Nothing in this amending and supplementary law shall be construed as preventing the use of steel leghold traps for display by human or educational institutions and organizations or the possession of such traps by a person when handing over the traps to a law enforcement authority. Since raccoons often carry rabies, they should not be moved if caught alive. Some states do not allow resettlement. Raccoons should be released after repairing openings on your property, but the potential for recurring damage and conflicts with other landowners should also be considered in this decision. If releasing the raccoon nearby is not an option, humanely euthanize it with a .22-caliber rifle or pistol, or by placing it in a carbon dioxide chamber. If the raccoon needs to be tested for rabies, do not shoot the raccoon in the head. All beaver pelts must be brought to an official checkpoint on Saturday, February 25 (see instruction package). In addition to the mandatory checkpoint, trappers are encouraged to report their beaver harvest through the automated catch reporting system. If you find a bobcat, or fisherman in your trap, do not disturb the whole; Call immediately (877) 927-6337 to report the catch and wait for the Fish and Wildlife Response Team. Licensed trappers may use a firearm to ship any captured fur carrier, with the exception of muskrats.
Young trappers under the age of 14 who use a firearm for shipment must be accompanied by a licensed adult 21 years of age or older, and under the direct supervision of a licensed adult. Trappers must carry written permission from the owner or tenant to possess a loaded firearm in a 450-foot safety zone. Rutgers` Board of Governors, State University, directs the Department of Wildlife Management at Cook College to conduct a study to identify or develop an animal trap that significantly reduces injury and pain in target and non-target animals trapped in the trap and could serve as an alternative to the steel leghold trap. The results of such study shall be published in a report to the New Jersey Fish and Game Council, hereinafter referred to as “the Council”, within the Department of Environmental Protection within one year of the date of coming into force of this Amendment and Amendment Act. For the purposes of this amending and supplemental Act, the term “steel leghold traps” does not mean mousetraps and rat traps intended for use in or under buildings. All traps should be inspected and maintained at least once every 24 hours, preferably in the morning. When catching beavers or otters, the trap mark must be clearly visible above the water or ice level. Anyone (including a farmer) who catches a coyote must notify a New Jersey law enforcement office within 24 hours. Licensed trappers who are at least 18 years of age and hold a valid shooting licence may carry a .22 calibre rifle and use only short .22 rimfire cartridges to legally kill legally captured animals. If the study carried out in accordance with Article 4 of this amending and supplementary law [FN1] identifies or develops a suitable alternative animal trap: The Council shall establish a programme for the phasing out of the use of steel leghold traps in the State, specifying the conditions under which the appropriate alternative may be used, withdrawal taking place within 18 months of the entry into force of this amending and complementary law.
Every person who uses an animal trap with a steel leghold in contravention of a rule or provision of this Act amending and amending is liable to a fine of not less than $50.00 nor more than $250.00 for a first offence; at least $250.00 and not more than $500.00 for a second offence; not less than $500.00 and not more than $2,500.00 for a third or subsequent offence. No person shall manufacture, sell, offer for sale, possess, import or transport steel leghold traps. Modern and regulated traplines are used to manage habitats, monitor and control animal populations, protect and reintroduce endangered species, protect public and private property, and conduct research. It is a technique for the sustainable and consuming use of wildlife resources. In New Jersey, there are fishing seasons for beaver, otter, mink, muskrat, eastern coyote, fox, opossum, raccoon, skunk and weasel. * See table of fur fishing seasons above for trap restrictions for stocked wildlife management areas. Fishing is prohibited at all times in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. The owner or owner of a holding may authorise any person under the age of fifteen associated with his household to capture hares, commonly known as rabbits, in box traps within the limits of the holding during the period and under the conditions under which it is lawful to slaughter or capture them. Closed-kick traps can be used in New Jersey, an appeals court has said. The following wildlife management areas are closed to all beaver and otter trapping areas and the use of cable fuses for coyotes, foxes, opossums, raccoons and skunks until January 1 at 6 a.m.: Assunpink, Berkshire Valley, Bevans (Millville), Black River, Clinton, Colliers Mills, Flatbrook-Roy, Glassboro, Greenwood Forest (incl. Howardsville Tract), Heislerville, MacNamara (Tuckahoe), Mad Horse, Manahawkin, Manasquan River, Medford, Nantuxent, Peaslee, Pequest, Port Republic, Stafford Forge, Walpack, Whittingham and Winslow.
Cage traps and encapsulation traps can be used on these MGAs from 6 a.m. on November 15. If you need help with raccoon problems, contact a licensed wildlife control operator in your area. All coyote harvests must be reported through the Automated Crop Reporting System (AAS) by 8 p.m., either online at NJFishandWildlife.com/licensesalessite.htm or by calling (855) 448-6865. The location data collected is similar to that used when reporting a deer harvest (DMZ, county, municipality). Fish and Wildlife requires trappers to report all catches of Grey Foxes through the AHSA, as is the case for coyotes (see above). The red fox cannot be reported at this time. TRENTON — A relatively new type of animal trap has been deemed cruel and inhumane and can still be used in New Jersey, a state appeals court has ruled. Justices Susan Reisner, Ellen Koblitz and Thomas Summers said the court could not override the settlements unless the coalition showed the use of the foot traps violated the law. * Beaver or otter traps cannot be set up until 6 a.m. on January 1, and no cable fuses for coyotes, foxes, possums, raccoons or skunks can be placed for coyotes, foxes, possums, raccoons or skunks. (For a list of populated DMAs, see Highland Game Feathereds.) Fishing is prohibited at all times in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.
23:4-20. Game caught or caught; possession or sale; Animal rights groups have argued that the foot traps are a modified version of banned steel leg irons and are inhumane. They claim that box traps are effective at catching raccoons and opossums. Coil springs and long spring traps are prohibited in New Jersey. No person shall manufacture, sell, offer for sale, possess, import or transport steel leghold traps; No person may use, take or attempt to take an animal with steel leghold traps.