New Jersey Hunting

Even though New Jersey is one of the smallest states in the USA, it still has a lot to offer resident and nonresident hunters in terms of large and small game. Some of the most common ones include deer, turkeys, bears, and other small game animals. To ensure that hunting activities are carried out responsibly and in harmony with nature, the state has established various regulations and requirements that hunters must follow. Let’s delve into the world of New Jersey hunting regulations and explore the fascinating opportunities it presents.

New Jersey Hunting Regulations

New Jersey hunting regulations consist of laws and requirements that must be met by all hunters in the state. These regulations are essential to protect wildlife populations, promote ethical hunting practices, and ensure the safety of both hunters and non-hunters. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most important regulations:

Baiting Regulations in New Jersey

One of the fundamental principles of ethical hunting is the prohibition of baiting. According to New Jersey hunting regulations, it is illegal for anyone to kill, shoot, hunt, take, or attempt to take wildlife and game from any type of elevated area or trees within 300 feet from baited areas. Baited areas refer to places where food products or any other substance used to lure game animals have been exposed or scattered.

However, it’s important to note that farmland areas used for harvesting crops are not considered baited areas, regardless of whether they contain food products usually used to lure birds or game animals. There is an exception to the baiting regulation when it comes to deer hunting. Hunters are allowed to take deer from trees and elevated areas within baited areas, regardless of the required distance.

Trespassing Regulations

Respecting private property is crucial for maintaining positive relationships between hunters and landowners. Hunters must obtain a permit from landowners before hunting on private lands. Exceptions to this rule are allowed if the hunter is the owner of the land. Hunters will be held liable for any damage to properties on private lands, while landowners will not be held responsible for injuries to hunters, regardless of whether they granted permission to hunt on their property.

Prohibition for the Use of Bow and Arrows

Hunting with bows and arrows is a popular method in New Jersey, but it comes with specific regulations to ensure safety and fair hunting practices. Some of the prohibited uses of bows, arrows, and archeries in New Jersey include:

Using arrows tipped with poisons or explosives.
Hunting bird games while they are in flight using edged head arrows.
Hunting games with a bow within an hour and 30 minutes after sunset and an hour before sunrise, regardless of the hunting season.
Taking game animals with a bow and arrow from vehicles, whether they are in motion or not.
Possessing firearms and archery while hunting in New Jersey.
Transporting a crossbow in a cocked position in a vehicle.

New Jersey Closed Season Hunting

New Jersey designates closed seasons for certain games, during which hunting and trapping are prohibited. Some of the games that have specific closed seasons include bobcats, sandhill cranes, grouse, mourning doves, and fishers. During these periods, hunters must refrain from pursuing or taking these games to ensure their conservation and population stability.

New Jersey Hunting Dog Regulations

Hunting dogs play a significant role in the pursuit and retrieval of game animals, but their use is subject to specific regulations in New Jersey. While hunting, it is prohibited to let your hunting dog run at large. However, hunters are allowed to train their hunting dogs during daylight without the use of firearms. Training of dogs meant for opossum and raccoon hunting in Wildlife Management Areas is prohibited, except during specific periods of the year.

Hunting in the Delaware River

Hunting in the Delaware River is prohibited due to state boundary restrictions. To hunt in any other part of New Jersey, hunters need a state-approved stamp or permit specific to the location they intend to hunt in.

Drones and Unmanned Aircraft Regulations

In the interest of fair chase and conservation, it is prohibited to use drones or any type of unmanned aircraft remotely controlled to trap, hunt, track, harass, recover, or scout wildlife and game animals unless authorized by the appropriate authorities.

Falconry Hunting Regulations

Falconry, the ancient practice of hunting with trained raptors, is permitted in New Jersey under specific conditions. To hunt with a raptor, hunters must possess a New Jersey Falconry permit or a state hunting license. There is an age requirement for falconers, and it is unlawful for anyone under 14 years old to hunt any game with the use of raptors.

Only hunters who pass the required examination and demonstrate the proper facilities to keep raptors will be issued a falconry permit. It is also important to note that possessing firearms during the hunting of raptors in New Jersey is prohibited.

Open Carry While Hunting

In New Jersey, hunters are allowed to open carry while hunting, with the exception of the archery season, during which open carry or possession of firearms is not permitted.

