NJ Small Game Season Opens November 7

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 The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Division of Fish and Wildlife reminds hunters that the 2009-10 small game seasons for pheasant, bobwhite quail, fox and coyote open 8:00 AM on Saturday, November 7. The seasons for rabbit, hares and squirrel (open since September 26), ruffed grouse and woodcock north of Rt. 70 (open since October 15) and raccoon/opossum (open since October 1) remain open with an 8:00 AM start on November 7.

Firearm hunting is prohibited November 6 on state Wildlife Management Areas designated as Pheasant and Quail Stamp Areas to allow for stocking (except in tidal marshes open to an on-going waterfowl season). Hunters should review current regulations, season exceptions and bag limits in the August issue of the New Jersey Fish and Wildlife Digest (specifically pages 59-62), available at license agents statewide and on the Division's website atwww.njfishandwildlife.com/dighnt09.htm.

A current and valid hunting license (bow and arrow, firearm or all-around sportsman) is required to pursue any small game species. Properly licensed hunters may hunt small game with shotgun, muzzleloader or bow and arrow (including crossbow).

Small game hunting is expected to result in nearly 15 million dollars in economic benefits to the State of New Jersey during the 2009-10 season. A random sample of firearm hunters will be sent a 2009-10 Firearm Hunter Harvest Survey at the end of the season that will be used to estimate harvest levels and hunt-related expenditures. Results from prior surveys are available on the Fish and Wildlife Web site.

Most small game species such as coyote, eastern gray squirrel, gray fox, opossum, rabbits, raccoon, red fox and woodchuck remain at healthy population levels throughout New Jersey.

2009 SEASON PROSPECTS

CHUKAR/PHEASANT/QUAIL

The release of pen-reared game birds provides the overwhelming majority of recreational opportunity for these species. Wild populations of pheasant and bobwhite quail are greatly reduced compared to past decades due to habitat loss and habitat change.

A cooperative bobwhite study in Cumberland County conducted by the Division and the University of Delaware indicates our State's bobwhite population is declining 30% annually, compared to the national decline rate of 44%. Research results suggest that both improving the quantity and quality of habitat and reducing winter mortality are both critical components necessary to sustain and potentially increase the New Jersey bobwhite population.

Approximately 10,000 quail will be stocked through December on two WMAs (Greenwood Forest in Ocean County and Peaslee in Cumberland County), where portions of these areas are managed specifically for this native game bird. Hunters should note that a Pheasant and Quail Stamp is required on these designated areas in addition to a valid hunting license. Hunters are reminded that the daily bag limit of quail south of Route 33 is four birds per day. North of Route 33, the daily bag limit is seven birds. The statewide quail season will conclude January 30 south of Route 33 but will remain open north of Route 33 through February 15. Hunting hours are 8:00 AM to ½ hour after sunset on November 7 and thereafter from sunrise to ½ hour after sunset.

More than 50,000 pheasants raised at the division's Rockport Pheasant Farm will be stocked on 23 Wildlife Management Areas throughout the state, in addition to the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Hunters should note that a Pheasant and Quail Stamp is required on these designated areas in addition to a valid hunting license. Stocking will continue through December. The daily bag limit is two pheasants of either sex. There is no possession or season bag limit for pheasant. Hunting hours are 8:00 AM to ½ hour after sunset on November 7 and thereafter from sunrise to ½ hour after sunset.

There is no natural population of chukar partridge in New Jersey and any birds encountered are the result of stocking efforts by private individuals or clubs, semi-wild properties or commercial shooting preserves. The daily bag limit is seven chukar and there is no possession or season limit. Hunting hours are 8:00 AM to ½ hour after sunset on November 7 and thereafter from sunrise to ½ hour after sunset.

Properly licensed semi-wild hunting clubs and commercial shooting preserves have no daily bag limits for chukar partridge, northern bobwhite and ring-necked pheasants. However, the total season harvest for these species may not exceed the anticipated number of birds scheduled for release as indicated on the license application. All harvested birds must be properly tagged before leaving the property. Commercial shooting preserves have been open to hunting since September 1 and will remain open until May 1. Hunting on semi-wild properties will begin November 7 and end March 15. Sunday hunting is permitted on these licensed lands.

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