Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 6, March 18, 2024
(a) Permits for the use of State Fish and Wildlife Management Areas for conducting field trials or retrieving field trials as defined in (c) below may be granted by the Division in accordance with the provisions of this section. General authority for this section is found in 23:4-26.
(b) No person shall conduct a field trial or retrieving field trial on any fish and wildlife management area without a permit from the Division.
(c) Definitions include the following:
1. "Field trial" means an organized training or competitive event in which dogs are used to locate and/or pursue game animals while their performance is evaluated in a manner as prescribed by the standards set forth by the sponsoring organization. Retrieving and firearms are not employed.
2. "Retrieving field trial" means a training or competitive event in which dogs are used to locate and/or pursue game animals culminated by the retrieving of said animals. The performance of each dog is evaluated as prescribed by the standards set forth by the sponsoring organization. Firearms may be employed in this type of event.
3. "Division" means the Division of Fish and Wildlife or its successor in the Department of Environmental Protection.
(d) Application procedures are:
1. A permit for a field trial or retrieving field trial may be issued to an organization that is organized as a "field trial club". The Division shall describe the form of the permit and the form of the application.
2. An application for the holding of a spring field trial or retrieving field trial shall be made no later than January 1. An application for the holding of a fall field trial or retrieving field trial shall be filed no later than August 1.
3. Fees: A fee of $ 100.00 per day shall be charged for all field trials or retrieving field trials using the designated course or areas and building facilities provided by the Division on Wildlife Management Areas. A fee of $ 50.00 per day shall be charged for all field trials or retrieving field trials using only the designated course or area on the Wildlife Management Areas.
(e) Field trials and retrieving field trials may be authorized during the period of February 15 to April 30 and September 1 to October 31 except, however, field trials and retrieving field trials may be authorized for the Assunpink wildlife management area from February 15 through October 31 inclusive. A permit will specify the location within the wildlife management area in which the permitted event shall be conducted.
(f) General provisions include:
1. Only birds in excellent physical condition shall be liberated for any event. Birds with clipped wings or otherwise mutilated shall not be liberated. Birds are not to be mishandled, handled cruelly, or injured at the time of liberation. The club is responsible for the liberation of the birds.
2. At retrieving field trials, only pen reared game birds and domestic mallards may be used. Only birds specified in the permit may be liberated. Any bird carcass must be tagged before it is removed from the event location. Tags shall be secured from the Division at a fee of $ 0.25 each. All bird carcasses shall be properly disposed of by the permittee at another location outside the designated Wildlife Management Area in use.
3. All individuals using firearms shall possess and display a firearms hunting license valid for the current calendar year.
4. The riding of horses by field trial judges, entrants, handlers and trainers without riding permits required by Regulation No. 4 (7:25-2.8 ) is allowed, providing the field trial sponsoring organization or association has first obtained the proper field trial permit, and promulgates and maintains a written roster of the names of persons participating in the field trial in the listed capacities, who will be horseback riding on the dates listed in the field trial permit.
i. The valid roster shall be available for inspection by conservation officers, deputy conservation officers or other law enforcement officers at any time during the dates listed on the field trial permit.
ii. Spectators, gallery and observers of field trials who ride horses, or persons engaged in leasing or renting of riding horses at field trials, must obtain and, while riding, have in their possession a valid horseback riding permit.
(g) These regulations are not intended to prohibit the running of coonhound trials utilizing a laid trial and live raccoon placed in a tree at the end of the chase The owner of a raccoon utilized for the laid trail must be licensed by the Division for the possession of a live raccoon.
(h) Liability rules are:
1. The prospective permittee shall maintain public liability and property damage insurance for the requested period of use, with an insurance company recognized to do business in the State of New Jersey, in the amount of $ 100,000/300,000 personal liability and $ 50,000 property damage. Certificate for such coverage shall be submitted with the application for field trial permits and/or the application for retrieving field trial permits.
2. All persons shall use every precaution to prevent damage, destruction, or fire. The permittee shall be completely responsible for any damage occurring in the location and at the time the field trial or retrieving field trial is being conducted. No permit shall be issued to any organization or persons who have damaged or destroyed state lands or property and who have failed to reimburse the state.
(i) The organization or persons sponsoring the event shall be responsible for the removal of all litter, trash, the cleaning of barns, the cleaning of dog kennels, clubhouse facilities including kitchen facilities and sanitary facilities. The permittee shall be billed by the state for any expenses necessary to clean the facilities used by the permittee. No permit shall be issued to any organization or person who has failed to reimburse the state.
