On a recent Sunday evening Conservation Officers Joe Kuechler and Andrew Ocampo observed three different groups of fishermen that were fishing the Newark Bay Complex in Bayonne. The Officers observed individuals from two of the groups hiding what appeared to be short striped bass. One individual hid a fish in the weeds along the shoreline. Another fisherman placed a fish in a garbage bag and then hid it in a vehicle. The Officers then conducted an inspection of the fishermen. They were each in possession of a short striped bass. While they were inspecting the first two groups, the third group packed up and began to leave when they noticed the Officers. As they were packing their gear one of them threw a fish into the water. The Officers quickly stopped them from leaving and were able to retrieve the fish. It was also a short striped bass. In total three summonses were issued for possession of short striped bass.

CO Mascio conducted an investigation into claims that several members of a hunting club had registered fictitiously killed deer. The officer had received information that the club had a quota for deer killed on property that they had permission to hunt. According to the information, if the club did not kill enough deer, they would lose their hunting rights on that property. Officer Mascio conducted several interviews and was able to get confessions from two individuals who admitted that they had each checked in one deer that they had never actually killed. Both men were charged with registering a deer they did not kill.

CO Mascio made two deer cases after reviewing records of a butcher and a taxidermist. In one case, a farmer had never bothered to register for a CID number as required and then did not register the deer that he had killed. He was issued one summons for failing to register a deer during the fall bow season and one summons for failing to register a deer during the winter bow season. Another man claimed that his untagged antlered buck head at the taxidermist was a head that he had "found" in Maryland several years ago. He was issued summonses for possession of unregistered deer and illegal possession of deer. The taxidermist was also issued a warning for not keeping accurate records.

CO McManus was informed about a trap line in Colliers Mills WMA where the trapper was illegally using leghold traps. CO McManus searched the area in question and located two steel-jaw leghold traps, two untagged snares and three cage traps along a stream. Both Officers McManus and Mutone took turns returning to the trap line on five different occasions to inspect it, but did not encounter the trapper. Finally, on the fifth time, Officer McManus returned to the trap line and he encountered a man leaving a wooded area nearby. When the man saw Officer McManus, he turned and went back into the woods but was quickly apprehended. After a lengthy inspection, the trapper admitted that the trap line belonged to him. The trapper was charged with being in possession of five leghold traps, not checking traps within 24 hours, not properly tagging his traps and littering on a WMA.

In January's monthly highlights, it was reported that CO McManus investigated the illegal trapping of a domestic cat by a trapper. The trapper was issued four summonses for violations. In February's highlights, it was reported that CO McManus issued the trapper three additional charges for continued illegal trapping activity. On February 28, the trapper pled guilty to all seven violations and paid a total of $700 in penalties. He also paid $300 in restitution to the owners of the cat for veterinary costs incurred as a result of the cat getting caught in the illegal snare.

Conservation Officer Trembley was patrolling Madhorse Creek Wildlife Management Area in Lower Alloways Creek in Salem County when he observed a pair of hunters. He approached the hunters on foot just prior to them entering a safety zone. Upon inspection, both hunters, who were over 70 years old, did not have valid non-resident hunting licenses. One hunter even had buckshot in his hunting coat, long after the end of firearm deer season. CO Trembley issued each hunter a summons for hunting without a license.

Conservation Officer Trembley conducted a trapping patrol in Lower Alloways Creek in Salem County when he encountered two trappers. Upon inspection he determined that they did not have a valid trapping license. They claimed to be indigent and not have the money to purchase one at the time of the inspection and promised CO Trembley that they would buy one that day. CO Trembley agreed not to file complaints. Later that day he researched the Electronic License System to ensure they purchased their licenses and they did not. CO Trembley received on-going complaints about the two trappers and conducted another inspection days later. Once again, the inspection proved that they did not a valid trapping license. CO Trembley issued a summons to each trapper for trapping without a license.

