Hunting Information

From the N.J. Fish & Wildlife Digest, A Summary of Rules and Management Information
Vol. 20 No.1 AUGUST 2006

Legal Arms for Hunting

See also General Hunting Regulations
See also Deer Hunting Regulations

All firearms must be cased and unloaded while being transported in vehicles. A muzzleloader is considered unloaded when, in the case oa a percussion cap rifle or shotgun, the percussion cap has been removed from the nipple; in the case of a flintlock, when the powder is removed from the pan and a boot or cover made of nonmetallic material is placed over the frizzen.

Hunters using or possessing any shotgun slug in the field during the deer seasons must have a shotgun with adjustable open iron or peep sights or a scope affixed to the shotgun.

Telescopic sights of any magnification (scope power) are permitted for deer hunting on all firearms, including muzzleloader rifles and smoothbores. No permits are required for telescopic sights.

Shotgun shells containing single spherical projectiles referred to as pumpkin balls are prohibited.

While deer hunting with a shotgun, it is illegal to have in possession any ammunition not authorized for deer hunting.

When hunting during the overlapping firearms seasons for deer and when in possession of the proper permits for the current season, hunters may carry the firearms legal for the current seasons. For example, when Sixday Firearm and Permit Muzzleloader seasons run concurrently, a hunter may be in possession of a shotgun and a muzzleloading rifle and/or smoothbore muzzleloader.

Only one muzzleloading rifle or smoothbore muzzleloader may be in possession while deer hunting.

Only black powder or black powder equivalents, including Clean Shot, GOEX Clear shot and Pyrodex, may be used with a muzzleloading firearm when engaged in hunting. Modern smokeless powder is strictly prohibited while hunting game with a muzzleloading firearm.

Double-barreled muzzleloading rifles are not permitted during the Six-day Firearm or Permit Muzzleloader seasons.

Special Area Hunting Seasons may have regulations that differ from the statewide regulations. See Special Hunting Area Info for details.

Season(s)	Weapon Type	Gauge, Caliber or Weight	Projectile(s)	Firearm sights;Bow Releases
Fall Bow Permit Bow Winter Bow It is unlawful to use a bow and arrow for hunting deer while using a firearm license or shotgun or muzzleloader deer permit.	Bow long, recurve or compound	35 pounds pull at archers draw length (long and recurve bows) or peak weight (compound bow)	Arrows must be fitted with a well sharpened metal broadhead with a minimum width of 3/4"	Hand-held release devices are permitted
Permit muzzleloader	Muzzleloader - rifle or smoothbore, single-barrel, single-shot. Flintlock, percussion and in-line ignitions. Double-barrel firearms are prohibited.	Rifle - not less than .44 caliber Smoothbore - not smaller than 20 gauge and not larger than 10 gauge	Must be loaded with a single projectile only	Telescopic sights permitted
Six-day firearm	Shotgun - single or double barrel, rifled bore or smoothbore	Not smaller than 20 gauge and not larger than 10 gauge, capable of holding no more than 3 shells	Slugs - lead, lead alloy or copper rifled slug or sabot slug Buckshot - sizes not smaller than #4 nor larger than #000 (0.36")	Shotgun must have an adjustable open iron or peep sight or a scope affixed if hunter is hunting with or in possession of slugs.
Six-day firearm	Muzzleloader - single-shot, single barrel riffle OR single or double-barrel smoothbore shotgun. Flintlock, percussion and in-line ignitions permitted	Muzzleloading Rifle - single shot not less than .44 caliber Smoothbore - single or double-barrel not smaller than 20 gauge and not larger than 10 gauge	Muzzleloading Rifle - single projectile Smoothbore - buckshot not smaller than #4 (0.24") nor larger than #000 (0.36")	Telescopic sights permitted
Permit shotgun	>Shotgun - single or double barrel, rifled bore or smoothbore	Not smaller than 20 gauge and not larger than 10 gauge, capable of holding no more than 3 shells	Slugs - lead, lead alloy or copper rifled slug or sabot slug Buckshot - sizes not smaller than #4 (0.24") nor larger than #000 (0.36")	Shotgun must have an adjustable open iron or peep sight or a scope affixed if hunter is hunting with or in possession of slugs.
Permit shotgun	Muzzleloader - rifle or smoothbore, single or Double-barrel smoothbores only. Flintlock, percussion and in-line ignitions permitted.	Not smaller than 20 gauge and not larger than 10 gauge	Buckshot - sizes not smaller than #4 (0.24") nor larger than #000 (0.36") or a single projectile.

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HUNTING Section