2016 NJ Firearm Hunter Survey · 2017-05-31 · estimate the small game harvest, hunter effort and...

2016 NJ Firearm Hunter Survey Andrew W Burnett, NJ Division of Fish & Wildlife, Nacote Creek Research Station, POB 418,

Port Republic NJ 08241-0418

An online survey was provided to 37,000 firearm hunters licensed in calendar year 2015 to estimate small game harvests, hunter effort and hunter expenditures.

1

Table of Contents Executive Summary ................................................................................................................................................................ 2

Hunter Demographics ............................................................................................................................................................. 3

General Questions (All Hunters) ............................................................................................................................................. 4

Conservation Identification Number ................................................................................................................................... 4

Active Respondents Questions ................................................................................................................................................ 6

Migratory Birds ................................................................................................................................................................... 6

Crow ................................................................................................................................................................................ 7

Moorhen .......................................................................................................................................................................... 9

Rail Birds ...................................................................................................................................................................... 10

Snipe ............................................................................................................................................................................. 12

Woodcock ..................................................................................................................................................................... 14

Upland Game Birds ........................................................................................................................................................... 16

Grouse ........................................................................................................................................................................... 16

Turkey ........................................................................................................................................................................... 19

Small Game Mammals ...................................................................................................................................................... 24

Rabbit / Hare ................................................................................................................................................................. 24

Gray Squirrel ................................................................................................................................................................. 27

Woodchuck ................................................................................................................................................................... 29

Raccoon / Opossum ...................................................................................................................................................... 31

Canines .......................................................................................................................................................................... 35

Big Game Mammals ......................................................................................................................................................... 44

Firearm / Archery Hunters ............................................................................................................................................ 45

White-tailed Deer .......................................................................................................................................................... 45

Black Bear ..................................................................................................................................................................... 49

Hunter Expenditures ......................................................................................................................................................... 50

Comments ............................................................................................................................................................................. 51

Tables .................................................................................................................................................................................... 53

2

Executive Summary • An online survey for holders of a 2015 New Jersey firearm license was created using Survey Monkey to

estimate the small game harvest, hunter effort and hunter expenditures. A link to the survey was sent to 36,889 sportsmen and women that provided an email address resulting in 2,513 valid responses (6.8% response rate).

• An estimated 63,950 of 67,495 firearm license holders actively hunted during the 2015-16 season which began March 2, 2015 and concluded March 15, 2016. Harvest was estimated to include 32,664 crow, 295 moorhen, 7,708 rail birds, 134 snipe, 14,342 woodcock, 216 ruffed grouse, 45,821 rabbit, 63,179 gray squirrel, 49,849 woodchuck, 564 opossum, 8,568 raccoon, 358 gray fox and 6,348 red fox in addition to the reported harvest of 3,164 wild turkey, 75 coyote, 510 black bear and 17,659 deer.

• License sales in most firearm categories (All-Around Sportsmen, Resident Senior, Non-Resident, Non-Resident 2-Day Small Game) realized slight increases for CY2015, but were off-set by declining Resident Firearm licenses (0.6% decline overall from CY2014).

• The majority of NJ Firearm license buyers are residents (29% from the northern counties, 34% from the central counties and 37% from the southern counties). Non-residents from 46 US States and several foreign nations purchased a 2015 firearm license, with the majority (77%) coming from adjacent states (PA – 58%; NY – 13%; and, DE – 6%).

• Although NJ does not currently have an open season for mourning dove, 80% of the 2,381 active respondents indicated they would support a mourning dove season.

• New Jersey’s ruffed grouse population is declining due to habitat loss (succession and development) and few active hunters reported drumming grouse (3%), flushing birds (7%) or both (2%) – but grouse were encountered in 18 of 21 counties (all except the urban counties of Essex, Hudson and Union).

• In addition to a liberal hunting season format, coyotes may also be harvested incidentally by spring turkey and deer hunters. The majority of hunters (83% spring turkey, 78% firearm deer) did not encounter a coyote while hunting. Although most coyotes encountered were considered out of range, a significant number of hunters (48% spring turkey, 47% firearm deer) passed on the opportunity to shoot coyote while hunting.

• The bobcat is a game animal with a closed season in New Jersey and is currently classified as “State Endangered”. Few active respondents (4% turkey, 4% deer, 6% bear) encountered bobcat while hunting. Most encounters were reported north of Interstate 80 (I-80) or between I-78 and I-80, but several respondents reported seeing bobcats in other sections of the state (including south of the Atlantic City Expressway).

• The majority of active, firearm deer respondents (83%) had an All-Around license or purchased a separate archery license.

• In addition to $4.7 million in license and permit fees, hunter expenditures for 2015-16 were estimated at $54.5 million ($21.5 million archery, $2.1 million migratory bird, $5.6 million small game and $25.2 million big game).

3

Hunter Demographics Firearm licenses sales for calendar year 2015 were: 17,391 Resident All-Around Sportsman, 34,679 Resident Firearm, 9,315 Resident Senior Firearm, 3,775 Non-Resident Firearm and 1,073 2-Day Non-Resident Small Game in addition to 1,365 free Youth Firearm licenses (total 67,598). Some non-residents purchased >1 2-Day Non-Resident Small Game licenses, and the total number of unique hunters licensed in 2015 was determined to be 67,495. Not surprisingly, New Jersey residents constitute the majority of firearm license buyers (92.8%). Non-residents from 46 US states, the District of Columbia and several foreign countries purchased a 2015 firearm license, with the majority coming from the adjacent states of Pennsylvania, New York and Delaware (58.2%, 13.0% and 6.2%, respectively; total 77.4%).

Firearm hunters are predominantly male (96.6%) with an average age of 47.8 years while female hunters (3.4%) averaged 33.3 years. The mean age for the 67,495 firearm hunters licensed in calendar year 2015 was 47.3 ± 0.1 years as of November 1, 2015 and ranged from 9 to 102 years.

37%

34%

29%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

South

Central

North

Percent of Resident Firearm Hunters, n = 62,654

NJ Resident Firearm Hunters by Region1

16%9%

12%13%

11%8%

7%6%

7%10%

2%

0% 5% 10% 15% 20%

65+60-6455-5950-5445-4940-4435-3930-3425-2916-24

< 16

Percent Licensed Firearm Hunters, n = 67,495

Age

Cla

ss (Y

ears

)

Age Class of NJ Licensed Firearm Hunters, 2015

4

General Questions (All Hunters)

Conservation Identification Number Your Conservation Identification Number (CID), more commonly referred to as your license number, is the group of three, 3-digit numbers above your name and address. Providing your CID is required to participate in this survey, and is only used to validate your participation and to eliminate any duplicate responses in the survey analysis. The CID is not used for anything else.

Question 1. Please enter your nine-digit CID below, without hyphens or spaces (for example, if your CID# is 001-001-001 you would enter 001001001).

The response rate was determined as: 2,513 Valid Responses / 36,889 Presumed Contacts = 6.8%

36.894

2.31

39.204

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45

PresumedContacts

Invalid orBlocked Addresses

AttemptedEmail Contacts

Thousands

Firearm Survey Effort

2513

194

2707

0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000

Valid Responses

Invalid CIDDuplicate Responses

Total Responses

Firearm Survey Response

5

Question 2. Did you hunt at least one day for any big game, small game or migratory bird species between March 16, 2015 and March 19, 2016?

Based on survey responses, the number of hunters that were active ≥1 day was determined as:

67,495 License Holders * 0.947 = 63,950 Active Hunters

94.7%

5.3%

0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 60.0% 80.0% 100.0%

PercentActive

PercentInactive

Percent Survey Respondents, n = 2,513

Active v. Inactive Respondents

6

Active Respondents Questions

Migratory Birds Although crows are considered migratory birds, crow hunters are only required to possess a valid hunting license.

Migratory bird hunters are also required to possess a Harvest Information Program (HIP) Certificate to hunt for railbirds, snipe & woodcock.

Currently, New Jersey has no open season for king rail, mourning dove or sandhill crane.

Question 3. New Jersey is one of the few states that doesn’t have a dove hunting season. If the Division were to propose a season in accordance with the Code of Federal Regulations (Title 50), would you support a dove hunting season in New Jersey?

