New Jersey's Public Hunting Lands

[RednekF350]

Fish and Wildlife recently created this web page containing public hunting lands throughout the state.
http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/hunting_publicland.htm

As you will see, the pines are very well represented.
Scott

 

[46er]

Small game opens this Saturday, the dog is already in the back of the truck. Now if only there were some native birds around.....

 

[RednekF350]

Small game opens this Saturday, the dog is already in the back of the truck. Now if only there were some native birds around.....

I have had springers for over 20 years but I gave up on native birds around 1991.
Haven't seen a quail down here since 1991 and grouse are gone too.
I refuse to hunt pen raised birds in a WMA with the Orange Army.
At least springers are great all around companions in the woods.

 

[mudboy dave]

seen quail off of burntmill last year

 

[MuckSavage]

seen quail off of burntmill last year

Would they be locals or fly-offs from a WMA? What would be the nearest WMA that stocks quail? Peaslee?

 

[46er]

There are some quail around, mostly on private land and the refuges. The quail they have been stocking lately aren;t too bad, a lot better than the ones the division raised in Forked River, at least they can fly. I hunt the off days during stocking time and prefer after January rolls around, rarely see much orange. Grouse are virtually non-existent, I've bumped only a couple in the last 5 years. Never cared for pheasant. So that leaves Tmberdoodles We used to breed Brittanies, down to one dog now and he's pushing 11. I think once he's gone I'll call it quits.

http://www.pbase.com/46er/image/105573590/medium.jpg

 

[46er]

What would be the nearest WMA that stocks quail? Peaslee?

Quail are stocked in only 2 WMAs; Greenwood and Peaslee, unless you put out your own

 

[usafvet]

Saw two grouse in one of the fields off three foot road in Stafford Forge WMA in Little Egg Harbor back in March during a controlled burn.

 

[RednekF350]

For those that are interested, this is a worthwhile organization.
http://www.njquailproject.org/
Y-Buc Bill from this site is involved. The state is getting involved as well.

 

[MartGBC]

I wish the state would plant some quality feed on the food plots on the Wildlife Management Areas.

 

[mudboy dave]

Would they be locals or fly-offs from a WMA? What would be the nearest WMA that stocks quail? Peaslee?

wheres Peaslee????. I have a feeling these guys are natural or at least somewhat natural

 

[MuckSavage]

Peaslee's down by Millville. Sorry, kinda stupid for me to think that a pen-bird would fly that far.

 

[46er]

For those that are interested, this is a worthwhile organization.
http://www.njquailproject.org/
Y-Buc Bill from this site is involved. The state is getting involved as well.

I'm glad to see some emphasis being placed on the quail project. Joe Matter was pretty much carrying it all at one time. There is some evidence from the northwest that rebuilding wild quail stocks can work. Again, it was one person that started it all, got permits to trap wild birds and release them in his state and was very successful at it. Lost the links but I think it was in either Washington or Oregon. But bobwhites here are a whole different issue.

 

[46er]

Sorry, kinda stupid for me to think that a pen-bird would fly that far.

They don't fly, they get a ride in a truck

 

[dragoncjo]

I've seen quail in cape may county....were they extirpated in much of NJ? What is their story?

 

[46er]

Quail, specifically Northern Bobwhite Quail, are in decline in all of their home range. Lots of opinions why, no studies that I am aware of that have nailed down the reason. Most popular is loss of habitat here in NJ. NJ Audubon conducts surveys that have documentedthe decline. As it regards hunting, quail and pheasant are pretty much a put and take affair with little hold over. I would like to see an effort made to stock the birds in the early spring, prior to breeding season, and study whether their numbers might increase, but that has a slim to none chance of happening.

The last 22 years of hunter harvest surveys. Some of the decline is due to a reduction in hunter participation the past several years.

http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/pdf/small_gameharv_summary.pdf

 

[MartGBC]

There is a decline because there are fewer places to hunt. Many of the farms and fields hunted in the past now have houses on them. Every where my dad would take me now have developements.

 

[Teegate]

There is a decline because there are fewer places to hunt. Many of the farms and fields hunted in the past now have houses on them. Every where my dad would take me now have developements.

Well said!

Guy

 

[Y-BUC-BILL]

There is a group of us headed by Chairman Joe Matter that is moving forward with restoring the wild Quail in our State.The Audubon Society,Ducks Unlimited,Waste Management,Quail Unlimited ,the Division of Fish and Wildlife and various Farmers our working with us.We have a general meeting each month which is open to everyone interested in our Quail Project.The next meeting will be held at the Square Circle Sportsmens Club in Gibbsboro at 7:30 pm.Nov.17