DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Blotter Oct. 19-26
Reminder for the week: Who qualifies for hunting licenses exemptions?

DOVER (Oct. 28, 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 51 citations and a number of warnings for violations of recreational boating, hunting and fishing regulations between Oct. 19 and 26.

·         On Oct. 21 in Kent County, agents arrested Dale R. Uhey, age 53, of Felton, and took him to Delaware State Police Troop 3, where he was video arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2. He was charged with two counts of possession of a deadly weapon/ammunition by a person prohibited and released on $2,000 unsecured bond.

The number of citations issued between Oct. 12 and 19 by violation type included the following:

Fisheries Conservation:
Recreational citations: Undersized tautog (1), no recreational fishing license (1).

Boating Safety: Operating an unregistered vessel (1), boating equipment violation (1)

Wildlife Conservation: Possession of firearm/ammunition by person prohibited (7), migratory bird violation (9), possession of lead shot while waterfowl hunting (2), possession of unlawfully taken game (6), carrying a loaded weapon in a motor vehicle/vessel (2), hunting without a license (2), spotlighting (3), hunting with unplugged shotgun (2), hunting during closed season (2), trespassing to hunt (2), failure to tag deer (3), operating a vehicle off an established roadway on a wildlife area (1), wildlife area map condition violation (3).

Public Safety: Possession of marijuana (1), possession of drug paraphernalia (1).

Are you AWARE?
For this week’s Are You Aware reminder, the Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Section would like to remind hunters of who qualifies for exemption to purchasing a Delaware hunting license and how to get a number that exempt hunters can use in place of a license number, such as when they are registering deer. You do not need to purchase a license if:

·         You are a Delaware resident age 65 or older.

·         You own or live on a farm comprising 20 or more acres and hunt, fish or trap only on your own property. Immediate family members residing on the same farm are also exempt.

·         You are a Delaware resident or non-resident under age 13. When hunting, you must be accompanied by a person with a valid hunting license or who has the lawful right to hunt.

License exempt hunters are required to obtain a license exemption number (L.E.N.). The number is free of charge and may be obtained through the Division’s online licensing system, accessible from the Division homepage at www.dnrec.delaware.gov/fw under Online Hunter Registration,” or by calling toll-free 1-855-DEL-HUNT (1-855-335-4868).

Also, special rules apply to military personnel who hunt in Delaware. Any member of the armed forces stationed in Delaware qualifies as a resident when purchasing a license to hunt, fish or trap by supplying a written statement certifying the applicant’s assignment and signed by his or her commanding officer.

In addition, any resident who has served honorably on active duty for 90 or more consecutive days in the U.S. Armed Forces, including service in the Delaware National Guard, in Southwest Asia, may be issued a Delaware hunting or fishing license free of charge for the first 12 months following the date the resident was honorably discharged or removed from active status. For more information, call the Division’s licensing section at 302-739-9911.

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. 419