Delaware Youth Waterfowl Hunt Scheduled for October 4
September 29, 2008
The Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife is again providing young and disabled (non-ambulatory) hunters a special opportunity to hunt waterfowl Saturday, Oct. 4. Hunting is permitted statewide on private and public lands, including state wildlife areas and federal refuges. Check specific area regulations for lottery times and blind availability.
Young hunters must be between 10-15 years of age and accompanied by a licensed non-hunting adult at least 21 years of age. Hunters 13-15 years of age must have completed an approved hunter education course and possess a Delaware junior hunting license. Standard daily duck bag limits and regulations apply, with hunters also permitted to harvest snow geese and two Canada geese. Young hunters should be of sufficient size, physical strength, and emotional and mental maturity to safely handle a firearm.
The Division of Fish & Wildlife annually provides this and other special hunting opportunities to promote hunting and outdoor recreation among young hunters and provide additional opportunities for disabled hunters. Studies have shown that youngsters who participate in outdoor recreation activities are more likely to continue these pursuits as adults. In addition to the waterfowl hunt, a youth deer hunt is scheduled for November 1.
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For the Fifth Straight Year, Chronic Wasting Disease Is Not Found in Delaware Deer Sampling
August 18, 2008
Nearly 600 brain and lymph node tissue samples from white-tailed deer in all three counties of Delaware showed no evidence of chronic wasting disease (CWD), the Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife announced today. This brings the total number of Delaware deer tested since 2003 to more than 2,400.
During the October muzzleloader and November shotgun deer seasons last fall, 599 tissue samples were collected at meat processors across the state from deer harvested by hunters. The Division’s goal is to test and sample 200 deer within each county. Last year the Division met its goal in Kent and Sussex counties but came up a few samples short in New Castle County. The samples were submitted to the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine’s New Bolton Center for testing. Final test results just received showed all the samples to be negative for the disease.
“Six hundred samples give us a 99 percent probability of detecting the disease if it existed in one percent or more of the deer population. The only way to be certain that every deer in Delaware is free of CWD would be to test every deer, and that would not be practical. While this doesn’t provide 100 percent assurance of no disease, we are encouraged by these results,” said Joe Rogerson, the Division’s Game Mammal Biologist.
CWD is a neurological condition found in deer and elk in which an abnormal protein material called a prion invades and gradually destroys the animal’s brain. It is thought to be 100 percent fatal and believed to be transmitted from close contact with infected deer. The disease wasn’t known until the 1960s. In the 1970s, CWD was identified as a transmittable neurological disease. Extensive research has found no evidence that the disease can be transmitted to humans.
CWD has been found in several western and mid-western states including Colorado, Wyoming, Illinois, Wisconsin, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma and South Dakota, as well as the Canadian provinces of Saskatchewan and Alberta. The most recent states to detect CWD are New York and West Virginia. Both states detected the disease in 2005.
Surveillance programs, like Delaware’s, have been established in all eastern states and monitoring will continue in future years. So far, all eastern herds seem to be disease free. DNREC will continue monitoring in Delaware for the disease with plans for more tissue sampling this fall.
Hunters should be aware that more news regarding CWD will likely be available in the near future. In the event a deer does test positive for CWD in Delaware, or a surrounding state (Maryland or Pennsylvania), the Division is in the process of finalizing a CWD Response Plan so that action can be taken immediately. Under the plan, regulations also may be created in an attempt to keep Delaware free of CWD.
Recently, the Division passed two regulations in an attempt to ensure that Delaware remains CWD free. The first regulation bans the importation of high risk parts such as the brain, spine and lymph nodes from deer harvested in areas where CWD has been detected. A second regulation requires mandatory notification to the Division by a hunter if a deer harvested out of state by a Delaware resident tests positive for CWD.
More information can be found in the new 2008-2009 Delaware Hunting and Trapping Guide, on the Division’s website at www.fw.delaware.gov/Hunting/Pages/Wildlife.aspx
under “More information for hunters,” or the CWD Alliance website, www.cwd-info.org/.
For more information about CWD issues in Delaware or any other deer related issue, please contact Wildlife Biologist Joe Rogerson, at 302-735-3600.
