October 2, 2002

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Fish and Wildlife has announced that leftover deer permits will be available for over-the-counter sale for the eight deer management zones where permits were issued through a lottery. A limited number of permits are available for the lottery zones 38, 56, 57, 58, 59, 61, 64 and 67. This special over-the-counter sale will enable hunters who did not apply for a permit, were not selected in the lottery, or who wish to obtain an extra permit an opportunity to do so.

Hunters are reminded that they are limited to purchasing one permit per season per zone this year. This means that a qualified hunter may possess one bow, one muzzleloader and one shotgun permit for a specific zone. Hunters may not have two of the same season permits for the same zone.

Anyone interested in purchasing a permit must bring their 2002 hunting license and cash or check for $28. Youth hunters must bring their youth license, hunter education certificate or previous year's youth license and cash or check for $12 per permit.

Because the zones involved are all "special areas" and as such, most have mandatory orientation sessions or registration periods, the sale dates and locations vary.

Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge (Zones 56, 57 and 58):
Zone 56: All permits issued through the lottery; no permits remain.
Zone 57: Bow, muzzleloader and shotgun permits are still available. There are less than 10 permits remaining for the Permit Shotgun Season and less than 25 permits available for the bow and muzzleloader seasons.
Zone 58: Bow and muzzleloader permits remain. There are less than 25 permits available for each season. Permits will be available for sale weekdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. beginning Wednesday, October 2, 2002 at the Division's Nacote Creek Research Station only. Permits will be available until Wednesday, October 16, 2002 or until all permits have been issued, whichever comes first. First time hunters must attend one of four scheduled mandatory orientation sessions and all permits must be validated by the refuge prior to hunting. For more information, please refer to page 42 of the 2002 Hunting Issue of the New Jersey Fish and Wildlife Digest.

Supawna Meadows National Wildlife Refuge (Zone 59):
Shotgun and muzzleloader permits are still available. There are less than 5 muzzleloader permits. Permits will be available for sale from 10 a.m. to noon at either of the mandatory orientation sessions, scheduled for October 20 and November 24, 2002. Permits will also be available at the refuge office, 197 Lighthouse Road, Pennsville on December 3, 10, 17 and January 21, 2003 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. For directions and additional information, hunters may call the refuge at (856) 935-1487.

Atlantic County Park System (Zone 61):
Bow, shotgun and muzzleloader permits are available. Less than 15 permits remain for both the bow and the muzzleloader seasons. Permits will be available on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. beginning Wednesday, October 2, 2002 at the Division's Nacote Creek Research Station only.

High Point State Park (Zone 67):
Muzzleloader permits are still available. Permits will be available weekdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. beginning Monday, October 21, 2002. Permits will be available at only two locations; the Division's Northern Region Office and the Pequest Trout Hatchery and Natural Resource Education Center.

For more information, please call the 24-hour computerized Permit Hotline at (609) 292-9192.