NEWS FROM THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL

March 3, 2010
Vol. 40, No. 60

For more information, contact Ken Reynolds, Wildlife Section, 302-735-3600, or Joanna Wilson, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

Division of Fish and Wildlife to hold March 25
public hearing on wildlife regulation updates

The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife will hold a public hearing at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 25 to review proposed changes to state wildlife regulations. The hearing will be held in the DNREC Richardson and Robbins Building Auditorium at 89 Kings Highway, Dover.  

Proposed regulatory changes under consideration to Regulation 3900 – Wildlife are as follows:

• Definitions – define “Quality Buck” as a buck with a minimum outside antler spread of 14 inches.
• Method of Take – allow crossbows to be used during all deer seasons; establish a minimum draw weight of 35 pounds for longbows; eliminate the maximum pull weight for crossbows and allow scopes on crossbows; make it unlawful to carry a crossbow in a locked position within a motor vehicle; clarify when trapping equipment may be placed in the field and when it must be removed; allow pellet rifles to be used for gray squirrel hunting; clarify what firearms may be used for red fox hunting; and restrict firearms that can be used for red fox hunting during deer season.
• Federal Laws and Regulations Adopted – require non-toxic shot for hunting rails, snipe and moorhens; and restrict mute swan hunting to the general waterfowl season and shooting hours.
• Seasons – establish a hunting season for red fox.
• Deer – clarify that only two antlered deer may be taken during any given license year running from July 1 to June 30; eliminate the requirement that deer hides must be tagged in order to be sold; clarify language regarding deer check stations.
• Guide License Requirements – exempt non-residents from the guide license requirement when they are guiding for snow geese in Delaware.
• Hunter and Trapper Identification Number – require that hunters and trappers exempt from licenses obtain a free hunter and trapper identification number.

The Division is accepting public comments on the proposed amendments now through 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 31. Written comments may be sent to Ken Reynolds, Wildlife Section, 6180 Hay Point Landing Road, Smyrna, DE 19977, faxed to 302-653-6755, or emailed to kenneth.reynolds@state.de.us.