N.J. Admin. Code § 7:25-5.28

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 8, April 15, 2024

Section 7:25-5.28 - White-tailed deer muzzleloader rifle permit season

(a) The Director with the approval of the Council may authorize the issuance of permits for the taking of deer with a muzzleloader rifle or smoothbore muzzleloader loaded with a single projectile anywhere within this State or at any State or Federal installation.

(b) If the anticipated harvest of deer has not been accomplished during this season, additional days of muzzleloader rifle permit deer hunting may be authorized by the Director, in consultation with the Council. Such authorization and the date thereof shall be announced by press and radio.

(c) Bag Limit: Only one antlered deer may be taken Statewide during the muzzleloader rifle permit season, regardless of the number of permits obtained. Two deer, one antlered and one antlerless or two antlerless, may be taken in zones in Regulation Sets 1, 3, and 4, and in Zone 37. The standard bag limit is two deer, one antlered and one antlerless, in zones in Regulation Set 2. One deer, antlered or antlerless, may be taken in zones in Regulation Set 0. In zones in Regulation Set 5, the bag limit is one antlered deer and five antlerless deer. In zones in Regulation Set 6, the bag limit is one antlered deer and nine antlerless deer. One antlered and an unlimited number of antlerless deer may be taken in zones in Regulation Sets 7 and 8, and in Zones 39, 53, 61, 66, 67, 68, and 70, except as noted below and at (c)1 and 2 below. Only one deer may be taken at a time until the season limit is reached except in zones in Regulation Sets 7 and 8, and in Zones 39, 54, 61, 66, and 68 where the limit is two deer at a time until the season concludes. In zones in Regulation Set 7, only antlerless deer may be taken on applicable muzzleloader season permits during the Wednesday through Friday before the six-day firearm season, and the dates concurrent with the six-day firearm season as specified at N.J.A.C. 7:25-5.27(a). In Zone 68, only antlerless deer may be taken during the dates concurrent with the six-day firearm season, as specified at N.J.A.C. 7:25-5.27(a). In zones in Regulation Set 8, only antlerless deer may be taken during the Monday through Wednesday and Friday of Thanksgiving week and the Wednesday through Friday before the six-day firearm season, and the dates concurrent with the six-day firearm season as specified at N.J.A.C. 7:25-5.27(a). All confirmation numbers are valid on the date of issuance and only in the zone for which the special season permit was issued. Immediately upon harvest, the muzzleloader rifle permit season permit harvest report stub must be completely filled in with the exception of the confirmation number and every deer is to have a tag affixed to the carcass bearing the hunter's CID, date of harvest, zone of harvest, antler points if applicable, and confirmation number if registered. This tag shall remain attached until such time as the deer is processed for consumption. The deer shall be registered via an AHRS prior to the attempt to take an additional deer, except as referenced in this subsection and no later than 7:00 P.M. local time of the day of harvest. Hunters must record the confirmation number given via the AHRS, which replaces the legal possession tag. Hunters must use an antlered deer harvest report stub from their antlered muzzleloader permit which is designated for use during the permit muzzleloader season, when registering an antlered deer. The antlered muzzleloader permit with antlered deer harvest report stub, which is valid only for the harvest of one antlered deer, must be purchased in addition to an antlerless muzzleloader permit. The antlered muzzleloader permit with antlered deer harvest report stub may be used in any zone for which the hunter has already purchased an antlerless permit. The antlered muzzleloader permit with antlered deer harvest report stub must be purchased prior to the season opener or at the time of the purchase of the initial antlerless muzzleloader permit if the season has already begun. The possession of a deer after 7:00 P.M. local time on the date killed without a legal confirmation number shall be deemed illegal possession under the AHRS. The confirmation number shall be valid on the day of issuance and all registration requirements apply.

1. In Zone 67, an antlerless deer must be taken in each year before taking or attempting to take an antlered deer during the prescribed muzzleloader deer seasons.

2. In Zones 3, 9, 13, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 34, 35, 47, 63, and 67, it shall be illegal to kill, take, or attempt to take any antlered deer which does not have a minimum of three antler points on one side.

3. It is unlawful to attempt to take or continue to hunt for more than the number of deer permitted. Should the hunter be unable to access the AHRS by the designated time on the day of harvest, the deer shall be immediately reported by telephone to the nearest Division of Fish and Wildlife law enforcement regional headquarters, and registered via the AHRS the next day. Within 48 hours of registering a deer with the AHRS and upon request from the Division, a hunter shall be required to produce the head of the deer harvested or produce records relating to the location of the head.