Question 4. Did you harvest or hunt for any crow, moorhen, railbird (Clapper, Sora or Virginia), snipe or woodcock between August 10, 2015 and March 19, 2016?

0.1%

79.9%

5.3%

14.7%

0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 60.0% 80.0% 100.0%

No Response

Support

Prefer Notto Answer

Not Support

Percent of Active Respondents, n = 2,381

Support for Dove Season

10.0%

90.0%

0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 60.0% 80.0% 100.0%

Yes

No


Hunted Web-less Migratory Birds

7

Crow The two crow species in New Jersey are the American crow and the fish crow.

Question 5. Did you hunt for or harvest either American crow or fish crow in New Jersey between August 10, 2015 and March 19, 2016?

Number of Days Spent Crow Hunting / Crow Harvest

Crows can be hunted on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays. There were 100 days in the 2015-16 crow season.

Question 6. How many crows did you harvest in New Jersey?

45.6%

27.2%

27.2%

0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 60.0% 80.0% 100.0%

Hunted Crowsin 2015-16

Hunted Crows Other YearsBut Not in 2015-16

Have NeverHunted Crows

Percent of Active Web-less Migratory Bird Hunters, n = 239

Crow Hunters in 2015-16

0.0%

5.0%

10.0%

15.0%

20.0%

25.0%

30.0%

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21+

Perc

ent o

f Cro

w R

espo

nden

ts, n

= 1

08

Number of Crows per Respondent

Crow Harvest Per Hunter, 2015-16

8

Question 7. How many days did you hunt for crows in New Jersey? (Enter “0” if you were not specifically targeting for crows but harvested crows while hunting another game species).

Question 8. In which New Jersey county did you primarily harvest crows?

Survey respondents reported harvesting crows in 14 of 21 counties with 74% coming from Sussex, Warren, Morris and Hunterdon counties.

13.0%

0.0%

5.0%

10.0%

15.0%

20.0%

25.0%

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21+

Perc

ent o

f Cro

w R

espo

nden

ts, n

= 1

08

Number of Days Crow Hunting per Respondent

Crow Effort Per Hunter, 2015-16

y = 0.0755x2 + 1.6183xR² = 0.4522

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

Cro

w H

arve

st

Number of Days

Days Hunted v. Crow Harvest

9

Moorhen The moorhen is also known as the common gallinule.

Question 9. Did you hunt for or harvest any moorhen in New Jersey between September 1 and November 7, 2015?

Number of Days Spent Moorhen Hunting / Moorhen Harvest

There were 59 hunting days for which to hunt moorhen in New Jersey

Question 10. How many moorhen did you harvest in New Jersey?

1.3%

10.5%

87.9%

0.0% 10.0% 20.0% 30.0% 40.0% 50.0% 60.0% 70.0% 80.0% 90.0% 100.0%

Hunted Moorhenin 2015-16

Hunted MoorhenOther Years

But Not in 2015-16

Have NeverHunted Moorhen


Moorhen Hunters in 2015-16

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21+

Perc

ent o

f Moo

rhen

Res

pond

ents

, n =

4

Number of Moorhen per Respondent

Moorhen Harvest Per Hunter, 2015-16

10

Question 11. How many days did you hunt for moorhen in New Jersey? (Enter “0” if you were not specifically targeting for moorhen but harvested moorhen while hunting another game species).

Question 12. In which New Jersey county did you primarily harvest moorhen?

Survey respondents reported harvesting moorhen from only 1 county (Atlantic) although they also hunted for moorhen in Cape May and Monmouth counties.

Rail Birds Rail birds with an open season in NJ include clapper rail, sora rail and Virginia rail.

Question 13. Did you hunt for or harvest clapper, sora or Virginia rail birds between September 1 and November 7, 2015 (inclusive)?

0.0%0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21+

Perc

ent o

f Moo

rhen

Res

pond

ents

, n =

4

Number of Days Moorhen Hunting per Respondent

Moorhen Effort Per Hunter, 2015-16

9.2%

16.7%

73.2%

0.0% 10.0% 20.0% 30.0% 40.0% 50.0% 60.0% 70.0% 80.0%

Hunted Railsin 2015-16

Hunted RailsOther Years

But Not in 2015-16

Have NeverHunted Rails


Rail Bird Hunters in 2015-16

11

Number of Days Spent Hunting Rails / Rail Bird Harvest

There were 59 days for which to hunt rail birds in New Jersey.

Question 14. How many total rail birds did you harvest in New Jersey?

Question 15. How many days did you hunt for rail birds in New Jersey? (Enter “0” if you were not specifically targeting for rail birds but harvested rail birds while hunting another game species).

0.0%

2.0%

4.0%

6.0%

8.0%

10.0%

12.0%

14.0%

16.0%

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21+

Perc

ent o

f Rai

l Res

pond

ents

, n =

22

Number of Rails per Respondent

Rail Bird Harvest Per Hunter, 2015-16

15.8%

0.0%

5.0%

10.0%

15.0%

20.0%

25.0%

30.0%

35.0%

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21+

Perc

ent o

f Rai

l Res

pond

ents

, n =

19

Number of Days Rail Bird Hunting per Respondent

Rail Bird Effort Per Hunter, 2015-16

12

Question 16. In which New Jersey county did you primarily harvest rail birds?

Survey respondents reported harvesting rail birds in 6 of 21 counties with 65% coming from Cumberland County.

Snipe Question 17. Did you hunt for or harvest any common snipe in New Jersey between September 18, 2015 and January 2, 2016 (inclusive)?

y = -0.3301x2 + 7.1324xR² = 0.1898

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Rai

l Har

vest

Number of Days

Days Hunted v. Rail Harvest

2.1%

13.4%

83.7%

0.0% 10.0% 20.0% 30.0% 40.0% 50.0% 60.0% 70.0% 80.0% 90.0%

Hunted Snipein 2015-16

Hunted SnipeOther Years

But Not in 2015-16

Have NeverHunted Snipe


Snipe Hunters in 2015-16

13

Number of Days Spent Hunting Snipe / Snipe Harvest

There were 107 days for which to hunt common snipe in New Jersey.

Question 18. How many snipe did you harvest in New Jersey?

Question 19. How many days did you hunt for snipe in New Jersey? (Enter “0” if you were not specifically hunting for snipe but harvested snipe while hunting another game species).

Question 20. In which New Jersey county did you primarily harvest snipe?

Survey respondents reported harvesting snipe in 3 of 21 counties with 60% coming from Sussex County.

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21+

Perc

ent o

f Sni

pe R

espo

nden

ts, n

= 5

Number of Snipe per Respondent

Snipe Harvest Per Hunter, 2015-16

20.0%

0.0%

5.0%

10.0%

15.0%

20.0%

25.0%

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21+

Perc

ent o

f Sni

pe R

espo

nden

ts, n

= 4

Number of Days Snipe Hunting per Respondent

Snipe Effort Per Hunter, 2015-16

14

Woodcock Did You Know – New Jersey is the only state with a split season for woodcock?

Question 21. Did you hunt for or harvest woodcock in New Jersey between October 17, 2015 and January 1, 2016 (inclusive)?

Number of Days Spent Woodcock Hunting / Woodcock Harvest

There were 31 days for which to hunt woodcock in each zone (the North Zone and South Zone are delineated by State Highway 70). The maximum number of woodcock hunting days was 49 (bot Zones were open November 1-21). Question 22. How many woodcock did you harvest from New Jersey’s North Zone?

Question 25. How many woodcock did you harvest from New Jersey’s South Zone?

3.8%

42.3%

37.7%

16.3%

0.0% 5.0% 10.0% 15.0% 20.0% 25.0% 30.0% 35.0% 40.0% 45.0%

No Response /Unknown

Hunted Woodcockin 2015-16

Hunted WoodcockOther Years

But Not in 2015-16

Have NeverHunted Woodcock


Woodcock Hunters in 2015-16

0.0%

5.0%

10.0%

15.0%

20.0%

25.0%

30.0%

35.0%

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21+Perc

ent o

f Woo

dcoc

k R

espo

nden

ts, n

= 1

01

Number of Woodcock per Respondent

Woodcock Harvest Per Hunter, 2015-16

North ZoneSouth ZoneCombined

15

Question 23. How many days did you hunt woodcock in New Jersey’s North Zone? (Enter “0” if you were not specifically hunting for woodcock but harvested woodcock while hunting another game species).

