Prepare your home and buildings before bats take up residence

DOVER – DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife reminds the public that Delaware is home to nine species of bats, all of which have begun or will soon begin their annual move from winter sites to their summer maternity colonies. Female bats return to colonies pregnant and congregate to give birth and raise their pups. In Delaware, these colonies can often take up residence in homes, garages, attics, and barns.

Even though bats play an important role in our ecosystem to include controlling insects, sometimes they can be unwanted visitors to homes and outbuildings. If you or someone you know previously had bats roosting in an undesirable location, a bat exclusion barrier to prevent bats from entering the building may be warranted. It is crucial that bat exclusions be completed by May 15 before female bats start giving birth, to prevent trapping flightless young bats inside the building and permanently separating the female from their pups, which cannot survive on their own.

More information can be found on the Division of Fish & Wildlife’s webpage, including a list of permitted Nuisance Wildlife Control Operators, who can install bat exclusions, and recommended “Best Management Practices” for excluding bats as listed on the Bat Program Page under “Bats in Buildings.” For more information, please call the DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife’s Wildlife Section at 302-735-3600.

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

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

Vol. 49, No. 92

DNREC’s Environmental Crimes Unit Natural Resources Police officers investigated this fire on Sandtown Road on April 4. DNREC ECU photo.

FELTON – Natural Resources Police Officers with DNREC’s Environmental Crimes Unit arrested two Kent County men April 4 on multiple illegal burning charges related to a fire in the Felton area. DNREC ECU officers responded at the request of the Felton Fire Company to investigate a large fire at a property on Sandtown Road, with fire companies from Harrington, Greensboro, Md., and Goldsboro, Md., also responding to assist.

Muhammad Iran, 29, and Muhammad Asim, 33, both of Felton, were each cited at the scene for one count of each of causing or allowing the illegal open burning of refuse; illegal open burning in the conduct of a salvage operation; failure to give prior notice to the local fire call board for open burning; and unauthorized burning. Each charge carries a minimum fine of $100 each.

DNREC’s Environmental Crimes Unit also reminds residents that the state’s open burning ban is in effect May 1-Sept. 30. Residents can find more information on open burning on the DNREC Air Resources Web Page at https://dnrec.alpha.delaware.gov/air/open-burning/.

Delawareans are encouraged to report open burning violations to DNREC’s Natural Resources Police Environmental Crimes Unit by calling the 24-hour environmental complaints line at 800-662-8802.

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

Vol. 49, No. 87

Reminder for the week: Safe, ethical hunting practices encouraged for Delaware turkey season opening April 13

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 March 25-31 made 1,233 contacts with hunters, anglers, boaters, and the general public, issuing 13 citations. Officers responded to 49 complaints regarding possible violations of laws and regulations or requests to assist the public. A 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

• Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers, along with other Division of Fish & Wildlife staff, will be attending the Ducks Unlimited Greenwing Conservation Festival on April 13 at Fish & Wildlife’s Owens Station complex near Greenwood, where we will be featuring the following displays and activities: Operation Game Theft trailer, a marine patrol vessel, hunter education, live archery trailer, Take a Kid Fishing casting activities, annual statewide youth Sport Fishing Tournament, and waterfowl and trout stamp displays, as well as K-9 and waterfowl banding demonstrations. For more information, click Greenwing Conservation Festival.
• On March 30, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers discussed the role of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers, answered questions regarding hunting, fishing and boating, and displayed the Operation Game Theft trailer at the annual Lurefest event at the Bowers Beach Fire Hall.
• On March 30, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers discussed the role of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers and answered hunting, fishing, and boating questions during a “Ladies Day Out” event held at Cabela’s near Newark; K-9 River was also present at the event.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

• On March 30, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers responded to a water rescue of occupants from a capsized boat that had been rescued in the Appoquinimink River near Odessa.

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

Fisheries Conservation: Recreational: Unlicensed fishing (1), no Fisherman Information Network (FIN) number (6), and possession of undersized striped bass (2).

Boating and Boating Safety: Operating a vessel with insufficient number of life jackets (1) and negligent operation of a motor vessel (1).

Other: Trespassing after hours 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 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 the public that Delaware’s 2019 spring wild turkey hunting season begins Saturday, April 13 and runs through Saturday, May 11. With the excitement of spring turkey season, hunters are encouraged to always place safety and ethical hunting practices first and foremost.

Unlike 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 turkey hunting.

For more information on hunting in Delaware, click on 2018-2019 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, https://www.facebook.com/DEFWNRPolice/.

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

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

DOVER – Delaware’s Council on Recreational Fishing Funding will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 9, in the Senate Hearing Room of Legislative Hall, 411 Legislative Avenue, Dover, DE 19901.

The Council will discuss recreational fishing license fund and associated fund revenue levels, fishing access projects financed with these funds, the Delaware Sport Fishing Tournament, which is run by DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife, Council by-laws, and other topics. For more information, including the meeting agenda, visit the Delaware Public Meeting Calendar at https://publicmeetings.delaware.gov/Meeting/62578

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

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

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

Vol. 49, No. 83

DOVER – DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife announced today that construction at the Phillips Landing boat ramp, parking lot, and fishing area is complete, and the area has reopened for public use.

For more information, please call the DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife Fisheries Section at 302-739-9914.

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

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

Vol. 49, No. 78