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Youth Deer Hunt Day is November 20

October 21, 2004

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Fish and Wildlife reminds families that properly licensed and supervised youth hunters will be allowed to firearm hunt for one deer on Saturday, November 20, 2004. This special statewide deer hunt is part of the “Take A Kid Hunting” program.

Youth hunts provide a special opportunity for young hunters to share the hunting experience with a parent or mentor in a setting that reinforces the principles of responsible, ethical and safe hunting. Like the waterfowl, pheasant and wild turkey youth days, Youth Deer Hunt Day is intended for young hunters who have successfully completed a hunter education course and obtained a youth license.

The Youth Deer Hunt Day increases a young hunter’s chances of harvesting a deer since they are the only hunters allowed to hunt deer with a firearm on that day. Last year’s sunny autumn weather led to a record 888 deer taken by responsible young hunters. In fact, some of these youngsters took their very first deer on that day.

The youth hunter must be under the immediate supervision of a licensed, non-shooting adult aged 21 or older. Immediate supervision means that both the youth hunter and parent/guardian are set up together at the same location, hunting as a unit and not hunting independently of each other. The adult cannot hunt or possess a firearm. However, he or she can grunt call or rattle for the youth. In addition to the youngster, the accompanying adult must wear the required hunter orange.

The bag limit is one deer of either sex. Neither the “Earn-a-Buck” requirement, nor antler point restrictions apply on that day for the youth hunter. This hunt is an extension of the Six-day Firearm Season, so no special season deer permit is required.

Youth hunters can harvest two antlered deer during the statewide Six-day Firearm Season that occurs December 6-11, 2004.

Any firearm and ammunition approved for deer hunting can be used. Youths can hunt with either shotguns or muzzleloaders. If using a muzzleloader, both parties must have valid rifle permits. All other hunting requirements apply.

Hunting is allowed one half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset EST. Youth hunter status applies to the holder of a valid youth firearm hunting license or the immediate family members of qualified occupant farmers who are between the ages of 10 and 16 (through December 31st of the year of their 16th birthday).

Successful hunters must tag their deer with a homemade transportation tag and take it to the nearest official checking station. The tag must include the youth hunting license number, sex of the deer, number of antler points (if any), date, zone, county and township from which the deer was taken, and must state “Taken During the Six-day Firearm Season - Youth Hunt.” A supplemental tag will not be issued.

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Copyright © State of New Jersey, 1996-2004
Department of Environmental Protection
P. O. Box 402
Trenton, NJ 08625-0402

Last Updated: September 8, 2004