Source: http://regulations.delaware.gov/register/august2013/final/17%20DE%20Reg%20238%2008-01-13.htm
Timestamp: 2018-03-22 00:14:06
Document Index: 192645866

Matched Legal Cases: ['§102', '§103', '§102', '§903', '§ 788', '§ 21', '§ 725', '§602', '§601', '§601']

Statutory Authority: 7 Delaware Code, Sections 102 and 103 (7 Del.C. §§102 & §103)
Secretary’s Order No.: 2013-F-0024
RE: Approving Final Regulations to Amend 7 DE Admin. Code 3900,
Delaware Regulations Governing Wildlife: Sections 2.0 (Method of Take);
5.0 (Wild Turkeys); 10.0 (Nuisance Game Animals);
14.0 (Falconry); and 16.0 (Endangered Species)
Date of Issuance: July 17, 2013
Effective Date of the Amendment: August 11, 2013
This Order considers proposed regulations to amend 7 DE Admin. Code 3900, Delaware Regulations Governing Wildlife. The Department’s Division of Fish and Wildlife commenced the regulatory development process with Start Action Notice 2012-19. The Department published its initial proposed regulation Amendments in the January 1, 2013 Delaware Register of Regulations, and held a public hearing on February 6, 2013.
The Department is proposing revisions to 7 DE Admin. Code 3900, Delaware Regulations Governing Wildlife, to wit: Section 2.0 (Method of Take); 5.0 (Wild Turkeys); 10.0 (Nuisance Game Animals); 14.0 (Falconry); and 16.0 (Endangered Species) to enable the Department to (1) allow trappers the option of marking their turtle traps with a tag bearing the tapper’s name and address, or the current year’s trapping license, under Section 3902; (2) establish the minimum age at 13 for taking the mandatory turkey hunting education class, and to clarify what constitutes written authorization from the Division of Fish & Wildlife to hunt turkeys, under Section 3905; (3) require a training and certification program for those persons/businesses that provide nuisance wildlife control services to the public under Section 3910, and to change the name of Section 3910 from “Nuisance Game Animals” to “Nuisance Wildlife”; (4) comply with the changes in federal regulation with regard to Falconry, under Section 3914; and (5) better define the phrase “seriously threatened with extinction”, and provide the Division of Fish & Wildlife with the authority to remove species from the State of Delaware’s endangered species list, under Section 3916.
The Department has the statutory basis and legal authority to act with regard to the proposed amendments to 7 DE Admin. Code 3900, Delaware Regulations Governing Wildlife, pursuant to 7 Del.C. §§102-103, 7 Del.C. §903(e)(2)(a), and 7 Del.C., Chapter 60. Comment was received by the Department regarding this proposed promulgation, and the same was thoroughly addressed and responded to by the Division of Fish and Wildlife in its final revised Technical Response Memorandum dated July 3, 2013. Proper notice of the hearing was provided as required by law.
The Department’s presiding hearing officer, Lisa A. Vest, prepared a Hearing Officer’s Report dated July 3, 2013 (Report). The Report recommends certain findings and the adoption of the proposed revised Amendments as attached to the Report as Appendix A.
I find that the Department’s experts in the Division of Fish and Wildlife fully developed the record to support adoption of these revised Amendments. With the adoption of this Order, Delaware will (1) allow trappers the option of marking their turtle traps with a tag bearing the tapper’s name and address, or the current year’s trapping license, under Section 3902; (2) establish the minimum age at 13 for taking the mandatory turkey hunting education class, and to clarify what constitutes written authorization from the Division of Fish and Wildlife to hunt turkeys, under Section 3905; (3) require a training and certification program for those persons/businesses that provide nuisance wildlife control services to the public under Section 3910, and to change the name of Section 3910 from “Nuisance Game Animals” to “Nuisance Wildlife”; (4) comply with the changes in federal regulation with regard to Falconry, under Section 3914; (5) better define the phrase “seriously threatened with extinction”, and provide the Division of Fish and Wildlife with the authority to remove species from the State of Delaware’s endangered species list, under Section 3916; and (6) provide additional clarifying language to aid in the public’s overall understanding of the existing regulatory language.
