Still confused over .22 rifle hunting in NJ

[Newtonian 453]

I've read this in print and online: http://www.eregulations.com/newjersey/hunting/small-game-hunting/

 

It's still unclear to me where and when I may use a .22 rifle to hunt, and for what type of game.

 

Someone had advised that .22 could only be used in a WMA, but there's two paragraphs on the page above that give a much wider area for small game hunting. 

 

 

[Parker 213]

Newtonian,

Use the Digest from the F&W website, and start on Pg. 26, then Pg. 62 & Pg. 66 should cover your questions. .22 rimfire still has limited use but is now legal for fox & coyote this year during the special season dates.

 

Excerpt:

 

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. Rife
permit holders of all ages may hunt with all rifle
types as allowed by New Jersey laws.

 

 

http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/pdf/2013/dighnt13.pdf

 

[NYMetsFan86 9]

hypothetically....does this mean if i have a friend with ample land and a serious woodchuck problem, I can load three rounds at a time into my gsg 522 mags and shoot away as long as i have a dog with me??? Does it have to be a hound?

[Newtonian 453]

What confuses me is this: 

 

Air gun: Air guns are now legal for taking cottontail 

rabbit, hare and gray squirrel using ammunition not 

smaller than .177 caliber or larger than .22 caliber. Air 

gun BBs are not legal for hunting. See also Air Guns 

under Firearms and Missiles, page 26.

 

It says "now". Assuming that hunting rabbit, hare, and squirrel was always legal, this paragraph implies that previously, other types of firearms were permitted when bagging these creatures. I assume that meant some type of .22 round. 

 

Also, if you look at the chart on p. 65, it says you can hunt squirrel with a .36 caliber muzzleloader, but it doesn't say anything about .22s.

 

Is there one source of information on what someone may legally do in this state with a .22 rifle, aside from taking them to a range? I saw the part about coyotes, woodchucks, and possum. Why can you use a .22 short on a possum but not on a rabbit? 

[Parker 213]

 

What confuses me is this: 

 

Air gun: Air guns are now legal for taking cottontail 

rabbit, hare and gray squirrel using ammunition not 

smaller than .177 caliber or larger than .22 caliber. Air 

gun BBs are not legal for hunting. See also Air Guns 

under Firearms and Missiles, page 26.

 

It says "now". Assuming that hunting rabbit, hare, and squirrel was always legal, this paragraph implies that previously, other types of firearms were permitted when bagging these creatures. I assume that meant some type of .22 round. 

 

Also, if you look at the chart on p. 65, it says you can hunt squirrel with a .36 caliber muzzleloader, but it doesn't say anything about .22s.

 

Is there one source of information on what someone may legally do in this state with a .22 rifle, aside from taking them to a range? I saw the part about coyotes, woodchucks, and possum. Why can you use a .22 short on a possum but not on a rabbit? 

 

 

Use of pellet rifles in .177 thru & .22 caliber for small game is new this year.

 

.32 & .36 caliber in muzzleloaders have been legal for squirrel-only for decades, but only in certain areas denoted in the Digest. The Digest is the single  and easiest source for information I know of to get all the game laws.

 

We can't hunt small game (rabbit or squirrel) today with .22 rimfire in New Jersey. Cross the border into New York, and Orange County is a rifle zone, and you can hunt all the squirrels and rabbits you want with a .22. 

[djg0770 481]

To add to what Parker said, shotguns have been and continue to be legal for rabbit and squirrel in nj

[Greydaddy 2]

[Newtonian 453]

Thanks to all for clarifying. 

 

A few more silly questions:

 

*** I have a bunch of 8 shot shells left over from pheasant hunting and skeet shooting. Are those OK for rabbits? I like their crunch.

 

*** Can I pretend that I'm hunting coyotes? 

[jm1827 284]

Newtonian,

Use the Digest from the F&W website, and start on Pg. 26, then Pg. 62 & Pg. 66 should cover your questions. .22 rimfire still has limited use but is now legal for fox & coyote this year during the special season dates.

 

Excerpt:

 

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. Rife

permit holders of all ages may hunt with all rifle

types as allowed by New Jersey laws.

 

 

http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/pdf/2013/dighnt13.pdf

Am I reading this wrong or does it say centerfire rifles .25 caliber or larger for woodchuck?  Could I use a .416 Rigby then for woodchuck as long as I am not on a WMA, a state park, forest or recreation area?

[Parker 213]

Am I reading this wrong or does it say centerfire rifles .25 caliber or larger for woodchuck?  Could I use a .416 Rigby then for woodchuck as long as I am not on a WMA, a state park, forest or recreation area?

 

Yes. Check Pg. 64 in the Digest, and you'll note that as long as you keep your payload at 100 grs. or less, you're fine to use whatever you like for a centerfire rifle. (You just may have difficulty finding a 100 gr. bullet for your .416 Rigby.)

 

Can I explain the logic of why it's okay to use up to 100 grs. for a woodchuck yet I'm limited to a maximum of 80 grs. for the larger fox & coyote?

 

Nope.

[Newtonian 453]

So are 8 shot shells ok for rabbits?

[glockncolts 50]

Nj is sooo confusing...

[Parker 213]

So are 8 shot shells ok for rabbits?

 

They'll work. Others favor #7 1/2's, #6's or even #5's.