NJ Deer in Their Rutting Period

The NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife is urging motorists to be alert for white-tailed deer on roads across the state with the arrival of the fall rut, especially during morning and evening commutes when visibility may be poor and deer are more active.

The rut is the mating season of ruminant animals such as deer(sheep, elk, moose etc.). During the rut (or rutting period) bucks often rub their antlers or horns on trees or shrubs, fight with each other, wallow in mud or dust, and herd estrus females together.

The rut in many species is triggered by a shortening of the length of daylight hours each day. The timing of the rut for different species depends on the length of their gestation period (length of pregnancy), usually occurring so the young are born in the spring, shortly after new green growth has appeared (which provides food for the females, allowing them to provide milk for the young), and when the temperatures are warm enough that the young will not die of hypothermia.

Studies indicate the peak mating season for deer in New Jersey runs from late October, throughout November, and into mid-December in all regions of the state, beginning first in northern regions.

Drivers in New Jersey should be extra alert to avoid collisions, as deer movements related to breeding have begun and will pick up in the coming weeks. Triggered by shorter days and cooler weather, deer disperse and move around considerably as they search for mates.

You are encouraged to alert the Department of Transportation about dead deer they find along the state highway system and deer crossing locations. DOT has made it easy and convenient for residents to do so online at .

• If you spot a deer, slow down and pay attention to possible sudden movement. If the deer doesn't move, don't go around it. Wait for the deer to pass and the road is clear.
• If a collision appears inevitable, do not swerve to avoid impact. The deer may counter-maneuver suddenly. Brake appropriately, but stay in your lane. Collisions are more likely to become fatal when a driver swerves to avoid a deer and instead collides with oncoming traffic or a fixed structure along the road.
• Pay attention to "Deer Crossing" signs. Slow down when traveling through areas known to have a high concentration of deer so you will have ample time to stop if necessary.
• If you are traveling after dark, use high beams when there is no oncoming traffic. High beams will be reflected by the eyes of deer on or near roads.
• If you see one deer, be on guard: others may be in the area. Deer typically move in family groups at this time of year and cross roads single-file. Female deer are being chased by bucks and during breeding phase are often unaware of traffic.
• Don't tailgate. Remember: the driver in front of you might have to stop suddenly to avoid hitting a deer.
• Always wear a seatbelt, as required by law. Drive at a safe and sensible speed, taking into account weather, available lighting, traffic, curves and other road conditions.

Report any deer-vehicle collision to a local law enforcement agency immediately.

More information about white-tailed deer in New Jersey

Source   http://www.nj.gov/dep/newsrel/2013/13_0098.htm

Free Registration for New Jersey Saltwater Recreational Registry Program

In 2006 the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) was charged with the creation of a universal phonebook – or registry – of all current saltwater anglers in the United States. The registry was developed to allow NOAA to quickly and easily contact current saltwater anglers in an effort to gain more accurate and timely information on recreational fisheries. States were allowed to establish their own registry program for saltwater anglers that fished in their state.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection established its own registry program, the New Jersey Saltwater Recreational Registry Program, to exempt saltwater recreational anglers fishing in New Jersey’s marine and tidal waters from the federal registry and the $15.00 federal registration fee imposed in 2011. The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) implemented the New Jersey Saltwater Recreational Registry Program (NJSRRP) effective May 4, 2011 through Administrative Order No. 2011-05.

The registry is an important tool that will help fishermen and policy makers work together to better account for the contributions and impacts of saltwater anglers on ocean ecosystems and coastal economies. It is part of a national overhaul of the way NOAA collects and reports recreational fishing data. The goal of the initiative - known as the Marine Recreational Information Program, or MRIP - is to provide the most accurate information possible that can be used to determine the health of fish stocks. Reliable, universally trusted data will in turn aid anglers, fisheries managers and other stakeholders in their combined efforts to effectively and fairly set the rules that will ensure the long-term sustainability of recreational fishing. For more information, visit www.CountMyFish.noaa.gov.

This Registry is NOT a License. New Jersey does not have a saltwater license. All Marine Fisheries Rules and Regulations must be followed at all times.

Go to http://www.nj.gov/dep/saltwaterregistry/

NJ MAP

NJ MAP is a website created by the Geospatial Research Lab at Rowan University (GeoLab).  The objective is to brings our ever changing NJ landscapes into focus. It is data visualization and a way to show clues as to future growth and development patterns. The information will be useful to citizens, planners, and local decision makers.  It is also just plain interesting to look at your own hometown area and see how things have changed over the years.

All 565 of New Jersey’s municipalities have their own dedicated page on the site. You can access data and aerial photography specific to your community.

Check any town at http://njmap.rowan.edu/.

http://njmap.rowan.edu/growth/images/growth_nb.gif

Our New Jersey’s landscapes have changed significantly throughout our state’s history. Steady population growth and development has brought us wealth and growing cities and suburbs. And, yes, it has brought environmental problems sometimes.

I have read that land use experts who monitor development trends speculate that New Jersey may well be the first state to reach complete build out. That frightening prediction - that we will be the first state to reach a point where all parcels of land not protected through land preservation, regulation, or zoning will be developed - is not exactly a selling point for NJ.

Rowan’s GeoLab is asking for your help in order to update its information on growth since 2007. They invite you be a volunteer contributor by helping to identify post 2007 development growth in your area or any area of the state.

