DNREC Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Blotter Nov. 3-9
Reminder for the week: Shotgun deer season opens Nov. 11

DOVER (Nov. 10, 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 13 citations and a number of warnings for violations of recreational boating, hunting and fishing regulations between Nov. 3 and 9.

·         On Nov. 4, Fish and Wildlife agents displayed the Section’s patrol boats for the unveiling of the Division’s new patrol boat, MP-Oscar, a 22-foot Boston Whaler equipped with side-scan sonar, day and night cameras, infrared imaging, GPS and radar. Purchased with grant funds through Homeland Security, MP-Oscar can patrol and maneuver in tighter and shallower areas than larger police vessels. It will be used to patrol and protect critical infrastructure along Delaware waterways.

·         On Nov. 4, the Enforcement Section’s canine agent, K-9 Warden, tracked and located two men hunting without permission on private property. The men were cited and ordered to leave the property. K-9 Warden joined Enforcement in 2006 and is specially trained in tracking, evidence recovery and wildlife detection. Over the past five years, Warden has performed successful search and rescue operations, sniffed out evidence ranging from illegally taken game to discarded firearms, and tracked suspects.

The number of citations issued between Nov. 3 and 9 by violation type included the following:

Wildlife Conservation: Trespassing to hunt (2), trespassing on a state wildlife area (1), impeding lawful hunting (1).

Fisheries Conservation:
Recreational citations: Undersized striped bass (2), over limit tautog (1).

Public Safety: Damaging state property (2), operating a vehicle off an established roadway (2), criminal trespass (1), excessive speed (1).

Are you AWARE?
For this week’s Are You Aware reminder, with shotgun deer season opening on Nov. 11 and continuing through Nov. 19, the Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Section would like to remind hunters of state regulations on tagging and checking deer.

Successful hunters must register their deer within 24 hours of harvest by calling toll-free 1-855-DEL-HUNT (1-855-335-4868) or visiting www.dnrec.delaware.gov/delhunt. After answering several questions, hunters will be given a deer harvest registration number as proof that the deer has been checked. Hunters should keep this number for their records, write it in ink on the deer tag used on the harvested animal, and be prepared to give the number to the butcher shop or taxidermist if used.

Delaware resident and non-resident hunting licenses come with two antlerless tags and two doe tags. Hunter’s Choice tags, which can be used on antlered or antlerless deer, are available for $10 for residents and $25 for non-residents, and come with a Quality Buck tag at no extra charge. The Quality Buck tag can only be used on an antlered deer with a minimum outside spread of 15 inches. Deer must be tagged immediately after harvest.

Hunters are allowed to harvest a maximum of two antlered bucks, all seasons combined. All other deer taken must be antlerless. Additional antlerless deer tags are available for $10. Deer tagging revenue is used to help fund the state’s deer management program and the phone-in deer registration system.

“We would also like to remind the non-hunting public to check hunting season dates before entering state wildlife areas as well as private lands used for hunting. When hunting season is open, Sunday is the best day for hiking, birdwatching, photography and other non-hunting activities in these areas, since Sunday hunting is not allowed in Delaware,” 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. 435