CNBNews

On the hunting side, bow hunting continues with reports of deer starting to move in a rut-like pattern already. One farmer reported that deer on his farm were very active in the fields but did not destroy crops instead showing a lot of movement with the does in the area. Could the rut have started early this year?

Turkeys have also been plentiful particularly in the South Jersey area. Poults are growing into adult birds and despite the dry conditions have put on some nice weight. The Division of Fish and Wildlife has estimated the fall turkey season at approximately 22,000 birds. The springharvest was down from the last two years to a little over 3,000 birds so those of you hoping to fill a tag for this Fall should have some nice opportunities especially in zones 20-22 in the South. Fall turkey season starts two weeks from today, October 25, and runs for a week.

Small game is just around the corner for some species. Reports of squirrel bag limits being filled have been good and rabbit hunters are running their dogs on the hares but not bagging them because of the warm weather.

Last week the Division issued this statement concerning changes in the small game information section of the Hunting digest:

The NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife is advising hunters of printing errors in the 2010 Hunting Issue of the Fish and Wildlife DIGEST. Below are the correct dates for the 2010-2011 Small Game Hunting Seasons table on page 65:

 The Bobwhite (quail) season south of Rt. 33 opens on Saturday, November 6 (not November 13).

 The Coyote and Fox, General Season for firearm or bow and arrow also opens on Saturday, November 6 (not November 13).

 The first segment of the Muzzleloader Squirrel Season closes on November 5 (not November 6).

All other dates in the table are correct.

Additionally, some page references in the Table of Contents are not correct.

Waterfowl season opened on Saturday in the North Zone and will open this coming Saturday, October 1,6 in the South Zone.

Here are some changes in the waterfowl season for this year according to biologist Ted Nichols:

 The pintail daily bag limit was increased to 2 birds.  The light goose daily bag limit during the hunting season was increased to 25 birds with

no possession limit.  There will be a Conservation Order season for light geese from Feb. 16-Apr. 9, 2011.  The brant season will be closed during part of the duck season in all zones.  The wood duck daily bag limit will remain at 3 birds. This will be the third consecutive

year with these regulations.

In 2010, the status of ducks and their habitats in mid-continent and eastern North America are sufficient to justify a liberal duck hunting season framework. In Atlantic Flyway states like New Jersey, this will be the 14th consecutive year with a 60-day duck season.

Atlantic Herring Days-Out Conference Call Scheduled for October 14, at 9 AM

Atlantic Herring Section members from the states of Maine, New Hampshire, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts will hold a conference call at 9:00 a.m. on October 14, 2010, to review 2010 Area 1A catch rates and consider whether adjustments are necessary to allow for full harvest of the Area 1A quota. The current days out agreement prohibits fishermen from landing more than 2,000 pounds of Atlantic herring on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Section members agreed to hold a conference call because there may be insufficient time to hold a meeting and still harvest the entire 1A quota. 

Section members and members of the public can participate in the meeting by calling (877) 793 - 4359 and the entering 023861 when prompted for a passcode.  Updated catch rates and harvest projections will be available on the ASMFC website athttp://www.asmfc.org/meetings.htm prior to the call. Please contact Christopher Vonderweidt at [email protected] or (202)-289-6400 for more information.

MARINA OPERATORS STEPPING UP TO PROTECT NEW JERSEY'S WATERS

(10/P106) TRENTON - The Department of Environmental Protection and New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium have added 11 marinas to the state's Clean Marina program. The number of these facilities certified as using best management practices to protect New Jersey's marine resources now stands at 40. 

"Launched just five years ago, the Clean Marina program is an environmental success story," DEP Commissioner Bob Martin said. "The program now reaches into virtually every corner of the state, from the Atlantic Highlands to Cape May, and is a great example of a public-private partnership that fosters environmental stewardship. I strongly urge all operators of marinas, yacht clubs and other boating facilities across the state to learn about the program and to begin working toward the same goal of protecting our coastal resources."

The New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium's Michael Danko commended the marina operators for their commitment to protecting the health of New Jersey's water.

"These marinas have really gone above and beyond the call of duty to earn the Clean Marina designation," said Danko, the consortium's Marine Recreation Extension Agent for Fishing and Boating. "We're urging boaters throughout the state to be good stewards of New Jersey's marine and coastal environments by patronizing marinas that have taken steps to protect this invaluable resource."

The DEP's Office of Coastal Management and Watershed Restoration and the New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium, an affiliation of academic and other groups formed to advance solutions to issues affecting the coast, have teamed up since 2005 to spur marinas to adopt programs to protect the environment. Each marina is evaluated for launching any of a number of voluntary best management practices it undertakes to protect the environment.

These practices may include installation of systems to collect water used in washing, recycling shrink wrap used in boat storage, developing environmental emergency response plans, posting signs to educate marina users about environmental protection, implementing training for proper fueling, and taking steps to prevent oil, antifreeze and other fluids from fouling the water

Certified marinas as well as marinas working toward certification become eligible to participate for grants to help them achieve their best management practice objectives. The grants are made possible by a partnership between the New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium and the New Jersey Department of Transportation's IBOAT NJ program. 

The newly added certified Clean Marinas are: Cardinal Yacht Sales, Somers Point; Garden State Yacht Sales, Point Pleasant Beach; Good Luck Point Marina, Bayville; Harborview Club and Marina, Beach Haven; Hagler's Marina, Long Beach Island; Leamings Marina, Waretown; Lockwood Boat Works, South Amboy; New Liberty Landing Marina, Jersey City; Pier 47 Marina, Wildwood; Spring Garden Marina, Millville; and Twin Lights Marina, Highlands.

Another 40 operators have pledged to work toward this designation.

Many marinas participating in the program have learned that doing the right things for the environment also helped them generate income through the sales of oil-spill prevention kits and cleanup products to boat operators. Many marina owners also find that implementing a more comprehensive recycling program saves money compared to traditional disposal.

Each marina receives a pennant and special seal indicating its certification in the program.
For more information about the Program and to see the entire list of New Jersey's Clean Marinas, visit www.njcleanmarinas.org