Pages 1 - State of New Jersey

Hunting & Trapping Licenses2000-2001 Summary of Hunting & Trapping LawsThis is not the full law. Consult the Division of Fish and Wildlife for further details.All persons are reminded that the statutes, code and regulations are the legal authorities.All persons hunting or trapping must be properlylicensed. It is unlawful for any person age 10 or olderto hunt without hunting license. It is unlawful for anyperson age 12 or older to trap without a trappinglicense. See below for Youth License information. Allhunters and trappers must openly display their licenseor permit on their outer clothing and must show theirlicense to any police officer or any person requestingto see it.Licenses and stamps may be purchased from participatingcounty or municipal clerks, license agents andselected Division of Fish and Wildlife offices.Licenses for National Guard MembersEligible National Guard personnel are entitled tofree licenses, permits, and stamps. Further informationcan be obtained by writing to: NJ Department ofMilitary/Veteran Affairs, 101 Eggert Crossing Rd.,Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, Attn: 1st Sgt. Turrien.Special One-Day LicenseA one-day license may be issued for hunting on alicensed commercial shooting preserve. This licensemay be obtained at the shooting preserve and is validonly on the day issued for the species covered by thepreserve’s license. Hunter Education requirements stillapply.Falconry PermitsHunting with raptors (birds of prey) is only allowedwith a Falconry Permit and a hunting license. See thesection of falconry for hunting rules.Permits to Possess Road-Killed DeerDeer which have been accidentally killed by motorvehicles may be possessed for private consumption onlyby obtaining a free permit from the local police departmentor from a Division regional law enforcementoffice. Wrapped packages of the venison must belabeled with the permit number. The permit only authorizesthe possession of the meat for consumption andprohibits the possession of any other parts.Lost LicensesLost licenses can be replaced at all Division lawenforcement offices, the Trenton office and the PequestNatural Resource Education Center. To replace a lostlicense, either mail or hand deliver the carbon copyissued with the license along with a $2.00 check toany Division law enforcement office, the Trentonoffice, or Pequest. Duplicate stamps will not be issued,but may be purchased separately.License RevocationAnyone convicted of a second fish and game violationwithin a period of 5 years will have their NewJersey hunting and fishing privileges revoked for 2years. Certain violations carry greater periods of revocation,ranging from 3 years to lifetime revocation.Two convictions of the following will result in lifetimerevocation: safety zone violation; causing damage toreal or personal property; and negligent use of afirearm or bow.Resident LicensesResident licenses may be purchased if one hasresided in the state for 6 months immediately prior toapplication.Non-Resident LicensesNon-residents must show either a resident licensefrom their state or proof of successfully completing anappropriate hunter education course, in order to obtaina license to hunt or trap in New Jersey.Youth Licenses, Resident & Non-ResidentIn December 1999, the Legislature approved a newfee structure for sporting licenses. As part of that newstructure, youths, 15 years of age and under, are ableto hunt, fish, and trap for free, provided they havepassed a Hunter Education course. Youth hunters thathave passed a hunter education course should havereceived their new Youth Firearm or Youth Bow andArrow license. The Youth Firearm, Bow and Arrow orTrapping License is valid from time of issuance untilthe year that he or she turns 16. Resident and nonresidentyouths who have not received their license canobtain licenses by calling the division’s Nacote CreekPequest, Trenton, Northern, Central or Southern regionoffices.Licenses for Non-Resident ServicemenAny person on active duty in the armed servicesmay buy a resident hunting license upon presenting aprevious resident license of the appropriate type orproof of successfully completing the appropriatehunter education course to the agent.Farmer License ExemptionA farmer and the immediate members of the familywho also reside on the farm may hunt, trap and fish onthe farm without being licensed or possessing a validrifle permit (a farm is defined as an area of at least 5acres and having gross income of at least $500, andtax assessed as farmland).This exemption does not apply to a tenant oremployee who is not an immediate family member.Also: See Farmer Deer Permits section.Hunting & Trapping Education RequirementsNew Jersey requires that anyone applying to huntwith a shotgun, rifle or bow show a previous residentlicense of the appropriate type from this or any state,or a course completion card of the appropriate huntereducation course.All hunter education courses are pre-scheduled withrosters generated from the regional offices. You mustapply to be scheduled for a hunter education course.Application forms for the hunter education coursesmay be obtained from most license agents, sportinggoods dealers and Division offices. Completed applicationforms must be returned to the regional office atthe address on the application. Students will then benotified when and where to report for the courses.Apply early! Persons applying just prior to the huntingseasons most likely will not be scheduled in time tohunt those seasons.PermitsPermit RevocationThe Division may revoke any permit or otherauthorization issued for violation or due cause.Rifle PermitsA valid rifle permit is required for: deer huntingwith a muzzleloading rifle; bear hunting with a muzzleloadingrifle; squirrel hunting with a muzzleloadingrifle; coyote hunting with a muzzleloading rifle, woodchuckhunting with a rifle; raccoon and opossum huntingwith a .22 caliber rifle; and for dispatching trappedanimals other than muskrats with a .22 caliber rifle.Initial rifle permit applicants must be at least 10 yearsold and have completed a rifle hunter educationcourse. Applications for rifle permits may be obtainedat the Division’s Trenton office. Rifle permits for 10 to17 years olds will be valid only for muzzleloader deerhunting, muzzleloader bear hunting, muzzleloadersquirrel hunting, and muzzleloader woodchuck hunting.No 10-17 year olds may hunt with modern rifles,neither centerfire nor rimfire.Captive Wildlife PermitsThe possession, ownership and release of wildlife isregulated and only for limited purposes. The public isurged to leave wildlife in the wild where it belongs.You may not possess or liberate any game, nongame,or exotic mammal, bird, reptile or amphibian without apermit from the Division. Permits are required for thepossession of most non-game species and all gamespecies.Wildlife from wild origin cannot be kept in captivityby the general public. Certain species of wildlifebred in captivity may be purchased and possessedfrom licensed breeders and dealers. Information andapplications may be obtained by calling:Nongame and Exotics609-292-9591Gamebirds and Mammals609-984-6211Beaver & Otter PermitsBeaver and otter may be trapped by special permitonly. Additional information can be obtained by writingto the Division beginning October 1, 2000.Application period is Oct. 15-Nov. 15, 2000.Field Trial PermitsField trials are allowed on designated WMAs withthe appropriate permit. Call 609-259-2132.Horseback Riding PermitsHorseback riding is allowed on designated WMAswith an appropriate permit. Call 609-259-2132.Deer Season PermitsPermits are required to hunt during the Permit Bow,Permit Muzzleloader and Permit Shotgun deer seasons.Deer Permit Supplements are available at alllicense agents. Application and instructions are onpages 50-51. If you are applying for a muzzleloaderdeer permit and do not have a valid rifle permit, applyfor the rifle/muzzleloader hunter education coursewhen you submit your deer permit application.Coyote Hunting PermitsPermits to hunt coyote in New Jersey are no longerrequired. Beginning in the fall of 2000, coyotes maybe hunted during the seasons open for fox and are subjectto the same regulations as fox during those seasons.A special coyote hunting season (no permitrequired) will be held statewide February 1 throughFebruary 19, 2001. See coyote regulations on page12.continued on page 86 NEW JERSEY Fish & Wildlife DIGEST