to avoid using railroad tracks for hunting access

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. 21-27 made 1,976 contacts with anglers, boaters and the general public, including 254 vessel boardings for boating safety and fishing regulation compliance checks, issuing 53 citations. Officers responded to 64 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 in the Community

• On Aug. 26, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers displayed the Operation Game Theft trailer, provided a K-9 demonstration and discussed hunting and fishing enforcement during a National Wild Turkey Federation “Jake” event hosted by the Old Drawyers Creek Longbeard’s chapter of the NWTF in Odessa.

DE F&W Natural Resources Police logoFish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

Incidents of note:

• On Aug. 21, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers arrested Cassie M. Lynch, 32, of Felton after finding her asleep in a vehicle in the Blairs Pond parking lot near Milford. Lynch was charged with one count each of: possess, consume a controlled or counterfeit substance except human growth hormone without a prescription with an aggravating factor, possession of drug paraphernalia (non-marijuana) and trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area. Lynch was arraigned by video phone and received a $900 unsecured bond pending a hearing in the Kent County Court of Common Pleas at a later date. Lynch was then committed to Baylor Correctional Institute on $2,500 cash only bond for failing to appear at a previous Kent County Superior Court ordered hearing.

• On Aug. 25, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers arrested Patricia L. Wood, 55, of Claymont following a traffic stop in the Biddles Point parking lot of the Michael N. Castle Trail, near Delaware City. Wood was charged with criminal possession of marijuana and trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area. Wood was ordered to appear in New Castle County Justice of the Peace Court 9 at a later date. The operator of the vehicle, Kenneth A. McCalop, 33, of Wilmington was cited for driving without a valid license and trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area and was ordered to appear in New Castle County Justice of the Peace Court 9 at a later date.

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

Fisheries Conservation: Recreational: Unlicensed fishing (3), trespass to crab (1), possession of undersized summer flounder (2), possession of summer flounder parts (2), possession of undersized weakfish (1), possession of undersized croaker (8), illegal method of take- conch (1), possession of over the limit blue crab bushel (2), possession of undersized blue crabs (1), over the limit of recreational crab pots (2), improperly marked recreational crab pots (2), and no crab pot bycatch reduction device (turtle excluder) (2).

Boating and Boating Safety: Operating a vessel with insufficient number of life jackets (1), no life jacket on a child age 12 or younger as required by law (3), failure to observe slow no wake zone (1), operating an unregistered vessel (1), improper vessel registration marking (1), and no throwable life preserver as required for vessels 16 feet long or longer (1).

Public Safety: Operate a motor vehicle with excessive speed in a wildlife area (1), possession of marijuana- civil (1)*, possession of marijuana- criminal (1)*, possession of drug paraphernalia (non-marijuana) (1), and possess, consume a controlled or counterfeit substance except human growth hormone without a prescription with an aggravating factor (1).

Other: Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (11)*, operating a motor vehicle off an established roadway on a state wildlife area (1)*, and drive without a valid license (1).

*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?
With early fall hunting seasons now open, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind hunters to avoid using railroad tracks for access to hunting areas.

“All railroad tracks are private property, and no one should be walking, driving or parking on tracks without landowner permission. If found on the tracks, violators will be charged with trespassing and fined,” said Lt. John McDerby, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police. “Those considering using railroad tracks for access to hunt doves or other game also need to consider the safety hazard involved – many railroad tracks throughout the state are still in active use.”

For more information on hunting in Delaware, including specific wildlife area rules, hunters should consult this year’s hunting & trapping guide and wildlife area maps, available online at Delaware Hunting Information. Hard copies of the guide and the hunting maps are also available at the licensing desk in DNREC’s Dover office at 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901, or by calling the Wildlife Section office at 302-739-9912.

Effective July 1, 2017, a Conservation Access Pass is required for any registered motor vehicle used to access designated Delaware State Wildlife Areas for any allowable activity, including hunting, birdwatching, hiking and photography. For more information, click Conservation Access Pass.

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

-30-

DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: April 17-23

Reminder for the week: Harvest of river herring, use of nets near spillways, retaining striped bass during spawning season unlawful in Delaware

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 Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers between April 17-23 made 1,355 contacts with anglers, hunters, boaters and the general public, including 97 vessel boardings for boating safety, hunting and fishing regulation compliance checks, issuing 37 citations. Officers responded to 49 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 CommunityDE F&W Natural Resources Police logo

• On March 25, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers displayed the Operation Game Theft trailer and presented information on Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police careers during the New Castle County Police’s “Casting with Cops” fishing event held at Glasgow Park near Newark.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

Incidents of note:

• On April 18, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police cited two people for turkey hunting violations near Felton. Wyatt Gross, 18, of Denton, Maryland was cited for unlawful to hunt wild turkey without course of instruction, unlicensed hunting and unlawful to trespass upon land or water without permission. Gross was fined $672, including court costs and released. A juvenile was issued a summons and released to appear at a later date in Kent County Family Court.

