Pages Tagged With: "fish and wildlife"
Second Notice: Availability of Delaware Bay Shellfish Grounds for Leasing
Shellfish grounds are available for lease in parts of the Delaware Bay. DNREC is accepting applications for leases through March 15.Winter Survival Strategies: A Closer Look at Hibernation in Delaware’s Animal Kingdom
Delaware doesn’t have many “true” hibernators, but it does have its share of critters that use long naps as a winter survival strategy.American Oystercatchers
American oystercatchers are black and white shorebirds with bright orange beaks that feed and nest on the beach. The Beach-Nesting Bird Program monitors the population and productivity of American oystercatchers in Delaware. An American oystercatcher incubating a nest. (Photo: Henrietta Bellman) These birds begin arriving in Delaware in March, startLeast Terns
Least terns are the smallest species of tern in North America, with an orange-yellow beak and mask-like black markings on the head. The Beach-Nesting Bird Program monitors the population and productivity of least terns in Delaware. A male and female least tern conducting a courtship ritual. The male presents the female withBeach-Nesting Birds
Dwindling shorebird populations have landed several species on Delaware’s Endangered Species List. The DNREC Beach-Nesting Bird Program monitors the endangered breeding shorebirds, provides habitat protection, and provides information to the public about beach-nesting species. The Beach-Nesting Bird Program primarily focuses on three species — Piping Plovers, American Oystercatchers and LeastAvailability of Delaware Bay Shellfish Grounds for Leasing
Shellfish grounds are available for lease in parts of the Delaware Bay. DNREC is accepting applications for leases through March 15.Public Hearing: Striped Bass Commercial Fishing Regulations
The Division of Fish and Wildlife will conduct a public hearing on proposed revisions to the regulations governing the striped bass commercial fishing seasons, quotas, tagging and reporting requirements.Educational Programs for Grades K Through 12
The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife operates two educational centers that provide free programs and resources to schools and other educational groups. The Aquatic Resources Education Center (AREC) and DuPont Nature Center (DNC) offer a variety of programming focused on aquatic species and other environmental education topics, from microorganisms found inNotice of Public Hearing: Proposed Revisions to the Delaware Lobster Regulations
The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife will conduct a virtual public hearing on December 21, 2023, to consider comments from the public on proposed revisions to the state’s Lobsters regulations.Bands and Special Markers on Migratory Gamebirds
Delaware hunters may find GPS transmitters, bands or other human-created additions on migratory gamebirds they encounter during hunting seasons. Harvesting such gamebirds is legal, but hunters should report what they find to state and federal biologists. Migratory gamebird hunters should be aware of specially marked ducks, geese andPublic Hearing: Proposed Wildlife Regulations Revisions
The Division of Fish and Wildlife will conduct a public hearing to consider comments from the public on proposed revisions to state’s Wildlife Regulations.Public Comment Opportunity: Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan
The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control invites public comment on a proposed Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan for Delaware. The department will take comments on the proposed plan through Nov. 15, 2023. Public Comment Draft: Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan
Mosquito Control
DNREC’s Mosquito Control Section provides mosquito control services throughout Delaware to maintain quality of life and protect public health by reducing the possibility of mosquito-borne illnesses. For help with nuisance mosquitoes where you live, call one of our field offices: The Northern Delaware Office, 302-836-2555, serving New Castle CountyPublic Hearing: Shellfish Aquaculture Regulations
The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife will hold a public hearing on Sept. 27 on proposed amendments to the Shellfish Aquaculture regulations.Public Comment on an Environmental Assessment of a Proposal to Replace Land in One Wildlife Area with Land in Another for Purposes of Federal Grant Management
The Div. of Fish and Wildlife proposes to replace land in the Little Creek Wildlife Area with land in the Eagles Nest Wildlife Area to meet the purposes of a federal grant used to purchase the land.Comment Form: Wildlife Area Land Replacement