Conservation Officer Trembley received complaints about the Palatine Lake section of the Elmer Lake Wildlife Management Area in Pittsgrove Township, Salem County. While on patrol he observed a vehicle stuck out in the middle of the field due to off-road activities. CO Trembley interviewed the driver and issued one summons for leaving the established roadway.

Conservation Officer Kille and Lt. Risher were in South Harrison Court in Gloucester County to settle a case that involved a hunter killing a dog during the deer season. The hunter, who was charged with damaging property while hunting, agreed to a settlement and paid $1000.00 in fines and the loss of his hunting privileges for five years.

Conservation Officer Kille was patrolling an undeveloped wooded property owned by American Atlantic in Logan Township, Gloucester County. He observed an individual stealing scrap metal from the woods and contacted the Logan Police Department. Based on CO Kille's observations, the individual was arrested and charged by the Logan Township Police for the theft.

Conservation Officer Kille received information that two men were selling a mounted black bear in West Deptford, Gloucester County. With the help of the Special Investigative Unit, CO Kille set up a buy bust and obtained a search warrant prior to the buy. CO's Kille, Toppin, Stites, Trembley, James, Vazquez and Lt. Risher conducted the buy and served the search warrant on the residence and taxidermy studio. The taxidermist was in possession of two unregistered deer and his records were not complete. He is being charged with failing to keep accurate records pertaining to his taxidermy business, two counts of unlawfully possessing white-tailed deer and the sale or commercialization of the black bear. The other individual in this case who placed the advertisements on Craig's List and other popular hunting sites were also charged for placing the ads under the commercialization statute and offering the black bear for sale. Both men provided written statements admitting their guilt.

Acting on another Craig List sale, CO Kille investigated the sale of white-tailed deer in Monroe Township, Gloucester County. CO's Kille, Toppin and Lt. Risher conducted the buy bust. CO Kille made the purchase and was exiting the house with the seller as CO Toppin and Lt. Risher pulled into the driveway and conducted the interview. CO Kille purchased 6 sets of antlers. The seller provided the officers with a written statement admitting his guilt. CO Kille issued a summons for the commercialization of white-tailed deer parts dealing with the sale and another summons for possessing unregistered deer parts.

Conservation Officer Toppin investigated the sale of two black bears in Gloucester Township, Camden County that appeared on Craig's List. CO Toppin set up the buy bust with the help of the Special Investigative Unit. CO's Toppin, Kille, Trembley and Lt. Risher conducted the operation. After the sale was complete, the officers apprehended the seller and recovered the buy money. The seller admitted to selling the bear for $3000.00 and provided a written statement admitting his guilt. CO Toppin issued two summonses to the seller for commercialization and sale of each black bear.

Lieutenant Risher gave a presentation to Cub Scout Pack 60 in Daretown, Salem County.

Conservation Officer Toppin received information about an illegally killed buck and conducted an investigation that started in Camden County and ended in Burlington County at the Lockhead Martin Plant in Moorestown. CO Toppin conducted interviews together with CO Vazquez about the illegal kill. They interviewed a pair of hunters who admitted to harvesting and not properly tagging or registering the deer. The hunters were charged with failing to tag deer, failing to check or properly register deer, the unlawful possession of white-tailed deer and for hunting without zone 49 deer permits during a permit firearm season.

Conservation Officers in District 6 have continued to make dumping cases on Wildlife Management Areas and are getting good settlement amounts from the courts for convictions. CO Vazquez made a good case in Cumberland County for dumping that occurred on the Bevan's WMA. A substantial amount of debris was dumped on Ackley Road and traced back to the responsible party. Because of the amount of material involved, the suspect was charged with the Title 13 charges for dumping of solid waste as well as the Fish and Wildlife charges for dumping on a WMA.

