DNREC Fish & Wildlife Enforcement Blotter Dec. 2-14
Reminders for the week: Four-wheeling on wildlife areas harms habitat; Hunters reminded to wear orange, take only antlerless deer in current season

DOVER (Dec. 15, 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 & Wildlife Enforcement agents issued 35 citations and a number of warnings for violations of recreational boating, hunting and fishing regulations between Dec. 2 and 14. Agents also responded to numerous calls related to gunshots, injured deer, dumped deer carcasses, illegal late shooting, baiting and trespassing to hunt.

On Dec. 3, agents patrolling Redden State Forest near Georgetown took David Shutt, age 27, of Wilmington, into custody on four separate capiases issued by the New Castle County Court of Common Pleas and Justice of the Peace Court 11 in New Castle. Shutt was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 3 in Georgetown and remanded to the Sussex County Correctional Institution after failing to post $528 secured bond.

The number of citations issued between Dec. 2 and 14 by violation type included the following:

Wildlife Conservation: Trespassing on a wildlife area after hours (4), use of unplugged shotgun (2), failing to tag deer (1), operating a vehicle off an established roadway in a wildlife area (3), damaging state property in a wildlife area (1), no waterfowl stamps (2).

Fisheries Conservation: Recreational citations: Unlicensed fishing (5).

Boating Safety: Insufficient life jackets (5), no life jacket on a child (1).

Public Safety: Shooting in safety zone (2), no hunter orange while deer hunting (1).

Other: Parking violations (4); loitering to engage in or solicit sex from another (2), littering from a motor vehicle (1), dumping (1).

Are you AWARE?
For this week’s Are You Aware reminder, the Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Section would like to remind hunters that during the December special antlerless deer season Dec. 10-17, they may use any method of take including archery, muzzleloader and shotgun. Archery hunters are not permitted to take antlered bucks during the December antlerless season, and all upland hunters must wear hunter orange for safety reasons during firearms deer season.

Also, with the holidays and days off from work and school coming up, Enforcement would like to remind wildlife area visitors that four-wheeling off established roadways on state wildlife lands is illegal and damaging to wildlife habitat and vegetation.

“Four-wheeling is very destructive to areas reserved for wildlife conservation and harmful to some of our more fragile species. In addition, Division staff have to replant vegetation, repair ruts and clean up after these activities,” said Sgt. Gregory Rhodes of Fish and Wildlife Enforcement. “If you want to go four-wheeling, it’s best to do it on your own property or on property with the owner’s permission.”

Under Delaware law, it is illegal – and subject to citation for trespassing – to enter someone else’s property without the property owner’s permission, Sgt. Rhodes added.

For more information on hunting, check the 2011-2012 Delaware Hunting and Trapping Guide, available at hunting license dealers statewide or online at www.dnrec.delaware.gov/fw.

Citizens are encouraged to report fish and wildlife and boating violations to the Delaware Fish and 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 .

Vol. 41, No. 471