New Jersey Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife |
For more information contact:
Daniel Ferrigno at 609-259-8692
According to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife, an estimated 2,145 white-tailed deer were harvested statewide during the opening day of the 1998 Fall Bow Season on October 3. This preliminary harvest estimate was based on a recent sampling of deer check stations throughout the state and represents a 21-percent increase from last year's record opening day harvest of 1,767 deer.
The total is the third highest opening day harvest in the 48-year history of New Jersey's fall bow season. Weather conditions and the continuation of the bonus tag program in most zones played a role in the increased harvest.
Results varied by region with the highest increase occurring in the north, followed by central, then south. Bow hunters in north Jersey registered 31-percent more deer than the previous year, while the central and southern regions experienced more moderate increases of 13 and 9-percent, respectively.
This harvest estimate was based on a comprehensive telephone survey of 81 deer check stations. In the past, this type of estimate has been extremely accurate. For example, last year's harvest estimate for the opening day of fall bow season was 1,781 deer and the actual harvest was 1,767.
A summary of recent opening day harvests follows:
Year |
Harvest |
Hunting conditions |
1998 |
2,145* |
Overcast, breezy & cool w/late afternoon drizzle |
1997 |
1,767 |
warm & sunny, highs in the mid to upper 70s |
1996 |
2,555 |
excellent weather, cool & mostly sunny |
1995 |
2,517 |
excellent weather, cool & partly sunny |
1994 |
1,148 |
fair weather, light rain, light winds |
1993 |
1,508 |
excellent weather, breezy |
1992 |
804 |
rainy then clearing |
1991 |
1,640 |
excellent weather |
1990 |
1,019 |
mild weather |
1989 |
1,388 |
good weather |
1988 |
989 |
good weather |
1987 |
1,230 |
excellent weather |
1986 |
633 |
poor, rainy weather |
The fall bow season not only provides recreation to approximately 50,000 bow hunters, but also contributes to deer population management because it allows for the taking of antlerless deer. By harvesting a sufficient number of antlerless deer in each zone, populations are maintained in a healthy condition and at levels that minimize conflicts between deer and people. This is particularly important in areas with a high incidence of agricultural damage and deer-vehicle collisions. Overall, the Division's population management objectives are designed to reduce deer populations on 71 percent of the range, stabilize populations on 26 percent and allow for small increases in deer populations on only three percent. Zones where deer populations will be allowed to increase contain mostly public lands with little agriculture and minimal potential for deer-human conflicts.