Bluefish by Duane Raver

DOVER – Delaware’s Advisory Council on Tidal Finfisheries will meet at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15 in the DNREC Auditorium, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901.

Issues to be addressed include proposed changes to finfish regulations, recent and proposed actions by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission that may affect Delaware fisheries; updates on the incidence of Vibrio outbreaks in Delaware waters; and progress by the Joint Multi-council Subcommittee Evaluating Fish and Wildlife Violations/Fines.

For more information, including the meeting agenda, visit the Delaware Public Meeting Calendar at https://publicmeetings.delaware.gov/Meeting/63872.

For more information on Delaware fisheries, please call DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife Fisheries Section at 302-739-9914.

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

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

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Late deer seasons provide last chance to harvest deer

DOVER – For hunters still looking to harvest a deer, firearm deer seasons opening in January and continuing archery seasons, some extending into early February, provide the last chance to harvest deer during the 2019/20 hunting season.

Hunting seasons opening in January:
• Brant: Jan. 4 – 27
• Handgun Deer*: Jan. 4, Jan. 6 – 11, excluding Sunday, Jan. 5 and 12
• Shotgun Deer*: Jan. 18 – 26, including Sundays
• Muzzleloader Deer: Jan. 27 – Feb. 2, including Sunday, Feb. 2
*Straight-wall, pistol-caliber rifles are allowed during the January handgun and shotgun deer seasons.

Numerous other hunting seasons remain open in January. Check the 2019-2020 Delaware Hunting & Trapping Guide for more information.

DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife offers many hunting opportunities on state wildlife areas. Wildlife area maps and rules are available at Wildlife Area Hunting Maps.

A Delaware hunting license or License Exempt Number (LEN) is required to hunt, and most waterfowl hunters require a Delaware waterfowl (duck) stamp. More information on hunting license and Delaware waterfowl stamp requirements is available at Delaware Licenses. Waterfowl and other migratory game bird (except crow) hunters will need a Federal Harvest Information Program (HIP) number. To register for a LEN or HIP number, hunters can go to Delaware Hunter and Trapper Registration or call toll free 1-855-335-4868. For hunters age 16 and older, a federal migratory bird stamp is also required to hunt waterfowl.

To purchase a hunting license, either in person or online, hunters born after Jan. 1, 1967, must have a basic hunter education safety course card/number. Hunters who took a Delaware hunter safety course starting in 2008 can print their hunter safety card by going to http://de.gov/huntersafety. Hunters who took their Delaware hunter safety course before 2008 should call the Hunter Education Office at 302-735-3600, ext. 1 to obtain a hunter safety card.

Registered motor vehicles used to access designated wildlife areas owned or managed by the Division of Fish & Wildlife are required to display a Conservation Access Pass (CAP). Hunters can opt to receive one free annual CAP with the purchase of any Delaware hunting license. To obtain a CAP, hunters will need the registration card for the vehicle to which the pass will be assigned.

Delaware hunting licenses, Delaware waterfowl stamps, and Conservation Access Passes can be purchased online at Delaware Licenses, at the license desk in DNREC’s Dover office at 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901, and from hunting license agents statewide. Federal migratory bird stamps are available at U.S. Post Offices, Bombay Hook and Prime Hook national wildlife refuges, and online at Federal duck stamps.

For more information on hunting, click and Wildlife Area Hunting Maps. Hard copies of the guide and newly-updated hunting maps are also available at the license desk in DNREC’s Dover office. More information on hunting licenses, season details, and the Conservation Access Pass is also available by calling the DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife’s Wildlife Section office at 302-739-9912.

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

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

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Reminder for the week: Hunters should pay attention to property lines, hunting rules

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. 14-20 made 2,040 contacts with hunters, anglers, boaters, and the general public, issuing 45 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 in the Community
• On Oct.17, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers discussed the role of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers and reviewed safe hunting, hunting laws, and what to expect when checked by an officer in the field with attendees at a Hunter Education Class held at the Little Creek Hunter Education Training Center.

• On Oct.19, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers discussed the role of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers, answered hunting, fishing and boating questions, and assisted attendees with fishing at a Boy Scout Family Fishing Day at the Akridge Scout Reservation near Dover.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

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

Wildlife Conservation: Kill antlered deer without purchasing a hunter’s choice tag (1) and possess/transport unlawfully taken game – antlered deer (1).

Fisheries Conservation: Recreational: Possession of undersized striped bass (12), possession of undersize white perch (9), possession of undersized flounder (1), possession of over-the-limit striped bass (1), illegal method of take – using a net for striped bass (7), net marking violation (1), trespass to fish (2), unlicensed fishing (1), and no Fisherman Information Network (FIN) number (1).

Boating & Boating Safety: Failure to observe slow no wake (1) and inattentive operation of a motor vessel (1).

Public Safety: Failure to display required hunter orange during a firearms deer season (1).

Other: Operating a motor vehicle off an established roadway on a state wildlife area (1), trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (1), driving with a suspended or revoked driver’s license (1), fictitious motor vehicle tags (1), and operating an unregistered motor vehicle (1).

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 are 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?
Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind hunters that hunting game on private property without permission of the owner and/or residents is considered trespassing to hunt. Tracking or recovering game on another’s property, shooting on another’s property, or crossing another’s private property to reach a hunting area without permission are examples of trespassing to hunt.

Other rules and general hunting information:
• 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.
• For more information on hunting in Delaware, including a summary of hunting rules and regulations, click on 2019-2020 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.

Media contact: Sgt. Brooke Mitchell, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-739-9913, or 302-382-7167.

