Reminder for the week: Conservation Order allows snow goose harvest

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, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers between Jan. 29-Feb. 4 made 1,106 contacts with hunters, anglers, boaters and the general public, issuing 18 citations. Officers responded to 27 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

Incident of note:

• On Jan. 31, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police arrested Joseph P. Dimattia, 38, of Dover, for two counts of failure to tag antlerless deer and one count each of failure to tag antlered deer and failure to check antlered deer within 24 hours, following an investigation into deer hunting violations near Townsend. Dimattia was arraigned at Kent County Justice of the Peace Court 7, where he plead guilty, was fined $180, including court costs, and released.

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

Wildlife Conservation: Failure to tag antlerless deer (2), failure to tag antlered deer (1), failure to check antlered deer within 24 hours (1), trespass to hunt (3), hunting migratory waterfowl without required state waterfowl stamp (1), and possession of over the limit Canada Geese (1).

Public Safety: Failure to drive at speed appropriate for conditions (1).

Other: Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (5), operating a motor vehicle off an established roadway on a state wildlife area (1)*, damaging state property on a wildlife area (1)*, and possession of drug paraphernalia (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 remind hunters that the 2018 Conservation Order to harvest snow geese will open Monday, Feb. 12 and run through Friday, April 13, 2018.

The Snow Goose Conservation Order allows use of unplugged shotguns and electronic calls, with no daily bag and possession limits. Legal shooting hours start a half-hour before sunrise and are extended to a half-hour after sunset. Federal and state hunting regulations otherwise apply.

Hunters who wish to participate in the Conservation Order must register for a free, annual permit, available by visiting www.dnrec.delaware.gov/delhunt. Participants are required to re-visit this website after the Conservation Order has closed to report their harvest to the Division of Fish & Wildlife. Participants must also have a valid Delaware hunting license or a Maryland resident hunting license, a Delaware waterfowl stamp, and a Delaware Harvest Information Program (HIP) number.

Hunters needing assistance in obtaining a permit number should call 302-735-3600 during business hours Monday through Friday. For more information on the Conservation Order, please call 302-739-9912 or visit www.fw.delaware.gov.

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 Africa, 302-382-7167, or Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-739-9913

Reminder for the week: State game refuges

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, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers between Jan. 22-28 made 2,171 contacts with hunters, anglers, boaters and the general public, issuing 38 citations. Officers responded to 47 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 Jan. 28, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers presented information on hunting, fishing, and boating at a Hunter Education Course at the Fish & Wildlife Ommelanden Hunter Education Center near New Castle.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

Incidents of note:

• On Jan. 22, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers cited Joseph B. Cahall, 40, of New Castle, and Gerald McLaughlin, 29, of Newark, with one count each of hunting on a refuge and prohibited hunting device (bait) following an investigation into illegal waterfowl hunting near Newport. Cahall was additionally charged with one count of possession of unlawfully taken game. Cahall was fined $495, including court costs, and released. McLaughlin was fined $330, including court costs, and released.
• On Jan. 23, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers arrested Christopher P. Wisler, 37, of West Chester, Pa., for one count of license forgery or misinterpretation and two counts of non-resident possession of game following an investigation into illegal deer hunting and hunting license forgery near Smyrna. Wisler was arraigned at New Castle County Justice of the Peace Court 9, where he plead guilty, was fined $1,001, including court costs and released.
• On Jan. 24, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers arrested Daniel Picone, 55, of Harrington, for one count of criminal trespass third degree and two counts of wanton waste after an investigation into illegal waterfowl hunting near Harrington. Picone was arraigned at Kent County Justice of the Peace Court 7 where he plead guilty, was fined $121, including court costs, and released.

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

Wildlife Conservation: Hunting on a refuge (5), prohibited hunting device (bait) (5), possession of unlawfully taken game (7), license forgery or misinterpretation (1), non-resident possession of game (2), wanton waste (2), hunting migratory waterfowl with illegal toxic lead shot (3), hunting migratory waterfowl within 1500 feet of an established blind (1), possession of over the limit Canadian Geese (4), trespassing to hunt (2), hunting migratory waterfowl without required HIP number (2), and unlicensed hunting (1).

Other: Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (2) and criminal trespass third degree (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. 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.

Are you AWARE?
Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police want to remind the public that all state lands, except as otherwise provided in the link below, and state, county and municipal parks in Delaware shall be state game refuges and no person shall hunt these lands and parks or injure any game animal at any time of the year.

For a list of public hunting areas within each county of the state, please visit the 2017-2018 Delaware Hunting & Trapping Guide.

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

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

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

Reminder for the week: Trapping has regulations and laws in Delaware

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, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers between Jan. 8-14 made 1,135 contacts with hunters, anglers, boaters and the general public, issuing 60 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 Michael N. Castle Trail.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

Incidents of note:

• On Jan. 14, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers arrested Seven Nye, 18, of Marydel, with five counts each of the following: failure to attach deer tag to antlerless deer; failure to retain tag on antlerless deer; failure to check antlerless deer within 24 hours; removing antlerless deer parts prior to checking; possess or transport antlerless deer that was unlawfully killed and one count of unlawful to use antlerless deer tag during invalid season following an investigation into illegal hunting during the 2017 season near Marydel. Nye was arraigned at Kent County Justice of the Peace Court 7, where he plead guilty, was fined $535, including court costs and released.
• On Jan. 12, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers arrested an individual for multiple trapping and state wildlife area violations near Hartly. The following press release was issued in regards to the incident: Hartly-man-arrested-for-multiple-trapping-and-state-wildlife-area-violations.

