2014 Predator Hunting Regulations Q&A

[BowhunterNJ]

Figured I'd kick this puppy off to discuss any questions around the regulations.

 

My first question is around the rifle magazine usage during the special season for fox and coyote.

 

In the regulations, you'll see shotguns are limited to 3 shells, but rifles have no such stipulation.  Does that mean that you can use the full capacity of the magazine, whether it's a 5 shell mag in a bolt action rifle or a 10 shell tube in a rimfire or a pinned mag in an AR (what is the max, 15 rounds)?

[redsquirrel]

Rifles are limited to 3 cartridges as well. P 26 of the digest under Rifles, Modern:

 

"A modern rifle need not be plugged, but may be 

loaded with no more than three cartridges. Rife 

permit holders of all ages may hunt with all rifle 

types as allowed by New Jersey laws."

 

My friend spoke to a CO who reinforced this to him.

[redsquirrel]

My question:  Night hunting with lights in the Delaware Water Gap. 

 

Spotlighting is prohibited.  Does this count as spotlighting or is it ok because the digest specified portable lights are allowed?

[BowhunterNJ]

I'm surprised they don't reinforce that in the language of the season regs like they did with shotgun.

Thanks for the info and page number!

 

In respect to your question, I'd imagine since you are engaged in the legal activity of hunting, equipment that is legal to use during that activity is permitted.  A similar WMA area rule is the times they are opened (normally sunrise to sunset), in which case you are permitted to hunt those lands in the "off hours" since you are engaging in a legal activity for that area's use.

 

DWG is a national recreation area though, so there may be other regulations pertaining to hunting there.

Definitely worth a call to verify, I can't confirm it as I don't hunt the DWG or any national recreation areas.

I'm also not sure if NJ F&G LE can answer that specific question, but it's worth asking them as well.

 

Here is the contact info for DWG:

 

http://www.nps.gov/dewa/contacts.htm

[redsquirrel]

Thanks! I planned on giving them a call to find out anyways.  I figured I would throw the question out there as well.

[BowhunterNJ]

Yeah definitely let us know what they say, that's a very interesting question!