Stealthy_Bowman

This is official from the NJ Fish & Wildlife Web Site.

DIVISION & COUNCIL ANNOUNCE PROPOSED CHANGES TO 2003-04 GAME CODE

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The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection' s Division of Fish and Wildlife has announced the Fish and Game Council' s proposed changes to the 2003-04 Game Code. The Fish and Game Council is responsible for adopting annual revisions to the Game Code including season dates, bag limits, permit quotas, hunting procedures and other hunting and trapping regulation changes. The public is encouraged to review and comment on the proposed amendments and participate in the conservation and management of New Jersey' s wildlife resources.
The Fish and Game Council will hold a public hearing regarding the proposed changes on May 22 beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the New Jersey State Museum, 205 West State Street in Trenton. Copies of the proposals will be available for review at the Division' s main and regional offices after May 5. In addition, interested individuals may obtain a copy of the proposed amendments by sending a manila, self-addressed, stamped envelope (for 74-cents) to:

Game Code
NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife
P.O. Box 400
Trenton, NJ 08625-0400
Written comments regarding the proposed changes may be submitted to Division Director Martin J. McHugh at the above address between May 5 and July 4, 2003.
Many of the current proposals focus on managing New Jersey' s white-tailed deer population. In those zones where significant agricultural damage continues, the Division will continue to apply a management strategy to reduce the antlerless deer population.

The Fish and Game Council also proposed the reopening of a hunting season for black bear. It would be the first to be held in the state since 1970.

A summary of significant proposed amendments to the 2003-04 Game Code follows. The proposed changes will also be included in the May 5, New Jersey Register.

White-tailed Deer
Black Bear
Wild Turkey
Chukar Partridge
Beaver

White-tailed Deer
Overall Strategies: This year, a deer management strategy of population reduction is planned for 54.8 percent of the deer range in order to lessen economic losses associated with deer damage to landscape plantings or gardens, agricultural crops and deer/vehicle collisions. A deer management strategy of deer population stabilization is planned for 45.2 percent of the deer range where deer-human conflicts are minimal and the deer population is within the biological carrying capacity of the land. There are no deer management zones with a population increase strategy for the current year.
In 2003-04, the deer management strategy will be to decrease the deer population in zones: 1, 2, 4, 7-19, 22, 25, 26, 28, 31, 36, 38-42, 47, 49-51, 53-55, 64, 65 and 67. The deer management strategies for zones 31 and 53 were changed from stabilization in 2002-03 to decrease in 2003-04. The 2003-04 deer management strategy will be to stabilize the deer population in zones: 3, 5, 6, 21, 23, 24, 27, 29, 30, 34, 35, 37, 43, 46, 48, 52, 56-59, 61, 63 and 66.

The deer management strategies were changed from decrease in 2002-03 to stabilize in 2003-04 in zones 1, 2, 5, 6, 34, 35 and 43. The deer management strategy was changed from increase in 2002-03 to stabilize in 2003-04 in Zone 24. The deer hunting season' s duration, season dates, bag limits and permit quotas are adjusted where necessary to achieve the zone management strategies, while maximizing the recreational and economic benefits of the state' s renewable deer resource. The number of regulation sets for regular deer management zones was reduced from eight to six sets in a continuing effort to simplify the regulations.

Fall Bow: The regular fall bow deer hunting season dates are provided for 2003-2005 so that sportsmen may plan their vacations in advance. Deer Management Zones 2, 5, 16, 17, 19, 22, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 31, 35, 47, 48 and 63 are moved from the standard season format to the extended season format at the request of sportsmen. These zones have an unlimited antlerless deer bag limit and the change is consistent with the deer management objectives. Zone 57, the central portion of the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, is opened with the extended season format at the request of the Refuge. The bag limit in Zone 16 has changed from the standard bag limit of two deer to one antlered and an unlimited number of antlerless deer, because of an increase in the number of antlerless deer available in the zone. These changes should increase recreational hunting opportunity.