Conservation Officer James and Lt. Ely apprehended an individual who attempted to flee on a dirt bike in the Bevans Wildlife Management Area in Cumberland County. Complaints from turkey hunters regarding illegal ATV use were being investigated by James and Ely, when a dirt bike and an ATV came up the trail towards the officers. Being on foot, the officers stepped to the side of the dirt road and attempted to stop the riders. The dirt bike turned and took off into the dense woods while the ATV raced past the officers. The dirt bike stalled in the woods and the officers were able to apprehend the rider as he was frantically trying to restart his machine. Lt Ely walked up the trail to see which way the ATV rider had run, only to find the machine with the front wheels slid up a tree and one of the rear wheels broken off. Lt Ely and CO James were unable to locate the rider of the damaged ATV. The dirt bike rider had active warrants and was processed by the NJ State Police, who were called to transport him to the Port Norris Barracks. Both the motorcycle and ATV were towed to a secure impound yard. The driver of the dirt bike claims to not know who the ATV rider was and he remains at large. The ATV appears to be a highly customized machine and is quite valuable. No one has reported it stolen and attempts are being made to locate the owner through the manufacturer. The dirt bike rider was charged with resisting arrest, operating a vehicle off established roads on a WMA, operating an unregistered vehicle on a WMA, damaging vegetation on a WMA and interference with the duties of a Conservation Officer.

On Friday, 2/8/13, ten vessels were granted safe harbor in Cape May due to impending storm conditions. The majority of the vessels were fishing approximately 115 miles due east of Seaside Park, approximately 160 miles from Cape May. All vessels were North Carolina (NC) permitted summer flounder vessels and possessed NC quotas on board. The captains of these vessels planned on sailing for NC when the weather broke, a few days later. The vessels were monitored at Cape May docks by Conservation Officers from 2/8 - 2/12, totaling 60 man hours to ensure that none of the fish were illegally off-loaded. Apparently some of these vessels had fish that were caught days earlier, so quota transfers from NC were allowed for 5 of the vessels to prevent spoilage of their catch and allow them to offload their product.

On Saturday, 2/16/13, another three vessels requested safe harbor in Cape May. All vessels possessed NC summer flounder permits and had NC quota on board. One vessel left for Virginia on Monday, to offload their NC quota. The other two vessels offloaded at Lund's docks on Tuesday, 2/18 after being granted a quota transfer from NC. Conservation Officers again monitored these vessels comprising a total of 18 man-hours.

On March 1, Conservation Officers Tyler Hausamann and Chris Moscatiello successfully completed the Marine Law Enforcement Training Program at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) located in Glynn County (GLYNCO) Georgia. This program consists of 19 class days focusing on the safe and proper operation of marine patrol vessels, with specific training in law enforcement operations. Some specific areas of study covered were nautical chart interpretation, pursuit, stop and approach of a vessel, boarding procedures and officer survival afloat. This is a rigorous, in-resident course which hones the marine region officers' already fine boat handling skills and helps prevent liability to the Bureau and Division.

Lieutenants Clinton Dravis (District 7) and Jason Snellbaker (District 8) were made permanent Lieutenants as of March 9, after serving approximately 1.5 years as provisional. Congratulations to both of these fine officers.

On February 26, 2013, Conservation Officers Joe Soell, Brian Scott, Chris Petruccelli, Brian Tomlin, Ryan Harp, Brett Nicklow, Sean McManus, Greg Szulecki, and Lt. Jason Snellbaker inspected a party fishing vessel in Barnegat Light. The vessel had 40 patrons and 4 crew members on board. The legal possession limit for black sea bass was 15 fish per person. The vessel could legally possess 660 whole black sea bass. A total of 1075 black sea bass were landed (664 black sea bass fillets and 743 whole black sea bass). 20 summonses were issued to patrons for possessing black sea bass over the daily bag limit. 270 lbs. of seized whole fish were sold to a local dealer and 88 seized fillets were donated to the Lacey Food Bank. The proceeds of these sales will be held pending the adjudication of the case.

