Out of Curiosity....Why 8:00 a.m?

[MTH]

I'm wondering why there is an 8:00 a.m. start on the small game opener when the remainder of the season is a sunrise start....Anyone know why?

[hemlock]

It gives the pheasants time to have breakfast and a little seed snack before they get snuffed . Kind of like that movie dead man walking just with birds lol 

[Bucksnbows]

Safety!  Traditionally, it has the most hunters in close range using fine bird shot capable of accidentally shooting other hunters or dogs, especially during low light conditions.  Way back, many thousands turned out to NJ's fields and woodlands in search of game, not just the stocked pheasants that make up so much of our state's small game season today.      

[NJREALTOR]

Just like opening day of trout season.

[Kype]

always confused me as well, like novemeber 12 was opening day for shotgun fox hunting and had an 8 am start. why?

[Stevo]

Gives the Bow Hunters at the Mills a chance to get into their stands before the big push.