New Jersey Hunting Licenses, Permits, and Tags

New Jersey hunting licenses are issued based on residency, age, and the type of weapon required to take games. Additionally, specific permits, tags, and stamps are available for the taking of certain games. Let’s explore some of the hunting licenses available in New Jersey:

Firearm Licenses

Resident Firearm Hunting License: Available for residents aged 16 to 64, costing $27.5.
Apprentice Firearm License: Available for apprentice hunters aged 18 to 64 who are residents of New Jersey and have not completed the required hunting course, costing $27.5.
Senior Resident Firearm Hunting Licenses: Available for senior residents aged 65 or more, costing $15.5.
Apprentice Senior Residents Firearm License: Available for apprentice senior residents aged 65 or more who have not completed the hunter training course, costing $15.5.
Non-Resident Firearm Hunting License: Available for non-residents participating in New Jersey hunting seasons, costing $135.5.
Non-Resident Apprentice License: Available for non-resident apprentice hunters aged 18 to 64 who have not completed the required hunting course, costing $135.5.
Non-Resident 2-Day Small Game Firearm Hunting License: Allows non-residents to hunt small game for 2 consecutive days, excluding turkey hunting in New Jersey.
1 Day Special Hunting License: Available for hunting in New Jersey commercial preserves for one day, costing $12.5.

Bow and Arrow License

Residents Bow and Arrow Hunting License: Available for residents aged 16 to 64, costing $31.5.
Apprentice Bow and Arrow Hunting License: Available for apprentice hunters aged 14 to 64 who are residents of New Jersey and have not completed the required hunting course, costing $31.5.
Senior Resident Bow and Arrow Hunting Licenses: Available for senior residents aged 65 or more, costing $16.5.
Apprentice Senior Residents Bow and Arrow Hunting License: Available for apprentice senior residents aged 65 or more who have not completed the hunter training course, costing $16.5.
Non-Resident Bow and Arrow Hunting License: Available for non-residents participating in New Jersey hunting seasons, costing $135.5.
Non-Resident Apprentice Bow and Arrow Hunting License: Available for non-resident apprentice hunters aged 18 to 64 who have not completed the required hunting course, costing $135.5.
Youth Bow and Arrow Hunting: Available for youths aged 10 to 15 years old, free of charge.

New Jersey hunting Permits

Deer Permits: Issued for the taking of deer, regardless of the type of weapon used, costing $28.
Youth Deer and Turkey Hunting Permit: Available for youths aged 10 to 15 years old, costing $12.
Turkey Season Permit: Required for hunting turkeys during their hunting season, costing $21.
Black Bears Permits: Costing $2.
Rifle Permit: Valid from 1st July to 30th June, allowing hunting with rifles for hunters aged 16 years or more, costing $10.5.
Youth Rifle Permit: Valid from 1st July to 30th June, allowing hunting with rifles for youths under the age of 16, costing $6.
Beaver Trapping Permit: Required for trapping beavers in New Jersey, costing $17.
Coyotes and Fox Permits: Required for hunting coyotes and foxes, costing $2.

New Jersey Hunting Stamps

Pheasant and Quail Hunting Stamp: Costing $40.
Waterfowl Hunting Stamp: Valid from 1st July to 30th June, available for residents at a cost of $5 and non-residents at $10.
Trout Stamps: Required for harvesting trout fish in New Jersey, costing $10.5 for residents and $20 for non-residents.

New Jersey Hunting Seasons

New Jersey designates different hunting seasons for various wildlife and game animals, each with specific dates and regulations. Let’s take a look at the hunting seasons for some of the most popular games:

New Jersey Deer Hunting Season

Archery Hunting Season: 12th September to 30th October.
Youth Archery Hunting Season: 26th September.
Firearms Hunting Season: 7th December to 12th December.
Youths Firearm Hunting Season: 21st November.

New Jersey Black Bear Season

Archery Hunting Season: 12th October to 14th October.
Archery and Muzzleloader Hunting Season: 15th October to 17th October.
Firearms Hunting Season: 7th December to 12th December and 16th December to 19th December.

New Jersey Wild Turkey Seasons

Fall General Hunting Season: To Be Disclosed.
Spring General Hunting Season: To Be Disclosed.
Spring Youth Day: To Be Disclosed.

New Jersey Small Game Seasons

Coyote Hunting Season: To Be Disclosed.
Pheasant Hunting Season: To Be Disclosed.
Partridge Hunting Season: To Be Disclosed.
Rabbit Hunting Season: To Be Disclosed.
Squirrel Hunting Season: To Be Disclosed.