Just after nightfall on March 12, 2013 COs Nicklow and Harp discovered two illegal fyke nets in Absecon Creek. The nets were set to catch elvers and covered the entire width of the creek adjoining the Atlantic City Reservoir. Lt. Snellbaker and CO Petruccelli were called in to assist. At 0230 hours the following morning, CO Petruccelli observed two individuals get dropped off by a vehicle and make their way to the illegal nets. The two individuals snatched the nets up quickly and immediately ran back to their awaiting get-away vehicle. Lt. Snellbaker, CO Nicklow, and CO Harp conducted a motor vehicle stop of the vehicle to conduct an inspection. The COs apprehended three individuals from Maine in a rental vehicle possessing 3.85 lbs. of elvers (glass eels) still trapped within the cod ends of the two nets. Further investigation revealed the subjects had an additional 5.75 lbs. of elvers (glass eels) stored in a second vehicle located at a local motel where they had been staying. One of the individuals possessed a license to legally harvest elvers in Maine. All the individuals acknowledged they were going to transport the elvers taken in NJ and sell them to an elver dealer in Maine when the season opened on March 22. The individuals claimed they expected to receive approximately $2000 per lb. The estimated value of the seized elvers was $20,000. The individuals were taken into custody and transported to Absecon Police Department and charged with the following: Take/Possess 24,250 undersize American eels ($727,500), Take/Possess 24,200 American eels over the limit of 50 ($720,000), Set/Tend fyke net without a license($300 to $3000), Set fyke net in middle third of stream($300 to $3000), set fyke net with mesh smaller than 3/8 inches($300 to $3000), failure to mark submerged fyke net($300 to $3000), Possess wildlife for the purpose of sale (3rd degree crime)and unlicensed entry into a public water facility (4th degree crime). In addition to the charges above, all of their equipment including their vehicle was seized. Each fisherman was assessed bail in the amount of $2500.00. One of the individuals posted bail and the remaining two were remanded to Atlantic County Correctional Facility where they were incarcerated for four days before posting bail.

On February 22, 2013, CO Klitz responded to an Operation Game Thief report stating that the charter boat hailing out of Highlands in Monmouth County, was retaining blackfish in excess of their bag limit and filleting the fish prior to landing. From a concealed location, CO Klitz waited for the vessel to return from their day of fishing and conducted an inspection once they arrived back at their dock. During the inspection, a bucket full of blackfish and ling fillets was found. After separating the fillets, it was determined that there were forty blackfish fillets contained in their bucket. This represented twenty total blackfish. The Captain, mate and patrons were not in violation of the bag limit; however the captain did admit to allowing his mate to fillet the fish prior to landing at the dock to save his mate and patrons some time. The mate was issued a summons for filleting blackfish at sea prior to landing.

On March, 9 Conservation Officer Moscatiello responded to a motel located in West Long Branch, Monmouth County, in response to a sewage spill adjacent to the Turtle Mill Brook which flows directly into the Branchport Creek, which eventually empties into the Shrewsbury River. The Shrewsbury River is a shellfish growing area utilized by depuration clammers for harvesting hard clams. The sewage had backed up and overflowed into the establishment's parking lot. The workers of the motel scooped up the material and dumped approximately two hundred pounds of raw sewage on the bank next to the creek. After collecting the necessary documentation from all parties involved and staying on scene for more than three hours, CO Moscatiello observed some of the cleanup procedures. The Monmouth County Health Department was contacted. Charges regarding the deposition of deleterious substances where they may drain into the waters of the State are pending and carry a potential penalty of $6000.

Conservation Officers received a day of training in Wildlife Forensics. Guest speakers included Dr Jane Huffman, Bill Stansley, Dr Douglas Roscoe and Jan Lovey. Some topics covered were DNA and hair analysis, wound analysis, fish kills, and general evidence collection.

Officers Andrew Ocampo, Brice Paey, Robert Driscol and James Woerner completed basic Conservation Officer school. These officers now move onto their field training officer phase. They will ride with different veteran officers for a period of three months. During this time they will be evaluated on a daily basis as to how they apply everything they were taught, both in the police academy and in basic Conservation Officer school in their everyday patrols

Lt. Tom O'Rourke and Captain Mark Leonard graduated the Remington Armorer's course for the 870 shotgun. With this advanced training, both officers will be able to properly and safely service the Bureau's basic issue shotgun.