2023-2024 Hunting Application

Applications and attachments can be easily submitted online, link below.

Deadline is August 12th at 4PM

If you are unable to access the online portal, please contact Tara Kenyon, Land Preservation and Management Consultant, to obtain an emailed or mailed copy. Once the application is received, processed and approved, a hunting permit, hunting button and parking pass will be issued.

Hunting on Open Space 2024-2025

WHITE-TAILED DEER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

SCHEDULE AND PERMIT REQUIREMENTS

Permitted Hunting Times: 30 minutes before Sunrise to 30 minutes past Sunset.

• Hunting is prohibited on Sundays.
• HUNTERS ARE STRICTLY PROHIBITED FROM POINTING A BOW AND ARROW TOWARDS A HIKING TRAIL AT ANY TIME, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.
• Non-hunters may enter the hunting zone on Sundays (MUST WEAR ORANGE)

HUNTERS AND PUBLIC ACCESS - ALL LOCATIONS

During this bow-only season, bow-hunters with Township-issued hunting permits will be permitted to hunt deer in the designated hunting areas. Hunters and non-hunters (hikers, cyclists, dog-walkers, etc.) will be utilizing the open space property simultaneously. For this reason, it is imperative that bow-hunters familiarize themselves with the locations of the trails.

HUNTERS AND PUBLIC ACCESS – ALL LOCATIONS

During the second bow-only season, bow-hunters with Township-issued hunting permits will be permitted to hunt deer in the designated hunting areas. Hunters and non-hunters (hikers, cyclists, dog-walkers, etc.) will be utilizing the open space property simultaneously. For this reason, it is imperative that bow-hunters familiarize themselves with the locations of the trails.

NOTE: FIREARMS ARE NOT PERMITTED DURING SEASON 2 (OCTOBER 29, 2023– DECEMBER 31, 2023)

PERMITTED HUNTERS ONLY: NEGRI-NEPOTE NATIVE GRASSLANDS PRESERVE and JOHN CLYDE MEMORIAL NATIVE GRASSLANDS PRESERVE

Beginning on the first day of the Six-Day Firearm Season (December 9, 2024) through the last day of Firearm/Winter Bow (February 8, 2025), only Franklin Township permitted hunters will be allowed at the above-referenced sites, Monday - Saturday.
PUBLIC ACCESS IS PERMITTED ONLY ON SUNDAYS DURING THE ENTIRETY OF SEASON 3.

Reporting for Six-Day Firearm season must be noted separately on the required Hunter Summary Reports. 

Firearm usage is limited to Negri-Nepote Grasslands, John Clyde Memorial Native Grasslands Preserve, and Ten-Mile Run Greenway. 

Bow-hunters with Township-issued hunting permits will be permitted to hunt deer in designated hunting areas. Hunters and non-hunters (hikers, cyclists, dog-walkers, etc.) will be utilizing these open space properties simultaneously (with the exception of Negri-Nepote Grasslands Preserve and the John Clyde Memorial Native Grasslands Preserve).  For this reason, it is imperative that bow-hunters familiarize themselves with the locations of the trails.

WHITE-TAILED DEER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

RULES AND REGULATIONS  

1. Hunting shall only occur at the location listed on the permit. (An exception to this requirement is during the Six-Day Firearms Season [December 9, 2024 – December 14, 2024] as described in #24, below.)
2. Hunting is restricted to the designated portions of the properties (maps will be provided to permitted hunters, and are posted at: https://www.franklintwpnj.org/hunting).
3. Hunters are only authorized to be on the property for which they have been issued a permit and are responsible for knowing the boundaries of the property, as well as the area designated for hunting at all times.
4. Hunters are not permitted to hunt or possess a loaded firearm within 450 feet of any building or school playground, or any posted safety zone area.It should be noted that some trails located on Township Open Space are posted as safety zones.
5. To ensure the safety of any non-hunters who may inadvertently enter the open space during this period, hunters must familiarize themselves with the location of all trails on the property and they shall not aim in the direction of the trail for any reason, whenever their stand is within 450 feet of that trail.
6. Only hunters who have obtained a Franklin Township-issued hunting permit are permitted to hunt on Township-owned land.
7. All State and local regulations pertaining to parks, open space and hunting apply, including specific season dates and bag limits. (See: https://dep.nj.gov/njfw/hunting/deer-season-and-regulations/ - Regulation Set #8)
8. Hours for Permitted Hunting: Bow hunting is permitted from ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset at all designated locations. Firearm hunting is permitted from ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset at Negri-Nepote Native Grasslands Preserve, the John Clyde Memorial Native Grasslands Preserve, and Ten-Mile Run Greenway (during Season 3 only).
9. Public Access is not permitted on the John Clyde Memorial Native Grasslands Preserve and the Negri-Nepote Native Grasslands Preserve for the entirety for Firearm Season (December 9, 2024 – February 8, 2025), except on Sundays.
10. Hunting is strictly prohibited at all Township-owned properties on Sundays.
11. Hunting Permit Number must be clearly displayed on any tree stand.Failure to display the permit number will result in the removal and the discarding of the stand. All tree stands must be portable and be removed within two (2) weeks of the close of hunting season (no later than February 24, 2025).
12. One non-antlered deer must be taken from your approved Township-owned hunting area before a buck may be taken from the area (except during the Six-Day Firearm Season [December 9, 2024 – December 14, 2024]).
13. A licensed adult must accompany all hunters under the age of 16.
14. The Hunters Summary Report (attached to the Permit) must be accurately completed and submitted by each permit-holder no later than Monday, March 24, 2025. These results will determine invitations to hunt for the following seasons.
15. Vehicles are restricted to public roads and designated parking areas (map will be provided). Hunting Parking Permit must be displayed on the dashboard of the hunter’s vehicle.
16. Only deer may be hunted; hunting of any other game is strictly prohibited.
17. Each hunter's permit must be prominently displayed whenever the hunter is on the property.
18. Target practice is prohibited.
19. Use or possession of alcoholic beverages while on the property is strictly prohibited.
20. Littering is prohibited (includes leaving empty shotgun shells on the ground).
21. Violation of any special condition or any applicable State law or local regulation will result in the immediate revoking of hunting privileges on the property for the remainder of the hunting season and will also subject the hunter to any applicable penalties.
22. Fires of any kind and for any reason are prohibited.
23. Hunters must carry functional cell phones when hunting on the Township property.
24. Six-Day Firearm Season (December 9, 2024 – December 14, 2024):Non-hunters are not permitted on the property for this six-day season and those issued permits for firearm hunting may hunt from ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset during these six days.Hunters must familiarize themselves with the location of all trails on the property and they shall not aim their firearm in the direction of the trail whenever their stand is within 450 feet of the trail. During this Special December hunting-only season, the requirement to take one antlerless deer prior to taking a buck is waived.

For questions, please contact via email Tara Kenyon, Land Preservation and Management Consultant or phone 732.873.2500 x6279