BierGut

Such is hunting on public land...

This and how they move, as well as wind direction, are to me, the most important aspects to successfully hunting whitetail. It will also take you a little time (years) to fully comprehend the bastards. You'll need to spend time in the woods scouting unless willing to just take your chances with luck... which is also fine. Spending time outdoors is time well spent. Good luck and enjoy!

I started baiting a week or so ago... Hope I can keep 'um around until 12/9. The one in the dark was a nice animal. It's back was taller than my waist and I am 6'3".

One day, some years back, while I was slowing moving in pre-dawn on some public land during the six day I heard all this ruckus in the distance. As I get a little closer I hear two guys really jawing at each other... I investigate on my way through and find an little old Italian guy stomping around underneath a old wooden (and not really legal) tree stand. He's smoking a cigarette and walking in circle yelling at the guy in the tree stand. "I built this stand, everybody knows this is my stand, you're not getting a chance at anything today, I'm staying here all day.... " It's a good way to get shot, and the stand was illegal, but I kinda understood how he felt. I think I would have certainly poked my head in on those boys and asked them how they would feel if the situation was reversed. Better than 50% chance they would have apologized and left if they were "true" hunters. (But then again you do live in Ocean County... home of Snookie and a town called Lakewood)

Good question. Obviously, permanent stands are a no, no, but you might be allowed to use a climbing stand. Here is the phone number for Clinton WFA: 908-735-8240

The Captain's Inn has always been a proud supporter of all our troops and veterans organizations such as the Wounded Warrior Project, Sail for Vets, Marine Corp Ball, Second Marine Division Association, and Vetworks just to name a few. The incident that took place at the Tiki Bar had nothing to do with denying anyone service or denying anyone who was a veteran. The pictures posted are not even of the person in question. A person wearing motorcycle club colors was made aware of the no colors policy and the group as a whole decided to leave. Those wearing the Disabled War Veterans and Marine vests were never the issue. The security officer who handled the situation is a war veteran. The mischaracterization that the Captain's Inn discriminated against anyone who served this country is untrue. We apologize if our polices and protocols offended anyone. That is not our intentions we just keep them in affect so all organizations and patrons can come for a safe and enjoyable experience. Sounds like the inter-net-web strikes again..... Ah -- the days of people getting the facts before crapping all over something are long gone....

You're right -- I completely mind blocked the check station... sounds like it'll be a workout, which is fine. Anyone like bear venison? I hate the stuff I've had. Thanks for the tips and suggestions. Sounds like I need to start baiting soon on my land and hope to develop some type of routine.

Thanks for all of the replies. I am most interested in hearing from guys who've successfully hunted them IN New Jersey. The reason is I've hunted them the past three seasons since they reintroduced the bear hunt. I'm most interested in how, how much and when you bait for them. I've baited (obviously not well enough) the past two years with last year giving it one Hell of a try. Nothing. I think I started baiting too late for one thing on my property and then made the mistake of continuing to bait in an area there were no bear. I had a second area I hunted near Worthington State Forest, but it was interrupted so frequently by deer hunters (no offense guys) that the bear stopped hitting the bait as soon as the season started. Lastly -- if anyone knows of some land up way north NJ where I might be granted access to hunt them I'd appreciate it. (I am not concerned with getting it out as I've skinned and quartered large animals... I am just looking for the rug so I'll be leaving a meal out there most likely anyway.)

If so, when and how do you start getting ready for the season? I saw another one today running across my road and it got me thinking. I am not certain when to begin the baiting. I often see bear and like most summers, they are messing with the berries and the occasional garbage can, but I'd like to know when to put out the bait stations on my property. I think I waited too long last year and by mid to late November what bears we had in the area had moved off. I am based in Warren County with lots of fairly dense forested property and nearby water. Of course -- most years they seem to meander through in February if it's not too cold and well out of hunting season hitting up the bird feeders on local properties. What are some of your plans?

I've heard they are guessing now that eventually the cougar will be back in PA, NY and NJ... though it may not be the eastern subspecies, but the western.

Precisely... I often carry a shotgun around in my truck... It's allowed in NJ. A hand gun -- different story. Also, as I mentioned earlier, perhaps the cops would also look the other way if he was packing a hand gun, however, it is not legal. I am sure lots of cops allow friends to do things that are not quite to the letter. I wish you both luck if you carry guns on boats.

I live near the PA border in NNJ and purchase a gun range permit each year. The cost is $30 for the annual right. https://www.theoutdoorshop.state.pa.us//FBG/game_secured/RangePermit.asp?ShopperID=D43D220A48A24A509B9F0AC5A7A9E633

Fantastic... all those older shotguns need to be restored and kept around! Nice job!

I also own a large boat that would constitute a live-aboard. You're friend would have a heck of a time with legal fees if he was found to be in possession, on a boat that is legally registered in New Jersey. I've been through this with my attorney. Your friend is in a enormous gray of the law and if push came to shove... he will have issues. (I suppose a Police Officer could look the other way) How about those driving their fully stocked and outfitted Motor-coaches tooling down the Parkway? The Turnpike, etc... Same predicament, however, ignorance is not a defense.

NJ Firearm regulation for boating is the same as it is for the automobile. Your boat has a NJ registration that is administered through the NJ Motor Vehicle Commission. For all intent and purpose one should treat the boat as it would the automobile. Many ignorant stories are out there about a boat with a galley, head and sleeping area being equal to a home -- this is not the case. I have no idea what, if any, regulations there are beyond the international limit. Getting to that limit is another story, however.