New Jersey Administrative Code › Title 7 - ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION › Chapter 25 - DIVISION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE RULES › Subchapter 5 - 2020-2021 GAME CODE › Section 7:25-5.28 - White-tailed deer muzzleloader rifle permit season

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 14, July 15, 2024
(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.