New to North Jersey

[JoeT]

I am new to waterfowl hunting in North Jersey.  I hunt with a portable blind from shore and a retriever Labrador.  There seem to be a number of WMAs in Northwestern Jersey and many lakes.  Are these huntable for my style of duck hunting?  Any advice on hunting public land or seeking permission from property owners with lakes?

Edited July 21 by JoeT
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[jumpthestring]

[Rusty]

Welcome to the site Joe, great looking dog you got there.  You might want to check out the Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge.  Best of luck.

https://www.fws.gov/refuge/wallkill-river

https://www.fws.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2024 Hunt Regulations Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge New Jersey Tract.pdf

 

 

[electricstart]

welcome

[mike033089]

not sure anyone will tell you spots but google earth various WMAS that have some lakes or rivers running through them.  some even come up as ducksunlimited projects on the app onX hunt

[JoeT]

@Rusty thanks for the intro to Walkill- I will check it out!  @mike033089 I am not looking for precise locations but general leads like Rusty’s;  I have been using OnX to research spots as you suggest.  The map at Walkill with specific parking spots gives me hope that it’s a bit more organized for blind hunting- but I may be wrong

[BothBarrels]

I have nothing for you, Joe ... just wanted to say cool photo. Love the dog. Nice area. I used to just enjoy sitting there, watching the grass blow, even with no ducks flying.

I do go out to a couple small holes in the woods here. When it's wet, ducks will stop in on their way to Split Rock Reservoir (where there's no hunting). It was real dry on Friday when I was just walking around.  But, the dog and I sometimes get em. 

Good luck.

[JoeT]

Thanks @BothBarrels for the shout out on the dog pic!  I have since gotten him a cammo collar!  That pic was out on the bay side of fire island here on Long Island.

Setting up on holes in the woods makes sense.  Do you run into many woodcock during their migration?  Those water holes may offer good habitat for them to stop and feed on some worms!

[FeniQuest217]

I was wondering something similar - though my dog is absolutely not a duck hunter . 

I agree with looking at the WMAs for northern NJ and just giving it a shot.  Hopefully this gets more traction. For northern NJ - most of your hunting will be to the western counties.

I imagine the majority of birds migrate to the shore and South nj areas. Doesn't mean it won't be 'poor hunting' but I'll say I've seen some ducks in water as i pass some of the lakes and bodies of water but its never a lot. Doesn't hurt to try tho right?

[JoeT]

It always just matters… On so many different things… Here on Long Island I had my first season duck hunting last year right on the shore and the birds were sporadic and scarce…

[hunterbob1]

Lots of ducks in New Jersey in the ponds of corporations.

[hunterbob1]

I've seen the woodcock migration in the mountains of Bergen county near the New York border

https://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/news/2019/woodcockstudy-update.htm#:~:text=During spring migration%2C woodcock made,upstate New York and Vermont.

https://projectupland.com/woodcock-hunting/understanding-the-fall-woodcock-migration/

[Fred Flintstone]

On 7/20/2024 at 11:55 PM, JoeT said:

I am new to waterfowl hunting in North Jersey.  I hunt with a portable blind from shore and a retriever Labrador.  There seem to be a number of WMAs in Northwestern Jersey and many lakes.  Are these huntable for my style of duck hunting?  Any advice on hunting public land or seeking permission from property owners with lakes?

Is this Joe T from nywoodsandwaters?

[JoeT]

3 hours ago, Fred Flintstone said:

Is this Joe T from nywoodsandwaters?

Yes Fred- I am extending my participation to the NJ forum as we are actively looking to relocate from Long Island to Sparta!

[Rusty]

7 hours ago, JoeT said:

Yes Fred- I am extending my participation to the NJ forum as we are actively looking to relocate from Long Island to Sparta!

Welcome to Taylor Ham country Joe!  I'm sure that you've already seen this but just incase not, this might be helpful.

https://dep.nj.gov/njfw/hunting/where-to-go/