NJOA

this means you.

In the spring, you may find what appears to be orphaned wildlife. NJDEP Fish & Wildlife encourages you to leave young wildlife undisturbed, as oftentimes the mother is nearby. Cottontail rabbits leave their young for hours at a time to forage, and baby rabbits found at a nest site do not need to be rescued. The mother rabbit will not return if people are standing nearby. If you accidentally uncover a nest, you can simply place the nesting material back on top of the nest and leave. The mother will return to care for the young. Young rabbits are ready to leave the nest at three to four weeks old, once their eyes are open and their bodies are covered with fur.

A great way to spend the day.

Anglers of all ages and skill levels are invited to participate in the Garden State Surf Fishing Classic, the state’s premier fishing tournament being held this Sunday, May 17, at Island Beach State Park in Ocean County.

Registration begins at 5 a.m. for those who are not pre-registered. Fishing will take place from 6:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The angler who catches the longest fish will win the Governor’s Award and have their name engraved on the Governor’s Cup. The Cup is permanently displayed at Island Beach State Park. They will also receive a plaque along with a prize fishing rod and reel. Prizes will be given to winners in a variety of age groups and fish species categories as well.

The Garden State Surf Fishing Classic is sponsored by NJDEP Fish & Wildlife, New Jersey State Parks, New Jersey State Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, Jersey Coast Anglers Association, and New Jersey Beach Buggy Association.

The registration fee on the day of the tournament is $20 for anglers aged 18 and older and $5 for ages 13 to 17. Staff will only be accepting cash or checks. There is no fee for children aged 12 and under, and student teams. Admission to the park is free for all registrants.

All funds raised by the tournament are used to improve beach access, construct access ramps for disabled saltwater anglers, support surf fishing instruction programs, and develop marine education and restoration projects.

Prior to arriving at the event, all anglers must complete the NJ Saltwater Recreational Registry. Registration is free. Visit https://dep.nj.gov/njfw/fishing/marine/saltwater-registry/ to register. The Registry is an important tool NJDEP Fish & Wildlife staff use to collect data that guides the management of marine resources and ensures the long-term sustainability of recreational fishing.

For more information about the Garden State Surf Fishing Classic, including a list of past winners, visit https://dep.nj.gov/njfw/fishing/marine/garden-state-surf-fishing-classic/.

Read the full NJDEP News Release: https://dep.nj.gov/newsrel/26_0022/

Additional comments submitted.

New Jersey Outdoor Alliance - Game Code Testimony Trenton, NJ - April 28, 2026
Good evening. My name is Anthony Pensabene, and I have been a resident of Howell, New Jersey, for 37 years. My wife and I have long enjoyed the state’s outdoor lifestyle, including hiking, biking, marine fishing, and hunting.
I am here today to offer testimony in my capacity as a Trustee of the New Jersey Outdoor Alliance (NJOA), a nonprofit organization established in 2007. NJOA is a conservation-focused coalition of outdoorsmen and outdoorswomen committed to responsible habitat and environmental stewardship. Our mission is to promote the intrinsic value of natural resource conservation—including fishing, hunting, and trapping—among policymakers and opinion leaders. We advocate for legislation, and support its sponsors, that deliver lasting ecological and societal benefits through the sustainable management of New Jersey’s natural resources.
In that capacity, NJOA expresses its support for the proposed 2026–2027 Game Code, except for amendments to the Crossbow specifications which would impose an upper limit on draw weight, bolt length and rail length. It has come to our attention that such amendments would remove many crossbows currently in use, and which have not resulted in any safety issues.
Additionally, NJOA shares the concerns expressed by trappers regarding amendments and omissions in the trapping regulations and requests the Council fix these errors upon adoption.
NJOA has also noted technical errors when the code was reformatted in sections regarding waterfowl hunting, the use of ground blinds during firearm seasons and the hunter orange requirements throughout the deer hunting regulations. NJOA will address these issues in writing during the remaining comment period and urges the Council to fix these errors upon adoption.
NJOA’s expectation is that the proposed Game Code will be properly vetted through the sixty (60) day public comment period and subsequently comprehensively amended to ensure seamless, uninterrupted incorporation into the time-honored New Jersey Fishing, Hunting, and Trapping Digests.
We commend the Fish and Game Council for its application of adaptive management principles in advancing necessary updates, including revisions to season dates and bag limits, consolidation of hunting zones, and the introduction of enhanced hunter safety requirements, among others.
We believe the proposed Game Code reflects meaningful, science-based progress, grounded in ongoing research across regulated species and informed by practical, field-based experience. It represents a more precise and responsive framework for wildlife management, building upon more than a century of stewardship of New Jersey’s wildlife resources.
Thank you for your time and consideration

Pay attention folks. Especially if you are a smoker.

