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Wharton st forest


Codaboy

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Here is the draft from dep in regards to Wharton. Every member should make there voices herd

To not close any roads that us hunters Access all the land roads. Not a select few to watch birds on. Thanks everyone who will make there voices herd.fc6249fa68291c9c3490d6e18af3dec9.jpgb2624a08b19c26190a409cf2d52fd3f5.jpgea17674a65ad165e26b82197844abecf.jpg

 

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I believe it is this:

https://www.nj.gov/dep/newsrel/2022/22_0036.htm

And yes, I agree hunters need to chime in and participate in the survey - it is important our voices are heard - I do not think this is some nefarious effort to stop hunting access in Wharton.

As I read this, half of it is about restricting illegal use of ATV and dirt bikes. And I can attest first hand what a PITA the illegal ATV and dirt bikers are all throughout Wharton. If this effort curbs that illegal activity while keeping hunting access open, I'm for it.

Here's some blurbs:

Quote

 

The results of the survey will be used to enhance Wharton State Forest’s map to clearly define designated safe and legal routes for vehicle usage, while protecting culturally and ecologically sensitive areas."

Visitors are reminded that off-road vehicle use of any kind (for example, ATVs and other motorized vehicles) is illegal on all state-owned lands. Vehicles operating in a state park, forest or wildlife management area must be street legal, registered, plated, insured and operated by a licensed driver.

Efforts to curb illegal off-road vehicle activity is underway. In 2021, the State Attorney General’s Office was successful in securing an increase in fines for illegal off-road vehicle use and damages. Fines now start at $250 -$500 for a first offense, $500 - $1,000 for a second imageoffense, and a minimum of $1,000 for a third or subsequent offense. If a violation results in damage to or destruction of natural resources, an additional fine of five times the cost of the damage may be assessed.

Park visitors who encounter ATVs off established roads or see suspicious or illegal activities on the Department’s entrusted public lands, may call 1-877-WARNDEP (1-877-927-6337). Additionally, there is a Warn DEP iPhone and Android application which allows visitors to report environmental abuses, including off-road vehicles. For information on how to download the apps, visit: www.nj.gov/dep/warndep.htm

 

The one really interesting piece is this - this I would be against. My hunting licenses and permits should be "permit" enough to be able to drive in Wharton:

Quote

In considering the future of Wharton State Forest, the State Park Service will develop a permit system for use of unimproved roads throughout the forest, modeled after the Department’s experience implementing the Mobile Sport Fishing Vehicle Permit system at Island Beach State Park. Permits would be issued for vehicle use of designated safe and legal routes identified through input received from the visitor use survey and future stakeholder meetings through early 2023. The development of a permit system will enhance the State Park Police’s ability to assess vehicle use and protect sensitive resources throughout the forest.

 

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I believe it is this:
https://www.nj.gov/dep/newsrel/2022/22_0036.htm
And yes, I agree hunters need to chime in and participate in the survey - it is important our voices are heard - I do not think this is some nefarious effort to stop hunting access in Wharton.
As I read this, half of it is about restricting illegal use of ATV and dirt bikes. And I can attest first hand what a PITA the illegal ATV and dirt bikers are all throughout Wharton. If this effort curbs that illegal activity while keeping hunting access open, I'm for it.
Here's some blurbs:
 
The results of the survey will be used to enhance Wharton State Forest’s map to clearly define designated safe and legal routes for vehicle usage, while protecting culturally and ecologically sensitive areas."
Visitors are reminded that off-road vehicle use of any kind (for example, ATVs and other motorized vehicles) is illegal on all state-owned lands. Vehicles operating in a state park, forest or wildlife management area must be street legal, registered, plated, insured and operated by a licensed driver.
Efforts to curb illegal off-road vehicle activity is underway. In 2021, the State Attorney General’s Office was successful in securing an increase in fines for illegal off-road vehicle use and damages. Fines now start at $250 -$500 for a first offense, $500 - $1,000 for a second imageoffense, and a minimum of $1,000 for a third or subsequent offense. If a violation results in damage to or destruction of natural resources, an additional fine of five times the cost of the damage may be assessed.
Park visitors who encounter ATVs off established roads or see suspicious or illegal activities on the Department’s entrusted public lands, may call 1-877-WARNDEP (1-877-927-6337). Additionally, there is a Warn DEP iPhone and Android application which allows visitors to report environmental abuses, including off-road vehicles. For information on how to download the apps, visit: www.nj.gov/dep/warndep.htm
 
The one really interesting piece is this - this I would be against. My hunting licenses and permits should be "permit" enough to be able to drive in Wharton:
In considering the future of Wharton State Forest, the State Park Service will develop a permit system for use of unimproved roads throughout the forest, modeled after the Department’s experience implementing the Mobile Sport Fishing Vehicle Permit system at Island Beach State Park. Permits would be issued for vehicle use of designated safe and legal routes identified through input received from the visitor use survey and future stakeholder meetings through early 2023. The development of a permit system will enhance the State Park Police’s ability to assess vehicle use and protect sensitive resources throughout the forest.
 