Hunters are advised to stay updated on the bag limits, hunting regulations, and laws specific to each game and season. Visiting the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife will provide hunters with vital information to ensure they have a successful and compliant hunting experience.

New Jersey Wildlife, Games, and Fishes

New Jersey boasts a diverse array of wildlife, offering hunters a varied and exciting hunting experience. Some of the common games and wildlife found in New Jersey include:

New Jersey Black Bear Hunting

Black bears are prominent big game animals widely dispersed in the Northern part of America. They inhabit woodland areas in New Jersey, such as oak woodland, chaparral, and coniferous forests, and are subject to specific firearm policies.

New Jersey Turkey Hunting

Turkeys are among the most sought-after big game animals in New Jersey. The state’s turkey hunting is highly regulated, with permits and tags issued through lotteries during specific periods.

New Jersey Deer Hunting

Mule deer and white-tailed deer are the two most common deer species available for big game hunting in New Jersey.

New Jersey Rabbit Hunting

New Jersey is home to three species of cottontail rabbits, making rabbit hunting a popular small-game activity.

New Jersey Pheasant Hunting

Pheasants are widely found in New Jersey’s humid agricultural areas, making pheasant hunting a common pursuit.

New Jersey Squirrel Hunting

Tree squirrels are among the most popular small game birds hunted in New Jersey, with various species inhabiting forested regions of the state.

New Jersey Coyote Hunting

Coyotes are prevalent throughout the state, and hunting them offers a challenging and exciting experience for hunters.

New Jersey Raccoon Hunting

Raccoons are one of the few games in New Jersey that can be captured with firearms during the night, offering nocturnal hunting opportunities.

New Jersey Shooting Range

For hunters looking to sharpen their shooting skills, New Jersey offers various shooting ranges open to the general public. Some of these include:

Assunpink WMA
Atlantic County Firearms Training Facility
Black River WMA
Clinton WMA
Colliers Mills WMA
Delran Junior Marksman Club
Winslow WMA
Tuckahoe WMA
Red Wing Sporting Clays
Thunder Mountain Trap & Skeet Club
Shongum Sportsmen’s Association
Quinton Sportsmen’s Club
Police Association of South Jersey
New Jersey Firearms Academy
North Jersey Clay Target Club
Millville WMA
Mallard Trap Club
Fort Dix Rod & Gun Club, Range 14
Good Sports Gunning Club
Gun for Hire SORA Training Center

New Jersey Hunting Lands for Sale and Lease

For those interested in owning or leasing hunting lands in New Jersey, there are various options available. Some properties currently for sale and lease include:

48 acres of farmland in rural Raritan Township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey.
45-acre lot ideal for hunting and fishing in Sussex County, with the Papakating Creek running through the property.
11.5 acres for hunting deer, fox, and turkey in Farrington Lake Park Area, South Brunswick, Middlesex County, New Jersey.
275 acres of wooded rolling hills in southeast Ohio, Athens County, with abundant deer and opportunities for ATV use.

Conclusion

New Jersey offers a diverse range of hunting opportunities for both residents and non-residents. By adhering to the state’s hunting regulations and acquiring the necessary licenses, permits, and tags, hunters can enjoy a safe and rewarding hunting experience in the Garden State.

FAQs;

1. Can non-residents hunt in New Jersey?

Yes, non-residents can participate in New Jersey hunting seasons by obtaining the appropriate hunting licenses, permits, and tags.

2. What is the bag limit for deer hunting in New Jersey?

The bag limit for deer hunting in New Jersey varies based on the type of deer and the hunting season. Hunters should consult the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife for the latest bag limit information.

3. Are there any specific regulations for hunting with bows and arrows in New Jersey?

Yes, New Jersey has specific regulations regarding the use of bows and arrows for hunting. For example, it is prohibited to use arrows with tips coated with poisons or explosives and to hunt birds in flight with edged head arrows.

4. Are there any restrictions on hunting with drones or unmanned aircraft in New Jersey?

Yes, it is prohibited to use drones or any type of unmanned aircraft to hunt, track, or harass wildlife and game animals in New Jersey without prior approval from the relevant authority.

5. Where can I find shooting ranges in New Jersey?

New Jersey offers a variety of shooting ranges open to the public, such as Assunpink WMA, Black River WMA, and Thunder Mountain Trap & Skeet Club, among others.