[Amended 11-6-2002; 11-18-2008 by Ord. 2008-14; 6-3-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-9]
A. Six Township-owned
properties, the Evans Preserve of approximately 100 acres, the Tiger
Brook Park south tract of approximately 270 acres, the MacGregor Preserve
of approximately 110 acres, the Highlands Ridge Park lands of approximately
80 acres, the Parker Road Tract of approximately 50 acres, and the
Tannersbrook Preserve of approximately 75.50 acres, will be opened
for hunting of white-tailed deer.
[Amended 10-4-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-05]
B. White-tailed
deer hunting will be open on said Township properties on weekdays
and on Saturdays beginning the first Monday in November and lasting
through February of the following year during the hunting seasons
for white-tailed deer established by the New Jersey Fish and Game
Council, and as established annually by the Township Council for hunting
with permit. During the Chester Township permit hunting seasons for
the white-tailed deer and consistent with seasons established by the
New Jersey Fish and Game Council, hunters may take coyotes found in
the park preserve covered by their permit, subject to the following
conditions:
[Amended 10-4-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-05]
(1) Coyote
may only be taken if encountered before the hunter has taken the season
bag limit of deer. In addition, once a hunter has reached a daily
bag limit of deer, he or she must cease hunting immediately.
(2) A successful
coyote hunter must report any coyote taken to a Fish and Wildlife
Regional Law Enforcement Office within 24 hours of the harvest.
(3) Baiting
for coyote is prohibited.
C. A limited
number of hunting permits will be available for each property. A minimum
of 25% of the permits will be available for residents of the State
of New Jersey outside of the Township of Chester. A total of five
permits for the Evans Preserve will be available for members of the
Evans Property Hunting Club during each season in exchange for their
consultation and volunteer assistance in the establishment and implementation
of this controlled hunting plan.
[Amended 11-18-2008 by Ord. 2008-14; 6-3-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-9]
All hunters applying for a permit must possess
all appropriate licenses and zone permits issued by the New Jersey
Division of Fish and Wildlife for white-tailed deer hunting in the
aforesaid Township properties assigned to each hunter with a Chester
Township controlled hunting permit.
[Amended 11-6-2002]
A single permit is valid for all four hunting
seasons. Hunters may purchase Chester Township controlled hunting
permits. The number of permits to be issued for each site will be
established annually by the Township Council.
[Amended 11-18-2008 by Ord. 2008-14; 6-3-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-9]
Each permit cost shall be established by resolution
of the Township Council for residents and nonresidents of Chester
Township. Permits will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis.
Mail-in applications will be accepted but not processed until after
all walk-in applicants are processed. Walk-in dates for permit sale
shall be established by Township Council, specifying date, time and
location. If the controlled hunting program is continued for succeeding
years, permit holders from the previous season who have complied with
all state and municipal hunting regulations will have first opportunity
to obtain permits for the current hunting season pending receipt of
payment by an established deadline.