JF Griffin - Index

JF Griffin - magazine - Index

SAFETY ZoNE Awareness:
Protecting Your Hunting Privilege
New Jersey hunters enjoy many types of hunting, numerous days
afield and generous bag limits . But development and other
human encroachment on the forests and fields of the Garden State
has changed wildlife habitat and land suitable for hunting, such that
SAFETY ZONE awareness is even more critical for modern hunters .
What is a SAFETY ZONE?
• The SAFETY ZONE is the
area within 450 feet of a
building or school playground,
even if not occupied
.
• The SAFETY ZONE is the
place where you, the hunter,
cannot carry a loaded firearm
or nocked arrow unless you
have written permission in
hand .
• The SAFETY ZONE was established by legislation in 1946 as an
area to place some physical distance, a buffer, between hunters and
homeowners .
• The SAFETY ZONE could be land where there is suitable wildlife
habitat for adaptable species, like the white-tailed deer, cottontail
rabbit and Canada goose .
• The SAFETY ZONE is not a magic shield which can stop a misdirected
bullet from entering the area around a home
What can you do to heighten your SAFETY ZONE
awareness?
1 . Post SAFETY ZONE signs .
2 . Talk with landowners .
3 . Hunt SMART and remind your hunting partners to Hunt
SMART .
4 . Know the law .
Remember, failure to hunt safely and responsibly is inexcusable .
You must always be a responsible hunter, aware of your surroundings,
the target and what may lie beyond the target . The principles
of hunter education do not disappear at the completion of a course,
but are called into practice every time you hunt .
Take special care hunting on “high visibility” property, habitat
where our adaptable wildlife species—especially white-tailed deer—
are now flourishing . Here, hunter conduct will be watched closely;
the image we portray can have a great impact on the tolerance for
our sport . So hunting these special areas carries added responsibility for
you, as a hunter, to exercise restraint and make superior judgment decisions
.
Hunter Access
Safety and Hunting Opportunities
Hunting Opportunities On New
Jersey’s National Wildlife Refuges
2008–2009 Hunting Seasons
Hunting on national wildlife refuges is not permitted
unless specifically opened as listed below.
Cape May NWR
24 Kimbles Beach Road, Cape May Court House, NJ
08210 (609) 463-0994; www .fws .gov/northeast/capemay
• Deer—Special Areas Hunting Season Information; see page 52�
• Migratory game birds except crow—on refuge lands north of Rt. 550
or west of Rt� 47
No refuge permit is required . Special hunting conditions
apply . Contact refuge office for information .
Great Swamp NWR
241 Pleasant Plains Road, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920-9615
(973) 425-1222; www .fws .gov/northeast/greatswamp
• Deer—Special Areas Hunting Season Information; see page 53�
In addition to required state licenses and permits, hunters
must obtain a Refuge permit for $26 ($13 for holders of
a Senior Golden Age or Golden Access Passport and youths
with a valid 2008 New Jersey youth hunting license) .
Edwin B. Forsythe NWR
800 Great Creek Road, Oceanville, NJ 08231-0072;
(609) 652-1665; www .fws .gov/northeast/forsythe
• Deer—Special Areas Hunting Season Information; see page 52�
• Waterfowl • Special Waterfowl Hunts
Hunters wanting to participate in the special waterfowl
hunts must have a reservation . Special hunting conditions
apply . Information can be obtained at the refuge, at
dispensers, at the headquarters, on the refuge Web site, or
through the mail .
Supawna Meadows NWR
c/o Cape May NWR, 24 Kimbles Beach Rd ., Cape May
Court House, NJ 08210, (609) 463-0994; www .fws .gov/
northeast/nj/spm .htm
• Deer—Special Areas Hunting Season Information; see page 53�
• Waterfowl
Special hunting conditions apply . Contact refuge manager
for information .
Wallkill River NWR
1547 County Route 565, Sussex, NJ 07461-4013
(973) 702-7266; wallkillriver .fws .gov
• Deer—Special Areas Hunting Season Information; see page 54�
• Migratory Birds except crow • Spring and Fall Turkey (Zone 5)
• September Canada Goose
In addition to required state licenses and permits, hunters
must obtain a refuge permit . There is a $20 fee for a
refuge permit except youths are free, seniors with a Golden
Age passport are $10 . Special hunting conditions apply .
August 2008 For more information contact New Jersey New Jersey Fish & Wildlife Digest | 89
Division of Fish and Wildlife at (609)292-2965 2008 Hunting and Trapping Issue