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

Wildlife Conservation: Failure to attach deer tag to antlerless deer (5), failure to retain tag on antlerless deer (5), failure to check antlerless deer within 24 hours (5), removing antlerless deer parts prior to checking (5), possess or transport antlerless deer that was unlawfully killed (5), unlawful to use antlerless deer tag during invalid season (1), unlicensed hunting (1), illegal method of take (1), failure to attach and sign federal duck stamp (5), possession of an unlawful body-gripping trap (1), setting an illegal leg hold trap (1), unlawfully trapping on the Fish & Wildlife-owned Tappahanna Wildlife Area (1), setting improperly tagged traps (6), and hunting illegally on Sunday (1).

Public Safety: Possession of a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle (1), possession of drug paraphernalia-marijuana related (3), possession of marijuana-civil (1), operating an unregistered motor vehicle (1), reckless driving (1), and malicious mischief with a motor vehicle (1).

Other: Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (7), and operating a motor vehicle off an established roadway on a state wildlife area (2).

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 remind trappers to review state regulations and laws governing trapping before doing so.

Trapping is prohibited in Delaware except by valid contract or permit holders. Trapping licenses are not available electronically from licensing agents or online. Licenses must be purchased through the Division of Fish & Wildlife. An approved Trapping Education Course is mandatory for all persons born on or after January 1, 1978.

Other Trapping regulations and laws include:

• It is illegal to set foothold traps with toothed or serrated jaws.
• Traps must be visited at least once every 24 hours.
• It is illegal to use or possess killer or conibear traps with a jaw spread in excess of 5 inches.

For additional information on Delaware trapping licenses, call 302-739-9918 and visit the Hunter Education Courses website to sign up for a Mandatory Trapper Course.

For an overview of all the regulations and laws on trapping in Delaware, click on 2017 Delaware Hunting & Trapping Guide.

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.

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, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers between Dec. 18-24 made 1,485 contacts with hunters, anglers, boaters and the general public, issuing 10 citations. Officers responded to 31 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.

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

Wildlife Conservation: Hunting migratory waterfowl without required federal waterfowl stamp (1) and possession of unlawfully taken Canada goose (1).

Boating and Boating Safety: Failure to observe slow no wake (1).

Public Safety: Possession of drug paraphernalia (1)* and shooting within 15 yards of a public roadway (1).

Other: Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (5)*.

*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 remind anglers that it’s time to purchase their 2018 Delaware fishing licenses, as 2017 licenses expire Dec. 31. A valid fishing license is required for fishing, crabbing and clamming in Delaware in both tidal and non-tidal waters.

Anglers under the age of 16 and residents age 65 and older are not required to purchase fishing licenses in Delaware, however they are still required to obtain a Delaware Fisherman Information Network (F.I.N.) number. License exempt anglers also include non-resident boat fishing license holders who do not have an individual license and individuals fishing on licensed boats who do not have an individual license. Some requirements differ for non-resident anglers.

To obtain the free F.I.N. number by visiting https://www.delaware-fin.com/ or calling 800-432-9228 toll-free.

Delaware fishing 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.

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: Lt. John McDerby 302-354-1386 or Sgt. Brooke Africa 302-382-7167, or Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police 302-739-9913

Snow Goose Conservation Order opens in February

DOVER – For hunters still looking to harvest a deer or add more venison to their freezers, January offers several opportunities as the 2017/18 hunting season winds down.

Deer hunting seasons opening in January:

• Handgun Deer: Jan. 6-13
• Shotgun Deer: Jan. 13-20, including Sunday Jan. 14
• Muzzleloader Deer: Jan. 22-27

Note: Deer archery and crossbow seasons will remain open until Jan. 31, 2018.

In other hunting news, hunters planning on participating in the 2018 Snow Goose Conservation Order are reminded to register for a free Snow Goose Conservation Order number on the Hunter and Trapper Registration (HTR) website on or after Jan. 1, 2018 as the Snow Goose Conservation Order opens Feb. 12, 2018. Hunters participating in the Conservation Order must register through the HTR website prior to hunting and report their hunting activities after they have finished pursuing snow geese for the season. Hunters who do not have access to the internet may call 302-735-3600 and will need their hunting license or license exempt number to complete the registration. Snow goose hunters will also need to obtain a (H.I.P.) number if they have not already done so.

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

Delaware hunting licenses, state 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 dealers statewide.

For more information on hunting, click 2017-2018 Delaware Hunting & Trapping Guide, Wildlife Area Hunting Maps, and Sunday deer hunting. Hard copies of the guide and hunting maps are available at the license desk in DNREC’s Dover office, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901. More information also is available by calling the Wildlife Section office at 302-739-9912.

Vol. 47, No. 269

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