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Northern Region

Lt. Panico responded to a call from the Hopatcong PD concerning an individual who shot a deer from his back deck in a residential area late one evening. When questioned by the police, the individual denied shooting the deer, which died in his neighbor's yard. Upon his arrival in daylight, Lt. Panico observed where someone had attempted to hose blood away from the grass in the backyard. When confronted with the evidence, the individual admitted to shooting the deer several feet away from his deck. He said there were 3 large antlered bucks in his yard regularly and after having a "few" beers decided to shoot one. The deer was seized and all the appropriate summonses were issued.

CO Nestel investigated a complaint from a check station of a hunter checking a deer from a DMZ, not yet open to hunting. When advised by the check station attendant that the zone was closed, the hunter changed his mind and claimed that he shot the deer in a zone which was opened. When interviewed later in the day by CO Nestel, the hunter admitted to taking the deer in the closed zone. The appropriate summons was issued.

CO's Paul, Kuechler and Ziegler investigated a complaint from the Plainfield ACO concerning an individual possessing an alligator. The ACO advised the officers that Fire Department personnel observed an alligator and several snakes at a residence when they responded to a fire. The resident admitted to the officers to possessing the snakes without a permit and transferring the alligator to his friend. The officers were able to seize the alligator at the friend's residence and issued summonses for possessing a dangerous species and possessing snakes without a valid permit.

While checking data forms at several check stations on Opening Day of the Archery season, CO Hutchinson and DCO Schaublin noticed that 4 does had been registered by 4 individuals with the same last name. The officers suspected that the hunters might have re-registered the same deer to satisfy the requirement of an anter-less deer being taken first. The hunters were eventually contacted and 2 admitted to registering deer taken by their relatives. Another hunter, a PA resident, admitted to taking an unregistered eight point buck back to his residence. The individual was interviewed at his residence by a PA Conservation Officer and admitted to shooting the buck in NJ as well as a second deer he killed unlawfully in PA. The deer were seized and the officers from both states filed all the appropriate charges.

CO Williamson attended the week long NRA Firearms Instructor Course at the Colliers Mills Training Center.

While patrolling the Pequest River WMA on several different occasions, CO Sutton apprehended and charged 6 individuals for operating ATV's.

CO Kuechler and Ziegler actively patrolled the Newark Bay Complex and issued 21 summonses for sub-legal marine fish and 14 written warnings for crabbing in condemned waters.

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Central Region

In recent weeks, Officer Tonnesen has been concentrating his enforcement efforts on the growing number of complaints from horseback riders and hunters concerning the illegal use of ATV's on the Greenwood Forrest Wildlife Management Area. The local police department has called for assistance on separate occasion's requesting help with the latest of incidents which involved horseback riders, who were thrown from their horses when startled by ATV's racing through the wildlife management area. On two separate dates, Officer Tonnesen was able to apprehend and issue a total of thirty-six summonses for the illegal use of ATV's on the Greenwood Forest WMA. Three ATV's were impounded, and it is interesting to note that there were a number of repeat offenders.

Officer Mutone stopped to inspect a horseback rider on the Colliers Mills Wildlife Management Area. When confronted, the rider informed the officer that she had left her horseback riding permit in her vehicle. The officer then followed the rider back to her vehicle where she spent time searching for the permit. When the rider couldn't find the permit, she then told the officer that she must have left it at home. After further questioning, the subject finally admitted that she had never purchased a permit. When Officer Mutone informed her that she was in violation, the woman became enraged, used abusive language, and then gave the officer an offensive gesture. As Officer Mutone was gathering information, the woman got into her vehicle, drove across a field and proceeded to drive away. Officer Mutone then pulled the driver over and asked to see her driver’s license and other credentials. Unfortunately, the driver could not produce the necessary documents. In conclusion, the diver was issued summonses for: no horseback riding permit; operating a motor vehicle off the established roadway and failure to produce the required motor vehicle documents.

On a recent night patrol encompassing the Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area, Officers Mutone, Martiak, Mascio, Lt.'s Lacroix and Sich encountered a number of individuals in violation of state wildlife management area regulations. During their inspections, a total of nineteen WMA and one motor vehicle summons were issued. The majority of violations issued involved the under age consumption and possession of alcohol; littering; after hours; illegal fires and operating a motor vehicle while in possession of an open container of alcohol.