Question 26. How many days did you hunt woodcock in New Jersey’s South Zone? (Enter “0” if you were not specifically hunting for woodcock but harvested woodcock while hunting another game species).

12.9%

0.0%

4.0%

8.0%

12.0%

16.0%

20.0%

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21+

Perc

ent o

f Woo

dcoc

k R

espo

nden

ts, n

= 1

01

Number of Days Woodcock Hunting per Respondent

Woodcock Effort Per Hunter, 2015-16

y = 0.0468x2 + 0.6224xR² = 0.5251

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

0 5 10 15 20 25

Woo

dcoc

k H

arve

st

Number of Days

Days Hunted v. Woodcock Harvest

16

Question 24. In which northern New Jersey county did you primarily harvest woodcock?

Question 27. In which southern New Jersey county did you primarily harvest woodcock?

Survey respondents reported harvesting American woodcock in 15 of 21 counties with 78% of the harvest coming from Sussex, Cumberland, Cape May and Warren counties.

Upland Game Birds Upland game birds with an open hunting season in New Jersey include ruffed grouse and wild turkey (the season for hunting wild bobwhite quail has been closed since 2012).

Pen-raised bobwhite quail and non-native game birds such as chukar partridge, Hungarian partridge and ring-necked pheasants are not included in this survey.

Grouse Question 28. Did you flush any ruffed grouse or hear them drumming while hunting for any species during the 2015-16 seasons?

0.3%

2.4%

6.6%

3.1%

87.6%

0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 60.0% 80.0% 100.0%

No Response

Heard Grouse DrumAND Flushed Grouse

Grouse Flushedbut Not Heard

Heard Grouse Drumbut Not Flushed

Neither Flushednor Heard Grouse

Percent of Active Respondents, n = 2381

Grouse Encounters in 2015-16

17

Question 29. If you heard grouse drumming or flushed grouse, in which county or counties did you encounter grouse? (Check all that apply)

Did You Know – Ruffed grouse are the most widely distributed North American grouse species, and is the state bird of Pennsylvania?

Question 30. Did you hunt for or harvest ruffed grouse in New Jersey between October 17 and December 31, 2015?

15 2

20 8 3 8 8

28

4 5 8

27

12 11 8 5

107

63

-

20

40

60

80

100

120

Atla

ntic

Ber

gen

Bur

lingt

on

Cam

den

Cap

e M

ay

Cum

berla

nd

Esse

x

Glo

uces

ter

Hud

son

Hun

terd

on

Mer

cer

Mid

dles

ex

Mon

mou

th

Mor

ris

Oce

an

Pass

aic

Sale

m

Som

erse

t

Suss

ex

Uni

on

War

ren

# G

rous

e H

eard

and

/or

Flus

hed

Total Grouse Encounters by County

0.7%

1.7%

40.3%

57.3%

0.0% 10.0% 20.0% 30.0% 40.0% 50.0% 60.0% 70.0%


Hunted Grousein 2015-16

Hunted GrouseOther Years

But Not in 2015-16

Have NeverHunted Grouse


Grouse Hunters in 2015-16

18

Number of Days Spent Grouse Hunting / Grouse Harvest

There were 51 days for which to hunt grouse in the North Zone, and 38 days to hunt grouse in the South Zone. The North and South Zones are delineated by State Highway 70.

Question 31. How many grouse did you harvest from New Jersey’s North Zone?

Question 34. How many grouse did you harvest from New Jersey’s South Zone?

Question 32. How many days did you hunt for grouse in New Jersey’s North Zone? (Enter “0” if you were not specifically hunting for woodcock but harvested woodcock while hunting another game species). Question 35. How many days did you hunt for grouse in New Jersey’s South Zone? (Enter “0” if you were not specifically hunting for woodcock but harvested woodcock while hunting another game species).

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%

80.0%

90.0%

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21+Perc

ent o

f Gro

use

Res

pond

ents

, n =

41

Number of Grouse per Respondent

Grouse Harvest Per Hunter, 2015-16

North ZoneSouth ZoneCombined

4.9%

0.0%

5.0%

10.0%

15.0%

20.0%

25.0%

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21+

Perc

ent o

f Gro

use

Res

pond

ents

, n =

41

Number of Days Grouse Hunting per Respondent

Grouse Effort Per Hunter, 2015-16

19

Question 33. In which northern New Jersey county did you primarily harvest grouse?

Question 36. In which southern New Jersey county did you primarily harvest grouse?

Survey respondents reported harvesting ruffed grouse in 3 of 21 counties (Sussex, Morris and Hunterdon)

Turkey The Spring Gobbler Season was open in all Turkey Hunting Areas beginning April 18 (Youth) and ending May 22, 2015.

The Fall, Either-sex Turkey Season was open in all Turkey Hunting Areas during October 24-31, 2015.

Question 37. Did you purchase a permit for either the 2015 Spring Gobbler Season (Periods A-E and Youth) or the 2015 Fall Turkey Hunting Season (Period N)?

y = 0.0148xR² = -0.072

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

0 5 10 15 20 25 30

Gro

use

Har

vest

Number of Days

Days Hunted v. Grouse Harvest

0.4%

2.4%

37.1%

60.1%

0.0% 10.0% 20.0% 30.0% 40.0% 50.0% 60.0% 70.0%

No Response

Undetermined

Purchased at Least1 Permit

Did notPurchase Permit


Turkey Hunters in 2015-16

20

Number of Days Turkey Hunting

Successful turkey hunters are required to report their harvest, but we’d like some information on your hunting effort.

Question 38. If you had a Youth Turkey Permit, did you hunt turkey in New Jersey on April 18, 2015 (Period Y)? There were 8 Youth respondents captured in the survey, and all 8 participated in turkey hunting on Youth Day in 2015.

Question 39. How many days did you hunt for turkey in New Jersey between April 20-24, 2015 (Period A)?

Question 40. How many days did you hunt for turkey in New Jersey between April 27-May 1, 2015 (Period B)?

14.7%17.4%

25.1%21.3%

12.1%9.5%

0.0%

5.0%

10.0%

15.0%

20.0%

25.0%

30.0%

35.0%

0 1 2 3 4 5

Perc

ent o

f Per

od H

olde

rs, n

= 4

55

Number of Days Hunted

2015 Turkey Hunting Effort, Period A

14.6%

18.8%

29.6%

19.1%

8.4% 9.6%

0.0%

5.0%

10.0%

15.0%

20.0%

25.0%

30.0%

35.0%

0 1 2 3 4 5

Perc

ent o

f Per

od H

olde

rs, n

= 3

35


2015 Turkey Hunting Effort, Period B

21

Question 41. How many days did you hunt for turkey in New Jersey between May 4-8, 2015 (Period C)?

Question 42. How many days did you hunt for turkey in New Jersey between May 11-22, 2015 (Period D)?

21.1%

17.1%

22.7%

17.9%

8.4%

12.7%

0.0%

5.0%

10.0%

15.0%

20.0%

25.0%

30.0%

35.0%

0 1 2 3 4 5

Perc

ent o

f Per

od H

olde

rs, n

= 2

51


2015 Turkey Hunting Effort, Period C

19.0%

11.9%

19.0%

8.7% 9.7% 9.7%

5.2% 4.8% 5.5%

0.6%

5.8%

0.0%

5.0%

10.0%

15.0%

20.0%

25.0%

30.0%

35.0%

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Perc

ent o

f Per

od H

olde

rs, n

= 3

10


2015 Turkey Hunting Effort, Period D

22

Question 43. How many Saturdays did you hunt for turkey in New Jersey between April 25-May 16, 2015 (Period E)?

Question 44. While you were hunting for turkey during the Spring Gobbler season, did you pass on the opportunity to shoot at a coyote?

