Hunting in New Jersey: Quick Guide for Newbies

With summer just around the corner, now’s the perfect time to try out a new sport. One sport which is often overlooked is hunting. Although some people think hunting is a barbaric sport, it actually has many benefits. Hunting plays a vital role in preserving our planet. Not only does it help to control animal populations and invasive species, but it also supports conservation efforts. 

However, despite the benefits of hunting, very few people choose to take up this sport. This is because they do not know what it entails. Thankfully, hunting is an easy sport to get involved in. If you live in New Jersey and want to try hunting, check out the guide below. This guide will tell you everything you need to know:

How to Get Started

Before hunting in New Jersey, you must complete a hunter education program. The hunter education program in New Jersey prepares you to recognize, understand and accept the serious responsibilities of hunting. 

Once you have completed this course, the next thing you need to do is apply for a hunting license. You can do this in two ways:

• You can visit a license agent and purchase your license from them.
• You can purchase a license online.

As soon as you have your license, you can start hunting in New Jersey.

Where to Hunt in New Jersey

New Jersey has more than 500,000 acres of state-owned public open spaces for hunters to enjoy. These open spaces have a range of habitats, including rolling hills, salt marshes, hardwood ridges, and pine forests. 

What Should You Hunt?

Whether you want to hunt turkey, black bears, game birds, foxes, coyotes, or something different, New Jersey has them all. It is the perfect place for hunting enthusiasts.

When choosing an animal to hunt, you must first consider your ability. If you’ve never fired a gun before, it might be a good idea to start with an easier game. Once you have mastered this, you can move on to a more difficult target. 

As well as considering the type of animal you want to hunt, you must also learn about the regulations and specific seasonality before hunting.

What Equipment Do You Need for a Hunting Trip?

Before you go hunting, you must purchase equipment for your trip. Here are some essential pieces of equipment you will need:

• Hunting clothes – clothing is one of the most important pieces of equipment you will need. When choosing hunting clothes, you will need to consider the terrain, the climate, and the type of game you will be hunting. You will want to choose clothes that keep you warm, comfortable, and dry.
• Hunting gear – some essential gear you will require includes a hunting rifle, ammunition, a hunting knife, binoculars, and a compass. Thankfully, most of these things can be purchased online and delivered straight to your door.
• Licenses and permits – you must take these on your hunt with you. 
• First aid kit – although very few people are injured during a hunt, it’s always a good idea to take a first aid kit with you in case of an accident or injury. 
• Food and drink – it’s crucial that you take enough food and drink with you on your trip. When choosing food, it’s a good idea to choose non-perishable items that are easy to prepare. 
• Shelter – if you plan to sleep out overnight, you must purchase a shelter. This includes a tent, a sleeping bag, and other camping equipment. 

Make Sure You Report Your Harvest

In New Jersey, hunters are required to report and tag all harvests before moving them from the field. Thankfully, this is easy to do. It can be done via your phone or on the web. 

The summer months provide the ideal conditions to get outside, enjoy the fresh air, and improve our health. As well as this, it is the perfect time to take up a new hobby such as hunting. If you live in New Jersey and want to give it a go, check out the simple guide above to get started.