New Jersey § 23:4-1

Full text of New Jersey New Jersey Statutes § 23:4-1, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 23:4-1.

No person shall capture, kill, injure, destroy or have in possession or hunt, hunt

for, or attempt to capture, kill, injure or destroy any reedbird, wild swans, wood

duck, wild geese, brant, wild ducks, rails or marsh hens, gallinules, coot (commonly

known as crow duck), upland plover, black-bellied plover, golden plover, greater or

lesser yellowlegs, willets, sandpipers, dowitchers or robin snipe, brown backs, curlews,

turnstones or calico backs, godwits or marlin, tattlers, Wilson snipe or jacksnipe,

woodcock or any other birds commonly known as shore birds, surf snipe or bay snipe,

unless an open season is prescribed therefor by the regulations of the United States

Department of the Interior, made under the provisions of an Act of Congress relating

to migratory birds, 1 and then only during the respective open seasons fixed for such birds by such regulations. No person shall capture, kill, injure, destroy or have in possession any quail, rabbit,

hare, gray, black or fox squirrel, raccoon, woodchuck, English or ring-necked pheasant,

ruffed grouse, wild turkey, partridge, or any other game bird or game animal, other

than those mentioned in the first paragraph of this section, unless an open season

is prescribed therefor by the State Fish and Game Code, and then only during the respective

open seasons fixed by such code; or, in the absence of such provision in said code,

unless an open season is prescribed therefor by law, and then only during the respective

open seasons fixed by this section. Unless otherwise prescribed by the State Fish and Game Code, the open season for quail,

rabbit, hare, gray, black or fox squirrel, male English or ring-necked pheasant, ruffed

grouse, or partridge, except as hereinafter in this article is restricted, shall be

from November 10 to December 10; provided, however, no person shall capture, kill,

injure, destroy or have in his possession any of the birds or animals mentioned in

this paragraph on the first day of any open season for such birds and animals before

9 a.m. Unless otherwise prescribed by the State Fish and Game Code, the open season for woodchuck

shall be from May 1 to September 30; between sunrise and sunset only. Unless otherwise prescribed by the State Fish and Game Code, the open season for raccoon

shall be from November 1 to January 15, between sunset and sunrise only, except during

the open season for deer. Unless otherwise provided by the State Fish and Game Code, the birds and animals for

which an open season is prescribed by this section may be possessed during the respective

open seasons therefor and for the additional period of 10 days immediately succeeding

the open seasons. Except as otherwise specifically provided by this act or any other law, for capturing,

killing, injuring, destroying, or having in possession or hunting, hunting for, or

attempting to capture, kill, injure or destroy any of the game birds or game animals

mentioned in this section, or any other game bird or game animal, other than during

the respective open seasons, if any, and at the times, if any, fixed therefor by the

respective provisions of the State Fish and Game Code, or, in the absence of any such

provisions in said code, fixed therefor by this section, or for violating any other

provision of this section, a person shall be liable to a penalty of not less than

$20.00 and not more than $100.00 for each bird or animal or part thereof unlawfully

captured, killed, injured, destroyed, had in possession, or hunted, hunted for, attempted

to be captured, killed, injured or destroyed; provided, however, that a person shall

be liable to a penalty of not less than $100.00 and not more than $300.00 for each

wild turkey, black bear, coyote, bobcat, otter, or part thereof, unlawfully captured,

killed, injured, destroyed, possessed, or hunted, hunted for, attempted to be captured,

killed, injured or destroyed. 1

16 U.S.C.A. § 703 et seq.

Frequently Asked Questions About New Jersey § 23:4-1

What does New Jersey Statutes § 23:4-1 cover?

Section 23:4-1 is part of the New Jersey Statutes, the codified statutory law of New Jersey. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite New Jersey § 23:4-1?

A common citation format is "New Jersey Statutes § 23:4-1" (New Jersey). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of New Jersey law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the New Jersey official source linked on this page or consult a licensed New Jersey attorney.

How does New Jersey § 23:4-1 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in New Jersey can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in New Jersey.