Sorry for the dumb question but I could not find the answer in the NJ Hunting Guide. Sometimes the guide reads like NJ gun law - difficult to understand.

Thanks.

 

short answer. NOPE. you can not use 22 rimfire for squirrel and rabbit.

Sorry for the dumb question but I could not find the answer in the NJ Hunting Guide. Sometimes the guide reads like NJ gun law - difficult to understand.

Thanks.

Where do you think you are?

America???

22 airgun is permitted now for squirrel and rabbit, 22 cal real firearm is not.

WOW and thank you. That was my opinion before I asked and now I know!!

 

Guess I'll get out the Benjamin. Or I'll take the rimfire, skip the squirrels  and pretend there is a coyote out there. HA.

How come you can use an airgun but not a .22 RF? My info is old but I thought there were animals (such as whistle pigs) that could be shot with .22 caliber firearms.

How come you can use an airgun but not a .22 RF? My info is old but I thought there were animals (such as whistle pigs) that could be shot with .22 caliber firearms.

You are correct, but there are caveats. I'll paraphrase the guidelines from the F&W Digest:

 

Rifles for small game hunting are allowed using limited types of .22 caliber rimfire ammo and are legal only for taking woodchuck (limited ammo restrictions,) raccoon and opossum with hounds (.22 shorts only) plus coyote and fox (limited ammo restrictions.) NO rifle woodchuck hunting on wildlife management areas or state parks, forests and recreation areas (you are limited to private property for woodchuck.) Small game hunting with centerfire rifles is limited to not larger than .25 caliber (max. 80 grs.) for coyote and fox and .25 caliber or larger for woodchuck (max. 100 grs.)

 

Gray squirrel can be taken in specific areas with a .36 cal. or smaller muzzleloader. (But NOT .22 rimfire?)

 

I agree. Not much makes sense in some cases.

Wait, so you're saying that NJ has laws that don't make sense? And about guns no less.

I take squirrels with my 12ga. Choose your shot size wisely and lead them a bit. Get some pellets in the computer and I've never wasted meat.

Semi related question: Now that small game season has begun, is it legal to target shoot or sight in an air rifle scope in WMAs? I ask because Wittingham is 5 minutes away and Cherry Ridge is 35 minutes, and right now my air gun doesn't hit the broad side of a barn. Or should I just go down the basement?

Semi related question: Now that small game season has begun, is it legal to target shoot or sight in an air rifle scope in WMAs?

 

Yes, but only at those WMAs that have target ranges.

Which leads us to:

 

I ask because Wittingham is 5 minutes away

Whiittingham isn't on the list: http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/ranges.htm

 

Of course, if you go to the WMA to hunt small game, you can shoot (at said game), even if you miss and happen to hit a backstop which is at your sighting distance.

Yes, but only at those WMAs that have target ranges.

Which leads us to:

 

 

Whiittingham isn't on the list: http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/ranges.htm

 

Of course, if you go to the WMA to hunt small game, you can shoot (at said game), even if you miss and happen to hit a backstop which is at your sighting distance.

That sort of makes sense, and I kind of knew it. The nearest WMA where I can target practice then is Flatbrook. I might as well just go to CR and shoot whatever I like.