Follow Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/DEFWNRPolice/.

Follow Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police on Twitter, https://twitter.com/DE_FW_NRPolice.

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NEWARK – DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife announced today the fall trout stocking of White Clay Creek, an annual tradition since 2007 to provide anglers the opportunity to fish for trout in the fall and winter. About 1,000 pounds of 12-13 inch trout, consisting of primarily rainbow trout along with brown trout and golden rainbow trout, were stocked from near the Pennsylvania state line downstream to Newark.

The daily possession limit is six trout per person, except for a daily possession limit of four trout per person when fishing in or within 50 feet of the designated fly-fishing-only section of White Clay Creek.

A Delaware fishing license is required by most anglers fishing for trout. A fishing license is not required by persons under the age of 16 and Delaware residents age 65 and older. In addition, a Delaware trout stamp is required by most trout anglers to fish in White Clay Creek, now through Nov. 30. A trout stamp is not required by Delaware residents younger than age 12 or age 65 and older, or by non-resident anglers under age 12. Exempt persons may purchase fishing licenses and trout stamps to help support fisheries management and trout stocking efforts.

Both resident and non-resident anglers age 16 and older also are required to obtain a Delaware Fisherman Information Network (FIN) number. The free number is included as part of a Delaware fishing license purchase. License-exempt anglers may visit www.delaware-fin.com or call 800-432-9228 toll-free to obtain their free FIN number.

Delaware fishing licenses and trout stamps 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 fishing licenses, call 302-739-9918.

Delaware’s trout stocking program is funded by Delaware trout stamp revenues and a Federal Aid in Sportfish Restoration grant administered by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Trout anglers directly support trout stocking through the purchase of trout stamps, with all proceeds directly purchasing trout from hatcheries for stocking.

For more information on fishing in Delaware, please see the 2019 Delaware Fishing Guide. The guide also is available in printed form at DNREC’s Dover licensing desk, and from license agents throughout the state.

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

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

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Youth waterfowl days set for Oct. 19 and Feb. 8, youth deer hunting weekend set for Nov. 2 and 3

DOVER – To promote youth hunting participation and recruitment, DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife has designated special deer and waterfowl hunting days available to youth hunters ages 10 through 15 on both public and private lands statewide. Youth hunters can enjoy youth waterfowl hunting days on Saturday, Oct. 19, and Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020. Youth deer hunting opportunities are provided for a full weekend on Saturday, Nov. 2 and Sunday, Nov. 3. The special deer hunting days are also open to adult non-ambulatory disabled hunters; the special waterfowl hunting days are only open to youth ages 10 through 15.

Youth hunters must be accompanied by an adult companion age 21 or older who possesses a valid Delaware hunting license or a License Exempt Number (LEN). Only the youth hunter may possess a firearm when participating in these special hunting days, and they must be of sufficient physical size and strength to safely handle a firearm. Youth hunters age 13 through 15 must purchase a Delaware junior hunting license, have completed a hunter education course, and possess their hunter education card. Adult companions must also possess a Delaware waterfowl (duck) stamp, unless exempted, and a federal migratory bird stamp for youth waterfowl hunting days. Waterfowl hunters under the age of 16 are not required to purchase a Delaware waterfowl (duck) stamp or a federal migratory bird stamp. Youth hunters age 10 through 12 must possess a LEN and may take a hunter education course.

If participating in youth hunting days on state wildlife areas where deer stands and waterfowl blinds are assigned through a daily lottery, youth hunters and accompanying adults do not need to purchase a deer stand/waterfowl blind lottery permit. A deer stand/waterfowl blind lottery permit is required to hunt these areas during all other deer and waterfowl seasons. The deer stand/waterfowl blind lottery permit is not required for non-ambulatory disabled hunters during the special deer hunting days. Consult the specific Wildlife Area Hunting Maps for more information regarding deer stand and waterfowl blind daily lotteries.

More information on hunting license and Delaware waterfowl stamp requirements is available at Delaware Licenses. All waterfowl and other migratory game bird (except crow) hunters will need a Federal Harvest Information Program (HIP) number. To register for a LEN or HIP number, hunters can go to Delaware Hunter and Trapper Registration or call toll free 1-855-335-4868.

To purchase a hunting license, either in person or online, hunters born after Jan. 1, 1967, must have a basic hunter education safety course card/number. Hunters who took a Delaware hunter education course starting in 2008 can print their hunter education card by going to http://de.gov/huntersafety. Hunters who took their Delaware hunter education course before 2008 should call the Hunter Education Office at 302-735-3600, ext. 1 to obtain a hunter safety card.

Registered motor vehicles used to access designated wildlife areas owned or managed by the Division of Fish & Wildlife are required to display a Conservation Access Pass (CAP). Hunters can opt to receive one free annual CAP with the purchase of any Delaware hunting license. To obtain a free CAP, or to purchase an additional pass, hunters will need the registration card for the vehicle to which the pass will be assigned.

Delaware hunting licenses, Delaware waterfowl stamps, and Conservation Access Passes can be purchased online at Delaware Licenses, at the license desk in DNREC’s Dover office at 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901, or from hunting license agents statewide. Federal migratory bird stamps are available at U.S. Post Offices, Bombay Hook and Prime Hook national wildlife refuges, and online at Federal duck stamps.

For more information on hunting, please see the 2019-2020 Delaware Hunting & Trapping Guide and Wildlife Area Hunting Maps. Hard copies of the guide and newly-updated hunting maps are also available at the license desk in DNREC’s Dover office. More information on hunting licenses, season details, and conservation access passes is also available by calling the Wildlife Section office at 302-739-9912.

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

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

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