The number of active spring Turkey hunters seeing a coyote and passing on the opportunity to harvest a coyote was determined as:

20,413 Active Turkey Hunters * (152/872) = 3,558 Turkey Hunters seeing a coyote

20,413 Active Turkey Hunters * (73/872) = 1,709 Turkey Hunters passing the opportunity to harvest

15.0%12.7%

20.7%23.3%

28.2%

0.0%

5.0%

10.0%

15.0%

20.0%

25.0%

30.0%

35.0%

0 1 2 3 4

Perc

ent o

f Per

od H

olde

rs, n

= 3

86


2015 Turkey Hunting Effort, Period E

8.4%

9.1%

82.6%

0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 60.0% 80.0% 100.0%

Coyote SeenShot Passed

Coyote SeenOut of Range

No Coyote Seen

Percent of Active Spring Turkey Respondents, n = 872

Coyote Encounters by Spring Turkey Hunters, 2015

23

Question 45. How many days did you hunt for turkey in New Jersey from October 24-31, 2015 (Hunting Period N)?

Question 46. Did you encounter a bobcat while you were turkey hunting during either the Spring Gobbler or Fall, Either-sex turkey season?

25.0%

20.1%

25.0%

14.7%

7.6%

4.3%

0.5%2.7%

0.0%

5.0%

10.0%

15.0%

20.0%

25.0%

30.0%

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Perc

ent o

f Per

od H

olde

rs, n

= 3

10


2015 Turkey Hunting Effort, Period N

90.9%

9.1%0.0% 0.0% 0.0%

0.0%

20.0%

40.0%

60.0%

80.0%

100.0%

North of I-80

BetweenI-80 / I-78

BetweenI-78 / I-195

BetweenI-195 / ACE

South ofACE

Perc

ent o

f Hun

ters

See

ing

Bob

cat,

n =

33

Bobcat Encounters by Turkey Hunters, 2015

24

Small Game Mammals Small game mammal species include cottontail rabbit, coyote, fox (both gray and red), gray squirrel, hare, jackrabbit, opossum, raccoon and woodchuck. Question 47. Did you harvest or hunt for any of these species in New Jersey between March 16, 2015 and March 15, 2016?

Rabbit / Hare Only the cottontail is native to New Jersey. Hares (black-tailed jackrabbit, white-tailed jackrabbit and European hare) were imported from western states during the 1960s or otherwise released by hunting clubs. Question 48. Did you hunt for or harvest any rabbit, hare or jackrabbit in New Jersey between September 26, 2015 and February 20, 2016?

1.8%

35.8%

62.4%

0.0% 10.0% 20.0% 30.0% 40.0% 50.0% 60.0% 70.0%

No Response

Yes

No


Hunted Small Game Animals

0.1%

40.0%

45.4%

14.4%

0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 60.0% 80.0% 100.0%


Hunted Rabbit/Harein 2015-16

Hunted Rabbit/HareOther Years

But Not in 2015-16

Have NeverHunted Rabbit/Hare

Percent of Active Small Game Animal Hunters, n = 852

Rabbit/Hare Hunters in 2015-16

25

Number of Days Spent Rabbit Hunting / Rabbit Harvest

Question 49. How many cottontail rabbits did you harvest in New Jersey during 2015-16?

Question 52. How many jackrabbits or hares did you harvest in New Jersey during 2015-16?

Question 50. How many days did you hunt for cottontails in New Jersey during 2015-16? (Enter “0” if you were not specifically hunting rabbit / hare but harvested cottontail while hunting another game species).

Question 53. How many days did you hunt for jackrabbit or hare in New Jersey during 2015-16? (Enter “0” if you were not specifically hunting rabbit / hare but harvested jackrabbit or hare while hunting another game species).

0.0%

20.0%

40.0%

60.0%

80.0%

100.0%

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21+Perc

ent o

f Rab

bit/H

are

Res

pond

ents

, n =

341

Number of Lagomorphs per Respondent

Lagomorph Harvest Per Hunter, 2015-16

Rabbits

Hares

16.1%

0.0%

4.0%

8.0%

12.0%

16.0%

20.0%

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21+Perc

ent o

f Rab

bit/H

are

Res

pond

ents

, n =

341

Number of Days Hunting Rabbit/Hare per Respondent

Lagomorph Effort Per Hunter, 2015-16

26

Question 51. In which New Jersey county did you primarily harvest cottontail?

Question 54. In which New Jersey county did you primarily harvest jackrabbit and/or hare?

Survey respondents reported harvesting lagomorphs in 18 or 21 counties with 48% coming from Cumberland, Gloucester, Sussex and Mercer counties.

Question 55. Did you use an air gun or shotgun while rabbit / hare hunting in New Jersey during 2015-16?

y = 0.0084x2 + 0.7172xR² = 0.3863

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

Rab

bit/H

are

Har

vest

Number of Days

Days Hunted v. Rabbit/Hare Harvest

1.8%

85.9%

7.6%2.6% 1.2%

0.0%

20.0%

40.0%

60.0%

80.0%

100.0%

Air Gun Only Shotgun Only BOTH Air Gunand Shotgun

Neither Air GunNor Shotgun

No ResponsePerc

ent o

f Rab

bit/H

are

Res

pond

nets

, n =

341

Rabbit/Hare Hunter Weapon Selection

27

Gray Squirrel Question 56. Did you hunt for or harvest gray squirrel in New Jersey between September 26, 2015 and February 15, 2016?

Number of Days Spent Squirrel Hunting / Squirrel Harvest

Question 57. How many squirrels did you harvest in New Jersey using a muzzleloading rifle during 2015-16?

Question 60. How many squirrels did you harvest in New Jersey using an air gun or shotgun during 2015-16?

0.9%

41.2%

42.6%

15.3%

0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 60.0% 80.0% 100.0%


Hunted Squirrelin 2015-16

Hunted SquirrelOther Years

But Not in 2015-16

Have NeverHunted Squirrel


Squirrel Hunters in 2015-16

0.0%

2.0%

4.0%

6.0%

8.0%

10.0%

12.0%

14.0%

16.0%

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21+Perc

ent o

f Squ

irre

l Res

pond

ents

, n =

351

Number of Squirrel per Respondent

Squirrel Harvest Per Hunter, 2015-16

ML Hunters

Air/ShotgunHunters

28

Question 58. How many days did you hunt for squirrels in New Jersey with a muzzleloading rifle during 2015-16? (Enter “0” if you were not specifically hunting squirrel but harvested squirrel while hunting another game species).

Question 61. How many days did you hunt for squirrels in New Jersey with an air gun or shotgun during 2015-16? (Enter “0” if you were not specifically hunting squirrel but harvested squirrel while hunting another game species).

15.1%

0.0%

4.0%

8.0%

12.0%

16.0%

20.0%

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21+Perc

ent o

f Squ

irre

l Res

pond

ents

, n =

351

Number of Days Hunting Squirrel per Respondent

Squirrel Effort Per Hunter, 2015-16

y = -0.0153x2 + 1.2798xR² = 0.2997

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

Squi

rrel

Har

vest

Number of Days

Days Hunted v. Squirrel Harvest

29

Question 59. In which New Jersey county did you primarily harvest squirrel using a muzzleloading rifle?

Question 62. In which New Jersey county did you primarily harvest squirrel with an air gun or shotgun?

Survey respondents reported harvesting squirrels in 18 of 21 counties with 57% coming from Sussex, Warren, Burlington and Gloucester counties.

Question 63. Did you use an air gun or shotgun while squirrel hunting in New Jersey during 2015-16?

Woodchuck Question 64. Did you hunt for or harvest woodchuck in New Jersey between March 2, 2015 and February 15, 2016?

16.2%

57.0%

18.5%

5.7% 7.7%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

Air Gun Only Shotgun Only BOTH Air Gunand Shotgun

Neither Air GunNor Shotgun

ML Rifle

Perc

ent o

f Squ

irre

l Res

pond

nets

, n =

351

Squirrel Hunter Weapon Selection

3.1%

17.4%

38.3%

41.3%

0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 60.0% 80.0% 100.0%


Hunted Woodchuckin 2015-16

Hunted WoodchuckOther Years

But Not in 2015-16

Have NeverHunted Woodchuck


Woodchuck Hunters in 2015-16

30

Question 65. How many woodchuck did you harvest in New Jersey using a rifle between March 2-September 30, 2015 and between March 1-19, 2016 (inclusive)? Question 68. How many woodchuck did you harvest in New Jersey using a bow or shotgun between March 2, 2015 and March 19, 2016?

