September 18, 2019
The NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife reminds parents, grandparents and mentors of the special opportunities available through the Take a Kid Hunting Program. These days provide a quality hunting experience for properly licensed youth hunters by increasing their opportunity for harvesting game in a setting which encourages responsible and safe hunting practices with a supportive atmosphere.
The Youth Bow Deer Hunt will be Saturday, September 21. Although the Fall Bow deer season opened in "early" zones on September 14, the day is a week before the statewide opening on September 28. Also, the "antlerless deer first" is waived for youth hunters that day as it is during the entire early season period. The Antler Point Restriction requirement is also waived in zones where it normally applies. The Youth Firearm Deer Hunt is November 23.
Deer harvested on youth hunt days DO NOT count toward regular Fall Bow or Firearm Deer Season bag limits. All deer taken on youth deer hunt days should be registered as a Youth Bow (or Firearm) Hunt deer. Youths can then harvest an antlered deer during the regular deer seasons.
In the 2019-20 season there will be two Youth Waterfowl Hunt Days in each of the three hunting zones beginning October 5 in the North Zone. That day is followed by October 12 in the South Zone, and then November 2 in the Coastal Zone. The final Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days are in early 2020, on February 1 in the North and South zones, and February 8 in the Coastal Zone.
The Youth Pheasant Hunt provides an opportunity for youth hunters to hunt on 10 stocked Wildlife Management areas before the regular opening day. On eight of those WMAs youths have the opportunity to work with volunteer mentors with trained dogs on Saturday, November 2. Registration is required and is available online at www.njfishandwildlife.com/ythpheas_register.htm. Those wishing to serve as a volunteer mentor and/or dog handler can also register online. Youths may continue to hunt pheasants Monday through Friday, November 4-8, 2019. More information is available on page 25 of the 2019-20 Hunting and Trapping Digest.
And remember, the Youth Pheasant Hunt is extended to six days. These additional hunt days are Monday, November 4 through Friday, November 8.
Members of Semi-wild Preserves can take advantage of the Youth Upland Bird Hunt, also on November 2, to introduce youths to upland bird hunting before the regular opening of the season.
For more information see the Take a Kid Hunting Program page.