2.)	The Department provided adequate public notice of the proposed Amendments, and provided the public with an adequate opportunity to comment on the same, including at the public hearing held on February 6, 2013;
3.) The Department held a public hearing on February 6, 2013 in order to consider public comment before making any final decision;
5.) The recommended revised Amendments should be adopted as final regulation Amendments because Delaware will be able to (1) allow trappers the option of marking their turtle traps with a tag bearing the tapper’s name and address, or the current year’s trapping license, under Section 3902; (2) establish the minimum age at 13 for taking the mandatory turkey hunting education class, and to clarify what constitutes written authorization from the Division of Fish and Wildlife to hunt turkeys, under Section 3905; (3) require a training and certification program for those persons/businesses that provide nuisance wildlife control services to the public under Section 3910, and to change the name of Section 3910 from “Nuisance Game Animals” to “Nuisance Wildlife”; (4) comply with the changes in federal regulation with regard to Falconry, under Section 3914; (5) better define the phrase “seriously threatened with extinction”, and provide the Division of Fish and Wildlife with the authority to remove species from the State of Delaware’s endangered species list, under Section 3916; and lastly, because (6) the amendments are well supported by documents in the record;
For purposes of Regulations 1.0 through 22.0, the following words and phrases shall have the meaning ascribed to them, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
2.8.1	Red foxes may be killed in accordance with § 788 of Title 7 with the following: longbow and crossbow, shotgun, rimfire rifle or centerfire rifle up to .25 caliber, or a muzzle-loading rifle.
5.4.1	The Division may establish a season for hunting bearded wild turkeys. The Division will determine the season length and bag limit. Except for persons 12 years of age or younger, it shall be unlawful for any person to hunt wild turkey except as permitted by the written authorization of the Division. without the written authorization of the Division in their possession. Proof of course completion referenced in 5.2 of this section shall serve as written authorization for private land hunters. Public land hunters must have both an annual permit from the Division as well as proof of course completion in their possession while turkey hunting.
7.2.2	Retention of Tag. The tag required by subsection 7.2.1 of this section shall remain attached to the deer until the deer is processed for consumption.
7.6.1	Importation. It shall be unlawful to import or possess any carcass or part of a carcass of any member of the family Cervidae (deer) originating from a state or Canadian province, country or any portion of the aforementioned jurisdictions thereof as determined by the Division, in which Chronic Wasting Disease has been found in free-ranging or captive Cervids. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following parts may be imported into the state:
10.0	Nuisance Game Animals Wildlife
10.2	Pest Commercial Nuisance Wildlife Control Operators. The Division may designate licensed pest certify and permit commercial nuisance wildlife control operators as cooperators to control nuisance wild animals resolve human/wildlife conflicts. Said cooperators must agree to follow guidelines for control as determined by the Division and notify potential clients of their fees.
It shall be unlawful for any person to practice the sport of falconry, except in such a manner as prescribed by regulations promulgated under provisions of 50 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) §§ 21.28, 21.29 and 21.30. Such The Federal regulations are hereby made part of the regulations of the Department as prescribed in § 725 of Title 7. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the federal regulations governing falconry shall be superseded by more stringent restrictions prescribed by law or regulation of the Department.
14.2.1	A Residents resident wishing to practice falconry shall apply to the Division for a falconry permit. To be issued a falconry permit, the person shall successfully pass a written test and have their facilities and equipment inspected by Division staff or an appointed Master Falconer to ensure that they meet the standards as prescribed by the federal regulations.
14.2.2	A Nonresidents nonresident falconer must purchase a nonresident hunting license and be properly permitted to practice falconry in the state in which he or she resides. who possesses a valid falconry permit issued by any other state listed in 50CFR21.29 may possess, import, export, or transport migratory birds of the orders Accipitriformes, Falconiformes, and/or Strigiformes held under the authority of such a permit in Delaware.
14.2.3	Falconry permits shall be effective, unless revoked, for a period of up to three years and coincide with the license period for the hunting license. The Division shall participate in any joint state/federal permit system available. No additional falconry permit shall be required for a non-resident falconry permit holder to practice falconry in Delaware.
