ASSEMBLY AGRICULTURE AND WASTE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR

ASSEMBLY, No. 1933

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: JUNE 13, 1996

      The Assembly Agriculture and Waste Management Committee favorably reports an Assembly Committee Substitute for Assembly Bill No. 1933.

      The committee substitute for Assembly Bill No. 1933 would authorize the use of bait when hunting deer. Current law allows the use of bait when hunting if the hunter is on the ground and is not hunting from a structure such as a blind. However, if the hunter is elevated in a standing tree, or is in a structure such as a blind, the use of bait is not allowed unless the hunter is at least 300 feet from the baited area.

      The bill would remove all conditions on this hunting method and again allow hunting deer with bait without restriction, as was the case prior to 1970. In addition, the bill's provisions would not allow hunting deer with bait in counties of the first class (Bergen, Essex, and Hudson) except in such game management zones therein as may be designated therefor by the Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife and approved by the Fish and Game Council.

      Finally, the bill would require the Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife to report to the Fish and Game Council, the Department of Agriculture and the Legislature no later than three years after the effective date of this bill on the effects of its provisions on controlling the excess deer population.