The bag limit for the early portion of the extended fall bow season is changed to require that an antlerless deer be taken first in zones 2, 5, 16, 17, 19, 22, 25-29, 31, 35, 47, 48, 57 and 63. This change should enhance efforts to reach antlerless harvest objectives and deer population reduction goals. Zone 5 is removed from the list of zones with an Earn-a-Buck requirement for the entire season, because the deer population has been successfully reduced and the restriction is no longer necessary. Sportsmen that hunt in Zone 5 have requested this change. Zones 15 and 49 are added to the list of zones with an Earn-a-Buck requirement for the entire season in order to increase the antlerless deer harvest, attain long term population reduction goals and to reduce the number of regulation sets. Zone 6 is added and Zone 16 is deleted to the list of zones where hunters may not hunt after taking a second deer during the season. This change should enhance compliance with the standard bag limit in Zone 6.

Permit Bow: In the deer bow permit section, the bag limit for Zone 16 is increased from two deer to unlimited deer due to an increase in the number of antlerless deer available. Zones 2, 5, 16, 17, 19, 22, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 31, 35, 47, 48 and 63 are moved from the standard season format to the extended season format. These zones have an unlimited antlerless deer bag limit and the change will provide hunting opportunity in areas that may not be open for firearm deer hunting. The above changes will generally increase recreational hunting opportunity.

Separate season formats are provided for zones 37 and 52 (Fort Dix Military Reservation) and Zone 53 (Lakehurst Naval Air Engineering Station) at the request of the respective administrative agencies. The revised season format also eliminates overlap with other deer seasons. Season dates for 2003 - 2005 are included so that sportsmen may schedule their vacations and participation. The permit quota for Zone 61 (Atlantic County Park System) was increased fro m 30 to 40 permits at the request of the administrative agency.

Winter Bow: In the winter bow deer hunting section, zones 5 and 42 are deleted from the extended winter bow season format and will be included in the standard season format, because fewer antlerless deer are available in Zone 5 and sportsmen requested the change for Zone 42. This change will result in a small reduction in recreational hunting opportunity in the zone. Zone 15 is added to the list of zones with an extended season format in order to increase the harvest of antlerless deer and reduce the deer population. The change will also increase recreational hunting opportunity in the zone. The bag limit in Zone 16 is changed from the standard two deer limit to one antlered and an unlimited number of antlerless deer due to an increase in the number of antlerless deer available.

Permit Muzzleloader: In the muzzleloader rifle deer hunting section, the bag limit for Zone 16 is changed from the standard limit of two deer to one antlered deer and an unlimited number of antlerless deer. The bag limits in zones 17, 19 and 48 are changed to allow for the taking of two deer at a time in order to increase the antlerless deer harvest. In zones 38 (Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge), 40 (Earle Naval Weapons Station - Waterfront Section) and 67 (High Point State Park), an antlerless deer be taken before an antlered deer throughout the season and is made to make the bag limit consistent with the requirements of the respective administrative agencies.

The season length is increased as follows: 9 to 13 days in Zone 4; 21 to 46 days in zones 17, 19 and 48; 43 to 63 days in Zone 15; and 58 to 63 days in Zone 49. These changes are made to increase the harvest of antlerless deer and may increase recreational opportunity. The season length in zones 5 and 42 are reduced from 62 to 46 days due to a decrease in the number of antlerless deer available in Zone 5 and at the request of sportsmen for Zone 42. The change will reduce recreational opportunity. Season dates are included for 2003 - 2005 so that sportsmen may plan their vacations and participation.

Permit quotas are adjusted at the request of the administrative agencies as follows: 390 to 300 for Zone 37 (Fort Dix Military Reservation); 20 to 10 for Zone 38 (Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge); 60 to 50 for Zone 53 (Lakehurst Naval Engineering Station); and 30 to 40 for Zone 61 (Atlantic County Park System).

Permit Shotgun: In the permit shotgun deer season section bag limits and season lengths a re modified based on the number of antlerless deer available and changes in deer management strategies for some zones. The bag limit is decreased from two to one deer and the season length is decreased from three days to one day in Zone 1. The season length is decreased from 27 to 10 days in zones 26, 35 and 47; from 37 to 34 days in Zone 25; and from 50 to 34 days in zones 5 and 42. Sportsmen who hunt in zones 25, 26 and 42 also requested a reduction in season length. The bag limit is increased from one to two deer and the season length is increased from one day to three days in zones 6 and 65.

