N.J. Admin. Code § 7:25-5.30

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

Section 7:25-5.30 - White-tailed deer bow permit season

(a) The Director with the approval of the Council may authorize the issuance of bow permit season permits for the taking of deer 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, one additional day of bow permit deer hunting may be authorized by the Director, in consultation with the Council. Such authorization and date thereof shall be announced by press and radio.

(c) Bag Limit: Only one antlered deer may be taken Statewide during the bow permit season, regardless of the number of permits obtained. The standard bag limit is two deer, one antlered and one antlerless, in zones in Regulation Set 2. Two deer, one antlered and one antlerless or two antlerless, may be taken in zones in Regulation Set 3. 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 4, 7, and 8, and in Zones 37, 39, 53, 54, 61, 66, and 68, except as noted at (c)1 and 2 below. One antlered and one antlerless deer may be taken in zones in Regulation Set 1. One antlered or one antlerless deer may be taken in zones in Regulation Set 0. Only one deer may be taken at a time until the season limit is reached except in zones in Regulation Sets 6, 7, and 8, and in Zones 37, 39, 53, 54, 61, 66, and 68 where the limit is two deer at a time per permit until the season concludes. All deer registration requirements apply. All deer must be legally registered via the automated harvest report system. 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. Deer shall be tagged immediately with the bow permit season permit harvest report stub completely filled in, 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, as designated by the Division, 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. Possession of a deer after 7:00 P.M. local time on the date killed without a legal confirmation number shall be deemed illegal.

1. (Reserved.)

2. In Zones 3, 9, 13, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 34, 35, 47, and 63, 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. (Reserved.)

(d) Duration of the bow permit season is as set forth at (d)1 through 6 below. There is no season in Zones 38, 64, and 67 or any time as determined by the Director. Legal hunting hours shall be 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset.

1. The Saturday following the close of the fall bow season as specified at N.J.A.C. 7:25-5.25(a)1, through the last Sunday in November in zones in Regulation Sets 1, 2, and

3.

2. The Saturday following the close of the fall bow season as specified at N.J.A.C. 7:25-5.25(a)1 through December 31, excluding Christmas Day, in zones in Regulation Sets 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8, and in Zones 37, 39, 53, 54, 61, 66, and 68.

3. -4. (Reserved.)

5. The Saturday following the close of the fall bow season as specified in 7:25-5.25(a)1 through the second to last Saturday in November in zones in Regulation Set 0.

(e) Antlerless bow permit season permits 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 bow permits with antlered deer transportation tags may be used in any zone for which the hunter has already purchased an antlerless bow permit.

(f) Method: The taking of two deer one antlered and one antlerless or two antlerless except as noted in (c) and (c)1 above or the taking of deer as designated for special hunts with a bow under a bow permit season permit or a farmer bow permit season permit, is permitted in designated deer management zones by holders of a bow permit season permit and on the farm occupied and designated in the application by holders of a farmer bow permit season permit.

1. Bow permit season permits will be issued on an individual basis to holders of valid and current bow licenses, persons who have a bow hunter education course pending as of the permit application period and qualified farmers.

2. For special deer management zones where the agency administering the affected lands requires hunters to attend a mandatory orientation session as a condition of access, failure to attend the designated session shall result in invalidation of the special bow season permit for the zone.

3. Limited quota, special deer permits for bow permit season will be issued on an individual basis to holders of valid and current bow licenses and qualified farmers. Limited quota, special deer permit zones include the following deer management zones: 37, 38, 39, 53, 54, 57, 58, 59, 61, and 66. Only one antlerless bow permit season permit may be purchased per zone. Only one antlered bow permit with antlered deer transportation tag may be purchased per season.

4. All other special deer permits for bow 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 systems 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 for the following deer management zones: 1-19, 21-31, 34-36, 41, 42, 43, 45-51, 55, 63, 65 and 68. Qualified farmers may obtain permits as provided in (i) below. Only one antlerless bow permit season permit may be purchased per zone. Only one antlered bow permit with antlered deer transportation tag may be purchased per season.

(g) Permits consist of back display which includes a deer harvest report stub. The back display portion of the permit will be conspicuously displayed on the outer clothing in the case of the farmer bow and arrow permit season permit. The harvest report stub portion of the permit must be completely filled out and affixed to the deer immediately upon killing. This completely filled in deer transportation tag allows legal transportation of the deer of either sex to a location where the hunter may register his or her deer via an automated harvest report system. Hunters must use an antlered deer harvest report stub from their antlered bow permit, which is designated for use during the permit bow season, when registering an antlered deer. The antlered bow 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 bow permit. The antlered bow 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 bow permit with antlered deer harvest report stub must be purchased prior to the season open or at the time of the purchase of the initial antlerless bow permit if the season has already begun. Possession of a deer after 7:00 P.M. local time on the date killed without a legal confirmation number shall be deemed illegal under the AHRS.

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

1. Holders of valid bow and arrow licenses, including juvenile bow license holders, and all around sportsman 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 to a bow permit season hunting 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. Application for a bow permit season permit shall not preclude an individual from applying for either the muzzleloader rifle or shotgun season permits.

3. Only one application for limited quota, bow permits may be submitted per regular bow license holder during the initial application period and only one application for a left-over permit may be submitted by any one individual during the initial application period. Application 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. 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 bow deer permit.

