NEWS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL

March 5, 2010
Vol. 40, No. 62

For more information, contact Joe Rogerson or Rob Hossler, Wildlife Section, 302-735-3600, or Joanna Wilson, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife schedules final public
workshop on Delaware’s Deer Management Plan for March 16

In an effort to encourage additional public feedback on its new Delaware Deer Management Plan, and provide a review of input to date on the plan, the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife will hold a fourth and final open forum-style workshop at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 16 in the DNREC Auditorium, Richardson and Robbins Building, 89 Kings Highway, Dover.

This plan, which will guide the Division’s management of white-tailed deer in Delaware for the next 10 years, was drafted based on input from a stakeholder committee, hunters, non-hunters and the Division’s biological staff. The additional workshop was added to summarize the recent workshops held in each county and to allow a final opportunity for public comment on the plan. 

“We are hoping to obtain as much public feedback on this plan as possible before we finalize it. The future of deer management within our state is now, so whether you’re a hunter, farmer, outdoor recreationalist or just like to know deer are healthy and abundant in Delaware, we think it’s important to have your concerns and suggestions included in this plan,” said Game Species Program Manager Rob Hossler. “This final workshop will include a summary and wrap-up of the three previous workshops, while also providing an opportunity for anyone who could not attend the previous meetings to voice their opinions.”

In addition to this last public workshop, written comments and suggestions will also be accepted by mail or email until Thursday, April 1, 2010. Comments can be submitted by emailing Joseph.Rogerson@state.de.us  or by mailing them to:

     Deer Management Plan Comments
     Delaware Division of Fish & Wildlife
     6180 Hay Point Landing Rd
     Smyrna, DE 19977

To see the new Delaware Deer Management Plan, please visit the Division’s website at
www.dnrec.delaware.gov/fw/Hunting/Pages/Delaware_Deer_Management_Plan.aspx . For more information on the plan, call the Wildlife Section at 302-735-3600.

The finalized Delaware Deer Management Plan is expected to be completed and available in May or June.