DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Blotter Oct. 5-11

Reminder for the week: Be Aware of the importance of wearing hunter orange

DOVER (Oct. 12, 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 22 citations and a number of warnings for violations of recreational boating, hunting and fishing regulations between Oct. 5 and 11.

·         Following a routine check at Prime Hook on opening day of muzzleloader deer season, agents on Oct. 11 arrested Aaron J. Strausbaugh, age 38, of Milton, and charged him with possession of a firearm by a person prohibited. Strausbaugh was taken to Justice of the Peace Court 3 in Georgetown and released on unsecured bond pending a future court date.

·         On Oct. 11, Fish and Wildlife agents responded to a report of a human body on the rocks near the railroad bridge on the C&D Canal near St. Georges, and secured the scene until Delaware State Police arrived. The body was turned over to the Delaware Medical Examiner’s Office for identification.

The number of citations issued between Oct. 5 and 11 by violation type included the following:

Fisheries Conservation: Over limit possession of recreational blue crabs (1), possession of undersized crabs (1), no fishing license (3), net use in prohibited area (1), undersized white perch (4).

Boating Safety: Slow no wake violation (1).

Wildlife Conservation: ATV operation on state wildlife lands (3), operating a vehicle off an established roadway (2), damaging state property (2), trespassing to hunt (1), use of illegal weapon during muzzleloader season (1).

Public Safety: Disregard traffic device (1), no insurance (1).

Are you AWARE?
For this week’s Are You Aware reminder, the Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Section would like to remind the public that during firearm deer season dates, Delaware law requires that any person hunting any wildlife except migratory game birds must wear no less than 400 square inches of hunter orange material on his or her head, back and chest. Hunters completely concealed in a blind during these times are required to place the hunter orange material within 10 feet outside the blind.

“Wearing hunter orange is a safety precaution to protect hunters during firearm deer hunting season dates. Hunters taking aim can and should check for any glimpse of hunter orange as an alert to hold their fire. If you don’t wear hunter orange, you’re risking much more than a citation,” said Sgt. Gregory Rhodes of Fish and Wildlife Enforcement.hUNTE

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. 394