More than 50 of New Jersey's most outstanding white-tailed deer from the 2006-07 hunting seasons will be on display at the Garden State Deer Classic to be held during the Garden State Outdoor Sportsmen's Show, January 11 - 13 at Raritan Center in Edison. The Deer Classic is jointly sponsored by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Fish and Wildlife (DFW), New Jersey State Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs, United Bowhunters of New Jersey and the Garden State Outdoor Sportsman's Show.

The Deer Classic is an annual event showcasing hunter entries in New Jersey's Outstanding White-tailed Deer Program that was initiated in 1964. It includes categories for typical and non-typical antlered deer taken with bow, shotgun, muzzleloading rifle and crossbow (allowed with a special permit issued by the DFW for the physically challenged) in addition to the 200-pound buck and 135-pound doe field-dressed weight categories. All antlered deer are scored using the Boone & Crockett Club system that gives credit to antler length, spread, number of points and symmetry.

In addition to the outstanding deer display, show visitors are invited to attend seminars presented by the Division of Fish and Wildlife during the outdoor show. The Division will have a display booth where questions may be asked of biologists, and hunting and fishing licenses may be purchased. Displays about New Jersey's Black Bears, Whitetail Deer and the New Jersey Clean Vessel Act Program will also be set up for viewing by attendees.

Division of Fish and Wildlife deer biologists will also be on hand each day to answer questions, provide information and score antlers for anyone who brings their antlers to the display area.

Deer Classic Program Schedule

Saturday, January 12

12:00: Biologist Michelle Ruggiero of the Division of Fish and Wildlife's Black Bear Education Unit will present a powerpoint program about New Jersey's black bears. The program will include the history of bears in the Garden State, current status of bears and management techniques for avoiding problems with bears. A question and answer session will follow the presentation.

2:00: Division of Fish and Wildlife Principal Biologist and Deer Project Leader Carole Kandoth will give an overview of the Game Code process, with possible amendments for the 2009-10 seasons. This includes the use of crossbows for deer hunting, changing the Spring Wild Turkey season dates, and opening the rabbit season earlier. A question and answer session with Division Staff and a representative from the Fish and Game Council will follow the presentation.

Sunday, January 13

2:30: Awards ceremony for category winners of the 2006 - 2007 outstanding deer entries