www.co.hunterdon.nj.us | Division of Parks and Recreation | Controlled Hunting Program

HUNTERDON COUNTY
DIVISION OF PARKS AND RECREATION
DEPARTMENT OF LAND USE AND FACILITIES MANAGEMENT
1020 Highway 31, Lebanon, NJ 08833
Fax (908)806-4057 * Telephone (908)782-1158
parks@co.hunterdon.nj.us

Important Information About the Program
Permit Information
Important Regulations

Available Hunting Land

Permit Application Instructions

Hunting Surveys:
Park Office Hours & Important Phone Numbers
Download Program Regulations File (pdf)

2016-2017

CONTROLLED HUNTING PROGRAM REGULATIONS


Hunterdon County Controlled Hunting Program

 

 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION - Please Read This First

  • To hunt county park land, you must purchase a hunting access permit from the Division of Parks and Recreation
  • Park areas open to hunting are listed below
  • Six types of hunting access permits (for deer hunting only) are sold:
IF YOU PURCHASE WITH THIS KIND OF PERMIT :
THEN YOU CAN HUNT
ON THESE DATES:
WITH THIS
SPORTING ARM:
FALL BOW September 10 - October 28, 2016 BOW
PERMIT BOW October 29 - November 26, December 3, 2016 BOW
WINTER BOW January 1 - February 18, 2017 BOW
SHOTGUN November 30 - December 2, 5 - 10, 14 - 16, 2016,
January 7 - February 11, 2017		 SHOTGUN
MUZZLELOADER November 28 - 29, December 12, 13, 17 - 24, 26 - 31, 2016
January 2 - 6, 2017		 MUZZLELOADER
SPECIAL HUNT November 30 - December 2, 5 - 10, 14 - 16, 2016 SHOTGUN

  • NOTE: THERE WILL BE NO SHOTGUN HUNTING IN THE PARKS FOR THE NOVEMBER 21st YOUTH HUNT
  • There is NO Sunday bow hunting on Park Property
  • Each permit is valid for only one area.
  • Permit fees are $25 for Hunterdon County residents, $40 for non-residents for all permits except for the Special Hunt permit. The fee for the Special Hunt Permit will be $20 for Hunterdon residents and $30 for non-residents.
  • Permit sales begin at 8:00 am. Sales days will be:
    • BOW, PERMIT BOW, WINTER BOW - August 17 (for Hunterdon County residents ONLY); August 18 and after (all hunters)
    • SHOTGUN, MUZZLELOADER, AND SPECIAL HUNT - October 19 (for Hunterdon County residents ONLY); October 22 and after (all hunters)
  • All New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife license and permit requirements and regulations must be followed. Hunters are responsible for obtaining and learning state regulations. Hunters are also responsible for knowing safety zones and ensuring that they are at least 450 feet from any structure or playground.
  • IN ALL SEASONS AND FOR EACH PERMIT, EVERY HUNTER MUST HARVEST AN ANTLERLESS DEER ON PARK PROPERTY BEFORE THEY CAN SHOOT AN ANTLERED DEER. (WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE SIX DAY FIREARM SEASON)
  • *Only one permit per season per hunter. Hunters may purchase additional permits for other park areas beginning the first business day after Opening Day, if permits are available.

SURVEY CARDS MUST BE FILLED OUT AND RETURNED ON TIME (see links below for specific return dates):

Hunters who fail to return their survey cards on time will not be eligible to purchase a permit the following year until the 3rd day of permit sales, (the day after permits go on sale to non-county residents.)

{BACK}

 


PERMIT INFORMATION:

  • Hunting permits are sold to walk-in applicants on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Mail-in applications are also accepted, but will not processed until after all walk-ins are completed on the first day of permit sales for each respective season. Because of this, mail-in applicants have a reduced chance of getting a permit.
  • On the first day of permit sales, only Hunterdon County residents may purchase a permit.
  • On the second day, and any day thereafter, all others can purchase a permit. To be fair, only one permit, per season, per person on line!
  • Permit applications and maps of hunting areas are available at the Park Office.
    IMPORTANT CHANGES:
    • Trail cameras must be marked and identified with your current permit number. Any camera without a valid permit number will be removed and confiscated.
    • Case Farm and Clover Hill Park are now “Archery Only” hunting areas

{BACK}

 

IMPORTANT REGULATIONS:

All state hunting regulations, licensing requirements, and permit requirements are in effect on Hunterdon County Park System lands open to hunting. Hunters are responsible for obtaining and learning state regulations and county park regulations.

