N.J. Admin. Code § 7:25-5.27

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 21, November 4, 2024

Section 7:25-5.27 - White-tailed deer six-day firearm season

(a) Duration for this season will be the second Monday after Thanksgiving through the following Saturday, inclusive with shotgun, muzzleloader rifle, or bow and arrow, exclusively. Bow and arrow hunters participating in the six-day firearm season must possess a current and valid firearm license in addition to a current and valid archery license, or an all-around license; deer taken during this season will be tagged with the six-day transportation tag from either the firearm or all-around license.

1. A special youth deer hunting day with shotgun or muzzleloader rifle will be held on the second Saturday preceding the opening of the Permit Muzzleloader season, as specified in 7:25-5.28(d)2. Youth hunters must possess a current and valid youth firearms license or be less than 16 years of age on the season date and qualified to hunt without a license under the farmer license exemption. Possession of a proper and valid rifle permit is also required if a muzzleloading rifle is used. All youth hunters must be under the direct supervision of a non-hunting adult (21 years of age or older), who must also possess a proper and valid firearm license and a rifle permit, if the youth hunter is using a muzzleloading rifle. Direct supervision means the youth hunter and the supervising adult are together at the same location. The youth hunter may not hunt independently of the supervising adult. Any firearm and ammunition approved for deer hunting may be used. Legal hunting hours are 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset EST. All other hunting requirements for the six-day firearm season shall apply, except as noted in (b)3 below.

(b) Bag Limit: Two antlered deer, with one antler at least three inches long. All deer must be legally registered via the AHRS. 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. Immediately upon harvest, the harvest report stub on the license appropriate for the season shall be completely filled in with the exception of the confirmation number. Additionally, 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 and no later than 7:00 P.M. local time of the day of harvest. Hunters must record the confirmation number given via the automated system, which replaces the legal possession tag. Hunters who take two antlered deer during the six-day firearm season are prohibited from taking an antlered buck during the regular permit shotgun season. It is unlawful to attempt to take or to 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 the harvest 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.

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. The bag limit for the special youth hunting day provided for in (a)1 is one deer of either sex and any age. All tagging and deer checking requirements shall apply. The provisions of (b)2 above shall not apply.

(c) This season shall be open only to holders of a valid and current firearm hunting or all around sportsman license which contains an attached six-day firearm season harvest report stub. If the anticipated harvest of deer has not been accomplished during this season, additional days of deer hunting may be authorized by the Director, in consultation with the Council. Such authorization and dates thereof shall be announced by press and radio.

N.J. Admin. Code § 7:25-5.27

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

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