Air Gun Home :: View topic - Air Gun Hunting in NJ...take-2!

Mentolio · Veteran Member

Ok, trying this again...I had some technical difficulties with the first attempt.
So, it would seem that the powers that be have decided to allow air gun hunting of small game here in NJ (this as of August 20, 2013, I believe). Game will be limited to cotton tail rabbit, hare, and gray squirrel, at least, for now. Air gun requirements are as follows: .177 & .22 calibers, capable of 600fps or greater only (figures, I just scored a .25 Mrod!). Also, as I interpret it, we will be required to get a state rifle hunting license (even though an "air rifle" falls short of the state's legal definition of a "rifle," but I won't complain yet!), which requires a hunting orientation class of some sort for anyone who has never hunted here before (like me). The season starts in late September (I think), and goes well into the winter season (with a few "breaks"). I'm already working on my "homework" for this orientation class...thing...I hope a lot of people do the same, and start hunting with air rifles. If we can generate enough interest, we may be able to coerce those that make the decisions to allow bigger bore rifles, and larger game! C'mon...DO IT!!!!

New Jersey Hunting and Trapping Digest
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/pdf/2013/dighnt13.pdf

Crosman chart showing allowed air gun hunting by state
http://www.crosman.com/pdf/HuntingRegsChart.pdf

Link to all the NJ Hunter Education Stuff
http://www.crosman.com/pdf/HuntingRegsChart.pdf

In closing...c'mon fellow "Jersians", we can finally say we can do something that Pennsylvanians can't (sorry PA, but look on the bright side, if WE are allowed to do it, how long can it be before they let you guys?!?)! Let's show our appreciation for this rare privilege and go air gun hunting in our own state...legally...FINALLY!!

Mentolio · Veteran Member

Drove almost 100 miles (each way!) to do my hunter safety course today, and found out something. You don't need a "modern rifle/muzzle loader" permit (as was my understanding), you only have to take the shotgun course to hunt in NJ with an air rifle. Hopefully that entices more people to get out there and do it!

grizzlyadams · Member

i grew up on a veggie farm in north jersey.even in the middle of all that hussle and bussle. i had my own little piece of heaven where i hunted and fished every day. even though not "legal" at the time. we hunted with airguns constantly.we also had permits for depredation. i bagged countless rabbits, woodchucks and all sorts of other critters with airguns on a regular basis. in those days, i used a benjamin 312, an rws36 in 22 and an old sheridan, among others.right after high school i moved to upstate ny, my grandpa sold the farm. now it is all town houses.....bummer, i would like to go chase some rabbits around again! also, hide your m-rod as they just modified nj law to make ANY "shrouded or suppressed" airgun illegal. for instance, no gamo whispers in nj, no benji trails either

dobiman · Veteran Member

It's great to have airgun hunting specifically and legally defined by law and allowed with a hunting license. In my location airgun hunting is not specified and it is usually up to the policeman's discretion to charge you for anything. I was stopped a couple of times shooting doves during season and my hunting license got me off.