[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township of Howell 3-17-2003 by Ord. No. O-03-9. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The purpose of this chapter is to establish controlled hunting for whitetail deer within a portion of the Bear Swamp Recreation Area in order to allow the reduction of overpopulation and subsequent habitat destruction to said area. The Township finds that it is in the public interest to achieve this reduction of overpopulation by the issuance of a controlled number of permits to hunt whitetail deer within said area.
Any Township permit issued shall coincide with the seasons established by the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife. This will apply to seasons established for archery, muzzle loaders and shotgun as mandated by said Division of the State of New Jersey.
A. 
The New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife shall determine the gender to be taken during each of the aforementioned seasons.
B. 
The Township shall determine the amount of deer to be removed in order to keep the remaining herd in balance with the existing ecosystem. The Township shall make said determination in conjunction with recommendations of the Howell Township Lake Restoration and Wildlife Committee and subject to the requirements of the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife. The Township shall further have the right to stop all hunting when it determines it is in the best interest of said ecosystem balance even though the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife would still allow hunting.
The Township shall determine in conjunction with recommendations of the Howell Township Lake Restoration and Wildlife Committee a seasonal number of Township permits to hunt within said Bear Swamp Recreation Area as herein defined.
A. 
Anyone hunting with said permits must report that a whitetail deer has been taken within said Bear Swamp Recreation Area to both the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife and to the Clerk's office of the Township of Howell. Upon receipt of said information by the Clerk's office, it shall be forwarded to the Lake Restoration and Wildlife Committee by written notice.
B. 
The Township shall notify all permit holders when there has been a determination made that no further hunting will be permitted within the tract commonly known as "Bear Swamp."
C. 
The number of permits to be issued shall be determined in conjunction with appropriate reports prepared by the new Lake Restoration and Wildlife Management Committee of Howell Township.
Permit fees shall be set forth in Chapter 139, Fees.
[1]
Editor's Note: Specific fee amounts were removed from this section in conjunction with Ord. No. O-09-13, adopted 4-28-2009. For current hunting permit fees, see Ch. 139, Fees, Art. XVIII, Licenses and Permits (Miscellaneous), § 139-53.
All acts prohibited by the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife are hereby prohibited within the Bear Swamp Recreational Area during the limited hunting seasons. There shall be no hunting allowed on Sunday during any prescribed season.
The following prerequisites will be required prior to the receipt of a hunting permit from Howell Township as hereinabove described:
A. 
All permit applicants shall be in possession of all New Jersey permits pertaining to deer and shall have a valid New Jersey hunting license.
B. 
Said valid New Jersey hunting license shall be presented to the Township prior to the Township issuing a permit.
C. 
No permit shall be issued without a New Jersey valid hunting license.
D. 
The portion of Bear Swamp Recreational Area upon which hunting shall be allowed is hereinafter described on Schedule A attached hereto and made a part hereof.[1] The appropriate signage shall be posted indicating that a Township permit is required in order to hunt within said defined area.
[1]
Editor's Note: Schedule A is on file at the Township Clerk's office.
Any person who violates any one or more sections of this chapter shall be subject to a fine of not more than $1,000 for each separate offense and/or confinement in the Monmouth County Jail for a period of not more than 90 days.