Why is rifle hunting in NJ so restricted?

[DevsAdvocate 112]

In PA and NY, you can go out and hunt with a centerfire rifle, but in NJ you can't.  Has it always been this way?  When did the change happen?

 

Usually, people like to cite that we're too densely populated in the State to use these rifles because the bullet travels too far (bullshit).  But if you're shooting from a stand and have a proper backstop (basic hunting/shooting rules), then it shouldn't be a problem.

 

So what's the story?  Will they ever allow center-fire hunting?

[JT Custom Guns 957]

Apparently - all the Deer in NJ are Democrats..........................

[T Bill 649]

NJ has had rifle hunting on private property with bullet weight and size, as well as specific game species, restrictions for as long as I can remember (Mid 70's).  Not much of either, but some none the less.  It will never have open caliber size, large game hunting, just not in their karma.  Even with the bear season back, still only shotgun.  Feeling is that they don't want to see a projectile travel to far, population density could be a valid reason. Centerfire rifle has a bad habit of traveling long distances.  Funny thing is, if you have the space, chuck hunting can be with a semi-auto over very long distances, like a AR with 204 Ruger over 300-500 yards.  There is a screamer for you.  So we deal the hand we are dealt, and move on.  PA does not allow semis, NY does, go figure.

 

You eluded to probably the real reason, "Know your target and beyond".  There are some NJ hunters that will shoot at a moving bush, let alone see the target and beyond.  When I changed over to muzzleloading in the mid 80's, I was by myself in the woods. Then all of the sudden it just seemed to be as crowded as the shotgun season.  So I moved onto bow hunting.  Now I rarely go off private property for the seasons, just to many afield, a lot IMHO with the wrong attitude. 

 

NJ does have an aggressive game species conservation program, without it you would not even be seeing a deer today.  Almost hunted to extinction in NJ in the 1920's and 1930's, deer have re-populated by the effort of the DFGW.  Even the antis have charged the DFGW has been in the deer raising business to promote the hunting sport.  DUH!

[Parker 213]

There was a time only buckshot was legal for deer hunting in New Jersey. And deer hunting with a firearm was only for "6-day," with "doe day" always the first Wednesday following the regular 6-day firearm season. When slugs were allowed for deer, we also saw varmint hunting (woodchuck) allow rifles on private land, with a maximum on bullet weight, 100 grs.

 

Now, we've come a long way, allowing muzzleloaders into the mix, then in-line muzzleloaders that can reach out to 200 yards, .22 rifles for trappers, .22 rifles at WMA ranges, and .22 cal. up to .25 cal. for fox and coyote with bullet weights up to 80 grs., even on WMA properties. We've come a long way baby.

 

But, to answer your original question, it appears NJ was never a progressive state when it came to embracing a firearms culture, even when it came to hunting. Give someone credit that we are at least making some progress here.  

[DevsAdvocate 112]

Makes sense.  I always found these restrictions weird though.  Aren't some muzzleloaders just as powerful as center-fire rifles?  Like, if you aim stupidly, they can fly for a good distance?

[T Bill 649]

Yup!  Muzzleloaders were always dangerous, even when shooting round ball or Minnie ball.  Just look as the Civil War stats. 

[Old School 611]

Makes sense.  I always found these restrictions weird though.  Aren't some muzzleloaders just as powerful as center-fire rifles?  Like, if you aim stupidly, they can fly for a good distance?

 

Adam - I go with the densely populated state thing.  You know where I live.  I feel safer without somebody letting loose with a 30-06.

 

You may be safe, I may be safe. but have you seen some of the yahoo's out there?

[Smokin .50 1,907]

I blame all of the restrictions on the Lowest Common Denominator, the A-Hole Hunter Wanna-be that will shoot at anything that moves!  Problem is you just can't legislate the "STUPID" outta folks!  Trespassing, carrying loaded in the chamber across a roadway, shooting over a paved road towards game, within 600 feet of a dwelling, etc.  Lots of Idiots I wouldn't want to encounter.