Season dates for 2003 - 2005 are included so that sportsmen may schedule their vacations and participation. The bag limit is increased from two deer to unlimited deer and the season length is increased from three to 10 days in Zone 16. The bag limit is increased from one deer to unlimited deer and the season length is increased from one day to 10 days in Zone 53 (Lakehurst Naval Air Engineering Station) at the request of the administrative agency in order to decrease the deer population on the facility.

The season length is increased from seven to 10 days in zones 2, 22, 27, 28, 29, 31 and 63; from 27 to 34 days in zones 17, 19, 40 and 48; and from 37 to 50 days in Zone 15. The bag is changed from one deer at a time to two deer at a time in zones 17, 19, 48 and 64 in order to increase the antlerless deer harvest. In Zone 38 (Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge) and Zone 40 (Earle Naval Weapons Station - Waterfront Section) an antlerless deer must be taken before an antlered deer throughout the season at the request of the administrative agency.

Great Swamp: In the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge (Zone 38) deer permit shotgun and permit muzzleloader section, season dates and permit quotas are revised. The concurrent season will be 12 days earlier. Season dates are provided for 2003 - 2005, so that sportsmen may schedule their vacations and participation. The shotgun permit quota will be reduced from 480 to 290 permits and the muzzleloader permit quota will be reduced from 20 to 10 permits. These changes are made at the request of the administrative agency. Permit quotas have been reduced to the actual daily access quota and approximate permit demand level. No reduction in actual recreational hunting opportunity is anticipated.

Special Wildlife Management Permits: In the Special Wildlife Management Permits section, certification that agents involved in culling deer using firearms have passed shooting qualifications and those qualifications have been added. In addition, unless otherwise authorized, agents using rifles are limited to shooting deer at no more than 50 yards and agents using shotguns are limited to shooting deer at no more than 40 yards. These changes are made in order to ensure public safety.

Black Bear
A six-day, black bear, special permit hunting season is proposed for the area of New Jersey north of Interstate Route 78 and west of Interstate Route 287 for December 8-13, 2003 with a bag limit of one bear of either sex and any age. Hunting hours will be ½ hour before sunrise until ½ hour after sunset. Black bears may not be taken from dens or within 300 feet of a baited area. Black bears may be taken by stand hunting, still-hunting, or drive hunting with shotgun with rifled slugs or muzzleloader rifle.
A total of 10,000 special black bear hunting permits will be available to properly licensed firearm hunters and a random lottery will be held if the number of applicants exceeds the special permit quota. Interested hunters will apply for the permits on forms provided by the Division no later than September 30, 2003 and will be required to successfully complete a black bear hunting seminar. All black bears taken must be tagged and taken to a mandatory checking station for registration and issuance of a legal possession tag.

Following the commencement of the season, the Commissioner of DEP or the Director may, after consultation with the Chairman, close the season. To the extent possible, the Chairman will consult with available Council members prior to consultation with the Commissioner or Director. The Commissioner or the Director will announce such closure, which will become effective 24 hours from the daily legal closing time of the day on which the decision is made, based upon data obtained and reviewed by the Division.

Wild Turkey
In the wild turkey hunting section, the youth hunting section of the spring wild turkey season is changed to remove the requirement that the supervising adult possess a turkey permit for the zone and hunting period. Supervising adults will continue to be required to possess a valid firearm or bow license, whichever is applicable, and will be required to have a permit if also hunting with a firearm or bow. The change will enhance recreational hunting opportunity for youth hunters by removing time and hunting area limitations for supervising adults. The section is changed to clarify that supervision is required for juvenile hunters age 10 to less than 14 years of age. The section is also modified to limit youth hunters to the same area and hunting period that their permit designates after taking a turkey on their first permit. Youth hunters will continue to be able to hunt during all hunting periods until they harvest their first bird on the permit issued in the initial lottery.
Chukar Partridge
The daily bag limit for chukar partridge is increased from three to seven at the request of sportsmen who want to be able to release and take more than the current daily bag limit on private land. Chukars were brought to the United States from Asia in the late 1800s and are well established in several western states. There is no resident population of chukar partridge in New Jersey. All harvested birds are stocked.
Beaver
In the beaver trapping section, the beaver permit bag limit is reduced from 10 to eight beavers at the request of trappers in order to increase the permit quota and meet more of the demand for permits. The reduction in bag limit will allow the beaver permit quota to be increased from 137 to 175, while providing a similar level of harvest that is consistent with management objectives. Beaver permit quotas are increased in the following beaver management zones: 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, 11, 13, 19, 21, 23, 24, 25, 28, 29 and 30. One beaver permit will be available for the first time in zones 21 and 23 and will provide the opportunity to control and obtain additional information on the beaver populations in these areas. Beaver permits were also increased in zones 3, 5, 10 and 13 based on surveys of active beaver sites conducted in the fall of 2002. The changes will increase recreational opportunity for up to 38 additional trappers and enhance efforts to manage the beaver population.
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BOWHUNTERCOP