The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife is asking for public comment on an Environmental Assessment of a proposal to replace a 23-acre portion of the Honig parcel in the Little Creek Wildlife Area with a 30-acre portion of the Vines parcel at Eagles Nest Wildlife Area to meet the purposes of a federal grant used toPublic Hearing: Proposed Revisions to the Horseshoe Crab Regulations
The Division of Fish and Wildlife will conduct a public hearing on proposed revisions to the Delaware Horseshoe Crab Regulations.Artificial Reef Guide Requests
DNREC publishes the Delaware Reef Guide to provide information about the state’s artificial reef sites. The Guide is available for download in PDF format. A limited number of printed copies are available as well. Use the request form below to request a copy by mail. Please include yourAvailability of Delaware Bay Shellfish Grounds for Leasing
The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife is accepting applications for leases of shellfish grounds within the defined boundaries of the shellfish growing area of the Delaware Bay that are not already under lease.Bald Eagle Nesting Survey
The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife plans an aerial survey of bald eagle nesting sites during the late winter of 2023. You can help biologists plan for this survey by reporting bald eagle nests to the state. Report a Bald Eagle NestPublic Hearing: Non-Tidal Finfish Regulations
The Division of Fish and Wildlife will conduct a public hearing on proposed revisions to the Non-Tidal Finfish Regulations to increase trout fishing opportunities in Delaware.Wildlife Viewing in Delaware’s State Wildlife Areas
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) provides numerous outdoor recreation opportunities on public lands, including elevated wildlife-viewing structures on several state wildlife areas managed by the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife. Wildlife Area Maps [button type=”primary” block=”true”Delaware Whitetail Deer Records
The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife maintains records of the top hunter-taken whitetail deer in Delaware, using the Boone and Crockett scoring system. The records include whitetails taken in any year. State Deer Rankings All-Time Typical Whitetail Deer Non-TypicalDeer Stands or Ground Blinds on State Wildlife Areas
The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife requires hunters to register temporary deer stands or ground blinds they place on state wildlife areas.Contact Us
DNREC Wildlife Section 302-739-9912
2021 AREC Photo Contest Gallery
This page contains photographs submitted for the first annual Aquatic Resources Education Center (AREC) nature photography contest in 2021, including the winning submissions. The contest was open to photographers of all ages. Prizes were awarded in three categories (birds, nature, and people enjoying nature) and in three age groups (children, teens and adults). AllDelaware Hunters Against Hunger
Delaware’s deer hunters share part of their harvest each year with Delawareans in need. They provide thousands of pounds of venison through the Delaware Hunters Against Hunger program. Delivering boxes of venison to a food distribution hub. All donated deer are processed into ground venison, free of charge. TheYouth Fishing Tournament Registration
The Delaware Youth Fishing Tournament is free and open to all anglers aged 4 to 15, but registration is required. Registration for this event is now closed. The 2022 Tournament will be held on Saturday, June 4. from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine. Awards will be presented at 1:30 p.m.Wildlife Mortality Survey
If you see sick wildlife, or dead wildlife where it looks like the cause of death is an illness, please report it to the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife. If you see five or more sick or dead wild animals at the same location, please also call division staff at 302-735-3600Reporting Sick or Dead Wildlife
Wildlife disease surveillance, prevention, and control are crucial factors for safeguarding Delaware’s citizens, wildlife, pets, and livestock. Citizen reports help state biologists monitor wildlife populations in Delaware. If you seeReporting Tick Interactions
Knowing what species of tick has attached to you, a family member, or a pet will help determine whether you may be at risk for a tick-borne disease. Note: The state of Delaware does not provide tick pathogen testing services.
Reporting Fish Kills
A fish kill is a sudden, unexpected die-off of fish in a specific location. It is important to report fish kills right away. Evidence dissipates quickly; delays can make it harder to determine the cause. Signs of a Fish Kill: DeadVolunteer With the Piping Plover Program
To ensure continued breeding success, the DNREC Piping Plover Program depends on volunteers to help inform the public about the breeding progress of the plovers and the importance of staying out of closed areas.Contact Us
Shorebird Project Staff 302-735-3600