14.2.4	The issuance of Apprentice Class permits shall be limited to persons 15 years of age or older. Falconers who take up residence in Delaware shall have 60 days to obtain a Delaware falconry permit. During this interim period, a current falconry permit issued by the previous state of residence shall be recognized for the purposes of legally practicing falconry in Delaware.
14.3.1	It shall be unlawful for any person to take any birds of prey from the wild without a permit from the Division. [The Director shall establish a an annual limit on the number of raptors which may be taken each year from the wild and shall appear before the Council on Game Wildlife and Freshwater Fish to receive input on such limit before its adoption or revision. Each capture permit will be limited to the taking of one bird of prey.]
14.3.2	In [2000 2012], and each year thereafter until changed, the Division may issue up to twelve (12) permits for the taking of twelve (12) birds of prey from the wild in Delaware, except that no more than three (3) permits shall be issued for the taking of three (3) nestling red-tailed hawks or three (3) nestling great horned owls, or any combination thereof. Nonresident falconers may apply for available permits to take nestling raptors, provided the state in which the nonresident resides allows Delaware residents the reciprocal opportunity to remove nestling raptors. allow the taking of a total of 12 birds of prey from the wild in Delaware. [Each capture permit will be limited to the taking of one bird of prey. Upon request, the Director shall propose a revised annual limit on the number of raptors which may be taken from the wild and shall appear before the Council on Wildlife and Freshwater Fish to receive input on such limit before its revision or adoption.]
14.3.3	The taking of nestling (eyas) birds shall be limited to red-tailed hawks and great horned owls on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from March 18 through June 30. Falconers may possess wild caught raptors identified as state threatened or endangered under Regulation 16.0 and §602 of Title 7, provided they were acquired in Delaware prior to the species being listed, or if they were acquired from a state in which their take was legal.
14.3.5	Apprentices may only possess wild caught red-tailed hawks[, and] red shouldered hawks[, and wild captured American kestrels legally obtained from another state]. Apprentices may not possess captive reared birds or hybrids.
14.3.57	It shall be unlawful to remove raptors from private property without the express consent of the landowner. It shall also be unlawful for any person to remove raptors from State parks, State forests, State wildlife areas, State owned wetland mitigation sites, national wildlife refuges, nature preserves, natural areas, and county or local parks without the advance written approval of the agency administering the property. The permit to remove a raptor from the wild must be in possession of the falconer when attempting to capture a raptor. Apprentice falconers must be under the direct supervision of their the Apprentice’s sponsor or a Master or General class falconer when removing raptors from the wild.
14.4.3	A falconer whose raptor accidentally kills wildlife during a closed season for such wildlife shall leave the dead wildlife where it lies, except the raptor may feed upon the wildlife before leaving the site of the kill, provided that the wildlife shall not be reduced to possession by the falconer. [The falconer shall cease hunting with the raptor that makes the accidental kill for the remainder of the day.]
16.1.1	Pursuant to §601 of Title 7, the importation, transportation, possession or sale of any endangered species of fish or wildlife, or hides or other parts thereof, or the sale or possession with intent to sell [with the intent to sell] of any article made in whole or in part from the skin, hide or other parts of endangered species of fish or wildlife is prohibited, except under license or permit from the Division.
16.2.1	Pursuant to §601 of Title 7, the Division may designate species of fish and wildlife that are seriously threatened with extinction as endangered species. The Division may also remove the designation of endangered from species of fish and wildlife that are no longer seriously threatened with extinction, The Division will review the state list of endangered species and add including species as suggested by the public that have with sufficient documentation for listing.
16.2.2.2	Ranked as “globally rare” (G1, G2, or G3, T1, T2, or T3), which means 100 or fewer populations worldwide; or
16.2.2.3	Is rare or declining within the mid-Atlantic coastal plain State and rare or declining in the region; or.
Hawk, Cooper'sBR (Accipiter cooperii)
Warbler, Cerulean (Dendroica Setophaga cerulea)
Warbler, Hooded BR (Wilsonia Setophaga citrina)
Beetle, Seth Forest Scavenger (Hydrochus sp.spangleri)
Sea Turtle, Atlantic Kemp's Ridley (Lepidochelys kempii)
17 DE Reg. 238 (08/01/13) (Final)