(d) Duration of the muzzleloader rifle permit season is as set forth at (d)1 through 15 below. There is no season in Zone 64. Legal hunting hours shall be 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset local time.

1. The Monday and Tuesday of the week preceding the six-day firearm season as specified at N.J.A.C. 7:25-5.27(a); the Monday and Tuesday of the week after the six-day firearm season; and the Saturday following the six-day firearm season through December 31 exclusive of Christmas Day, and January 1, or January 2 if January 1 is a Sunday, through the first Friday in January (Note: If January 1 falls on a Wednesday through Friday, then the season extends through the second Saturday in January) in zones in Regulation Sets 3, 4, and 5 and in Zone 61.

2. The Monday and Tuesday the week preceding the six-day firearm season as specified in 7:25-5.27(a), the Monday and Tuesday of the week following the six-day firearm season, and the Saturday following the six-day firearm season through the last Tuesday in December, excluding Christmas Day, and the first nine days in January, excluding Sundays, in zones in Regulation Set 1.

3. The Monday and Tuesday preceding the six-day firearm season as specified in N.J.A.C. 7:25-5.27(a), the week of the six-day firearm season, the Monday and Tuesday following the six-day firearm season, and the Saturday following the six-day firearm season through December 31, exclusive of Christmas Day, and January 1 through the second Saturday in February in zones in Regulation Set 7.

4. The Monday and Tuesday of the week preceding the six-day firearm season as specified in N.J.A.C. 7:25-5.27(a), and the week of the six-day firearm season, and the Monday and Tuesday of the week following the six-day firearm season, and the Saturday following the six-day firearm season through December 31 exclusive of Christmas Day, and January 1 through January 31 in Zone 68.

5. December 2-7, 16-24, and 26-31, 2019, and January 2-11, 2020; and November 30 and December 1-5, 14-24, and 26-31, 2020, and January 4-9, 2021; and November 29, 30, December 1-4, 13-25, 27-31, 2021, and January 3-8, 2022; November 28-30 and December 1-3, 12-24, 26-31, 2022, and January 2-7, 2023; and November 27-30 and December 1, 2, 11-23, 26-30, 2023, and January 2-6, 2024; and December 2-7, 16-24, 26-31, 2024, and January 2-11, 2025, in Zone 37.

6. The Monday and Tuesday of the week preceding the six-day firearm season as specified in N.J.A.C. 7:25-5.27(a), and the Monday and Tuesday of the week following the six-day firearm season, and the Saturday following the six-day firearm season through December 31 exclusive of Christmas Day, and January 1 through January 31 in zones in Regulation Set 6.

7. December 2-7 and 16-31, 2019, and January 1-February 8, 2020; and November 30 and December 1-5 and 14-31, 2020, and January 1-February 13, 2021; and November 29-December 4 and 13-31, 2021, and January 1-February 8, 2022; and November 28-December 3 and 12-31, 2022, and January 2-February 11, 2023; and November 27-December 2 and 11-31, 2023, and January 1-February 10, 2024; and December 2-7 and 16-31, 2024, and January 1-February 8, 2025, in Zone 39.

8. The Monday and Tuesday the week preceding the six-day firearm season as specified in 7:25-5.27(a); the Monday and Tuesday of the week after the six-day firearm season; and the Saturday following the six-day firearm season through December 31 exclusive of Christmas Day in zones in Regulation Set 2.

9. November 30, and December 2-7, 16-24, and 26-31, 2019, and January 1-11, 2020; and November 28, 30, and December 1-5, 14-24, and 26-31, 2020, and January 1-9, 2021; November 27, 29, 30, and December 1-4, 13-24, 27-31, 2021, and January 1-8, 2022; and November 26, 28, 29, 30, and December 1-3, 12-24, 26-31, 2022, and January 2-14, 2023; and November 25, 27, 28, 29, 30, and December 1, 2, 11-23, 26-31, 2023, and January 1-13, 2024; and November 30, and December 2-7, 16-24, 26-31, and January 1-11, 2025, in Zone 53.

10. December 2, 3, 16-31, 2019, and January 1-11, 2020; November 30 and December 1 and 14-31, 2020, and January 1-9, 2021; November 29 and 30, December 13-31, 2021, and January 1-8, 2022; and November 28 and 29, December 12-31, 2022, and January 2-7, 2023; and November 27 and 28, and December 11-31, 2023, and January 1-6, 2024; and December 2 and 3 and 16-31, 2024, and January 1-11, 2025, in Zone 54.

11. (Reserved.)

