Racoon and Opossum

Although the Fish and Game Council proposed season dates for hunting raccoon nd opossum during the 2006 to 2010 seasons, they were inadvertently omitted from the New Jersey Register. Therefore, raccoon hunting regulations (season dates, season bag limit, hunting hours and dog training hours) will revert to those established by N.J.S.A. Title 23, and the opossum hunting season will be closed until the effective date of the 2006-07 Game Code. Fish and Wildlife will announce the Code's effective date on their website and by news release. The Title 23 regulations are as follows:

        Season: Nov. 1, 2006 to Jan. 15, 2007.
        Once the 2006-07 Game Code becomes effective, the racoon and opossum season will be:
        Season: Oct. 2, 2006 (or the effective date of the 2006-07 Game Code) to Mar. 1, 2007, inclusive.
        Hours: Hunting may not begin until one hour after sunset on Oct. 2. On all other days open during the season, the hours of hunting are one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise. Sunday hunting is permitted only between the hours of midnight (Saturday) and one hour before sunrise (Sunday).
        Hunting Methods: Portable lights are permitted. Fluorescent orange is encouraged but not required on outer clothing while hunting raccoon and opossum. A current and valid rifle permit is required when possessing a .22 caliber rifle while hunting raccoon and opossum.
        Bag Limit: No daily or season bag limit for either raccoon or opossum.
        Dog Training: Dogs may be trained during the month of Sept. and from Mar. 2 to May 1, inclusive. The training hours are one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise.

SPECIES	INCLUSIVE DATES	HUNTING HOURS	DAILY LIMITS	NOTES
Raccoon & Opossum (Tentative)	Nov. 1, 2006 - Jan. 15, 2007	1 hour after sunset to 1 hour before sunrise	No daily limit	5:46 p.m. start Nov. 1 Rifle Permit required if hunting with rifle Closed Dec. 4-9 and Dec. 13, 2006