CO Martiak has been spending a great deal of time patrolling the marine waters for recreational fishing violations. During the past month, he issued 31 summonses for violations including: illegal clamming and sub-legal porgies, fluke, sea bass and crabs, over the limit bluefish, interference and littering. One notable case involved an individual that took 61 short porgies in Morgan Creek.

Lt. Lacroix received a complaint from State Park Police at the DNR Canal about individuals suspected of illegal clamming in the Millstone River in the area of the Kingston Locks. They had stopped an individual driving a black Toyota 4 Runner twice, issuing a warning the first time and a summons for digging on State property the second time. The following week, a private citizen called the CRO and reported that a group had just arrived at the river and were clamming. Lt. Lacroix contacted State Park Officer Joe Jackson and asked if he could respond as it was going to be about 45 minutes before she could get there. SPO Jackson arrived just as the black 4 Runner was leaving and stopped the vehicle. Lt. Lacroix arrived on scene and when the vehicle was opened up, a total of 13 5-gallon buckets filled with small clams were found inside. While Lt. Lacroix was dealing with three individuals in the vehicle, SPO Jackson went up stream and located four more individuals clamming. They had 3 buckets in their possession, but another 2 buckets were found in their vehicle after further questioning. A total of 12 summonses were issued for violations of clamming in condemned waters, clamming without a commercial license and interference. SPO Jackson also issued numerous park violations to the 7 individuals as well.

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Southern Region

CO Risher has acted as Chairman for the South Jersey Youth Outdoor Day event for the last 9 years. This year's event was held at the Salem County Sportsman's Club. Youth Day was open to children from 7 to 17 years of age, and 160 kids participated this year. Instruction and demonstrations were offered in archery, and firearm target shooting, fishing, fly tying, falconry, wilderness survival, decoy carving, , and retrieving dog handling. The event's goal was to introduce another generation into an appreciation of the outdoors, and environment.

CO Stites recovered an immature bald eagle, from the area of Pilesgrove, Salem County. The bird exhibited burns to both feet, and was apparently electrocuted on nearby power lines. The bird was turned over to the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

The Southern Region held two special operations to interdict ATV and 4-wheel drive trespassing on environmentally sensitive ground in and adjacent to Menantico WMA near Millville, Cumberland County. The property adjacent to the WMA belongs to Atlantic Electric and Nature Conservancy. The operation detailed units from both districts of the Southern Region, and included units from Millville City police and the State Police. Both operations had a Conservation Officer and State Trooper acting in an undercover role on ATV's to identify and assist in the apprehension of trespassers. Fish and Wildlife uniformed officers and uniformed officers from Millville and the State Police were used to stop and cite the offending operators. Additionally, everyone found trespassing were checked for wants and warrants. In the first operation, held on a Sunday, 19 subjects were written for trespassing by Conservation Officers, State Troopers and Millville police. In addition, two subjects were arrested; one for warrants and one for possession of marijuana. The second operation, held on a Saturday, resulted in 6 people being cited with one taken to county jail with a warrant. These two operations highlighted the excellent interagency cooperation that the Southern Region enjoys with local and State Police.

During a night WMA patrol CO Fox and Lt. Massey entered Menantico WMA and located two empty cars in the parking lot. The officers started to search the surrounding woods and located two groups camping inside the WMA. A subject with the first group the officers approached was observed with marijuana. This group had three adults and three juveniles. The group had a large fire burning, had erected three large tents and was in possession of a large quantity of alcoholic beverages. While taking this group into custody, the second group was observed further in the woods. This group of four adults was found with an active fire, three tents and alcohol. The subject with the drugs was handcuffed and everyone else was escorted to the parking lot for processing. Millville police responded and assisted the officers with crowd control. The suspect arrested for the marijuana was also found to have a $5,000.00 warrant for failing to comply with his probation which he received in 2005 for possession of marijuana. Both groups were required to break down their camp sites and four summonses were issued to each adult.

