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rookie needs some help

2K views 8 replies 6 participants last post by  stevez 
#1 ·
hi guys

i recently became intersted in duck hunting, i am looking for places to hunt in north jersey. i was looking at the nj dep of consrevation webcite but i cant figure out which areas of the state you are allowed to hunt in.

i know there are Wildlife Managment Areas throughout the state and they have maps for them. can you hunt in these areas during the season and are these the only public area where you can hunt? please help

IR
 
#2 ·
I suggest that you call the WMA ranger offices in the areas that you think might be good to try from looking at their maps.
Call them up, say you are new and have no idea where to go, park etc.
It's their job to clarify things and help you out. They are on the whole very nice guys.
 
#3 ·
yeah i tried calling the dep of land use that manages the WMA's.

the main office had no idea where you could hunt, they transferred me up north but the person over there had no idea either. i will just go to some of these areas, find a ranger station and ask them. seems like you can hunt any WMA unless its posted otherwise, at least thats what i understood from talking to one of the ppl they had answering the phones.

is there a way to find out where the ranger stations are?

IR
 
#4 ·
iraevski,

The best thing that you could do would be is to pick up a free NJ Fish & Wildlife digest (hunting ed.) and waterfowl supplement at any sporting goods store and then to take a drive to the WMAs that are close to you and scout the area. Most of the digest is geared towards deer hunting but it does have some useful information. There also used to be a NJ publication call Wild Places and Open Spaces (something like that).

It takes awhile to build up friendships and aquaintances who will steer you in the right direction and give you access to their land and/or hotspots - but keep trying and asking.
 
#6 ·
hey guys

thanks for the input. i ordered the NJ Wild Places map from the Dep of COnservation, still waiting for it.

i also picked up a Guide to NJ Parks by Michael Brown. that has alot of info in it, including hunting info. however i already found that it has some bad information, Sparta Mountain WMA was listed as waterfowl hunting area but when i went there, there signs all over the place saying that you cant hunt there and that its an Audobon Society conservation birdwatching area or whatever. Too bad, that lake looks like it has alot of potential, shallow lake with lots of weeds, didnt see any ducks but lots of geese.

i will pick up the hunting digest. sounds like there could be some good info in there.

IR
 
#7 ·
There's a place to duck hunt at Sparta Mountain WMA. You will not see the ducks & geese waiting for people. You have to check areas when the birds are active. Check for WMA s in your area then google map search them with the satellite feature to find any water ways, ponds swamps etc. Then get your feet on the ground or in a boat & find the ducks. Geese are a bit different to find. Now they only roost on water at night & return to drink. Most of the day light hours are spent eating in cut fields or on soccer fields,
 
#8 ·
i guess there might be some areas of Sparta Mountain where you can hunt. i was at the Ryker lake which is where the parking area is.
i have a map of the WMA and there is another small lake and some swamps away from the main lake. i didnt go further then the main lake since i figured that the whole area was off limits for duck hunting. i walked all around the lake and the signs were literally on every other tree.
thanks for the input though

IR
 
#9 ·
caglatz said:
iraevski,

The best thing that you could do would be is to pick up a free NJ Fish & Wildlife digest (hunting ed.) and waterfowl supplement at any sporting goods store and then to take a drive to the WMAs that are close to you and scout the area. Most of the digest is geared towards deer hunting but it does have some useful information. There also used to be a NJ publication call Wild Places and Open Spaces (something like that).

It takes awhile to build up friendships and aquaintances who will steer you in the right direction and give you access to their land and/or hotspots - but keep trying and asking.
:dito: Nobody will just hand you over their best spots. Be patient and make friends and earn their trust. The wild places / open spaces map may not be printed anymore. Call 856 629-0090 and see if they have one available. Its a big help although it doesnt show many of the newer wma's. It is a GREAT start though.

Not all wma's are open to hunting and the map breaks it all down for you.
 
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