Thank you for sharing. This is a big deal for me. I also hunt in Wharton

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- What ever happened to Hunting being a right in NJ? Wasn't there supposed to be a group that accomplished this?

I hope the clubs all chime in. Wharton is a very large area and tons of sugar sand roads. 

They don't need to close these roads.

FPC  - "Without either the first or second amendment, we would have no liberty; the first allows us to find out what's happening, the second allows us to do something about it! The second will be taken away first, followed by the first and then the rest of our freedoms." - Andrew Ford
 

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They don't need to close the roads. What they need to do is patrol Wharton and put the hammer down on all the illegal riders in there. Virtually EVERY TIME I am there I see at least one dirt bike rider. It isn't hard if they want to crack down - just post somebody in there for a week or two straight. All you have to do is listen - even if they aren't in the vicinity - you can hear the bikes from literally a mile away. I realize it might be hard to catch them sometimes, but they are there all the time. I mean, I am not in Wharton every day every week - I've been there twice in 2 months - and both times what did I see? Illegal dirt bikes. I mean, it can't be hard if its your job to patrol it. Patrol it for a week straight and I 100% guarantee you you will see illegal riders (or at least hear them close by).

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I hunt atsion off Quaker Bridge rd . Been hunting there for 38 yrs. When I was a young boy you would see game wardens a lot through the season. I honestly can’t tell you the last time I saw one there. The park ranger station is right there. Every once in a while I see a ranger drive down the rd.  I’ve seen people partying and drinking near a swamp I hunt. Even came out of the swamp after hunting to find a couple had a fire and were drinking playing music. I reported this at the ranger station but this crap still goes on. The last 3 yrs I’ve been dealing with a group of older guys that claim to be pineys. They literally hang out sitting on beach chairs and shoot the crap. It always seems it’s where I park. I asked them to move because I’m hunting. Well, I hunt a few different spots back there just to switch things up. These guys always seem to be around. They even told me they found my bait and said they would put bait out for me. I asked them not to because I don’t need the scent all over the place. Eventually my camera was gone.  So I found them sitting one day I sat down with them and made it very clear that I know they stole my camera. They insisted they didn’t. I knew they did . I told them that I had pics of them on camera from weeks before it disappeared. I told them my cam better be back in the tree that it was missing from. Told them I would check the following day and if it was there I would pretend nothing happened. Still insisted they didn’t take. The next evening my cam was there but the card was gone. Don’t know if I even want to waste my time hunting there this yr. It’s a pretty good drive for me to deal with this crap. If I’m sitting at my truck having lunch the hikers and horse back riders act like I shouldn’t be there. Like they have more rights than hunters do.  

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That side of Atsion --  Quaker Bridge road and that area - every time I'm there I see more people just walking than I do hunting. It's a lot of people hiking, and camping, and just plain going out for a stroll. I tried scouting that place last year, it was amazing every time I thought I was away from people, I would look up and there is some group of people just out for a walk. Maybe its different in the dead of winter but when the weather is nice out, there are lots of people around.

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Atsion has truly become a place of joy riding , hikers, partying, horse back riding and just strange people. I gave up bow hunting there in the fall yrs ago. I shotgun hunt and muzzleloader hunt there now. Occasional winter bow. Surprisingly there still is a lot of activity back there other than hunters late season. I was a member of the gun club there for along time. I was in the club parking lot one day and I saw an old couple drive down Quaker bridge rd in a newer corvette. I couldn’t believe it.