12. November 30-December 7 and December 13 and 14, 2019, and January 4, 11, 18, and 25, 2020; and November 28-December 5 and December 11 and 12, 2020, and January 2, 9, 16, and 23, 2021; and November 27-December 4 and December 10 and 11, 2021, and January 1, 8, 15, and 22, 2022; and November 26-December 3 and December 9 and 10, 2022, and January 7, 14, 21, and 28, 2023; and November 25-December 2 and December 8 and 9, 2023, and January 6 and 13, 2024; and November 30-December 7 and December 13 and 14, 2024, and January 4, 11, 18, and 25, 2025, in Zone 66.

13. November 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, and 14, 2019; November 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, and 12, 2020; November 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, and 11, 2021; November 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 2022; November 6, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 16, 2023; and November 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, 2024, in Zone 67.

14. (Reserved.)

15. The Monday through Wednesday and the Friday of Thanksgiving week, the Monday and Tuesday preceding the six-day firearm season as specified in N.J.A.C. 7:25-5.27 the week of the six-day firearm season, the Monday and Tuesday following the six-day firearm season, and the Saturday following the six-day firearm season through December 31, exclusive of Christmas Day, and January 1 through the second Saturday in February in zones in Regulation Set 8.

16. The Monday and Tuesday the week preceding the six-day firearm season as specified in N.J.A.C. 7:25-5.27(a), and November 27 and 28 and December 16, 18, 19, 20, 23, 26-31, 2017; November 26 and 27 and December 15, 17, 18, 19, 24, 26-31, 2018; December 2, 3, 21, 23, 24, 26-31, 2019 in zones in Regulation Set 0.

17. At other times as determined by the Director.

(e) Antlerless permits for muzzleloader rifle permit season are valid only in the designated deer management zones or other designated areas and are not transferable. Antlerless multi-zone regulation set permits are valid for use in any deer management zone within the designated regulation set and are not transferable. Antlered muzzleloader permits with antlered deer transportation tag may be used in any zone for which the hunter has already purchased an antlerless muzzleloader permit for use during this season.

(f) Method: The taking of two deer, one antlered and one antlerless, or two antlerless, except as noted at (c)1 through 3 above, or the taking of deer as designated for special hunts is authorized to holders of valid permits for muzzleloader rifle permit season in designated deer management zones. The taking of two deer, one antlered and one antlerless, or two antlerless or the taking of deer as designated for special hunts is authorized to holders of valid farmer permits for muzzleloader rifle permit season only on the farm occupied and designated on the permit application.

1. Limited quota, special deer permits for muzzleloader rifle permit season will be issued on an individual basis to holders of valid and current firearm licenses and qualified farmers. Only one application per regular firearm license holder may be submitted, whether for muzzleloader rifle or shotgun permit seasons, during the initial application period. Duplicate or multiple applications will cause all applications to be void. All persons, while their hunting licenses are void under the authority of law or as imposed by a court, are prohibited from making application for, or otherwise procuring, a muzzleloader deer permit. For special management zones where the agency administering the affected land requires that hunters attend mandatory hunter orientation as a condition of access, failure to attend the designated session shall result in invalidation of the muzzleloader season permit for the zone. Limited quota, special deer permit zones include the following deer management zones: 37, 38, 39, 53, 54, 61, 66, 67, and 68. Only one antlerless muzzleloader rifle permit season permit may be purchased per zone. Only one antlered muzzleloader permit with antlered deer transportation tag may be purchased per season.

2. All other deer permits for muzzleloader rifle permit season will be issued on an individual basis to holders of valid and current firearm licenses and rifle permits via the Division's ELS or, in the event of ELS operating difficulties, by providing the same information at ELS locations through such alternate system as may be designated by the Division. These permits may be issued beginning on the effective date of the current Game Code, or as authorized by the Division, through the last day of the season. Qualified applicants may purchase permits via the Division's ELS or, in the event of ELS operating difficulties, by providing the same information at ELS locations through such alternate system as may be designated by the Division for the following deer management zones: 1-19, 21-31, 34-36, 41-43, 45, 46-51, 55, 63 and 65. Qualified farmers may obtain permits as provided in (i) below. Only one muzzleloader rifle permit season permit may be purchased per zone.

(g) Permits for muzzleloader rifle permit season consist of back display which includes a "deer transportation tag" or proper and valid supplemental tag. The back display portion of the permit will be conspicuously displayed on the outer clothing in the case of the farmer muzzleloader season permit.

(h) Muzzleloader Rifle Permit Season limited quota, special deer permits shall be applied for as follows:

1. Holders of valid and current firearm hunting licenses shall apply by submitting an application which has been properly completed in accordance with instructions. First time permit applicants who do not yet possess a valid hunting license may apply for a muzzleloader rifle deer season permit provided they have applied for a hunter education course prior to the permit application period and have provided such related information as may be required on the application.