Question 66. How many days did you hunt for woodchuck with a rifle in New Jersey between March 2-September 30, 2015 and between March 1-19, 2016 (inclusive)? (Enter “0” if you were not specifically hunting woodchuck but harvested woodchuck while hunting another game species). Question 69. How many days did you hunt for woodchuck in New Jersey with a bow or shotgun between March 2, 2015 and March 19, 2016? (Enter “0” if you were not specifically hunting woodchuck but harvested woodchuck while hunting another game species).

0.0%

2.0%

4.0%

6.0%

8.0%

10.0%

12.0%

14.0%

16.0%

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21+Perc

ent o

f Woo

dchu

ck R

espo

nden

ts, n

= 1

48

Number of Woodchuck per Respondent

Woodchuck Harvest Per Hunter, 2015-16

Rifle Hunters

Bow/Shotgun Hunters

5.4%

0.0%

2.0%

4.0%

6.0%

8.0%

10.0%

12.0%

14.0%

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21+

Perc

ent o

f Woo

dcuc

k R

espo

nden

ts, n

= 1

48

Number of Days Hunting Woodchuck per Respondent

Woodchuck Effort Per Hunter, 2015-16

31

Question 67. In which New Jersey county did you primarily harvest woodchuck using a rifle?

Question 70. In which New Jersey county did you primarily harvest squirrel with a bow or shotgun?

Survey respondents reported harvesting woodchucks in 16 of 21 counties with 60% coming from Burlington, Salem, Gloucester and Sussex counties.

Raccoon / Opossum Question 71. Did you hunt for or harvest raccoon / opossum in New Jersey between October 1, 2015 and March 1, 2016 (inclusive)?

y = -0.0045x2 + 1.4178xR² = 0.4894

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

200

0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350

Woo

dchu

ck H

arve

st

Number of Days

Days Hunted v. Woodchuck Harvest

3.1%

2.7%

22.7%

71.6%

0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 60.0% 80.0% 100.0%


Hunted Racc/Oposin 2015-16

Hunted Racc/OposOther Years

But Not in 2015-16

Have NeverHunted Racc/Opos


Raccoon/Opossum Hunters in 2015-16

33

Number of Days Spent Raccoon or Opossum Hunting / Raccoon and Opossum Harvest

Question 72. How many opossum did you harvest in New Jersey between October 1, 2015 and March 1, 2016?

Question 75. How many raccoon did you harvest in New Jersey between October 1, 2015 and March 1, 2016?

Question 73. How many nights did you hunt for opossum in New Jersey between October 1, 2015 and March 1, 2016? (Enter “0” if you were not specifically hunting for opossum but harvested opossum while pursuing another game species). Question 76. How many nights did you hunt for raccoon in New Jersey between October 1, 2015 and March 1, 2016? (Enter “0” if you were not specifically hunting for raccoon but harvested raccoon while pursuing another game species).

0.0%

2.0%

4.0%

6.0%

8.0%

10.0%

12.0%

14.0%

16.0%

18.0%

20.0%

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21+

Perc

ent o

f Rac

c/O

pos R

espo

nden

ts, n

= 2

3

Number of Raccoon/Opossum per Respondent

Raccoon/Opossum Harvest Per Hunter, 2015-16

Raccoon Opossum

43.5%

0.0%

5.0%

10.0%

15.0%

20.0%

25.0%

30.0%

35.0%

40.0%

45.0%

50.0%

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21+

Perc

ent o

f Rac

c/O

pos R

espo

nden

ts, n

= 2

3

Number of Days Hunting Raccoon/Opossum per Respondent

Raccoon/Opossum Effort Per Hunter, 2015-16

34

Question 74. In which New Jersey county did you primarily harvest opossum during 2015-16?

Survey respondents reported harvesting opossum in 7 of 21 counties, with 66.7% coming from Bergen, Cumberland and Morris counties.

Question 77. In which New Jersey county did you primarily harvest raccoon during 2015-16?

Survey respondents reported harvesting raccoon in 14 of 21 counties, with 66.5% coming from Gloucester County.

Question 78. Did you use a shotgun or a .22 caliber rifle while raccoon / opossum hunting in New Jersey during 2015-16?

y = 0.0728x2 - 1.5144xR² = 0.7163

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

200

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

Rac

coon

/Opo

ssum

Har

vest

Number of Days

Days Hunted v. Raccoon/Opossum Harvest

43.5%

34.8%

21.7%

0.0%

5.0%

10.0%

15.0%

20.0%

25.0%

30.0%

35.0%

40.0%

45.0%

50.0%

.22 Rifle Only Shotgun Only BOTH .22 Rifleand Shotgun

Perc

ent o

f Rac

c/O

pos R

espo

ndne

ts, n

= 2

3

Raccoon/Opossum Hunter Weapon Selection

35

Canines Canine species with an open hunting season in New Jersey include coyote, gray fox and red fox.

Question 79. Did you hunt for or harvest coyote / fox in New Jersey between September 12, 2015 and March 15, 2016?

Number of Days Spent Coyote Hunting / Coyote Harvest

Question 80. How many coyote did you harvest with a bow and arrow in New Jersey between September 12, 2015 and March 15, 2016?

5.8%

34.0%

29.8%

29.8%

0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 60.0% 80.0% 100.0%


Hunted Caninesin 2015-16

Hunted CaninesOther Years

But Not in 2015-16

Have NeverHunted Canines


Canine Hunters in 2015-16

0.0%

20.0%

40.0%

60.0%

80.0%

100.0%

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21+

Perc

ent o

f Coy

ote

Res

pond

ents

, n =

74

Number of Coyote per Respondent

Coyote Harvest Per Bow Hunter, 2015-16

36

Question 81. How many days did you hunt for coyote with a bow and arrow in New Jersey between September 12, 2015 and March 15, 2016? (Enter “0” if you were not specifically hunting for coyote but harvested coyote while pursuing another game species).

Question 82. In which New Jersey county did you primarily harvest coyote while bowhunting during 2015-16?

Survey respondents reported harvesting coyote with a bow in 9 of 21 counties, with 50.0% coming from Burlington, Gloucester and Sussex counties.

Question 83. How many coyote did you harvest with a firearm in New Jersey between November 7, 2015 and March 15, 2016?

9.5%

0.0%

4.0%

8.0%

12.0%

16.0%

20.0%

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21+

Perc

ent o

f C

oyot

e R

espo

nden

ts, n

= 7

4

Number of Days Hunting Coyote with Bow

Coyote Effort Per Bow Hunter, 2015-16

0.0%

20.0%

40.0%

60.0%

80.0%

100.0%

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21+

Perc

ent o

f Coy

ote

Res

pond

ents

, n =

227

Number of Coyote per Respondent

Coyote Harvest Per Firearm Hunter, 2015-16

37

Question 84. How many days did you hunt for coyote with a firearm in New Jersey between November 7, 2015 and March 15, 2016? (Enter “0” if you were not specifically hunting for coyote but harvested coyote while pursuing another game species).

Question 85. In which New Jersey county did you primarily harvest coyote while firearm hunting during 2015-16?

Survey respondents reported harvesting coyote with a firearm in 11 of 21 counties (one unknown), with 66.0% coming from Morris, Warren and Gloucester counties.

Number of Days Spent Gray Fox Hunting / Gray Fox Harvest

Question 86. How many gray fox did you harvest with a bow and arrow in New Jersey between September 12, 2015 and March 15, 2016?

3.5%

0.0%

4.0%

8.0%

12.0%

16.0%

20.0%

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21+

Perc

ent o

f C

oyot

e R

espo

nden

ts, n

= 2

27

Number of Days Hunting Coyote with Firearm

Coyote Effort Per Firearm Hunter, 2015-16

0.0%

20.0%

40.0%

60.0%

80.0%

100.0%

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21+

Perc

ent o

f Gar

y Fo

x R

espo

nden

ts, n

= 3

0

Number of Gray Fox per Respondent

Gray Fox Harvest Per Bow Hunter, 2015-16

38

Question 87. How many days did you hunt for gray fox with a bow and arrow in New Jersey between September 12, 2015 and March 15, 2016? (Enter “0” if you were not specifically hunting for gray fox but harvested gray fox while pursuing another game species).

Question 88. In which New Jersey county did you primarily harvest gray fox while bowhunting during 2015-16?

Survey respondents reported harvesting gray fox with a bow in 5 of 21 counties, with 66.6% coming from Hunterdon and Sussex counties.

