A trail camera used by deer hunters for scouting before and during Delaware’s deer season. DNREC photo

Effective Aug. 1, 2022, hunters are required to register temporary deer stands, deer ground blinds and trail cameras that they place and leave overnight on state wildlife areas, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced today. Registration, which is free through an online deer stand and trail-cam registration form, will help wildlife area managers evaluate the increasing numbers and use of these hunting tools on state wildlife areas.

DNREC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife state wildlife area maps with associated rules for the 2022/2023 hunting season provide additional details on the placement of temporary deer stands and blinds – which are allowed from Aug. 1 through Feb. 15 on some state wildlife areas – and trail cameras, which are allowed from June 1 through Feb. 15 on all state wildlife areas. Placement of a deer stand, deer blind or trail camera in a state wildlife area does not provide the owner exclusive hunting rights in that portion of the wildlife area, and the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife is not responsible for theft or damage to deer stands, deer blinds and trail cameras left by hunters.

A single registration number can be used for multiple deer stands, deer blinds and trail cameras, and hunters will need to register only once as this unique registration number can be used from year to year. Once the registration form is submitted, the applicant will receive an email containing their registration number. The registration number must be legible and conspicuously displayed on each item.

Additional information on state wildlife areas to include the deer stand, deer blind and trail camera registration process can be found at de.gov/wamaps or by calling the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife’s Wildlife Section at 302-739-9912.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities, and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife conserves and manages Delaware’s fish and wildlife and their habitats, and provides fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing and boating access on nearly 68,000 acres of public land. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media contacts: Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov

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A portable deer stand on a state wildlife area. Such stands must be removed by hunters who own them by Feb. 15 or they will confiscated by DNREC.

With Delaware’s 2021/2022 deer hunting season having come to a close, hunters are reminded to remove their portable deer stands from state wildlife areas by Tuesday, Feb. 15, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced today. Any deer stands found on state wildlife areas after that date will become the property of DNREC.

Hunters are allowed to set up portable deer stands on some state wildlife areas each year starting Aug. 1, but must remove these temporary stands soon after the last of Delaware’s deer seasons close. Placement of a temporary deer stand on a state wildlife area does not provide exclusive rights for a hunter to hunt from that stand. Under state wildlife area rules, portable deer stands cannot be nailed or bolted to a tree and hunters are prohibited from cutting any vegetation or branches to attach to a stand or clear shooting paths.

For more information, please contact the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife’s Wildlife Section at 302-739-9912.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities, and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife conserves and manages Delaware’s fish and wildlife and their habitats, and provides fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing and boating access on nearly 68,000 acres of public land. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov; Nikki Lavoie, nikki.lavoie@delaware.gov

Multiple opening waterfowl hunting seasons run into January

DOVER – Numerous Delaware hunting and trapping seasons open in December, including multiple waterfowl seasons that extend into or through January, coinciding with the influx of a variety of migratory waterfowl for the winter, DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife announced today. Many other hunting and trapping seasons provide opportunities to enjoy the winter outdoors as temperatures drop and provide favorable hunting and trapping conditions.

Hunting seasons opening in December:

• Beaver: Dec. 2 – March 20, 2020, private land only
• Woodcock and common snipe: Dec. 7 – Jan. 21, 2020
• Antlerless deer: Dec. 14 – 22, including all Sundays*
• Waterfowl (ducks, coots, and mergansers): Dec. 13 – Jan. 31, 2020
• Brant: Dec. 21 – Jan. 1, 2020
• Canada geese (migratory): Dec. 21 – Jan. 21, 2020

*Archery and crossbow hunters may NOT take antlered deer during the December antlerless deer season.

Trapping seasons opening in December:

• Red fox, coyote: Dec. 1 – March 10, 2020
• Muskrat, mink, otter, raccoon, opossum, nutria:
  • New Castle County: Dec. 1 – March 10, 2020 (March 20 on embanked meadows)
  • Kent and Sussex counties: Dec. 15 – March 15, 2020
• Beaver: Dec. 1 – March 20, 2020

Continuing hunting seasons include:

• Bobwhite quail: through Jan. 4, 2020
• Sea ducks in the special sea duck area: through Jan. 31, 2020 (See page 30 of the hunting guide for more information about the special sea duck area.)
• Tundra swan: through Jan. 31, 2020, by permit only, issued via pre-season lottery
• Snow goose: through Jan. 31, 2020, and Feb. 8, 2020
• Mourning dove: through Jan. 31, 2020
• Ring-necked pheasant (male only): through Feb. 1, 2020
• Gray squirrel: through Feb. 1, 2020
• Archery and crossbow deer: through Feb. 2, 2020, including all Sundays
• Cottontail rabbit: through Feb. 29, 2020
• Red fox (hunt): through Feb. 29, 2020
• Coyote (hunt): through Feb. 29, 2020
• Raccoon & opossum (hunt): through Feb. 29, 2020*
• Crow: through March 31, 2020 (Thursday, Friday, and Saturdays only)
• Red fox (chase) through April 30, 2020**
• Groundhog: through June 30, 2020 (open year-round)

*Raccoon and opossum may be hunted from 7 p.m. until midnight during the December and January firearm deer seasons.
**Red fox chase season closed during December antlerless season.