2. Youth Hunting license holders are eligible.

3. Only one application whether for limited quota antlerless and antlered muzzleloader rifle or shotgun permit season or as provided for in (h)1 above, may be submitted by any regular firearm license holder during the initial permit application period. During the initial application period, regular firearm license holders may also submit one application for either a left-over shotgun or muzzleloader deer permit in the event such permits are available following the initial drawing. Applications for more than the allowable number of permits during the initial application period will cause all applications by an individual to be void and subject the applicant to prosecution.

4. The application shall be filled in to include: Conservation ID Number or name, address, current firearm hunting license number, deer management zone applied for, and any other information requested. Only those applications will be accepted for participation in random selection, which are received during the period of June 1-August 31 inclusive. Applications submitted after August 31 will not be considered for the initial drawing. Selection of permittees will be made by random selection.

5. Unsuccessful applicants will be notified. Any permit obtained by fraud shall be void.

6. Successful applicants will be notified. Unless otherwise indicated, the non-refundable permit application fee payable to "Division of Fish and Wildlife" must accompany the completed application. If selected to receive a permit, the full permit fee will be payable to the Division.

7. Nothing contained herein shall preclude the Division from issuing unfilled or unclaimed limited quota, special deer permits on a first come-first served basis to any properly licensed hunter or qualified farmer after the permit selection process.

(i) Pursuant to the provisions of 23:3-56.1, occupant and non-occupant Farmer Muzzleloader Rifle Permit Season Permits shall be applied for as follows:

1. Only the owner or lessee of a farm, who resides thereon, or the immediate family of that farmer 10 years of age or older who reside in the farmer's household, may apply on forms provided for an occupant farmer, muzzleloader rifle permit season permit. Under this subsection, a farm is an area of five acres or more and producing a gross income in excess of $ 500.00 and is tax assessed as farmland. Farmer muzzleloader rifle permit season permits will be issued only in those deer management zones where a muzzleloader rifle, permit season is prescribed.

2. The owner or lessees of a farm, who does not reside thereon, and their immediate family 10 years of age or older who reside with them, may apply on forms provided for a non-occupant farmer deer permit. Under this subsection, applicants must farm 30 tilled acres that are tax assessed as farmland. Wood lots are not included in acreage needed to qualify. Properties do not need to be contiguous. No more than five individuals may receive a permit for the season for a property. The applicants must be the farmer or farmers, or their immediate family aged 10 years and older.

3. Application forms may be obtained from the County Agricultural Agent, the Division of Fish and Wildlife, Mail Code 501-03, P.O. Box 420, Trenton, N.J. 08625-0420, or other Division offices.

4. The application form shall be filled in to include: Conservation ID Number or name, age, size of farm, address, social security number, and any other information requested thereon. Properly completed application forms will be accepted during the period of June 1 to October 1. After that date, permits may not be received in time for the opening day of the season. There is no fee required, and all qualified applicants will receive a farmer muzzleloader rifle permit season permit, delivered by mail.

5. Qualified farmers may apply for one shotgun antlerless and one antlered permit season permit in any management zone in addition to one muzzleloader antlerless and one antlered rifle permit season permit in any management zone where a muzzleloader rifle permit season is prescribed. Qualified farmers may also apply for either the muzzleloader rifle permit season permits or shotgun permit season permits as a regular firearm hunting license applicant. No farmer may use more than one antlered permit for any season. Application for more than the allowable number of permits during the initial application period will cause all applications by an individual to be void.

6. Nothing contained herein shall preclude the Division from issuing unfilled or unclaimed permits on a first come-first served basis to any qualified farmer or properly licensed hunter after the permit selection process.

(j) Muzzleloader Rifle, Occupant and Farmer Muzzleloader Rifle and Non-occupant Farmer Muzzleloader Rifle Season Permits shall be used as follows:

1. The antlerless muzzleloader rifle permit season permits are valid only in the deer management zone (DMZ) designated; the antlered muzzleloader rifle permit is valid in any zone for which the farmer has an antlerless permit for the season; neither are transferable from individual to individual. The muzzleloader rifle permit season permit hunter is responsible for hunting in the correct DMZ as indicated and in ascertaining the boundaries.

2. The occupant farmer antlerless muzzleloader rifle permit season permit is valid only on the farm occupied and designated in the application and are not transferable from deer management zone to deer management zone, or from farm to farm, or from individual to individual. The occupant farmer antlered muzzleloader rifle permit is valid in any zone which the farmer has an antlerless permit for the season. The occupant farmer muzzleloader rifle permit season permit hunter is responsible for hunting on the correct farm in the correct DMZ as indicated and in ascertaining the boundaries.