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Record 150 Young Anglers Fish Lums Pond in 22nd Annual Youth Fishing Tournament
June 16, 2008
The steamy hot weather on June 7 did not keep a record 150 young anglers and their families from turning out at the New Castle County location of the 22nd Annual Youth Fishing Tournament, sponsored by the Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife. The eager group crowded the banks of Lums Pond in Bear, poles, tackle boxes and bait in hand.
When the day was done, it was Mike Moore, age 14, of Middletown, who took the title of overall county winner. With a whopping 14.5 pounds of fish caught, Mike is also the statewide tournament winner. He will receive a special trophy and $100 savings bond at this summer’s Delaware State Fair, where the Kent and Sussex County overall winners will also be recognized.
Eleven-year-old Maalik Edwards caught the day’s biggest fish, a 7.5-pound carp, while Ryan Stetser, age 10, caught the smallest, a bluegill wearing just 1 gram.
The winners, by age group and total weight of fish caught, were:
Ages 4 to 7
First place – David Bracale, age 7, of Middletown, 2.2 pounds
Second place – Sam Griffith, age 6, of Middletown, 1.6 pounds
Third place – Owen Grossi, age 4, of Wilmington, 1.08 pounds
Ages 8 to 11
First place – Logan Burris, age 10, of Middletown, 7.89 pounds
Second place – Maalik Edwards, age 11, of Newark, 7.5 pounds
Third place – Ryan Stetser, age 10, of New Castle, 6.5 pounds
Ages 12 to 15
First place – Mark Edwards, age 14, of Newark, 5.48 pounds
Second place – John Metz, age 12, of Wilmington, 0.83 pounds
Third place – Anna Palmer, age 12, 0.51 pounds
The winners received fishing poles and tackle boxes as well as trophies, and all the participants received prizes donated by area tackle shops. The county winners will be presented their trophies at the DNREC Awards ceremony on Governors Day, Thursday, July 24 at the 2008 Delaware State Fair in Harrington.
The Youth Fishing Tournament was established to introduce youth to the sport of fishing and to teach the catch-and-release approach to conservation. The free tournament, held annually in June, is open to youth ages 4 to 15.
For more information on the Youth Fishing Tournament, please call 302-739-9913 or visit www.fw.delaware.gov/Info/YouthFishing.htm.
Please note, the Kent and Sussex tournament results have been issued separately.
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Fish for Free in Delaware Waters June 7 and 8
May 30, 2008
Have you been thinking of casting a line into that nearby stream or daydreaming about a sunny afternoon on the beach with your surf rod and reel, but just haven’t gotten round to purchasing your 2008 Delaware fishing license yet?
To celebrate National Fishing Week, June 1-8, the Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife invites you to test your favorite First State waters for a free taste of this year’s fishing, clamming and crabbing season by holding free fishing days on Saturday and Sunday, June 7 and 8. On these two days, anyone may fish in Delaware waters without a fishing license.
National Fishing Week festivities will also include the Division’s 22nd Annual Youth Fishing Tournament from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 7 at Ingrams Pond in Millsboro, Wyoming Pond in Wyoming’s Town Park and the dog training area at Lums Pond State Park in Bear.
With the exception of this one weekend, resident and non-resident anglers between the ages of 16 and 64 fishing in any Delaware waters – including lakes, ponds, impoundments, streams, bay and ocean - are required to purchase a fishing license and display it while fishing. Clammers and crabbers are also required to have fishing licenses. Delaware residents 65 and older, and both residents and non-residents under age 16 do not have to purchase a license. Licenses are required for non-residents age 65 and older.
Fishing licenses for Delaware residents cost $8.50, while non-residents pay $20. Licenses may be purchased at DNREC’s Richardson and Robbins Building, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, or at any of the more than 100 license agents located in sporting goods stores, hardware stores and other businesses throughout the state.
The 2008 Fishing Guide, which includes complete details on licensing and exemptions, is also available from the DNREC Dover office, licensing agents and on the Division of Fish and Wildlife website.
To purchase a Delaware fishing license online, view the Fishing Guide, or for more information on fishing licenses, please visit the Fisheries homepage at www.fw.delaware.gov/Fisheries/Pages/Fisheries.aspx.
For other inquiries or further information, please call 302-739-9918.
