N.J. Admin. Code § 7:25-5.2

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 21, November 4, 2024

Section 7:25-5.2 - Pheasant-Chinese ringneck (Phasianus colchicus torguatus), English or blackneck (P. c. colchicus), Mongolian (P. mongolicus), Japanese green (Phasianus versicolor); including mutants and crosses of above

(a) The annual season for hunting pheasant with shotgun or bow and arrow shall begin on the Saturday following the first Monday in November and conclude the third Monday of the following February, inclusive; except the season shall be closed during the six-day firearm deer season as specified in 7:25-5.27(a) and on the Wednesday immediately following the six-day firearm deer season. The Director, with the approval of the Council, may establish season dates for special, experimental pheasant management zones for research purposes.

(b) The Statewide daily bag limit is two pheasants of either-sex. The Director, with the approval of the Council, may establish bag limits for special, experimental pheasant management zones for research purposes.

(c) The annual season for hunting pheasant by properly licensed persons engaged in falconry shall begin on September 1 and conclude the following March 31, inclusive; except the season shall be closed during the six-day firearm deer season as specified in 7:25-5.27(a) and on the Wednesday immediately following the six-day firearm deer season.

(d) The hours for hunting pheasant on the opening day of the season are 8:00 A.M. to 1/2 hour after sunset. The hours for hunting pheasants on all other days on which pheasant hunting is legal are sunrise until 1/2 hour after sunset.

(e) The Director, with the approval of the Council, may designate special, experimental pheasant management zones for research purposes.

(f) Nothing contained in this section shall preclude properly licensed and permitted youth hunters from hunting pheasants from and including the Saturday before the opening of the pheasant season to the Friday before the opening of the pheasant season on selected wildlife management areas or portions thereof, if such activity is authorized by the Division. Youth hunters must be under the direct supervision of a non-hunting adult (21 years or older), who must possess a proper and valid firearm license. Direct supervision means the youth hunter and the supervising adult are together at the same location. The youth hunter shall not hunt independently of the supervising adult. Hunting hours, application procedures, permit quotas and the form of the permit shall be determined by the Division.

(g) The annual season for hunting pheasant on properly licensed semi-wild preserves shall begin on the Saturday following the first Monday in November and conclude the following March 15, inclusive; except that nothing contained herein shall preclude properly licensed and permitted youth hunters from hunting pheasant on the Saturday before the regular opening of the pheasant season on semi-wild preserves licensed for pheasant. Youth hunters must be under the direct supervision of a non-hunting adult (21 years or older) who must possess a proper and valid firearm license. Direct supervision means the youth hunter and the supervising adult are together at the same location. The youth hunter shall not hunt independently of the supervising adult. The Director, with approval of the Council, may extend the pheasant season on licensed semi-wild preserves for a period not to exceed 20 days.

1. There is no daily bag limit and pheasants of either sex may be taken on properly licensed semi-wild shooting preserves. The total number of pheasants taken on a semi-wild shooting preserve in the season may not exceed the number specified for release on the semi-wild shooting preserve application.

(h) Authority: The authority for the adoption of the foregoing section is found in 23:4-1, 23:3-32, 23:4-2, 23:4-8, and other applicable statutes.

N.J. Admin. Code § 7:25-5.2

Amended by 49 N.J.R. 2921(a), effective 9/5/2017