DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife
Enforcement Blotter Aug. 29 – Sept. 5

DOVER (Sept. 9, 2011) – 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 and Wildlife Enforcement agents issued more than 100 citations and a number of warnings for violations of recreational boating and fishing regulations between Aug. 29 and Sept. 5, including the Labor Day holiday weekend, including one OUI.

·         Kevin R. Lougheed, age 25, of Millsboro, was arrested on Sept. 3 on Rehoboth Bay and charged with operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol and operating without required navigation lights. Lougheed was issued a summons to appear in court for arraignment at a later date.

The number of citations issued by violation type from Aug. 29 to Sept. 5 also included the following:

Boating Safety: Reckless operation of a vessel (4), negligent operation of a vessel (2) child life jacket violation (3), not carrying enough life jackets for all passengers (3), no wake violation (19), unregistered vessel (2), no navigation lights (1), personal watercraft violation (1), no boating safety certificate (2), allow use of non-compliant vessel (2).

Fisheries Conservation: commercial possession of undersized crabs (4), recreational crab pot tampering (1), over limit recreational crab pots (4), no by-catch excluder (2), recreational possession of undersized blue crabs (14), no fishing license (11).

Wildlife Conservation: Migratory bird violations (4), possession of unlawfully taken game (2), killing protected songbirds (2), hunting on a refuge (2), hunting during closed season (2), hunting with unplugged gun (1).

Public Safety: DUI (1), reckless endangering (4), resisting arrest (2), disregard command of police officer (1), reckless driving (2), moving violations (5), clamming in polluted area (2).

Other: Parking violations (1), no ramp certificate (2), loitering to engage in or soliciting another to engage in sex (3), Redden State Forest.

Are you AWARE?
With fall and winter hunting seasons coming up, for this week’s Are You Aware reminder, the Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Section would like to remind the public that it is illegal to cut, damage or remove any plants from State Wildlife Areas without a permit from the Division Director’s office.

“This week, agents issued warnings to waterfowl hunters who were cutting blue ben grass for use as camouflage for their duck blinds,” said Sgt. Gregory Rhodes of Fish and Wildlife Enforcement, adding that agents annually see increased activity of this type as fall approaches. “Also, hunters may unintentionally find themselves in violation of Division Regulations by cutting and removing grass for duck blinds, cutting or breaking branches to create ‘shooting lanes,’ and causing damage to trees by nailing up stands or climbing steps,” Rhodes added.

Citizens are encouraged to report fish and wildlife and boating violations to the Delaware Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Section at 302-739-4580.

Vol. 41, No. 348