They are hoping that if they get enough volunteers, they can have results by early in 2014. You can enter data about that farm or woods that has been recently developed, or the new community parkland, shopping center or reserve.

Anyone can participate - log onto the GeoLab’s website and sign in to be a contributor. There are even some prizes for contributors.

Final Harvest the Bay Festival October 12

The third and final Harvest the Bay festival of 2013 will be held Saturday, October 12, at Island Beach State Park, giving visitors another opportunity to learn about the clams, crabs and fish that are important to the ecology and economy of Barnegat Bay.

The festival’s finale will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Ocean Bathing Area 1, rain or shine. The event is free with park admission.

“Our first two Harvest the Bay festivals over the summer proved to be really popular and interactive events that allowed visitors to not only get a unique perspective of Barnegat Bay, but to also get a better sense of the interpretive programming we have available at the park,” said State Park Service Director Mark Texel. “This is also our last scheduled event for what has truly been a great year at Island Beach State Park. We have made a tremendous recovery from Superstorm Sandy and that’s reason enough to celebrate.”

The festival is designed to foster public appreciation of the bay’s natural environment and the commercial fishing industry that depends on this watershed. Park naturalists will teach visitors about the role clams, crabs, and fish play in the Barnegat Bay ecosystem, and how they depend on a healthy bay. Visitors will also learn proper techniques for harvesting these resources and will be able to sample locally caught seafood.

New Jersey-based rock band, The Chillers, will also perform throughout the festival.

Island Beach State Park, one of the crown jewels of the state park system, saw strong attendance numbers in its first summer since Superstorm Sandy. A full raft of interactive and educational nature programs, including the Harvest the Bay series, were installed after the park re-opened earlier this year. A new park naturalist was also hired. The park hosted its first two Harvest the Bay events on July 23 and on August 20.

The Harvest the Bay education programs are made possible through a generous grant from the Barnegat Bay Partnership, which also provides the programs in Spanish. The Barnegat Bay Partnership is providing funding support for the series.

Island Beach State Park interpretive programs are supported by a partnership between the New Jersey State Park Service, the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey, the Friends of Island Beach State Park, Save Barnegat Bay, Ocean County Vocational-Technical School’s MATES Academy, ReClam the Bay and the New Jersey Beach Buggy Association.

To learn more about Island Beach State Park, visit: www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/parks/island.html

To learn more about educational programs at Island Beach State Park this year, visit: www.conservewildlifenj.org/education/programs/islandbeach/

Fall Foliage in New Jersey

Ready to do some New Jersey foliage hiking, walking or scenic drives?  There are some resources on the njhiking.com  website to get you on track.

Try their Best Fall Foliage Hikes in New Jersey and visit the NJ Fall Foliage 2013 forum to read reports or make your own report. You can also post on the NJ Hiking Facebook page or tweet @njhiking with an update.

For places outside NJ, check out the Fall Foliage Reports page.

Annual Governor's Surf Fishing Tournament, Sunday October 6

The Department of Environmental Protection is encouraging anglers of all ages to register for a day of fishing at the 22nd annual Governor’s Surf Fishing Tournament, scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 6 at Island Beach State Park.

Anglers from New Jersey and neighboring states are expected to descend upon the beaches of the state park in hopes of catching the longest fish of the day, while enjoying a day of surf fishing with family and friends.

“This is a great annual event that shows off our state park and offers some terrific fishing,’’ said DEP Commissioner Bob Martin. “But it has even more meaning this year, showing once again the resiliency of our state and residents, and the recovery of the Jersey Shore after Superstorm Sandy.’’

In addition to great fishing, the tournament also is a fundraiser for worthwhile causes, including the purchase of specialized wheelchairs to provide beach access to disabled and elderly persons, surf fishing instruction programs and equipment, and marine education and restoration efforts.

Since its inception in 1991, the tournament has generated more than $130,000 for these and other causes.

The individual who catches the overall largest fish during the event wins the "Governor's Award," and has his/her name engraved on the Governor's Cup, which is permanently displayed at the park. The grand prize winner last year was Bill Sheppard of Seaside Park. Fishing equipment also is awarded to winners who catch the largest fish in a variety of species and age group categories.

The Governor's Surf Fishing Tournament is sponsored by the DEP's Divisions of Fish and Wildlife and Division of Parks and Forestry, as well as the New Jersey State Federation of Sportsman's Clubs, the Jersey Coast Anglers Association and the New Jersey Beach Buggy Association.

The registration fee the day of the tournament is $20 for persons 18 and older. Registration for ages 13-17 is $5 and registration is free for kids 12 and under.

Tournament anglers may be asked to verify their compliance with the New Jersey Saltwater Recreational Registry Program. If you have not already registered please make sure you do before hitting the beach the day of the tournament. Registration is quick, easy and free. Anglers simply need to log on to http://www.nj.gov/dep/saltwaterregistry/ and follow the instructions on the page.

For more information on the tournament or to receive a registration form please visit: NJFishandWildlife.com/gsft.htm or call (609) 748-4347.

For information on new, Department of Transportation traffic pattern changes at the Route 35 interchange with Route 37 which could impact some travelers en route to the tournament, please visit: http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/about/press/2013/090613s.shtm

Island Beach State Park is located in Berkeley Township in Ocean County. For more information on the park, visit: http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/island.html