Pictured is evidence seized during investigation into deer hunting near Delmar on Dec. 7, authorities said. (Submitted photo/DNREC)
DELMAR — A 36-year-old Milton man was arrested on felony weapon charges on Dec. 7 after investigation into deer hunting near Delmar, authorities said.
According to DNREC, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police arrested Robert N. Evans on 11 counts of possession of a deadly weapon by a person prohibited and one count of possession of ammunition by a person prohibited.
Three crossbows, three shotguns, two muzzleloaders, two rifles, one handgun and an assortment of associated arrows and ammunition were seized as evidence on a search warrant, according to authorities.
Mr. Evans was video-arraigned by JP Court 2 in Rehoboth Beach and released on $6,000 unsecured bond pending a preliminary hearing in the Sussex County Court of Common Pleas.
In a separate case on Dec. 7, DNREC said a 65-year-old Laurel man was arrested following a tip through Operation Game Theft. Authorities said Christian M. Emkey Jr. was fined $652 including court costs, for dumping solid waste in the form of three deer carcasses along a roadway in Midlands Wildlife Area near Millsboro.
Mr. Emkey pleaded guilty to the charge in JP Court 3 in Georgetown, according to DNREC and was ordered to clean up the deer by Dec. 13.
According to DNREC, Division of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers between Dec. 7-13 made 1776 contacts with anglers, boaters, hunters and the general public, including 244 vessel boardings for boating safety and fishing regulation compliance checks.
Officers responded to 26 complaints and issued 113 citations. This week, with an expanded Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police presence continuing to be deployed as a deterrent, no citations were issued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area and associated recreational trail, authorities said.
Citations issued this week by offense category included the following, with the number of charges in parentheses:
Wildlife Conservation: Failure to attach antlerless deer tag (1), and wildlife area map violation/failure to register for a deer stand on a state wildlife area (2).
Fisheries Conservation: Commercial: Crabbing without a commercial crab pot license (20), crabbing during pot closure season (20), crabbing from a vessel not associated with the operator’s commercial license number (20)*, crabbing from a vessel not displaying the required color panel matching the commercial operator’s markers (20)*, and failure to tend crab pots every 72 hours (10).
Boating and Boating Safety: Operating an unregistered vessel (1), and no boat ramp certificate (2).
Public Safety: Possession of a deadly weapon by a person prohibited (11), possession of ammunition by a person prohibited (1), failure to display required hunter orange during a firearms deer season (2), operating an unregistered motor vehicle (1), and operating an unregistered trailer (1).
Other: Dumping solid waste (1).
DNREC reminders
• In a news release, DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police said that driving any motor vehicles off established roadways on state wildlife areas is illegal and damaging to wildlife habitat.
“Off-roading is very destructive to areas reserved for wildlife conservation and harmful to some of our more fragile species,” said Sgt. John McDerby, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police. “In addition, Division staff have to replant vegetation, repair ruts and clean up after these activities.
“If you want to take that new ATV out for a ride, it’s best to do it on your own property or on private property with the owner’s prior permission.”
DNREC said it is illegal in Delaware to operate unregistered motor vehicles on public roadways – including state, county and established wildlife area roads.
“ATVs and other vehicles without a license plate are prohibited in state wildlife areas, both off-road and on established roadways, and violators who are caught will be cited,” Sgt. McDerby said.
Hunters who find new firearms under the tree are prohibited from target practice on state wildlife areas, DNREC said.
DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife said citizens can report fish, wildlife and boating violations to the Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police by calling 739-4580. Wildlife violations may also be reported anonymously to Operation Game Theft by calling 800-292-3030 or online at de.gov/ogt.