MARINE DISTRICT HIGHLIGFHTS

Fluke Seizure

On Feb. 13, 2015 officers in the East Marine Sector were conducting commercial fisheries enforcement at the Stonington Town Docks where the fishing vessel "Enterprise" was offloading fluke. Summer flounder (fluke) is a quota managed species and has a thousand pound weekly limit. Officers discovered the vessel captain was landing 180 pounds over the limit. The captain was given a warning for the violation and the fish were seized and sold ($450.00 value).

boating Violation

On Feb. 14, 2015 officers in the Western Marine Sector were conducting license inspections of waterfowl hunters in the Stratford area. While conducting an inspection officers observed a boat come into the Birds Eye Boat Launch with a small child on board. During the inspection officers discovered that the vessel operator/owner did not have the required personal floatation devices on board. The ten year old child was not wearing a PFD as required nor was there one available for him. The operator was issued an infraction for the boating safety violation.

EASTERN DISTRICT HIGHLIGHTS

Hunting Related

On Feb. 21, 2015 Officer Vroman completed an investigation into an illegal taxidermy operation in Killingly with the issuance of a summons for conducting taxidermy without a license. The investigation started in Nov. of 2014 when Officer Vroman received a complaint that a dog had returned to a house with parts of a deer carcass. While investigating the incident a check of the surrounding area produced a large pile of animal parts that had been disposed of on a trail leading to a house. Officer Vroman followed the trail and conducted an interview of the homeowner and was able to determine that he was conducting taxidermy without the required license.

Search & Rescue

On Feb.12, 2015 a complaint was received by the CT State Police where the caller reported that she was worried about her elderly 75 year old husband who had gone into Nehantic State Forest to retrieve a vehicle that had become stuck in the snow. The caller further reported that her husband had been in the park for over ten hours and was now lost and walking in the dark. Officer Ulkus responded but was unable to enter the forest with his vehicle due to the high snow levels and had to proceed on foot. Officer Wojcik responded with to the area with a snowmobile and after a short search the elderly man was found approximately 2 miles into the woods. Officer Wojcik transported the elderly man out by snowmobile without incident.

WESTERN DISTRICT HIGHLIGHTS

Wildlife Study

Officers from the Western District were busy during the month of Feb. assisting State Wildlife Biologists with the winter bear study. During the study bear dens are located and the bears are chemically immobilized to ascertain biological data to estimate the state's bear population size, home range, reproduction, survival, mortality and habitat use. Because some bear dens are located in densely populated areas having a uniformed EnCon Officer present is critical to ensure that the study is conducted in a safe manner. Officers also provide wildlife biologists with area knowledge and wildlife management experience which are advantageous to successful completion of the study.

Nuisance Wildlife

On Feb. 20, 2015 Officers Yescott, DeFelice, and O'Brien were assisting state wildlife biologists with the winter bear study when they were dispatched to Bristol for a report of a nuisance bear. Upon arrival they found a sow and one yearling had broken a portion of lattice fencing under the caller's porch and the two bears made a den under the porch. The two bears were chemically immobilized, removed from the home and successfully transported and relocated without incident.

Public Safety Assist

On Feb. 25, 2015 Officer DeFelice overheard a radio broadcast on his state police radio regarding a "large animal" obstructing I-91 North in Windsor. Having seen recent sighting of moose in the area it was believed that one may have walked onto the highway. The state police indicated that the animal was blocking the HOV and left lane and was creating a substantial public safety hazard. Dept. of transportation crash trucks, Windsor Police, Windsor ACO and State EnCon Police were all requested to assist. Upon arrival it was found that the animal was actually a beaver. The beaver appeared to be in good health and was transported and relocated to a more appropriate location.

Dog Complaint

On Feb. 28, 2015 Officer DeFelice was dispatched to Sessoins Woods WMA for a repot of a person being "attacked" by a dog. The complainant stated that 2 dogs approached her in an aggressive fashion and that she pepper sprayed both dogs. Upon further investigation it was determined that the complainant and her dog were not injured as initially reported. Based upon information derived from the complainant and nearby witnesses the dog owners were later located and issued infractions for having their dogs off leash.

Vandalism

On Feb. 3, 2015 Officer Crossman responded to Mohawk Mountain State Forest for the report of a burglary to the maintenance headquarters. Park staff reported that they had been plowing in the area and discovered the window smashed as well as fresh tire tracks and footprints in the surrounding snow. park staff further advised that the shop tools appeared to have been rearranged and covered in fresh snow but nothing was reported missing. Officer Crossman coordinated with State Police Troop B and discovered that a disabled vehicle was reported the previous day within the state forest. The investigating trooper advised that the operator had reportedly borrowed some tools to get his Jeep unstuck. Officer Crossman contacted the operator who admitted to breaking the shop window, utilizing the shovels, broom, and chains to free his vehicle after he was running out of fuel and AAA denied to respond and assist. The operator then returned the items once he was done. The operator was issued an infraction for vandalism and trespass and made arrangements to replace the window.