Forecast: New Jersey pheasant hunters will depend on the release of pen-raised birds at commercial shooting preserves, semi-wild hunting clubs, and at wildlife management areas, where the Division of Fish and Wildlife releases about 55,000 birds each year, says Andrew Burnett, principal biologist for the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife.
“Populations of wild pheasants in New Jersey are extremely low and localized,” says Burnett. “The only ones I know of for certain are in the Hackensack Meadowlands (think Giants Stadium), and hunting opportunities there are extremely limited. I theorize that there may be some local populations along the lower Delaware River south of Trenton in the industrial park areas, but don’t know for certain.”
Season Dates: November 12 through December 3; December 12, 13, 15 through 31, 2016; January 2 through February 20, 2017
Daily Bag Limit: 2
Possession Limit: N/A
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