For Hunters

New Jersey Audubon’s Deer Management Program focuses on reducing deer pressure on our Sanctuaries. While this is a recreational opportunity for hunters, please note that our purpose is to help restore ecological balance and that recreation is secondary.

New Jersey Audubon properties are open for deer hunting only by permit.
No small game, turkey, bear, or waterfowl hunting is permitted. No target shooting or discharge of weapons other than for deer hunting purposes is permitted.

Hunters must be 18 years of age or older at the season open. At this time, we do not allow youth hunting on our property.

Hunting on New Jersey Audubon properties is as follows:
Deerpath Complex – Bethlehem Township, Hunterdon County – BOW ONLY
Scherman Hoffman – Bernardsville, Somerset County – BOW ONLY
Hovnanian Sanctuary – Berkeley Township, Ocean County – BOW ONLY
Heilemann Preserve – Bethlehem Township, Hunterdon County – Bow & Gun
Old Farm Sanctuary – Independence Township, Warren County – Bow & Gun
Wattles Stewardship Center – Mansfield Township – Bow & Gun

• All rules and regulations in the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife game code must be followed.

• Persons authorized to hunt on New Jersey Audubon properties must, always while on the property, carry personal photo identification, display a valid New Jersey Hunting License, and have on hand the New Jersey Audubon Permit issued by the organization.

• Persons authorized to hunt must maintain insurance coverage. Coverage shall include NJ Audubon and the State of New Jersey as additional insureds. Insurance coverage shall extend at least through the period of the permission to hunt granted by New Jersey Audubon. Coverage must include $1,000,000 liability plus $3,000,000 umbrella coverage. *See Note Below.

• All hunters must use a tree stand and hunt from an elevated position. Those in need of accessibility accommodation are encouraged to contact NJ Audubon directly.

• Properties will remain open for passive recreation. Stay aware of trails and hikers. Tree stand placement should follow the buffer guidelines indicated on Sanctuary Maps.

• Stands may be installed thirty (30) days prior to the starting date of the hunting season and may remain in place until fourteen (14) days after the closing date. Permanent deer stands are not allowed under any conditions. Stands remaining outside the permissible time periods shall be considered abandoned and will be removed by New Jersey Audubon.

• Stands or blinds shall not be placed in dead trees or those exhibiting signs of disease. The use of spikes, nails, screws, or any other fastening device that pierces the bark of a tree or shrub is prohibited.

• Stands or blinds are required to be conspicuously marked with the owner’s Conservation Identification Number (CID).

• Baiting on NJ Audubon properties is permitted only during the period beginning (30) days prior to the start of the hunting season and ending (14) days after the season concludes. Responsible baiting practices including following all regulations, monitoring bait sites, minimizing waste, regular cleaning, and gradual introduction are encouraged.

• Some properties may allow the use of vehicles. Vehicle permits are offered on special request only. Authorized Hunters must prominently display the NJ Audubon Vehicle Use Permit in their vehicle. Authorized vehicles are only permitted on the property in designated areas for the designated hunting season.

• Authorized hunters are required to report their harvest information via online form to NJ Audubon within 24 hours of harvest. This information must match what is given to the State.

• Use of alcoholic beverages, marijuana or controlled substances by Authorized Hunters is strictly prohibited. Authorized Hunters may not be under the influence of any of the same on the property.

Failure to follow NJ Audubon’s rules may result in dismissal at the organization’s discretion.

*In New Jersey, hunting insurance can be obtained through several sources.

United Bowhunters of NJ offers insurance with individual membership. Membership includes a $5 Million hunting liability insurance that covers the hunter with any weapon in the US and Canada. www.ubnj.org

The New Jersey State Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs (NJSFSC), which provides liability coverage to its members. The NJSFSC membership includes liability coverage for damages to person or property while legally hunting, fishing, trapping, or target shooting anywhere in the US. https://www.njsfsc.org/join

New Jersey Audubon encourages Authorized Hunters to participate in volunteer land stewardship. The act of deer management and land stewardship helps keep New Jersey Audubon properties safe and accessible to everyone. We also count your volunteer time (including the time spent hunting) to match Federal grants.

Land stewardship activities may include trimming and maintaining existing trails, removal of trash and debris from the property, posting the property boundaries, maintaining parking areas and kiosks, or other tasks that make hunting and recreation safer and more accessible for visitors.

We request that you record all volunteer time on our website. This includes HUNTING HOURS.