Question 89. How many gray fox did you harvest with a firearm in New Jersey between November 7, 2015 and March 15, 2016?

10.0%

0.0%

4.0%

8.0%

12.0%

16.0%

20.0%

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21+

Perc

ent o

f G

ray

Fox

Res

pond

ents

, n =

30

Number of Days Hunting Gray Fox with Bow

Gray Fox Effort Per Bow Hunter, 2015-16

0.0%

20.0%

40.0%

60.0%

80.0%

100.0%

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21+

Perc

ent o

f Gar

y Fo

x R

espo

nden

ts, n

= 8

9

Number of Gray Fox per Respondent

Gray Fox Harvest Per Firearm Hunter, 2015-16

39

Question 90. How many days did you hunt for gray fox with a firearm in New Jersey between November 7, 2015 and March 15, 2016? (Enter “0” if you were not specifically hunting for gray fox but harvested gray fox while pursuing another game species).

Question 91. In which New Jersey county did you primarily harvest gray fox while firearm hunting during 2015-16?

Survey respondents reported harvesting gray fox with a firearm in 7 of 21 counties, with 64.7% coming from Hunterdon and Cumberland counties.

Number of Days Spent Red Fox Hunting / Red Fox Harvest

Question 92. How many red fox did you harvest with a bow and arrow in New Jersey between September 12, 2015 and March 15, 2016?

2.2%

0.0%

4.0%

8.0%

12.0%

16.0%

20.0%

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21+Perc

ent o

f G

ray

Fox

Res

pond

ents

, n =

89

Number of Days Hunting Gray Fox with Firearm

Gray Fox Effort Per Firearm Hunter, 2015-16

0.0%

20.0%

40.0%

60.0%

80.0%

100.0%

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21+

Perc

ent o

f Red

Fox

Res

pond

ents

, n =

45

Number of Red Fox per Respondent

Red Fox Harvest Per Bow Hunter, 2015-16

40

Question 93. How many days did you hunt for red fox with a bow and arrow in New Jersey between September 12, 2015 and March 15, 2016? (Enter “0” if you were not specifically hunting for red fox but harvested red fox while pursuing another game species).

Question 94. In which New Jersey county did you primarily harvest red fox while bowhunting during 2015-16?

Survey respondents reported harvesting red fox with a bow in 11 of 21 counties, with 41.4% coming from Somerset, Hunterdon, Burlington and Middlesex counties.

Question 95. How many red fox did you harvest with a firearm in New Jersey between November 7, 2015 and March 15, 2016?

31.1%

0.0%

8.0%

16.0%

24.0%

32.0%

40.0%

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21+

Perc

ent o

f R

ed F

ox R

espo

nden

ts, n

= 4

5

Number of Days Hunting Red Fox with Bow

Red Fox Effort Per Bow Hunter, 2015-16

0.0%

20.0%

40.0%

60.0%

80.0%

100.0%

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21+

Perc

ent o

f Red

Fox

Res

pond

ents

, n =

150

Number of Red Fox per Respondent

Red Fox Harvest Per Firearm Hunter, 2015-16

41

Question 96. How many days did you hunt for red fox with a firearm in New Jersey between November 7, 2015 and March 15, 2016? (Enter “0” if you were not specifically hunting for red fox but harvested red fox while pursuing another game species).

Question 97. In which New Jersey county did you primarily harvest red fox while firearm hunting during 2015-16?

Survey respondents reported harvesting red fox with a firearm in 13 of 21 counties, with 56.2% coming from Morris, Hunterdon and Gloucester counties.

8.7%

0.0%

4.0%

8.0%

12.0%

16.0%

20.0%

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21+

Perc

ent o

f R

ed F

ox R

espo

nden

ts, n

= 1

50

Number of Days Hunting Red Fox with Firearm

Red Fox Effort Per Firearm Hunter, 2015-16

42

Special Permit Coyote/Fox Season

The Special Permit season for hunting coyote and fox was January 1-March 15, 2016 and ran concurrent with the regular small game season for these species. The Special Permit also allows hunters to use a rifle (maximum .25 caliber) during daylight hours, hunt with a muzzleloading rifle outside the established deer seasons, and hunt with a shotgun during evening hours. Special Permit holders are required to possess a predator call while hunting, and are exempt from wearing fluorescent hunter orange while hunting coyote / fox under the special permit provisions. Question 98. Did you purchase a 2016 New Jersey Special Coyote and Fox Hunting Permit?

Number of Days Spent Hunting Canines (Special Permit) / Weapon Types Used

Question 99. How many days did you hunt coyote / fox in New Jersey during the Special Permit Coyote and Fox hunting season?

63.6%

23.1%

5.4%

7.9%

0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 60.0% 80.0% 100.0%


Had a Permitin 2015-16

Had a PermitOther Years

But Not in 2015-16

Have NeverHad Permit


Special Permit Canine Hunters in 2015-16

12.2%

0.0%

4.0%

8.0%

12.0%

16.0%

20.0%

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21+

Perc

ent o

f Pe

rmit

Res

pond

ents

, n =

197

Number of Days Permit Hunting Canines

Canine Effort Per Permit Hunter, 2015-16

43

Question 100. If you did hunt at least one day during the Special Permit Season, what time period(s) did you hunt?

Question 101. If you hunted at least one day during the Special Permit Season, which weapon type(s) did you use to hunt coyote / fox in New Jersey? (Please select all that apply).

39.5%

11.0%

49.4%

0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 60.0% 80.0% 100.0%

Both Daylightand Evening

Evening Only

Daylight Only

Percent of Active Special Permit Holders, n = 172

Special Permit Canine Hunter Activity Period, 2015-16

62.8%

58.7%

5.8%

4.1%

0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 60.0% 80.0% 100.0%

Shotgun

Center-fireRifle

ML Rifle

Bow & Arrow

Percent of Active Special Permit Holders, n = 172

Special Permit Canine Hunter Weapon Type, 2015-16

44

Question 102. How many gray fox did you harvest during the Special Permit Season?

Question 103. How many red fox did you harvest during the Special Permit Season?

Big Game Mammals Big game species in New Jersey include black bear and white-tailed deer

Question 104. Did you hunt for either black bear or white-tailed deer in New Jersey between September 12, 2015 and February 20, 2016 (inclusive)?

0.0%

20.0%

40.0%

60.0%

80.0%

100.0%

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21+

Perc

ent o

f Per

mit

Res

pond

ents

, n =

172

Number of Fox per Active Permit Respondent

Fox Harvest Per Permit Hunter, 2015-16

Pct Gray

Pct Red

3%

65.7%

19.2%

0.4%

11.4%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

No Response

Deer HunterOnly

Bear/DeerHunter

Bear HunterOnly

Not Big GameHunter


Big Game Hunters in NJ, 2015-16

45

Firearm / Archery Hunters New Jersey’s All-Around Sportsman license combines bow & arrow hunting, firearm hunting & fishing privileges for residents only. Some firearm hunters also purchase a separate bow & arrow license. Question 105. Which New Jersey Bow & Arrow license (if any) did you purchase in 2015?

White-tailed Deer New Jersey requires all successful hunters to report their deer harvest, but we would like to get some idea of your hunting effort. Question 106. How many days did you hunt for deer during the 2015 Fall Bow Season?

Question 107. If you purchased a Special Permit for any Deer Management Zone, how many days did you hunt for deer during the 2015 Permit Bow Season? (Skip this question if you did NOT purchase a Special Bow Permit).

Question 108. How many days did you hunt for deer during the 2016 Winter Bow Season?

2.6%

47.0%

9.9%

23.8%

16.8%

0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 60.0% 80.0% 100.0%

Non-Resident

All-AroundSportsman

Sr. Resident

Resident

Not an ArcheryHunter

Percent of Active Deer Hunting Respondents, n = 2,021

Archery License Held by Firearm Hunters, 2015-16

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21+

Perc

ent o

f A

ctiv

e R

espo

nden

ts

Number of Days Bowhunting Deer

Bowhunter Effort Per Hunter, 2015-16

Pct Fall Bow Hunters(n=1662)

Pct Permit Bow Hunters(n=1358)

Pct Winter Bow Hunters(n=1662)

46

Question 109. Did you encounter a bobcat while you were hunting during any open bow season?

Question 110. While you were bowhunting for deer, did you pass on the opportunity to shoot at a coyote?