  • Transferable permits. Each permit sold will be transferable to a maximum of two alternate hunters. Each hunter is allowed to be an alternate on a maximum of two (2) permits per season. Each alternate hunter must provide their personal information in designated section on application and sign the original application before it is processed by this division. Alternates need not be present in line, however, person purchasing the permit must have a copy of the “alternate(s)” current hunting license.
  • Only one hunter may utilize the permit at any given time, and must be in possession of the original permit while hunting. Failure to do so will result in a summons, voided permit and removal from the program. Permits sold to Hunterdon County Residents on “residents only” sale days may only be transferred to other Hunterdon County Residents.
  • Hunters who posses permits for both the Fall and Permit bow seasons for the same park, may “bank” their doe for the permit bow season. In order to “bank” your doe, you must harvest two or more does in the fall bow season. You must indicate this on your survey for the permit bow season. Surveys will be cross referenced.
  • The use and/or construction of permanent tree stands is prohibited.  Hunters found using a permanent tree stand will be subject to prosecution whether they built it or not.  Portable tree stands are allowed, but are used and left unattended at the user’s risk.  Permit holder’s name or Parks Division permit number must be securely affixed to stand in an obvious location. Unidentified stands will be confiscated! No more than Two (2) tree stands/ground blinds may be put up at a time for each issued permit.  Tree stands and steps must be removed within 3 weeks of the expiration of your permit(Hunters who fail to remove their tree stand within the three week period may receive a summons and  be disqualified from the hunting program for 2 years) .
  • Possession of a permit to hunt on county parkland does not give hunters permission to cross private property, roads or railroad right-of-ways. Hunters are responsible for knowing the boundaries of parklands open to hunting, as well as safety zones.
  • As indicated on the permit form, one copy of your county park-hunting permit must be kept in your hunting license holder, and one copy must be prominently displayed in your vehicle windshield.
  • Hunters in the Controlled Hunting Program who receive a summons for any violation committed on parklands, will have their park hunting privileges revoked for 2 years and will not be able to purchase a permit. Privileges will be permanently revoked for a second offense.
  • Hunters should be aware that non-hunting visitors are allowed on park lands open to hunting; non-hunting visitors are encouraged to wear blaze orange and confine visits to Sundays. Non-hunting visitors must be treated courteously.
  • During the six day firearm season and from January 7 through February 11, 2017 hunters who possess a park shotgun permit may elect to use either a shot gun or muzzleloader to hunt with in accordance with NJ Fish and Wildlife Season Dates and Laws. A valid New Jersey Rifle and Muzzleloader Permit are required to hunt with a Muzzleloader.
  • Baiting on Park Property is legal but not encouraged. Mechanical feeders are prohibited and will be confiscated.

{BACK}

 

 

BOW, SHOTGUN, AND MUZZLELOADER PERMITS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR THESE AREAS:

{BACK}

 

SPECIAL HUNT PERMITS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS.
THESE AREAS WILL BE OPEN FOR HUNTING, ONLY DURING THE NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER PORTIONS OF THE SHOTGUN SEASON

{BACK}

 

 

ARCHERY ONLY AND WINTER BOW HUNTING AVAILABLE FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS:
(The following areas are open for fall bow and permit bow seasons Sept.-Nov., as well as winter bow Jan.- Feb.)

There will be NO HUNTING between the hours of 10a.m. and 2p.m. everyday for the Arboretum, Echo Hill and Furnas sections. This regulation applies to all archery seasons.

{BACK}

 

 

PERMIT APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

NOTE: INCOMPLETE OR INCORRECT APPLICATIONS MAY BE REJECTED. PERSONS WHO SUBMIT FALSIFIED APPLICATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO PROSECUTION.

  1. Fill in NAME, ADDRESS including ZIP, PHONE, DRIVER’S LICENSE #, and VEHICLE LICENSE PLATE NUMBERS.
  2. Fill in HUNTING LICENSE NUMBER appropriate for the season you are applying for, and indicate license year.
  3. Fill in the NAME OF THE PARK YOU WANT TO HUNT. Check these instructions to make sure the park you want to hunt is open for the season you want to hunt. Your permit will be good for only one park.
  4. Check the TYPE OF PERMIT you are applying for.
  5. READ and SIGN on the line at the bottom. Parent or guardian must sign for children under 18. Signatures required for alternate hunters as well.
  6. If you are walking in, bring permit application WITH YOUR STATE HUNTING LICENSE to the park office on the correct sales day, with check payable to “HCDPR” or exact cash. Sales dates are listed on page one of these instructions. Doors open at 8:00 a.m.
  7. If you are mailing in, mail ALL THREE COPIES of the application WITH A COPY OF YOUR HUNTING LICENSE to Hunterdon County Division of Parks and Recreation, PO Box 2900, Flemington NJ 08822; with a check or money order for the correct amount payable to “HCDPR.”

{BACK}

 

 

IMPORTANT CONTACT INFORMATION AND PARK OFFICE HOURS:

PARK OFFICE HOURS: Monday - Friday, 8:0 AM to 4:30 PM

PHONE NUMBERS: MAIN OFFICE: (908)782-1158

  • With questions on state regulations, contact the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife at (908) 735-8240.
  • Report illegal activities on County Park Lands AS SOON AS POSSIBLE to a ranger by contacting the park office at (908) 782-1158. For after hours contact the Park Ranger cell phone at (908)507-5236 or at Hunterdon Communications at (908) 788-1202.
  • In case of an emergency DIAL 9-1-1.

{BACK}

 

______________________________________________________________________________________
www.co.hunterdon.nj.us | Division of Parks and Recreation | Controlled Hunting Program