4. The application shall be filled in to include: Conservation ID Number or name, address, current bow and arrow 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 to August 31. Applications made 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 is void.

6. 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. Successful applicants will receive their permit by mail.

8. Nothing herein contained shall preclude the Division from issuing unfilled or unclaimed 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 Bow 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 a farmer bow permit season permit. Under this section 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 bow permit season permits will be issued only in those deer management zones where a bow 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, 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 and older.

3. Application forms may be obtained from:

i. County Agricultural Agent,

ii. Division of Fish and Wildlife, Mail Code 501-03, P.O. Box 420, Trenton, NJ 08625-0420; and

iii. Division field 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 applications will receive a farmer permit bow season permit, delivered by mail.

5. Only one farmer application may be submitted per individual. Application for a farmer bow permit season permit shall not preclude an individual from applying for either the farmer muzzleloader rifle or shotgun permit seasons permits, or from applying for one regular bow permit season permit as a bow hunting license applicant. Application for more than the allowable number of permits during the initial application period will cause all applications by the individual to be void.

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

1. The antlerless bow and arrow permit season permits are valid only in the deer management zone (DMZ) designated and are not transferable from individual to individual. The antlered bow permit is valid in any zone which the farmer has an antlerless permit for that season. The bow and arrow permit season permit hunter is responsible for hunting in the correct DMZ or farm as indicated and in ascertaining the boundaries.

2. The occupant farmer antlerless bow permit season permits are 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 bow permit is valid in any zone which the farmer has an antlerless permit for that season. The occupant farmer bow 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 bow 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 bow permit is valid only on private land within the deer management zone designated on the non-occupant farmer antlerless permit, or in any other zone for which the farmer has purchased an antlerless bow permit. The permits are not transferable from deer management zone to deer management zone or from individual to individual. The non-occupant farmer bow permit season hunter is responsible for hunting on private lands in the correct 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 Bow Permit Season Quotas are as follows:

BOW PERMIT SEASON PERMIT QUOTAS
Deer Mgt. Zone No.	Season Dates Code	Permit Quota	Portions of Counties Involved
1	1	1,105	Sussex
2	7	2,790	Sussex
3	1	1,185	Sussex, Passaic, Bergen, Morris
4	1	1,140	Sussex, Warren
5	7	4,300	Sussex, Warren
6	1	2,210	Sussex, Morris, Passaic, Essex, Warren
7	2	2,100	Warren, Hunterdon
8	2	4,210	Warren, Hunterdon, Morris, Somerset
9	2	1,115	Morris, Somerset
10	2	2,440	Warren, Hunterdon
11	2	1,580	Hunterdon
12	2	3,080	Mercer, Hunterdon, Somerset
13	2	2,000	Morris, Somerset, Union
14	2	2,290	Mercer, Somerset, Middlesex, Burlington
15	2	1,820	Mercer, Monmouth, Middlesex
16	7	1,850	Ocean, Monmouth
17	7	880	Ocean, Monmouth, Mercer, Burlington
18	1	635	Ocean
19	7	1,910	Camden, Burlington
21	1	970	Burlington, Ocean
22	7	480	Burlington, Ocean
23	1	1,020	Burlington, Camden, Atlantic
24	1	370	Burlington, Ocean
25	7	1,455	Gloucester, Camden, Atlantic, Salem
26	7	1,315	Atlantic
27	7	1,285	Salem, Cumberland
28	7	1,400	Salem, Cumberland, Gloucester
29	7	1,145	Salem, Cumberland
30	1	435	Cumberland
31	7	390	Cumberland
34	1	1,240	Cape May, Cumberland
35	7	1,740	Gloucester, Salem
36	2	1,000	Bergen, Hudson, Essex, Morris, Union, Somerset, Middlesex, Passaic
37	5	330	Burlington, Ocean (Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst)
38	0	Morris (Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge)
39	4	190	Monmouth (Earle Naval Weapons Station)
41	2	830	Mercer, Hunterdon
42	7	600	Atlantic
43	1	185	Cumberland
45	1	420	Cumberland, Atlantic, Cape May
46	1	300	Atlantic
47	7	360	Atlantic, Cumberland, Gloucester
48	7	1,040	Burlington
49	2	500	Burlington, Camden, Gloucester
50	2	2,0000	Middlesex, Monmouth
51	2	900	Monmouth, Ocean
53	6	100	Ocean (Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst)
54	4	60	Morris (Picatinny Arsenal-ARRAD Com)
55	1	140	Gloucester
56	Not designated
57	Not designated
58	Not designated
61	3	60	Atlantic (Atlantic County Park System)
63	7	320	Salem
64	0	Monmouth (Monmouth Battlefield State Park)
65	1	390	Gloucester, Camden
66	4	70	Atlantic (Federal Aviation Administration William J. Hughes Technical Center)
67	0	Sussex (High Point State Park)
68	7	100	Burlington (Parker Preserve)
70	Not designated
Total	60,940

(l) See (d)1 through 7 above for corresponding season date codes.

(m) Permit quotas for Zones 37, 39, 53, 54, 59, 61, 66, 68, and 70 are contingent upon approval by the appropriate land management agencies for these zones.

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

N.J. Admin. Code § 7:25-5.30

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)