New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife

August 16, 2001

To better serve its constituents, the New Jersey Fish and Game Council and the Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Fish and Wildlife are initiating a new trial sale process for deer permits starting this fall. As part of this new procedure, permits for most zones will be available for over-the-counter sale at participating license agents throughout the state.

"This new system should work well for zones with high permit quotas that traditionally don't sell out," said Division Director Bob McDowell.

In an attempt to curb a growing deer population, permit quotas in most zones have been greatly increased over the past several years. Based on the quota numbers and total amounts of permits sold in these zones during the last deer season, the Division does not anticipate that these zones will sell out. As a result, these zones will be available for over-the-counter sale via license agents.

Hunters should note, however, that there will be a lottery for the following more limited zones: 3, 4, 18, 23, 24, 37, 38, 43, 46, 52, 53, 54, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 64 and 67 ONLY. Applications are found in the Deer Permit Supplement currently available at license agents statewide. The application period is June 1 through August 31.

To purchase a permit at a license agent, a hunter must present his/her valid 2001 hunting license and $28 for each permit. Youth hunters must present their valid youth hunting license and $12 for each permit.

A hunter may purchase as many permits as he/she would like and must purchase his/her permits in person. The only exception is that an adult may purchase a permit for a youth or out-of-state hunter who is not present at the time of purchase. The adult will need to present the youth's valid youth hunting license or a valid non-resident hunting license. Hunters are urged to visit license agents well before a particular season opens to obtain their permit(s) in advance.

A list of license agents selling deer permits, zone descriptions, season dates and bag limits for zones available at license agents is available in the August issue of the New Jersey Fish and Wildlife Digest and on the Division's website at www.njfishandwildlife.com. Information on lottery zones ONLY is available in the 2001 Deer Permit Supplement.

Bow permit sales will begin on Saturday, September 1. Shotgun and muzzleloader permit sales will begin on Saturday, October 13. All permit sales at license agents will end on December 31, 2001. If a hunter wishes to purchase a permit from January 1, 2002 through the end of the deer season, he or she will be able to do so at the Pequest Trout Hatchery and the Division office in Trenton ONLY.

The Pequest Trout Hatchery and Natural Resource Education Center is located on Rt. 46, nine miles west of Hackettstown in Oxford, Warren County. The Division's Trenton office is located at 501 East State Street on the third floor in Trenton, Mercer County.

Disabled veterans should note that they are still entitled to ONE free bow permit and ONE free firearm permit through either the mail-in lottery or over-the-counter sale. Disabled vets may purchase over-the-counter permits at Division field offices ONLY. (See correction below.) Lottery zones may be purchased through the mail-in system. Both require a valid disabled veterans hunting license. All Disabled Vet's must obtain their free permits through the Trenton Office only. This will ensure that no more than 1 free bow and 1 free firearm permit is issued to each qualifying individual.

Correction to News Release, 9/7/01:
All disabled veterans must obtain their free permits through the Trenton Office ONLY.