78.9%

15.6%

2.8% 1.8% 0.9%0.0%

20.0%

40.0%

60.0%

80.0%

100.0%

North of I-80

BetweenI-80 / I-78

BetweenI-78 / I-195

BetweenI-195 / ACE

South ofACE

Perc

ent o

f Hun

ters

See

ing

Bob

cat,

n =1

09

Bobcat Encounters by Deer Bowhunters, 2015-16

10.3%

19.3%

70.3%

0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 60.0% 80.0% 100.0%



No Coyote Seen

Percent of Active Archery Deer Respondents, n = 1,662

Coyote Encounters by Deer Bowhunters, 2015-16

47

Number of Days Spent Deer Hunting (Firearm)

A firearm license allows you to hunt deer only during the statewide Six-day Firearm “Buck” season. A separate, zone-specific permit is also required to hunt deer during the Special Muzzleloader and Special Shotgun either-sex seasons. Question 111. How many days did you hunt for deer in New Jersey during the Six-day Firearm Season?

Question 112. If you purchased a Special Muzzleloader Permit for any New Jersey Deer Management Zone, how many days did you hunt for deer during the Permit Muzzleloader season? (Skip this question if you did NOT purchase a Special Muzzleloader Permit). Question 113. If you purchased a Special Shotgun Permit for any New Jersey Deer Management Zone, how many days did you hunt for deer during the Permit Shotgun season? (Skip this question if you did NOT purchase a Special Shotgun Permit).

11.9% 11.4%

18.5%15.2%

12.1%9.4%

20.0%

1.6%0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 NoResponse

% A

ctiv

e D

eer

Hun

ters

, n =

202

1


2015 6-Day Firearm Deer Effort

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21+

Perc

ent o

f A

ctiv

e R

espo

nden

ts

Number of Days Firearm Hunting During Permit Seasons

Firearm Effort Per Permit Deer Hunter, 2015-16

Permit ML Hunters(n=1178)

Permit Shotgun Hunters(n=1093)

48

Question 114. Did you encounter a bobcat while you were hunting during any open firearm deer season?

Question 115. While you were hunting for deer with a firearm, did you pass on the opportunity to shoot at a coyote?

79.7%

11.4%

1.3%5.1% 2.5%

0.0%

20.0%

40.0%

60.0%

80.0%

100.0%

North of I-80

BetweenI-80 / I-78

BetweenI-78 / I-195

BetweenI-195 / ACE

South ofACE

Perc

ent o

f Hun

ters

See

ing

Bob

cat,

n =7

9

Bobcat Encounters by Firearm Deer Hunters, 2015-16

10.3%

11.7%

78.0%

0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 60.0% 80.0% 100.0%



No Coyote Seen

Percent of Active Firearm Deer Respondents, n = 1,662

Coyote Encounters by Firearm Deer Hunters, 2015-16

49

Black Bear The black bear hunting season ran concurrent with the Six-day Firearm “Buck” season (December 7-12, 2015) and was extended to include portions of the Permit Shotgun and Permit Muzzleloader deer seasons (December 16-19, 2015).

All successful hunters are required to bring their bear to an official bear check station, but we would like to get an idea as to your hunting effort.

Question 116. How many days did you hunt for black bear during the 2015 season?

Question 117. Did you encounter a bobcat while you were bear hunting?

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21+

Perc

ent o

f B

ear

Res

pond

ents

, n =

465

Number of Days Bear Hunting During Permit Seasons

Firearm Effort Per Permit Bear Hunter, 2015-16

93.1%

3.4% 3.4% 0.0% 0.0%0.0%

20.0%

40.0%

60.0%

80.0%

100.0%

North of I-80

BetweenI-80 / I-78

BetweenI-78 / I-195

BetweenI-195 / ACE

South ofACE

Perc

ent o

f Hun

ters

See

ing

Bob

cat,

n =2

9

Bobcat Encounters by Bear Hunters, 2015

50

Hunter Expenditures For items such as ammunition, bows (including crossbow), clothing, dog food and veterinary care, firearms, food for yourself, fuel, hunting gear, etc., but excluding any licenses, permit or stamp fees you paid to hunt during the 2015-16 seasons:

Question 118. How much would you estimate spending to archery hunt in New Jersey during 2015-16?

Question 119. How much would you estimate spending to hunt waterfowl or web-less migratory game birds in New Jersey during 2015-16?

Question 120. How much would you estimate spending to hunt upland game birds and small game animals in New Jersey during 2015-16?

Question 121. How much would you estimate spending to hunt black bear and white-tailed deer in New Jersey during 2015-16?

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

$0 $1-500 $501-1,000 $1,001-2,500 $2,501-5,000 > $5,000

Perc

ent A

ctie

Res

pond

ents

Hunter Expenditures, 2015-16

Archery(n=1,947)

Migratory Birds(n=2,190)

Small Game(n=2,194)

Big Game(n=2,240)

51

Comments Here’s your opportunity for input. If you have any comments or concerns, please put them in the box below. There’s a limit of 300 characters (including spaces and punctuation), about 3 lines worth. Or send an email to the Division’s Upland Project Study Leader at [email protected] Question 122. Enter any comments or concerns you may have below, up to 300 characters.

A total 2,053 comments were made by 1,219 survey respondents as summarized below. Primary Topic # Comments

(% of Total) Sub-topic # Comments

(% of Primary) Detail # Comments

(% of Sub-topic)

White-tailed Deer 955 (47%)

Reduce deer bag limit 280 (29%)

Antlerless 166 (59%) Antlered 58 (21%) Total 46 (16%)

Population 154 (16%) Declining 149 (97%)

Reduce deer season length 118 (12%)

General 35 (30%) Shotgun Permit 22 (19%) Archery 20 (17%) Firearm 14 (12%)

Antler Point Restrictions 115 (12%)

Statewide 60 (52%) Expanded 28 (24%) General support 10 (9%) Eliminate 8 (7%)

Licenses & Permits 216 (11%)

Cost 98 (45%) Too high 79 (81%) General 10 (10%)

Permits 34 (16%) Senior discount 23 (68%) Discount >1 zone 6 (18%) Excessive # 5 (15%)

Non-resident 15 (7%) Consolidate 7 (47%) Increase fees for 5 (33%)

Complexity 12 (6%) General 8 (67%) Consolidate 4 (33%)

General comments 111 (5%)

Positive 61 (55%) Health 13 (12%) Other 8 (7%) Information 7 (6%)

Canine (coyote) 103 (5%)

Season 53 (51%) Increase length 53 (100%)

General 27 (26%) Impact other spp. 10 (37%) Sighted 6 (22%)

Population 12 (12%) Increasing 12 (100%) Method 8 (8%) Night rifle 7 (87%)

Wild Turkey 102 (5%)

Season 42 (41%) Consolidate 17 (40%) Increase length 10 (24%) Increase hours 7 (17%)

Population 18 (18%) Declining 15 (83%)

Permits 14 (14%) Eliminate 7 (50%) Seasonal 4 (29%)

Increase bag 9 (9%) Seasonal 7 (78%) Daily or Permit 1 (11%) each

Subtotal 1,487 (72%)

mailto:[email protected]

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Primary Topic # Comments % of Total Comments Black bear 69 3% each Waterfowl 64 Pheasant 50

2% each

Mourning dove 48 Survey instrument 41 Sunday hunting 40 Weapon / ammunition 32 Access 31 Regulations 25

1% each

Ruffed grouse 21 Bobcat 20 Enforcement 19 Off-road vehicles 18 Habitat 17 Wildlife Mgt. Areas 15 Rabbit 9 each

Less than 1% each

Small game Trapping 8 Quail 6 each Woodcock Chukar partridge

3 each Crow Ethics Trout 2 each Info. & Education Beaver

1 each Feral hog Information security Squirrel Undetermined

Subtotal 566 28% Total 2,053 100%

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Tables Table 1. Estimated number of active and former NJ firearm hunters, by species for 2015-16

Species

Estimated Number of Hunters Potential

Active Hunters

Specifically Hunted Species

Harvested Incidentally

Total Harvesters (2015-16)

