SENATE SENIOR CITIZENS, VETERANS' AFFAIRS AND AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR

SENATE, No. 1334

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: SEPTEMBER 19, 1996

      The Senate Senior Citizens, Veterans' Affairs and Agriculture Committee favorably reports a Senate Committee Substitute for Senate Bill No. 1334.

      The Senate Committee Substitute for Senate Bill No. 1334 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.

      As reported, the Senate Committee Substitute for Senate Bill No. 1334 is identical to Assembly Bill No. 1933 (ACS).