DNREC Fish & Wildlife Enforcement Blotter Nov. 9-16
Reminder for the week: Keep your distance from houses, roadways when hunting

DOVER (Nov. 17, 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 23 citations and a number of warnings for violations of recreational boating, hunting and fishing regulations between Nov. 9 and 16.

With shotgun deer season open Nov. 11-19, Fish & Wildlife agents throughout the state responded to numerous complaints and calls this week, not all of which involved citations, including: hunting too close to a residence, carrying loaded shotguns in motor vehicles, no license in possession, dispatching injured deer, target shooting, a mailbox that was shot at, entering wildlife areas after hours and a parking violation.

The number of citations issued between Nov. 9 and 16 by violation type included the following:

Wildlife Conservation: Trespassing to hunt (1), hunting on a refuge (2), failure to tag deer (8), failure to register deer, (1), carrying a loaded firearm in a vehicle (1), spotlighting (1), not wearing required hunter orange (3), use of unplugged shotgun (4), permanent deer stand on state wildlife area* (1).
*Hunters should check individual wildlife area requirements on stand placement and use.

Public Safety: Operating a vehicle off an established roadway (1).

Are you AWARE?
For this week’s Are You Aware reminder, with shotgun deer season continuing through Nov. 19, the Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Section would like to remind hunters of some restrictions on methods of take. It is unlawful to:

·         Hunt within 100 yards of a residence or drop shot on buildings or people

·         Discharge any firearm from 15 yards or closer to a public road or shoot across a public road or right-of-way

·         Use an artificial light to illuminate wildlife from a motor vehicle for the purpose of hunting or observation (spotlighting)

·         Carry a loaded firearm or cocked crossbow in motorboat while underway or in a motor vehicle or farm equipment.

“We encourage hunters to be aware of their surroundings in reference to residential areas and roadways, to make sure their weapons are unloaded during transport, and to remember that spotlighting is illegal,” said Sgt. Greg Rhodes of Fish and Wildlife Enforcement.

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 at 302-739-4580.

Vol. 41, No. 442