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 2019-2020 Delaware Hunting & Trapping Guide and Wildlife Area Hunting Maps. Hard copies of the guide and 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.

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

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

Reminder for the week: Wildlife area visitors encouraged to know and follow 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 July 29-Aug. 4 made 2,491 contacts with anglers, boaters, and the general public, issuing 88 citations. Officers responded to 130 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 Actions

• On Aug. 1, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers arrested Omar Blue, 37, of Wilmington, Melissa Tinsley, 36, of Middletown, and Renee Rogers, 35, of Wilmington, at the south side of the C&D Canal Conservation Area near Reedy Point. Blue was charged with one count each of carrying a concealed dangerous instrument, possess/consume a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia – not marijuana related, possession of marijuana – civil, and trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area. Tinsley was charged with one count of trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area. Rogers was charged with one count each of possess/consume a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia – not marijuana related, and trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area. All subjects were released upon completion of the investigation.

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

Fisheries Conservation: Recreational: Possession of undersized blue crabs (15)*, failure to tend to crab pots at least once within required 72-hour timeframe (1), use of crab pots without required turtle excluder (1), illegal method of take of conch (2), possession of undersized summer flounder (1), possession of undersized white perch (2), over-the-limit bluefish (2), possession of a prohibited shark (1), unlicensed fishing (6)*, no Fisherman Information Network (FIN) number (8), and trespass to fish (1).

Boating & Boating Safety: No life jacket on a child age 12 or younger as required by law (1), operating a vessel with insufficient number of life jackets (2), operating a personal watercraft without required life jackets (1), no throwable life preserver aboard as required for vessels 16 feet long or longer (1), operating a non-compliant vessel (1), no boating safety certification (5), no boat ramp certificate (1), operating an unregistered vessel (1), and operating a vessel without a vessel registration card in possession (1).

Public Safety: Carry a concealed dangerous instrument (1)*, possess/consume a controlled substance (2)*, possession of drug paraphernalia – not marijuana related (2)*, possession of

Other: Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (18)*, operating a motor vehicle off an established roadway on a state wildlife area (1), wildlife area map violation – crabbing in a closed area (2), conduct activity in wetland without a permit (1), no stopping, standing, or parking (2), criminal trespass 3rd (1), and criminal mischief under $1,000 (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. 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 visitors to enjoy our state wildlife areas while complying with established rules and regulations.

General wildlife area rules and regulations include:
• State wildlife areas are open from sunrise to sunset and closed to public access from sunset to sunrise, with the exception of those lawfully engaged in hunting or fishing. Others found in state wildlife areas between sunset and sunrise will be cited for trespassing after hours.
• Camping, swimming, dumping and littering, target shooting (including paintball), and fires are prohibited in state wildlife areas.
• Horses and bicycles may only be ridden on maintained roads or trails that have been designated by the Division on current wildlife area maps.
• Hunting is permitted only in specified areas and only when in season.
• Parking in a manner that blocks access to a road, trail, or boat ramp is prohibited. Violators will be towed at owner’s expense.
• Operating vehicles off-road, including ATVs, is prohibited; all vehicles must be registered, remain on designated roads, and not exceed a speed of 20 mph.
• All state wildlife areas are designated carry-in, carry-out for trash.

For more information on regulations for specific wildlife areas, click Delaware Hunting Maps. Hard copies of the maps are also available at the licensing desk in DNREC’s Dover office at 89 Kings Highway, or by calling the Wildlife Section office at 302-739-9912.

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.

-End-

DOVER – In response to complaints of damaged state property, illegal drug use, littering, and trespassing, DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers over the Memorial Day weekend issued a total of 71 citations as part of an evening crime prevention operation throughout Kent County. The operation targeted state-owned wildlife areas, ponds, and fishing and boating access areas managed by the Division of Fish & Wildlife. Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police also said ongoing operations are intended to curb illegal activities on Division of Fish & Wildlife-managed properties throughout the state.

An incident of note: Cassidy M. Sawyer, 19, of Leipsic, was arrested May 26, and charged with one count each of: possession or consumption of marijuana by an 18 to 21-year-old, personal use quantity; possession or consumption of heroin; and possession of drug paraphernalia not marijuana-related at Port Mahon near Dover. Sawyer was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 7 in Dover, where she was released on $751 unsecured bond, pending a future court date.

Citations issued during the operation included: 37 citations issued for trespassing after hours; eight drug-related offenses, including the case noted; 21 fishing violations; and four boating violations. Citations were issued at Woodland Beach fishing pier, Bowers Beach boat ramp, Port Mahon boat ramp and fishing pier near Dover, Cedar Creek boat ramp and fishing area near Slaughter Beach, Haven Lake boat ramp and Blairs Pond boat ramp near Milford, Mud Mill Pond west of Dover, Wyoming Mill Pond, and Coursey Pond and McGinnis Pond both near Frederica.

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.

Contact: Sgt. Brooke Africa, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-739-9086 or 302-354-1386; or Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

Vol. 48, No. 142