DELAWARE FISH AND GAME ENFORCEMENT BLOTTER DEC. 1-7
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Reminder for the week: Hunters urged to be aware of other hunters, take weather precautions
DOVER (Dec. 12, 2014) – 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 Division of Fish & Wildlife Enforcement Natural Resources Police officers between Dec. 1-7 made 882 contacts with anglers, hunters, boaters and the general public, including 32 vessel boardings for boating safety and fishing regulation compliance checks. Agents responded to 30 complaints and issued four citations, one of which was related to the C&D Canal Conservation Area and associated recreational trail, where there is an increased Fish & Wildlife Enforcement presence.
Citations issued by offense type included the following, with the number of charges in parentheses:
Wildlife Conservation: Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (2), Kent County.
Public Safety: Allowing an unlicensed driver to operate a motor vehicle (1)*, and operating a motor vehicle at excessive speed on a state wildlife area (1), New Castle County.
* This citation was issued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area.
Fish and Wildlife Enforcement News and Training
· Capt. Drew Aydelotte, Lt. Carl Winckoski, Sr. Cpl. Mari Grehofsky, Sr. Cpl. Jeff Howell, Sr. Cpl. Greg Rhodes, Cpl. Shea Lindale, Cpl. John McDerby, Cpl. Brian Pollock, AFC Chelsea Allen and AFC Brandon Bruce attended Advanced Law Enforcement Response to Terrorism (ALERTT), a two-day training course that teaches police officers how to respond to and deal with an active shooter.
· Cpl. Gavin Davis attended a background investigators course at the Delaware State Police Academy in Dover.
Are you AWARE?
DNREC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Section reminds hunters that they may hunt deer with archery equipment, muzzleloaders and shotguns during the special seven-day antlerless deer season, which runs Saturday, Dec. 13 through Saturday, Dec. 20. Only antlerless deer or deer with both antlers measuring 3 inches or less may be taken; archery hunters may not take antlered bucks during these season dates.
With winter weather threatening the season’s first snow and ice, hunters are encouraged to take the following precautions:
· When hunting on state wildlife areas, use designated parking areas rather than parking along roadsides, especially if roads are snow-covered.
· Driving motor vehicles off established roadways and operation of off-highway vehicles – including ATVs, dirt bikes and gators – are prohibited on state wildlife areas.
· Keep in mind that wildlife area roads may not be cleared, and tow services may have difficulty locating and/or reaching hunters whose vehicles are stuck in remote areas.
· Pack emergency gear along with your hunting bag – blanket, first aid kit, flashlight, fully charged cell phone, drinking water, non-perishable food, shovel, sand or salt and jumper cables.
With small game seasons – gray squirrel, rabbit, pheasant, quail and mourning dove – also open, hunters are reminded that during any firearm deer season, any person hunting any wildlife except waterfowl is required to wear no less than a total of 400 square inches of hunter orange material on their heads, chests and backs. Deer hunters concealed inside ground-level blinds also must place 400 square inches of hunter orange within 10 feet outside of the blind and at least 3 feet off the ground.
For more information on hunting in Delaware, click on 2014-2015 Delaware Hunting and Trapping Guide. The guide also is available in printed form at DNREC’s Dover licensing desk in the Richardson & Robbins Building, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, and from license agents throughout the state. Hunters planning to hunt on state wildlife areas should also consult State Wildlife Area Maps, which also are available in print form at DNREC’s licensing desk.
The DNREC 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 and wildlife and boating violations to the Delaware Fish & Wildlife Enforcement Section by calling 302-739-4580. Wildlife violations may also be reported anonymously to Operation Game Theft by calling 800-292-3030 or online at www.dnrec.delaware.gov/fw/Hunting/Pages/OpGameTheft.aspx.