Thank Scott on the info on the .22 cal rifle, i thought only muzzle loader and shotgun were the only weapons that you could hunt with in N.J.
I use to own a 22 mag rifle, bolt action, clip fed with scope.
Jim
Well I am might as well continue the hi-jack.
NJ Fish and Wildlife has the most unbelievable rules for legal weapons for groundhog that you could ever imagine.
You can hunt with any centerfire caliber under .25 with ANY weight bullet. Hollow points, soft tip and expanding bullets are all okay.
This includes such 1 1/2 mile+ lethal range calibers like .22-250 and .222.
You can use any centerfire caliber over .25, as long as your bullet weight is less than 100 grains.
About 15 years ago, they didn't have the bullet weight restriction and you could literally hunt with any deer rifle for groundhog.
A lot of outlaw types used the loophole to whack deer while under the guise of groundhog hunting.
Even now you could use a .30-06 with a light bullet. Bullet speeds approach 3500 feet per second out of an '06 with a light bullet.
The .17 bee centerfire will go 4000 fps.
One may also use a muzzleloader of any caliber and any bullet weight for groundhog too!
Nothing like a red mist after a clean shot!
You can still use the lowly .22 or if you like. I use a .22WMRF hollow point and it buckles them just fine.
All of these weapons are capable of killing at amazing distances.
We also have a muzzleloader squirrel season in February but that limits you to .36 caliber max.
Sadly I can't legally take my conventional .22 out with a 40 grain soft point and shoot squirrels.
Good ole New Jersey!
Always a step ahead in common sense.
Tall tales you say?
I say nay.
Check out page 64 in the link below.
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/pdf/2008/dighnt61-71.pdf
Scott