 

That all being said, I would have NO problem allowing hand gun hunting after a proficiency test with the gun you own, not some piece of wooden stick or a Hunter Ed Instructor's Muzzleloader.  NJ exams are designed for the STUPID to be able to pass, i.e.:  Leave your muzzleloader at home (or don't even buy one prior to the exam) and just shoot ours ONCE to show you know enough about it!  Such BS!

 

Dave

[Vlad G 345]

I think the biggest issue to consider is population density. The only real countries (ie not a small island) with higher population density then NJ. are South Korea, Bangladesh, Palestine, and Lebanon. We have a higher population density then Haiti. 

 

Consider that when you ask why we don't have deer hunting with rifles. Consider that a lot of someone's will decide they need a 338 Lapua for whitetail. Think of how few spots there are where a 45 degree shot won't land on someone's roof. 

[DevsAdvocate 112]

Adam - I go with the densely populated state thing.  You know where I live.  I feel safer without somebody letting loose with a 30-06.

 

You may be safe, I may be safe. but have you seen some of the yahoo's out there?

 

That's true.

[reagor 1]

am i reading this right you can hunt coyote and woodchuck with a 5.56 AR in nj? is there a mag limit (aside from 15rd, shotguns plugged to 3rds comes to mind)

[Parker 213]

am i reading this right you can hunt coyote and woodchuck with a 5.56 AR in nj? is there a mag limit (aside from 15rd, shotguns plugged to 3rds comes to mind)

 

You've been able to use AR's for woodchuck on private land for a while here in New Jersey.

 

Copied from the F&W Digest, to answer your questions: 

 

Rifles, Modern

A valid rifle permit must be in possession while

hunting with a modern rifle.

Rifles for small game hunting are allowed using

limited types of .22 caliber rimfire ammo and are

legal only for taking woodchuck (ammo restrictions,

page 66), raccoon and opossum with hounds (.22

shorts only) plus coyote and fox (ammo restrictions,

page 62). NO rifle woodchuck hunting on

wildlife management areas or state parks, forests

and recreation areas. Small game hunting with

centerfire rifles is limited to not larger than .25

caliber for coyote and fox (see page 62) and .25

caliber or larger for woodchuck (see page 66).

See also Firearms and Missiles, page 25.

A modern rifle need not be plugged, but may be

loaded with no more than three cartridges. Rifle

permit holders of all ages may hunt with all rifle

types as allowed by New Jersey laws.

See chart on page 66 for details on small caliber

rifle ammunition legal for hunting woodchucks and

page 62 for the special permit coyote/fox season.

[mipafox 438]

There is no place you can hunt in NJ that has more people within 500 yards as similar places you can hunt in PA. Similarly, there is no place you can hunt in PA that has less people within 500 yards than similar places you can hunt in NJ. If you increase that to carrying range little would change. It's handled the same in both states - distance from roads and houses and teaching people not to fire without having a backstop or a good idea what's behind the target within the likely travel of the bullet.

 

So, perhaps an argument could be made that there are simply MORE places in NJ where population density is higher within rifle range, if not entirely different places. And therefore even though the same shot would be taken safely with a rifle in PA, let's play the numbers and say it's going to happen so much more often in NJ that we'll stick with shotguns. Well, even though that is tortured logic (it's not ok to be unsafe if it's less often), I don't believe that either. I'm pretty sure the AVERAGE place people hunt in NJ probably has a similar population density within rifle range as the average place people hunt in PA. Maybe higher, but still similar.

 

That being said, PA has Special Regulation counties that don't allow Rifle (or handgun) for deer. Not surprisingly, most border NJ. Now, Philadelphia County? I still don't buy it, but that would be the best place to make the argument. But Bucks? Only thing Bucks has in common with Jersey is the Delaware River and rich people. I've seen them make certain parks or wildlife areas shotgun or bow only and I think THAT could make sense if it allows access to hunting in an area that it otherwise wouldn't.