⚠️ Elevated Risk for the Spread of Wildfires - Tuesday, May 5

US National Weather Service Philadelphia/Mount Holly has issued a Special Weather Statement for the elevated risk for the spread of wildfires in New Jersey.

There is an elevated risk for fire spread today across Delaware and portions of central and southern New Jersey. Minimum relative humidity values will drop to around 25 to 30 percent this afternoon. This will be accompanied by temperatures rising generally rising into the 80s and Southwest winds around 15 to 20 gusting to around 30 mph. These conditions could support the rapid spread of any fires that ignite, which could quickly become difficult to control. Conditions improve during the evening as the wind diminishes and the relative humidity increases.

🔥 Current New Jersey Fire Danger: https://dep.nj.gov/parksandforests/wildfire/conditions-restrictions-dashboard/

🔗 Read the National Weather Service's Special Weather Statement: https://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=PHI&wwa=special%20weather%20statement

Use this link to comment on the new game rules.

NJDEP| Rules and Regulations | Rule Comment form NJDEP| Rules and Regulations | Rule Comment form | Page Description

This is a call to arms. You can't depend on someone else doing what needs to be done.

New Jersey State Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs - Home

Go take a walk.

While you’re outdoors enjoying New Jersey’s Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs), please abide by the regulations:
• NO alcoholic beverages
• NO off-roading
• NO ATVs
• NO camping, picnicking, swimming or fires
• WMAs are closed 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. unless you are engaged in lawful hunting, fishing or trapping activities.
• WMAs are "carry in - carry out"; trash/recycling receptacles are not provided.

WMAs are patrolled by NJDEP Fish & Wildlife Conservation Police Officers to ensure public safety. If you witness violations while visiting a WMA, please call the 24-hour DEP Hotline at 877-WARN-DEP (877-927-6337).

Visit https://dep.nj.gov/njfw/wildlife/wildlife-management-area-regulations/ for a full list of WMA regulations.

For more information about New Jersey’s Wildlife Management Areas, visit https://dep.nj.gov/njfw/conservation/wildlife-management-areas/.

Here is a good opportunity to make a difference.

Jersey Shore Chapter
2026 WOODCOCK HABITAT PROJECT DAY

SUNDAY, MAY 3
PROSPERTOWN LAKE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA
Monmouth County, NJ
REGISTRATION AS A VOLUNTEER IS REQUIRED.

Please register via John Beck (215) 280-2436 or send an email to: [email protected]

Details as to time and meeting place will be given upon registration.

We will be planting approximately 100 trees in an area expanding our previous work at this location. We’ll also be visiting earlier work, removing tree guards from our first planting and refreshing others from the last planting.

The Jersey Shore Chapter will be supplying a team of volunteers to perform the planting, and then will apply protector tubes, bamboo stakes and wire ties to ensure the protection of the seedlings.

NOW ALL WE NEED IS YOU! Please be advised that to ensure compliance with insurance regulations, you are required to be an active member of the American Woodcock Society or the Ruffed Grouse Society to participate.

The Round Valley upper boat ramp will be CLOSED from Monday, April 27, 2026, through Friday, May 1, 2026, for the installation of new docks.

The lower boat ramp, kayak launch area, and gravel parking areas will be open for use during this time.

Boaters with trailers and users of kayaks, canoes, and other personal watercraft are encouraged to use the lower ramp with newly installed docks and the gravel parking area during this time.

This work is made possible with state dedicated conservation dollars and revenue from the federal Sport Fish Restoration Program generated from the purchase of fishing equipment, motorboat fuels and supplies. NJDEP Fish & Wildlife appreciates your patience and understanding while this important work is being completed and improvements are made.