3. The non-occupant farmer antlerless muzzleloader rifle season permits are valid only on private land within the deer management zone designated in the permit and are not valid on public lands within the DMZ. The non-occupant farmer antlered muzzleloader rifle permit is valid in any zone which the farmer has an antlerless permit for the season. The permits are not transferable from deer management zone to deer management zone or from individual to individual. The non-occupant farmer muzzleloader rifle permit season permit hunter is responsible for hunting on private lands in the DMZ as indicated and in ascertaining the boundaries.

(k) The Deer Management Zone Map is on file at the Office of Administrative Law and is available from that agency or the Division. The Muzzleloader Rifle Deer Season Permit Quotas are as follows:

MUZZLELOADER RIFLE PERMIT SEASON PERMIT QUOTAS
Deer Mgt.Zone No.	Season Dates Code	Permit Quota	Portions of Counties Involved
1	1	1,500	Sussex
2	1	2,510	Sussex
3	1	1,180	Sussex, Passaic, Bergen, Morris
4	2	1,270	Sussex, Warren
5	4	3,510	Sussex, Warren
6	1	1,760	Sussex, Morris, Passaic, Essex, Warren
7	3	1,690	Warren, Hunterdon
8	3	2,920	Warren, Hunterdon, Morris, Somerset
9	3	530	Morris, Somerset
10	3	1,760	Warren, Hunterdon
11	3	1,090	Hunterdon
12	3	1,860	Mercer, Hunterdon, Somerset
13	3	365	Morris, Somerset, Union
14	3	1,020	Mercer, Somerset, Middlesex, Burlington
15	3	1,260	Mercer, Monmouth, Middlesex
16	1	1,240	Ocean, Monmouth
17	4	845	Ocean, Monmouth, Mercer, Burlington
18	1	660	Ocean
19	4	1,570	Camden, Burlington
21	1	1,350	Burlington, Ocean
22	1	350	Burlington, Ocean
23	1	1,420	Burlington, Camden, Atlantic
24	1	700	Burlington, Ocean
25	4	1,265	Gloucester, Camden, Atlantic, Salem
26	1	1,860	Atlantic
27	1	1,050	Salem, Cumberland
28	1	1,330	Salem, Cumberland, Gloucester
29	1	965	Salem, Cumberland
30	1	610	Cumberland
31	1	435	Cumberland
34	1	1,720	Cape May, Cumberland
35	1	1,460	Gloucester, Salem
36	3	800	Bergen, Hudson, Essex, Morris, Union, Somerset, Middlesex, Passaic
37	5	480	Burlington, Ocean (Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst)
38	6	200	Morris (Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge)
39	7	100	Monmouth (Earle Naval Weapons Station)
41	3	590	Mercer, Hunterdon
42	4	500	Atlantic
43	1	255	Cumberland
45	1	590	Cumberland, Atlantic, Cape May
46	1	528	Atlantic
47	1	440	Atlantic, Cumberland, Gloucester
48	4	780	Burlington
49	3	120	Burlington, Camden, Gloucester
50	3	510	Middlesex, Monmouth
51	3	410	Monmouth, Ocean
53	9	100	Ocean (Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst)
54	10	50	Morris (Picatinny Arsenal-ARRAD Com)
55	1	210	Gloucester
56	Not designated
57	Not designated
58	Not designated
61	1	60	Atlantic (Atlantic County Park System)
63	1	280	Salem
64	0	Monmouth (Monmouth Battlefield State Park)
65	1	390	Gloucester, Camden
66	12	15	Atlantic (Federal Aviation Administration William J. Hughes Technical Center)
67	13	350	Sussex (High Point State Park)
68	4	100	Burlington (Parker Preserve)
70	1	Not designated
Total	50,913

(l) See (d)1 through 13 above for corresponding season date codes.

(m) Permit quotas in Zones 37, 38, 39, 53, 54, 61, 66, 67, and 68 are contingent upon approval by appropriate land management agencies for those zones.

(n) Muzzleloader rifle permit season permits not applied for by the deadlines enumerated in (h)4 and (i)4 above, may be reallocated to shotgun season applicants.

N.J. Admin. Code § 7:25-5.28

Amended by 47 N.J.R. 2264(a), effective 9/8/2015

Amended by 49 N.J.R. 2921(a), effective 9/5/2017

Amended by 53 N.J.R. 683(b), effective 5/3/2021 (operative May 8, 2021)