[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough
of Essex Fells 12-20-2011 by Ord. No. 2011-919.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also superseded former
Ch. 105, Deer Hunting on Public Property, adopted 8-17-2010 by Ord.
No. 2010-896.
The following rules and regulations are hereby adopted for the
regulation, operation, and control of deer as the Borough of Essex
Fells Deer Management Program so as to assure a healthy forest on
property owned by the Borough of Essex Fells shown and designated
on the attached exhibit.[1] The Deer Management Program will be managed by the Essex
Fells Police Department.
A.
State game code. All New Jersey codes, rules, regulations, zones,
license and permit requirements applicable to the hunting of deer
and administered by the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife shall
apply. Where Borough rules, regulations and procedure are more restrictive,
they shall be enforced in addition to all applicable New Jersey codes,
rules and regulations. In addition to state requirements for hunter
orange, bow hunters shall be required to wear hunter orange to and
from their tree stands.
B.
Permit requirements.
(1)
An annual access permit for a fee of $25 issued by the Borough of
Essex Fells shall be required for any person wishing to hunt on property
owned by the Borough of Essex Fells. The access permit shall indicate
that bow and arrow only are permissible on property owned by the Borough
of Essex Fells and the Essex Fells Country Club and that the Borough
reserves the right to limit the property upon which the hunt shall
be permitted. An individual shall not be issued more than one access
permit per season.
(2)
The Borough's annual access permit shall be carried on a permitted
hunter's person while hunting on designated property. In addition,
in accordance with state requirements, a current New Jersey state
hunting license and/or current applicable New Jersey state deer hunting
permits shall be displayed on a permitted hunter's person while
hunting on the designated property.
(3)
The Borough of Essex Fells permit shall not be issued to any person
under the age of 18.
(4)
A permitted hunter shall not be accompanied by a nonpermitted person
while hunting.
C.
Permissible hunting.
E.
Hours.
(1)
A hunter shall not be on the designated property for more than 60
minutes before the legal shooting time, and for more than 60 minutes
after the legal shooting time.
(2)
A hunter who must remain on the designated property for more than
60 minutes after the end of permitted hunting in order to track a
deer or find a lost person shall inform the Borough of Essex Fells
Police Department directly by cell phone or in person, or shall leave
a visible, legible note at his or her parked vehicle.
G.
Tree stand requirements.
(1)
Hunting shall be from elevated tree stands only, which shall be attached
to the tree at least six feet above the ground.
(2)
Only commercially manufactured hang-on, climbing, and ladder tree
stands shall be permitted. Such stands shall be attached to the tree
by use of a cable, chain or strap to minimize injury to the tree.
(3)
A tree stand shall not be located within 50 feet of maintained service
or access roads, marked trails or public roads.
(4)
The hunter's Borough of Essex Fells access permit number for
the current season shall be affixed to the platform of the tree stand
in letters at least two inches in size, visible and legible from the
ground, on rigid plastic, wood or metal backing.
(5)
A hunter shall not use another hunter's stand, unless written
permission has been given by the tree stand owner and is in the hunter's
possession.
(6)
A tree stand and access devices shall be permitted to remain in a
tree for the duration of the designated hunting season. No stand or
access devices shall be placed in a tree for more than two weeks before
the season begins, nor shall any stand or access devices remain in
a tree for more than two weeks after the last day of hunting on the
designated property or after the revocation of a hunter's access
permit.
(7)
Access to and from a tree stand shall be limited to commercially
manufactured screw-in steps, strap-on steps or climbing sticks. Tree
gaff climbers, spikes and nail-on steps shall not be permitted. A
hunter shall adhere to the manufacturers' safety recommendations
when using a tree stand, access devices and safety equipment.
H.
Vegetative clearing and marking.
(1)
Selective removal of vegetation shall be limited to flush hand pruning
of brush and small limbs to gain access, improve line of sight or
hang a stand. The live vegetation to be pruned shall be no more than
3/4 inch in diameter.
(2)
Only reflective tacks, clips or twist ties may be selectively placed
in trees to mark access routes and shall be removed within two weeks
of the end of the Borough's hunting season. Colored flagging
shall be prohibited.
I.
Access and parking.
(1)
Trespassing on private property to gain access to Borough property
for hunting shall be prohibited.
(2)
The location for all parking and all access through designated parking
lots shall be specified on the Borough's deer hunting map or
as posted.
(3)
The vehicle identification tag that is issued with the Borough's
access permit shall be displayed on the driver's side dashboard
and shall be clearly visible when a hunter is on the designated property
for the purpose of participating in the Deer Management Program.
J.
Baiting and trail cameras.
(1)
The use of any type of container or feeder to dispense or hold bait
shall be prohibited.
(2)
The use of minerals and manufactured supplements shall be prohibited.
(3)
A maximum of five gallons of nonmanufactured, natural baits, such
as fruits, vegetables and shelled grains, may be used.
(4)
Baiting shall be prohibited within all safety zones.
(5)
Baiting shall be prohibited for more than two weeks before the Borough
hunting season begins.
(6)
Trail cameras shall be prohibited on Borough property.
K.
Field dressing. Field dressing of harvested deer shall be restricted
to the designated area when specified on the Borough's deer hunting
map or in the administrative procedures and must be removed from the
property.
[1]
Editor's Note: Said exhibit is on file in the Borough
offices.