• On April 21, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police arrested two people after an investigation for deer hunting violations near Laurel. Christian J. Ellsworth, 20, of Laurel was arrested for hunting antlerless deer with a shotgun during archery season, failure to display required hunter orange and unlicensed hunting. Ellsworth was arraigned at Sussex County Justice of the Peace Court 3 where he plead guilty and was fined $482, including court costs. Leslie S. Riggleman III, 20, of Laurel was arrested for hunting antlerless deer with a shotgun during archery season. Riggleman was arraigned at Sussex County Justice of the Peace Court 3 where he plead guilty and was fined $180, including court costs. An associated juvenile was issued a written warning for the same violations for which Ellsworth was arrested.

• On April 22, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police cited two people for two counts each of failure to comply with possession limit of blueback herring and/or river herring possession near Laurel. Sonya S. Harris, 45, and Jonathan A. Harris, 46, both of Seaford were fined $214, including court costs and released.

• On April 23, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police cited three men for striped bass possession violations near Seaford. Miguel Jaimes-Baltazar, 34 and Mario Jamiez-Perez, 59, both of Milford were each cited for two counts of possession of striped bass during spawning season and one count of possession of undersized striped bass; both were fined $495, including court costs and released. Mario Jamies-Baltazar, 19, of Milford was cited for two counts of possession of striped bass during spawning season and fined $330, including court costs and released.

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

Wildlife Conservation: Unlawful to hunt wild turkey without course of instruction (2), unlicensed hunting (3), unlawful to trespass upon land or water without permission (2), and hunting antlerless deer with a shotgun during archery season (2).

Fisheries Conservation: Recreational: Failure to comply with possession limit of blueback herring and/or river herring possession (4), possession of striped bass during spawning season (6), possession of undersized striped bass (3)*,unlicensed fishing (2), tend crab pot of another (1), and possession of undersized white perch (1)*.

Public Safety Charges: Failure to display required hunter orange (1), possession of drug paraphernalia (1), and operate a vehicle at unreasonable speed (1).

Other: Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (2), dumping solid waste (1), unregistered motor vehicle (1), and operating a motor vehicle off an established roadway on a state wildlife area (4).

Citizens are encouraged to report fish, wildlife and boating violations to Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police by calling 302-739-4580. Wildlife violations may also be reported anonymously to DNREC’s Operation Game Theft by calling 800-292-3030 or online at http://de.gov/ogt.

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

Are you AWARE?
With spring fishing season gearing up, Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police reminds recreational anglers that it is unlawful in Delaware to harvest river herring for any purpose and that they need to use an alternate type of bait. Signs giving notice of the fishery closure are posted at fishing spots known to hold river herring. Fines for illegal possession of river herring begin at $50 for a first offense, and increase to $100-$500 for a second offense. For more information, click on river herring.

Anglers are also reminded that during spawning season for striped bass in Delaware, 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.

Also, as fish begin entering the spillways this spring, anglers are reminded that using any type of net to catch fish in tidal water within 300 feet below a dam or spillway is illegal, with the exception of using a landing net on a fish caught with hook and line.

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

-30-

Harrington man arrested by F&W Natural Resources Police for multiple deer hunting and firearm violations

DE F&W Natural Resources Police logoDOVER – Following an investigation, DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police arrested a Harrington man Feb. 6 for deer hunting violations and multiple charges related to possession of firearms and ammunition by a person prohibited.

Randy T. Combs, 37, was charged with two counts of possession of an unlawfully-taken antlerless deer, 30 counts of possession of a firearm by a person prohibited and one count of possession of ammunition by a person prohibited.

During execution of a search warrant, officers located and seized as evidence 29 firearms (two AR-15s, one AK-47, seven shotguns, eight rifles, one muzzleloader and 10 handguns), a compound bow and thousands of rounds of ammunition.

Combs was arraigned in Kent County Justice of the Peace Court 7 in Dover and released on $3,300 unsecured bond pending a court appearance at a later date.

Delaware law prohibits persons whose criminal and legal history includes prior felony convictions or misdemeanor convictions associated with violent crimes, drug convictions and mental conditions as defined under the law or court-issued protection from abuse orders from owning or possessing any type of deadly weapon. Deadly weapons consist of all types of firearms, as well as ammunition and any type of bow – compound, recurve or crossbow.

“Any deer taken by a person under this prohibition is considered an illegal take, and that person is subject to arrest, with penalties for violations ranging from probation and fines to jail sentences,” said Sgt. John McDerby of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police.

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.

Like Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police on Facebook, http://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: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902, or Sgt. John McDerby, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-739-9913 or 302-354-1386

Vol. 47, No. 36

-30-