In April of this year four subjects were apprehended for possessing over 500 Herring over the limit. One of the suspects had provided false information the night of the apprehension. That suspect was able to give the officers a current Virginia address and an old NJ address off the top of his head. He made a call to his wife and got his VA drivers license number from her. All the information the suspect provided checked out that night, but when the summons was mailed to the VA address the real resident contacted the Southern Regional Office and stated that there was a mistake, he had not been in NJ. It became obvious that the suspect that had been apprehended in April had stolen the identification of the person from Virginia. District 6 officers began an intensive search to identify and locate the real suspect. After several weeks of looking the original suspect was identified and located. CO Batten and other District 6 officers continuously checked the suspects' true residence but it became clear that the suspect had gone into hiding. In August, COs Batten and Fox finally located the suspect at his residence. The officers were able to follow him into Millville City where he was stopped and apprehended. The man was jailed for identity theft and other warrants. The suspect subsequently pled guilty to all charges and after spending several weeks in jail was fined $750.00 for the criminal charges and over $1500.00 for the fish and wildlife charges.

While on routine patrol COs Ciraolo and Batten had entered Menantico WMA. CO Ciraolo saw something shiny in the woods and upon checking discovered a stolen Harley Davidson street bike. The motorcycle which was in good condition had been stolen from Wildwood the day before. The owner of this classic motorcycle was very happy to have his property back.

CO Ely and Ciraolo were patrolling Tuckahoe WMA when they observed some garbage bags thrown into the woods. The officers went through the trash and were able to gather evidence as to the owner of the trash. The officers started an investigation and determined that the trash came from a Connecticut family that had stayed in Ocean City the week prior. Officer Ely made contact with the CT family who insisted that they did not dump anything in the woods. Officers Ely and Ciraolo then targeted the person that cleaned the rental property. They located the women that cleaned the house and determined that she not only lived less then a mile from where the trash was found, but she admitted that she had brought trash from the rental house to her home. She stated that she did not dump anything but admitted that the trash dumped most likely came from her truck. She stated that she did have a "good for nothing son" but she did not think he would do such a thing. The cleaning woman was issued a dumping summons.

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Marine Region

Lt. Fresco's and CO Soell's case involving two depurator clammers employing unlicensed, non-permitted clammers was adjudicated in Keansburg Borough Municipal Court. Each of the unlicensed clammers received a $500 fine; and each of the depurators received a $200 fine. The unlicensed clammers have both obtained commercial clam licenses and depuration permits.

The Marine Region Office received a complaint from a commercial lobster fisherman in reference to a diver at the Shark River Inlet with a "bag full" of lobsters. The lobsterman made this observation as he was entering the inlet at approximately 10:30 p.m. Lt. Fresco and CO Soell worked the information the following evening at slack high tide. The strong currents in the inlet only allow divers about an hour of dive time during the slack tide. CO Soell while in plain clothes patrolled with the use of a bicycle to make observations of the divers. There were approximately a dozen divers who entered the water at two locations. Lt. Fresco, who was in uniform, was able to observe one group of divers. After one hour, all of the divers emerged with no more than 2 lobsters in their possession. Lt. Fresco inspected all of the divers and issued summonses for undersized lobsters and possession of mutilated lobsters.

On 8/23/08 Lt. Fresco was located at the Manasquan Inlet in Point Pleasant Beach and was approached by a fisherman who claimed there were a group of individuals with stringers of tautog. The fisherman only gave a location and a general description. Lt. Fresco proceeded to that location and encountered many fishermen matching the description. Lt. Fresco did not find any fish. Later in the day, Lt. Fresco returned to the inlet and observed an individual carrying a bucket containing fish. Further inspection revealed five under-sized tautog. This individual was not in possession of his fishing equipment. The fisherman advised Lt. Fresco that his equipment was still on the jetty. Lt. Fresco proceeded to the jetty with the fisherman and retrieved the equipment located within a group of fishermen observed earlier in the day. All of these fishermen were fishing for tautog, as they were using fiddler crabs for bait. None of the fishermen claimed to know the suspect and vice-versa. CO Dravis arrived to assist and was able to get a Chrysler vehicle key from the suspect. When the fisherman went to show CO Dravis where the vehicle was located, however the vehicle was missing. He claimed it was a key to a friend's car that had left. A summons was issued for the illegal tautog. Shortly thereafter, the fisherman was joined by a companion. CO Dravis and Lt. Fresco watched these individuals from a distance as they made their way on foot, several blocks to a Dunkin Donuts on Rt. 35. One of the individuals was observed talking on a cell phone as they were walking. Lt. Fresco proceeded to the Dunkin Donuts and observed a Chrysler vehicle containing three individuals observed earlier at the inlet, where the suspect's fishing equipment was found. Lt. Fresco stopped the vehicle and asked for a driver's license from the driver. The driver did not possess a driver's license and Point Pleasant Beach Police were contacted. CO Dravis proceeded to the Dunkin Donuts parking lot. Inside the trunk of this vehicle was a cooler containing an additional thirteen tautog, eleven of which were under-sized. The three individuals were all issued summonses for possession of undersized tautog and over bag limit of tautog. The vehicle belonged to a friend of the driver, but was not present. None of these individuals possessed a driver's license and the vehicle was towed by the police. The driver was issued a summons for being unlicensed. All of their fishing equipment was seized. One of the seized poles was a custom rod with the rod maker and owner's name. CO Dravis recognized the name as a local rod builder. The individual in possession of the rod stated he purchased it at a flea market in Lakewood Township. CO Dravis later contacted the rod maker who had made the rod for his son. The rod had been missing for approximately one year, but was not reported stolen. Arrangement is being made to return the rod to its owner.On 9/14/08, COs Jones, Scott and Lt. Fresco received a complaint about a group of individuals in the Shrewsbury River in Highlands keeping many undersized marine fish. When the COs arrived, they observed five of the individuals clamming in the special restricted waters. The COs apprehended the five clammers as well as another individual in possession of 40 undersized scup. One of the clammers also had a cooler containing 20 undersized scup. The five clammers were issued summonses for clamming without license and clamming in special restricted waters. Two of the individuals were issued summonses for the undersized scup.

