Contact: Sgt. Gregory Rhodes, Fish & Wildlife Enforcement, 302-739-9913 or 302-542-6102, or Joanna Wilson, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

DNREC Fish & Wildlife Enforcement Blotter Nov. 16-30
Reminder for the week: Non-toxic shot required for waterfowl hunting

DOVER (Dec. 1, 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 57 citations and a number of warnings for violations of recreational boating, hunting and fishing regulations between Nov. 16 and 30. Agents also responded to numerous calls related to deer and waterfowl season, located an overdue vessel with all aboard safe, and used side scan sonar to assist Delaware State Police with a water search.

On Nov. 25, agents cited commercial watermen William T. Jenkins III, age 27, and Joseph A. Smith, age 40, both of Townsend, for two counts each of improperly tagged oysters. Smith was also given a mandatory appearance at Justice of the Peace Court 9 in Middletown. Five bushels of oysters were seized.

The number of citations issued between Nov. 16 and 30 by violation type included the following:

Wildlife Conservation: Trespassing to hunt (5), trespassing after hours (5), hunting at night (1), hunting without a license (2), hunting on a refuge (1), failure to tag deer (2), failure to register deer (2), butchering deer prior to registering deer (2), not wearing required hunter orange (2), use of unplugged shotgun (1), use of prohibited hunting devices (1), possession of unlawfully taken game (4), hunting waterfowl over bait (2), migratory bird violations (5), operating a vehicle off an established roadway in a wildlife area (1), wildlife map violation (1).

Fisheries Conservation: Recreational citations: Undersized tautog (1); Commercial citations: commercial oyster tagging violation (4).

Boating Safety: Life jacket violations (3), no wake violation (1), no ramp certificate (1).

Public Safety: Gunshot hitting residence (2).

Other: Unregistered vehicle in wildlife area (6), parking violation (2).

Are you AWARE?
For this week’s Are You Aware reminder, the Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Section would like to remind hunters that non-toxic shot as approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is required when hunting migratory waterfowl in Delaware.

If hunting waterfowl from a small boat, hunters should make sure they are carrying all required equipment, including enough life jackets for all on board, a whistle and a portable fire extinguisher. Wearing a life jacket and carrying spare clothing is also recommended, in case of falling out of the boat in cold weather.

For more information, 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. 461