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Division of Fish and Wildlife to Host 22nd Annual Youth Fishing Tournament on June 7
May 27, 2008
As part of its activities for National Fishing Week, June 1-8, the Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife will hold its 22nd Annual Youth Fishing Tournament from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, June 7 at Ingrams Pond in Millsboro, Wyoming Pond in Town Park, Wyoming, and at the dog training area at Lums Pond State Park in Bear.
The tournament is open to youths ages 4 to 15. An adult must accompany youths under age 12 and contestants must bring their own fishing equipment. Prizes will be awarded in three age groups: 4 to 7, 8 to 11 and 12 to 15. The tournament is free and open to the public.
The tournament was established to introduce youth to the sport of fishing and to teach the catch and release approach to conservation.
“Since the tournament’s first year in ‘86, the event has grown tremendously and has exposed more than 200 youths each year to sport fishing,” said Carol Weyant, Division of Fish and Wildlife.
In addition to the fishing tournament celebrating National Fishing Week, the Division has designated June 7 and 8 as free fishing days when anyone may fish in Delaware’s non-tidal waters without a fishing license.
For more information on the Youth Fishing Tournament, please call 302-739-9913 or visit www.fw.delaware.gov/Fisheries/Pages/2008YouthFishingTournament.aspx. An entry form is also available on the website.
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Volunteers, Boats Sought for June 21 Inland Bays Cleanup
May 22, 2008
The Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Section in Sussex County, along with the Center for the Inland Bays and the Division of Parks and Recreation, will be hosting the Fourth Annual Cleanup of the Inland Bays beginning at 9 a.m. and finishing up about 3 p.m., Saturday, June 21.
This year there will be two starting locations, one at Massey’s Landing at the end of Long Neck Road and one at the Mulberry Landing Boat Ramp in the Assawoman Wildlife Area near Fenwick Island. A number of local businesses are donating money, food and equipment such as dumpsters.
Cleanup volunteers are needed, as well as pontoon boats, duck boats and lots of enthusiasm. Volunteers should dress to get dirty and be prepared for cooler conditions on the water as well as wet walking conditions on land. Boots are also suggested. Those who have access to lifejackets should bring one, as they are required on boats. Otherwise, lifejackets will be provided. Young children should not attend.
Last year’s event drew 50 volunteers who collected a large quantity of debris, including soda bottles and cans, tires, a hot water heater and a lot of plastic. A large construction dumpster was donated and filled by the end of the day.
DNREC and the Center for the Inland Bays have a new initiative underway this year which was funded by State Representatives Joseph W. Booth, Gerald W. Hocker and Peter C. Schwartzkopf.
“Boaters will be seeing a yellow diamond shaped sign posted at many of the boat ramps around the Inland Bays this year. The sign has the logos of both agencies on it, a challenge to the users of the Inland Bays to take care of this fragile ecosystem, and the acronym CPR, which stands for Conserve, Protect, and Respect. We hope that through activities such as the clean-up and reminders like this challenging sign, the persons using the Inland Bays will pause long enough to make decisions that truly benefit these waterways,” said Lt. Aaron Hurd of Fish and Wildlife Enforcement.
Volunteers are encouraged to sign up in advance, as lunch and t-shirts will be provided. To volunteer or for more information, please contact Debbe Passwaters at 302-856-2656 or debbe0904 [at] mchsi [dot] com or Marie Burke at 302-934-9495 or pebble128 [at] aol [dot] com.
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Registration Open Now for Free Conservation Day Camp on May 17
April 26, 2008
Planned activity stations will include: boating safety; wetlands, waterfowl, wildlife and habitat; target archery; air rifles; building a bird nesting box; and the Hooked on Fishing Not Drugs program. Each activity will begin hourly, running throughout the day, with rotation beginning at 9 a.m. All activities will conclude at 4 p.m.
“This is a conservation-minded camp in which we hope to educate kids on the proper use of our natural resources and to instill in them a sense of appreciation that will grow over their lifetimes,” said Sr. Corp. Doug Messeck, camp coordinator.
Adult supervision is required and no unattended participants will be permitted. Parents and/or guardians must remain with participants throughout the day and are encouraged to participate in the activities.
The camp is offered free of charge, but preregistration is required by Wednesday, May 7. Vendors will be on site for lunch. The first 100 children to preregister will receive a camp T-shirt.
For more information, please contact Carol Weyant at 302-739-9913, or Sr. Cpl. Doug Messeck at 302-855-1921, Fish and Wildlife Enforcement.
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