Nj Hunters Education Fish & Game Council

Fish & Game Council

• Comprises 11 members: 6 sportsmen, 3 farmers, 1 general public representative, and 1 representative from the endangered/non-game species program.

Division Bureaus

• Incorporates various bureaus such as land management, wildlife management, fresh water fisheries, marine fisheries administration, law enforcement, office of environmental review, and endangered/nongame species information and education.

Proper Hunting Behavior

• Always be a safe and responsible hunter.
• Understand and adhere to all hunting rules and regulations.

Hunting on Private Property

• Always ask for permission before hunting.
• Leave fences and gates as found; respect landowner property.
• Communicate with landowners to understand their expectations.

Primary Safety Rules

• Know your target and what lies beyond.
• Maintain muzzle in a safe direction at all times.
• Treat every firearm as if it is loaded.

Participation in Hunting

• Only 2% of NJ residents participate in hunting activities.

Wildlife Management

• Defined as the science of managing wildlife and its habitat, including human impact, for everyone's benefit.

Habitat Essentials

• Four vital elements of a species' habitat: food, cover, water, and space.

Carrying Capacity

• Refers to the maximum amount of wildlife a habitat can sustain over time.

Hunting Tax Legislation

• Pittman-Robertson Act stipulates an 11% federal excise tax on sporting arms, ammunition, and hunting gear.

Hunting Regulations Resource

• General listings of NJ hunting regulations can be found in the NJ fish and wildlife digest.

Mandatory Hunting Laws

• Display license on outer clothing at all times.
• Wear 200 square inches of hunter orange when required.
• Obtain written permission to hunt within 450 feet of a building or school.

Reporting Violations

• Report game violations by calling the game thief program with relevant details including hunting license number, license plate, location, date, and time.

Hunting Harassment

• It is illegal to harass someone while they are legally hunting.

Hypothermia Symptoms

• Symptoms include violent shivering, difficulty speaking, and stiff muscles.

Hypothermia Treatment

• Cover the victim’s head, change into dry clothes, and provide warm liquids.

If Lost While Hunting

• Utilize the STOP technique to orient yourself and plan your next steps.

Lyme Disease Prevention

• Key steps include dressing properly, wearing long sleeves, and tucking pants into boots.

Causes of Hunting Incidents

• Main causes include being mistaken for game, swinging on game, and self-inflicted injuries.

Firearm Safety Rules

• Repeated emphasis on knowing your target and beyond, treating firearms as loaded, and keeping the muzzle pointed safely.

Incident Prevention Techniques

• Know your hunting party members, plan your hunt thoroughly, and be aware of your zone of fire.

Benefits of Elevated Stands

• Improved field of view, being above the animal's sight line, dispersed scent, and having a backstop for missed shots are key advantages of hunting from an elevated position.

Tree Stand Safety

• Learn to use a new tree stand by following the manufacturer's instructions and always wear a safety harness when in the stand.

Equipment Transport

• Use a haul line to safely lift and lower your bow, firearm, and other gear into a tree stand.

Types of Tree Stands

• Common types include climbing stands, permanent stands, and portable stands.

Caution with Permanent Stands

• Avoid using permanent tree stands found in the woods, as the tree could be rotted or dead, presenting safety risks.

Vital Organs for Hunting

• Aim for vital organs such as the heart, lungs, and liver when hunting big game.

Avoiding Head or Neck Shots

• Aiming at the head or neck may not result in quick mortality for the animal, impacting hunting effectiveness.

Turkey Hunting Targets

• The vital areas to aim at while turkey hunting include the head and neck with a firearm, and the body cavity with a bow.

Aim in Hunting

• The ribcage is the recommended aim point when targeting a game animal.