NJ F&W - 125 years
- Thread starter 46er
- Start date
I am going to be contacting them to see if they would be interested in scans of my grandfather's licenses from the early 1900's. I have his 1915 hunting and fishing combined license. 1915 was the first year a fishing license was required for licenses.
I have several NJ from that era. He was born in Medford and went to Penn State for 4 years and received a BS in forestry in 1923. While he was at Penn State he hunted there too as I have those years in PA licenses too.
The most interesting thing to me are the copies of the game laws I have from both states. Most of the avian species that are threatened or endangered today were considered pests and able to be shot. PA gave you a report card that you could submit listing all of the hawks and other species, including feral cats, that were taken. Deer season in NJ was extremely limited. It was closed from 1902-1908 and in 1915, deer season was one day per year.
Sadly, I never hunted with my grandfather as he was in poor health when I was young and died when I was only 12. My grandmother made sure I got his gun and the box of licenses.
I still use his 1905 H & R 12 ga. single for small game hunting, especially squirrel or rabbits over beagles. It's neat walking the woods with a 1112 year old piece of history. I nine more years I hope to see my grandson use it.
I have several NJ from that era. He was born in Medford and went to Penn State for 4 years and received a BS in forestry in 1923. While he was at Penn State he hunted there too as I have those years in PA licenses too.
The most interesting thing to me are the copies of the game laws I have from both states. Most of the avian species that are threatened or endangered today were considered pests and able to be shot. PA gave you a report card that you could submit listing all of the hawks and other species, including feral cats, that were taken. Deer season in NJ was extremely limited. It was closed from 1902-1908 and in 1915, deer season was one day per year.
Sadly, I never hunted with my grandfather as he was in poor health when I was young and died when I was only 12. My grandmother made sure I got his gun and the box of licenses.
I still use his 1905 H & R 12 ga. single for small game hunting, especially squirrel or rabbits over beagles. It's neat walking the woods with a 1112 year old piece of history. I nine more years I hope to see my grandson use it.
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I have and use that same single shot, probably not quite as old as yours Scott. It belonged to my uncle once upon a time, His theory was if you can't hit what you want with one shot, you shouldn't be out there! times have changed!
My father bought me a new H&R Topper 12 ga. single as my first gun when I was 10. That was about three years before I received my grandfather's H&R.
My first was a Savage Stevens 311A side by side, which I still own and use also. I got one of them modern pump guns when I was in my 20's! Ithaca model 37 Featherlight, I prefer the oldies myself
My first firearm was a Marlin lever action .22 as a gift from my Father when I was freshman in HS. It didn't work and was returned for a semi-auto Marlin, the only .22 they had in stock. Used to ride the bus to the police range for target shooting. I wonder what would happen if a 12 YO tried that today. First shotgun was a Christmas gift, a 12GA Daly side by side. Still have it, took my first deer with it in Stokes SF, a nice 6 pt, but that's a whole other story.
Here's the 1915 license. $1 for hunting and fishing. Not a bad deal.
My 2017 fishing license didn't cost me anything 
But a trout permit is $40 
That license is in fantastic condition. If you decide to connect with F&W, give them a copy; don't ever get rid of that one.
But a trout permit is $40 That license is in fantastic condition. If you decide to connect with F&W, give them a copy; don't ever get rid of that one.
My 2017 fishing license didn't cost me anything
That license is in fantastic condition. If you decide to connect with F&W, give them a copy; don't ever get rid of that one.
You should see some of these 46er. Most are in mint condition with crisp, raised municipal seals.
Once I scan everything, I will post them on my Photobucket and link to that.
Some of the PA licenses are cloth that you sewed to your coat.
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I have some early ones from NY collected when we had the cabin. These are made of metal and were pinned to a hat, kind of like campaign buttons. Also have every one of my firearm and archery licenses, pheasant/quail stamps and fishing licenses and trout stamps.
A couple of many old outdoor mag's. I scanned the covers to hang on the wall, just need to make some frames.
A couple of many old outdoor mag's. I scanned the covers to hang on the wall, just need to make some frames.
Scott, that old license is awesome and in great condition. I cant even find my 2016 liscense lol. I do have my first bow liscense from when I was ten in my safe. I have my great grandfather's side by side 410, both my grandfather's 12 gauges and my dads 12. My dad wanted to get rid of two of them cause they are really starting to show their age. I said yea right. They both are in my safe and will be given to my kids.
This grandfather was on your mother's side, right Scott? What was his nationality? I'm guessing English or Irish.
He was on my father's side Bob. The surname Ivins is apparently Welsh. I was not linked to him by blood since my father's father died at a young age when my father was only 7. My grandmother remarried later. My blood grandfather was German. My mother's side of the family was 110% Irish. I traced her mother's and father's side of the family back to Ireland fairly easily with Ancestry.com
The Ivins name was popular in Medford and Marlton and as a youngster I hunted George Ivins' farm at the corner of Evesboro road and Elmwood Road. George was my grandfather's cousin. He was a small dairy farmer and had a lot of land in corn that he grew for feed. His barn was on the northwest corner of the intersection. There were pheasant, quail and rabbits throughout the area back in the late 60's when I started hunting there.
That makes me a stubborn drunk !
But which you are definitely not. You may like yer toddy, but I'd never call you a drunk or stubborn.
A few more pieces of NJ hunting history.
1916 and 1917 Game Laws published by a Camden gunsmith.
Only 4 days of deer hunting and they were all Wednesdays.
Interesting note: Hunting most small game species was illegal with a tracking snow on the ground.
1916 and 1917 Game Laws published by a Camden gunsmith.
Only 4 days of deer hunting and they were all Wednesdays.
Interesting note: Hunting most small game species was illegal with a tracking snow on the ground.
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