In May of this year, Conservation Officer Snellbaker observed the FV Ruthless, a permitted commercial black sea bass vessel enter the Absecon inlet following a fishing trip. As a condition of their New Jersey permit, black sea bass harvest vessels are required to "call in" to the Marine Enforcement Office two hours prior to their offloading and declare their offload time and location.
This vessel raised CO Snellbaker's attention since it continued past its normal offload location. CO Snellbaker was unable to locate the vessel's final destination. In the course of his search for the vessel, he contacted Lt. Canale to check the "call in" list at the MRO for black sea bass landings. The owner/operator of the vessel had made his call in as he entered the inlet and declared an offload time of 1700hrs but failed to provide the offload location. After approximately one hour of searching, CO Snellbaker located the vessel tied up at a dock in Atlantic City at 1600hrs. At this time there was no activity and no one was on the vessel which indicated that the vessel had offloaded prior to their declared time. CO Snellbaker attempted to contact the owner/operator of the vessel but he was unsuccessful. For the next several weeks CO Snellbaker monitored the vessel's activity and observed numerous occasions where "call in" requirements were not observed.

In an attempt to determine if the underlying reasons behind the "call in" violations were accidental or intentional, CO Snellbaker and CO Nicklow boarded the vessel as it landed in early July. An inspection was conducted and the Fishing Vessel Trip Reports, which detailed landings as well as the dealer to whom the product was sold, were reviewed. CO Snellbaker and Nicklow compared the vessel reports with dealer reports submitted to the state. One occasion in May raised a red flag. Under New Jersey's regulations all black sea bass must be sold to a New Jersey permitted dealer so landings can be counted against the quota. On May 11, 2008 a large quantity of black sea bass were landed by the FV Ruthless and not documented by a dealer. There was no record of the fish beyond the vessels trip report. COs Snellbaker and Nicklow conducted a thorough investigation of all of the records gathered and revealed that a dealer, not directly involved in the purchase or sale of the sea bass landed by the FV Ruthless, appeared to be reporting to the state. The owner/operator of the FV Ruthless had actually been selling all of his black sea bass landed directly to a fish broker, RM and Sons located in West Chester, Pa. RM and Sons did not possess a New Jersey Black sea bass dealers permit therefore they were not permitted to legally purchase black sea bass directly from a New Jersey harvester.

In late August, CO Snellbaker and CO Nicklow completed their investigation and charged the owner/operator of the FV Ruthless with four counts of selling black sea bass to a non-permitted dealer, two counts of failing to comply with call in requirements, and one count of failing to provide accurate records for sales of fisheries resources. In addition, CO Snellbaker charged RM and Son's with one count of purchase of black sea bass without having a dealers permit. Each violation carries penalties in the range of $300.00-$3,000.00 and possible permit suspension for first offense. The call in violations would constitute a second offenses for the owner of FV Ruthless and would therefore carry penalties which range from $500.00-$5,000.00 and an enhanced permit suspension.

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