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8 hours ago, Recurve hntr said:

I hunt atsion off Quaker Bridge rd . Been hunting there for 38 yrs. When I was a young boy you would see game wardens a lot through the season. I honestly can’t tell you the last time I saw one there. The park ranger station is right there. Every once in a while I see a ranger drive down the rd.  I’ve seen people partying and drinking near a swamp I hunt. Even came out of the swamp after hunting to find a couple had a fire and were drinking playing music. I reported this at the ranger station but this crap still goes on. The last 3 yrs I’ve been dealing with a group of older guys that claim to be pineys. They literally hang out sitting on beach chairs and shoot the crap. It always seems it’s where I park. I asked them to move because I’m hunting. Well, I hunt a few different spots back there just to switch things up. These guys always seem to be around. They even told me they found my bait and said they would put bait out for me. I asked them not to because I don’t need the scent all over the place. Eventually my camera was gone.  So I found them sitting one day I sat down with them and made it very clear that I know they stole my camera. They insisted they didn’t. I knew they did . I told them that I had pics of them on camera from weeks before it disappeared. I told them my cam better be back in the tree that it was missing from. Told them I would check the following day and if it was there I would pretend nothing happened. Still insisted they didn’t take. The next evening my cam was there but the card was gone. Don’t know if I even want to waste my time hunting there this yr. It’s a pretty good drive for me to deal with this crap. If I’m sitting at my truck having lunch the hikers and horse back riders act like I shouldn’t be there. Like they have more rights than hunters do.  

Great Post! I sometimes hunt ducks back in that general area off of Quakerbridge Road. Been going to that area since the 1970s. Too many people hanging, riding horses and feeding feral cats. Never met/saw the group you are talking about, but you are right on with the horse riders and hikers. 

A39552F1-5EC7-4C16-9830-E9DB791008F8.jpeg

2A31FDC2-6B9A-4FFD-8AF7-8F322178230B.jpeg

Edited by Batsto
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It’s a shame because i really love it back there. I feel at home back there just because that’s where most of my hunting memories with my father came from. Ive been hunting closer to 206 since my dad past. When he hunted with me we were back where the old bridge is out that would take u across the river to lower forge. Hardly ever saw horses or hikers back there. I might have to check that area again just to see if I can get away from all of the people. Beautiful pup you got there batsto. Thanks for sharing pics.

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11 hours ago, Recurve hntr said:

I hunt atsion off Quaker Bridge rd . Been hunting there for 38 yrs. When I was a young boy you would see game wardens a lot through the season. I honestly can’t tell you the last time I saw one there. The park ranger station is right there. Every once in a while I see a ranger drive down the rd.  I’ve seen people partying and drinking near a swamp I hunt. Even came out of the swamp after hunting to find a couple had a fire and were drinking playing music. I reported this at the ranger station but this crap still goes on. The last 3 yrs I’ve been dealing with a group of older guys that claim to be pineys. They literally hang out sitting on beach chairs and shoot the crap. It always seems it’s where I park. I asked them to move because I’m hunting. Well, I hunt a few different spots back there just to switch things up. These guys always seem to be around. They even told me they found my bait and said they would put bait out for me. I asked them not to because I don’t need the scent all over the place. Eventually my camera was gone.  So I found them sitting one day I sat down with them and made it very clear that I know they stole my camera. They insisted they didn’t. I knew they did . I told them that I had pics of them on camera from weeks before it disappeared. I told them my cam better be back in the tree that it was missing from. Told them I would check the following day and if it was there I would pretend nothing happened. Still insisted they didn’t take. The next evening my cam was there but the card was gone. Don’t know if I even want to waste my time hunting there this yr. It’s a pretty good drive for me to deal with this crap. If I’m sitting at my truck having lunch the hikers and horse back riders act like I shouldn’t be there. Like they have more rights than hunters do.  

In response to your last two sentences, it is because we believe the line that we should be invisible. Guys hide the deer they are transporting, don't walk into Dunkin Donuts with camo on, and we generally conduct ninja-like operations. Why? Just to make the antis happy? Problem is we don't IMPOSE our rights like they do!

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13 hours ago, thefirstndsecond said:

- What ever happened to Hunting being a right in NJ? Wasn't there supposed to be a group that accomplished this?

I hope the clubs all chime in. Wharton is a very large area and tons of sugar sand roads. 

They don't need to close these roads.

Sorry to burst your bubble but hunting is a privilege, not a right. I highly doubt hunting will ever be recognized by the state's constitution as a right. Hell, I doubt fishing will ever be. That is something saved for 'free states'. 

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2 minutes ago, Michael Britt said:

In response to your last two sentences, it is because we believe the line that we should be invisible. Guys hide the deer they are transporting, don't walk into Dunkin Donuts with camo on, and we generally conduct ninja-like operations. Why? Just to make the antis happy? Problem is we don't IMPOSE our rights like they do!

I just attended my landlady's funeral, she was 99yo. She said "if you're quiet, they think you're satisfied."

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