lets say they use this proposed season, once again we are back to the same old " BS" as in the last few years. at the end of the season hunters will complain that there not seeing large amount of deer like we all have in the 1990' s. this unlimited antlerless deer slaughter is so negative towards the hunters and the sport, but the state of NJ likes the " $$$$$" .

also whats up with this FREE bear hunt? the great governor is cutting the budget, cutting funds to the " NJFG&W" wanting to lay off people, but in return free permits to hunt the bears? i mean even if they charged say $25, hunters would buy them just for the fact its the first bear hunt since 1971, and would help pay or at least help for the paper work, man power, etc.

deer hunting isn' t the same in NEW JERSEY as it once was, and will only get worst

jerseyhunter

I find that Deer hunting is getting better every Year Here in Jersey. I started out being lucky to just see a deer Now I' m seeing Quite a few. Once I was Lucky to get a shot now my Harvests have gone from 1 a year. - 2 a year, Now three a year, what more can anyone ask for. I hunt on Public land where one group I know drive the deer and take well over fifty deer a year, doesn' t seem to affect the quality of my hunt or the sucess ratio. Actually it does because every year I manage to put myself in the right spot as to have them chase me up a deer. Hasn' t failed in over 4 years. The deer are out there you just have to be in the right tree at the right time. Proposed changes http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/gamecd03.htm The Division http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/

osiris

Things would be a lot better if there were less buck tags issued (2 instead of 7), and they allowed harvest of does during 6 day firearm. Then we wouldn' t have to worry about all the unlimited antlerless and seasons until February if guys were killing does during the 6 day December season. Plus, the herd would benifit from less pressre in the winter months. NJ is great when it comes to offering recreational opportunity, with almost 6 months of deer season. But horrible at game managment. There are ways to make everyone happy and maintain overall herd health, but they just haven' t discovered or instilled them yet. It will happen eventually..... I hope!

Deleted User

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jbc

I agree with NJbowman. Too many deer per square mile is not healthy for the deer or the rest of the enviorment. There is also a much greater risk of disease (CWD) in highly overpopulated areas.

The reason the NJ DF&W did not propose a charge for bear tags is the anti' s would jump all over that and say the only reason for the hunt is to generate money for the Division. Rest assured, if the bear hunt continues I' m sure there will be a charge.

jerseyhunter

Any Idea what this Bear Hunting seminar is about that you have to attend and pass to get a permit ? Maybe it will save someone from doing something stupid!

Stealthy_Bowman

Actually the truth is that the deer herd has already been DRASTICALLY reduced in traditional deer counties such as Hunterdon, Warren, Morris, and Somerset. The remaining problem areas in these counties are those parcels of land with in-adequate hunter access.

The only reason that the division is once again pushing for these insanely liberal regs is to appease the insurance companies that have oh so much clout.

If nothing else, what hunters should really push for is a change to the deer regs for state lands in these counties. It makes no-sense whatsoever to have the same regs on a WMA that gets 100x the pressure a private piece of property does. The quality of deer hunting in WMA' s and State Parks located within these counties has gone right down the toilet due to extremely liberal regulations. These areas aren' t even worth hunting after the first 2 weeks of bow season.

jbc

The last time NJ tried to propose a hunt I attended one of the bear hunting seminars. It was mostly about shot placement and what to do after you kill a bear, like field dressing and beign prepared to get a 400lb animal out of the woods. There was no test, just attend the seminar and get a tag at the end.

jerseyhunter

Sounds like a waste of time but I guess if you gotta you gotta,