Most mammals and birds in New Jersey are restricted to certain hunting seasons throughout the year to preserve the species. But there are some specific animals that can be hunted year-round in New Jersey. These animals are most often invasive species that are not native to the area and threaten the natural habitats. Many of them have no natural predators so to try to keep their populations in check, there are no bag limits on these animals and no permit is required to hunt them in New Jersey. Below are four animals that require no permit to hunt and can be hunted year-round.
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- Coypu - The coypu, also known as the nutria, is native to South American and is highly threatening to many native plant communities. They look very similar to a beaver or a muskrat. These animals are very invasive so no permit is required to hunt them. Due to their small size, traps are most commonly used in hunting these animals.
- Feral Hog -Another species to hunt year round in New Jersey is the feral hog. They are an invasive species, so no permit is required to hunt these animals in New Jersey. Native to Europe, they look very similar to domestic pigs but are very threatening to many native species and are a nuisance. Due to their large size, many hunters prefer either a rifle or a bow for hunting them.
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- Mute Swan - While beautiful to look at the mute swan is dangerous to many natural communities in New Jersey. These birds can grow up to 25 pounds and have a 7-foot wingspan. They are identifiable by their black face and long orange beak.
- Brown-headed Cowbird - The brown-headed cowbird is a rather small bird that usually grows up to about 8 inches tall. They are native to Europe but have spread across North America and breed from Canada all the way down to southern Mexico. These birds lay their eggs in other species nests and are considered a brood parasite. For this reason, measures are taken to control their populations including trapping, hunting, and removing their eggs from host nests. Shotguns are the weapons of choice for hunters pursuing brown-headed cowbirds.
Information on invasive species in New Jersey comes from the
NJ Invasive Species Strike Team. All information regarding
hunting seasons comes from The New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife.
This article is for information only. Please check current regulations before hunting.
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