Hunted Species

Prior Years

Never Hunted Species

Crow 6,419 2,552 376 2,928 1,746 1,745 Moorhen 6,419 107 0 107 674 5,638 Rail birds 6,419 510 81 591 1,072 4,756 Snipe 6,419 107 27 134 860 5,425 Woodcock 6,419 2,364 349 2,713 2,420 1,286 Grouse 63,950 1,047 54 1,101 25,772 37,077 Rabbit / Hare 22,883 7,762 1,397 9,159 10,389 3,335 Squirrel 22,883 8,004 1,423 9,427 9,748 3,708 Woodchuck 22,883 3,760 215 3,975 8,764 10,144 Opossum / Raccoon 22,883 349 269 618 5,194 17,071 Coyote / Fox 22,883 6,500 1,289 7,789 6,819 8,275

Table 2. Estimated NJ firearm hunter effort and recreation-days, by species for 2015-16

Species # Hunters Specifically Hunting Species Mean Days Afield (± SE) Estimated

Recreation-days Crow 2,552 4.6 ± 0.6 11,699 Moorhen 107 4.5 ± 1.9 483 Rail birds 510 2.6 ± 0.4 1,343 Snipe 107 2.5 ± 0.6 269 Woodcock 2,364 5.3 ± 0.5 12,597 Grouse 1,047 5.6 ± 0.9 5,836 Turkey (Spring) 20,412 4.9 ± 0.2 99,446 Turkey (Fall) 3,706 1.8 ± 0.1 6,562 Rabbit / Hare 7,762 6.1 ± 0.5 47,123 Gray squirrel 8,004 6.5 ± 0.4 52,011 Woodchuck 3,760 14.4 ± 2.7 54,173 Opossum / Raccoon 349 13.9 ± 5.0 4,861 Canines (small game) 6,500 8.0 ± 0.8 52,105 Canines (permit) 3,855 5.3 ± 0.4 20,534 Black bear 7,291 3.3 ± 0.1 24,251 Deer* (Fall bow) 38,324 13.4 ± 0.3 512,115 Deer* (Permit bow) 30,590 11.2 ± 0.2 341,285 Deer (6-Day “Buck”) 46,386 3.1 ± 0.0 145,734 Deer (Muzzleloader) 26,442 6.7 ± 0.2 175,912 Deer (Permit shotgun) 22,464 5.3 ± 0.2 119,963 Deer* (Winter bow) 22,217 4.6 ± 0.2 101,520 * Licensed firearm hunters that also purchased an archery license.

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Table 3. Estimated / reported NJ firearm harvest by species, 2015-16

Species # Harvesters Mean Harvest (± SE)

Estimated Harvest

Reported Harvest

Harvest per 100 Rec-days

Crow 2,928 11.2 ± 2.8 32,664 279.2 Moorhen 107 2.8 ± 2.4 295 61.1 Rail birds 591 13.0 ± 4.5 7,708 573.9 Snipe 134 1.0 0.3 134 49.8 Woodcock 2,713 5.3 ± 0.8 14,342 113.8 Grouse 1,101 0.2 ± 0.1 216 3.7 Turkey (Spring) 20,413 3,043 3.1 Turkey (Fall) 3,707 121 1.8 Rabbit / Hare 9,159 5.0 ± 0.6 45,821 97.2 Gray squirrel 9,427 6.7 ± 0.5 63,179 121.5 Woodchuck 3,975 12.5 ± 2.1 49,849 92.0 Opossum 242 2.3 ± 0.7 564 11.6 Raccoon 591 14.5 ± 8.4 8,568 176.3 Gray fox 2,390 0.1 ± 0.0 358 0.7 Red fox 4,029 1.6 ± 0.4 6,348 12.2 Coyote (small game) 6,124 661 0.1 Coyote (Permit) 3,855 9 0.0 Black bear 7,291 510 1.3 Deer (6-Day “Buck) 46,386 4,791 3.2 Deer (Muzzleloader) 26,442 4,398 2.5 Deer (Permit shotgun) 22,464 8,470 7.0

1 Incidental harvest reported by muzzleloader and shotgun deer hunters, and does not include incidental harvest reports from archery deer hunters (15) or spring turkey hunters (6).

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Table 4. Estimated NJ firearm small game harvest by county, 2015-162

Northern Region Species Bergen Essex Hudson Morris Passaic Sussex Warren Total Crow 3,659 9,433 7,644 20,736 Moorhen 0 Rail birds 0 Snipe 80 80 Woodcock 27 5,774 1,182 6,983 Grouse 65 130 195 Rabbit 28 773 276 4,527 2,981 8,585 Squirrel 496 3,280 1,792 12,790 9,372 27,730 Woodchuck 427 5,770 5,583 11,780 Opossum 161 81 54 296 Raccoon 81 833 430 188 1,532 Gray fox 14 14 Red fox 1,324 23 114 23 1,484 Coyote 8 13 11 32

Central Region Species Hunterdon Mercer Middlesex Monmouth Ocean Somerset Union Total Crow 3,334 1,328 163 1,518 542 434 7,319 Moorhen 0 Rail birds 81 81 Snipe 27 27 Woodcock 161 591 457 188 54 1,451 Grouse 0 Rabbit 1,408 3,975 2,319 3,368 497 1,546 13,113 Squirrel 2,453 744 1,268 4,603 1,737 1,213 12,018 Woodchuck 4,942 240 534 2,324 240 1,576 9,856 Opossum 54 54 Raccoon 161 27 376 54 81 699 Gray fox 151 14 41 28 234 Red fox 1,279 206 457 365 731 365 3,403 Coyote 7 4 1 2 2 1 17

Southern Region Species Atlantic Burlington Camden Cape May Cumberland Gloucester Salem Total Crow 732 190 217 1,708 1,762 4,609 Moorhen 295 295 Rail birds 806 671 645 5,049 457 7,628 Snipe 27 27 Woodcock 27 295 27 1,692 2,551 242 510 5,344 Grouse 0 Rabbit 1,353 2,871 28 3,506 7,094 6,321 2,954 24,127 Squirrel 2,150 7,332 496 2,012 1,103 6,726 2,233 22,052 Woodchuck 588 9,564 614 347 1,763 6,598 8,121 27,595 Opossum 54 134 27 215 Raccoon 134 215 5,694 242 6,285 Gray fox 14 69 14 14 111 Red fox 137 251 23 160 731 69 1,371

2 Data for coyote represent reported firearm harvest and do not include harvest by archery deer hunters or incidental take by turkey hunters.

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Coyote 5 9 1 3 2 6 26

Table 5. Revenue to NJ Division of Fish & Wildlife through sales of hunting licenses and stamps, CY2015

License / Stamp Fee ($US) Number Sold Revenue ($US) Resident Bow & Arrow 31.50 19,226 605,619 Senior Resident Bow & Arrow 16.50 4,449 73,409 All-Around Sportsman (Residents only) 72.25 17,391 1,256,500 Resident Firearm 27.50 34,679 953,673 Senior Resident Firearm 15.50 9,315 144,383 Waterfowl Stamp (Resident) 5.00 10,548 52,740 Non-Resident Bow & Arrow 135.50 2,525 342,138 Non-Resident Firearm 135.50 3,775 511,513 2 Day Non-Resident (Small Game) 36.50 1,073 39,165 Waterfowl Stamp (Non-Resident) 10.00 1,352 14,990 Pheasant and Quail Stamp 40.00 12,628 505,120 Rifle Permit 10.50 19,886 208,803 Total 136,994 $ 4,708,050

Table 6. NJ firearm hunter expenditures (excluding license, stamp and permit fees), 2015-16

Amount ($US) Estimated Number of Hunters by Category Archery Migratory Bird Small Game Big Game

0 5,833 7,823 10,618 12,138 1-500 22,740 2,502 9,940 26,703 501-1,000 8,040 631 1,418 9,998 1,001-2,500 3,946 354 688 3,966 2,501-5,000 636 63 209 841 > 5,000 106 42 10 192 Active Hunters 41,301 11,414 22,883 53,838 Est. Expenditure $ 21,536,234 $ 2,161,666 $ 5,587,780 $ 25,230,746 Total Hunter $ $ 54,516,426

2016 NJ Firearm Hunter Survey · 2017-05-31 · estimate the small game harvest, hunter effort and...

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Transcript of 2016 NJ Firearm Hunter Survey · 2017-05-31 · estimate the small game harvest, hunter effort and...