NEW JERSEY laws

New Jersey Statutes    

New Jersey Administrative Code

WILDLIFE LAWS EXEMPTION

• Public museums
  
• Nonnative fur-bearing animals
  

(New Jersey Rev. Statutes 23:1-4)

POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SPECIES

BANS potentially dangerous species as pets or for hobby purpose along with pet shops and animal dealers after 1/17/95. 

• PERMIT issued for:
  
  • Scientific Holding
    
  • Zoological
    
  • Animal Exhibitor
    
  • Animal Theatrical
    
  • Propagation and Sales
    
  • Fur Farming permits
    

LIST:

• Birds:
  
  • Afro-Asian Ring-necked Parakeets (Psittaculis)
    
  • Monk Parakeet & possibly Cliff Parakeet
    
  • Patagonian Conures
    

• Mammals:
  
  • Canines (nondomestic)
    
  • Felines (nondomestic)
    
  • Bears
    
  • Prairie Dogs
    
  • Ground Squirrels (Spermophilus) – mostly Europe and Asia
    
  • Nonhuman primates:
    
    • Apes
      
    • Baboons
      
    • Old World Monkeys (Cercophithecidae)
      
    • New World Monkeys (Cebidae)
      

• Herp:
  
  • Gila Monsters & possibly Beaded Lizards (Helodermatidae)
    
  • Venomous Snakes (Elapidae, Viperidae, Crotalidae)
    
  • Crocodilians
    

• Unlisted:
  
  • ANY other potentially dangerous species
    

REQUIREMENTS:

• Extensive experience, working knowledge and expertise, housing facilities that prevent public access and contact, written statement of purpose, written description of housing and caging facilities and summary of continuous food source, no pet shop or animal dealers except temporary emergencies
  

(New Jersey Rev. Statutes 23:4-63.3; New Jersey Admin Code 7:25-4.8 to 4.9, 10.10, 10.11)

ENDANGERED SPECIES

BANS take, possession, transport, import, export, process, sale and shipment of state and federal endangered species.

• EXEMPT:
  
  • federal permit or other state permit for transport through state
    
  • biomedical research
    
  • law enforcement
    

PERMIT (Exotic and Nongame Permit for Endangered Species) issued for scientific purposes.

• ALSO NEED: federal permit
  
• NEED sponsoring scientific institution, zoological society or similar organization AND designated professional and written proposal for scientific research
  

LIST:

• Fish:
  
  • Shortnose Sturgeon
    

• Amphibians:
  
  • Blue-spotted Salamander
    
  • Eastern Tiger Salamander
    
  • Southern Gray Treefrog
    

• Reptiles:
  
  • Bog Turtle
    
  • Timber Rattlesnake
    
  • Corn Snake
    
  • Atlantic Hawksbill
    
  • Atlantic Loggerhead
    
  • Atlantic Ridley
    
  • Atlantic Leatherback
    
  • Queen Snake
    

• Birds:
  
  • Bald Eagle (Breeding population)
    
  • Peregrine Falcon (Breeding population)
    
  • Northern Goshawk (Breeding population)
    
  • Northern Harrier (Breeding population)
    
  • Red-shouldered Hawk (Breeding population)
    
  • Short-eared Owl (Breeding population)
    
  • Pied-billed Grebe (Breeding population)
    
  • Upland Sandpiper
    
  • Sedge Wren
    
  • Loggerhead Shrike (Non-breeding population)
    
  • Henslow's Sparrow
    
  • Vesper Sparrow (Breeding population)
    
  • Piping Plover
    
  • Roseate Tern
    
  • Least Tern
    
  • Black Skimmer
    
  • American Bittern (Breeding population)
    
  • Black Rail (Breeding population)
    
  • Golden-winged Warbler (Breeding population)
    
  • Red Knot (Non-breeding population)
    

• Mammals:
  
  • Sperm Whale
    
  • Blue Whale
    
  • Finback Whale
    
  • Sei Whale
    
  • Humpback Whale
    
  • Northern Right Whale
    
  • Bobcat
    
  • Eastern Woodrat
    
  • Indiana Bat
    

• Invertebrates:
  
  • Mitchell's Satyr
    
  • Northeastern Beach Tiger Beetle
    
  • American Burying Beetle
    
  • Appalachian Grizzled Skipper (butterfly)
    
  • Arogos Skipper (butterfly)
    
  • Bronze Copper (butterfly)
    
  • Gray Petaltail (dragonfly)
    
  • Dwarf Wedgemussel
    
  • Brook Floater (mussel)
    
  • Green Floater (mussel)
    

(New Jersey Rev. Statutes 23:2A, 23:2A-6.1; New Jersey Admin Code 7:25 Sec. 4.10, 4.13, 4.14)
 

EXOTIC AND NONGAME WILDLIFE (REST)

PERMIT (Exotic and Nongame Wildlife Permit) required for all exotic and nongame mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians not on the exempt species list, including those specifically listed.  They are divided into:

• Exotic or Nongame Sales Receipt (temporary 20 day permit)
  
• Individual Hobby (hold pets and hobby) - $20 birds, $10 rest
  
• Scientific Holding (scientific observation, captive, scientific or educational study) - $35
  
• Zoological (exhibit at zoos + possess, import, export, sell) – 1-9 animals $60, 10+ $110
  
• Pet Shop (retail sale + import, export) - $100
  
• Animal Dealer (wholesale + import, export) - $100
  
• Animal Exhibitor (non zoo exhibits and shows + import, export, sale) - $35 single, $110 annual
  
• Animal Theatrical Agencies (hire for performances and ads + import, export, sale) - $110
  
• Scientific Collecting (collect nongame and escaped exotics for scientific study) - $22
  
• Special Purpose Salvage (salvage dead migratory birds for science or education) - $7
  
• Special Wildlife Salvage (salvage other dead nongame for science or education) - $7
  
• Endangered Species Permit (possess endangered for conservation or research) - $7
  
• Depredation Control (control hazardous nongame) - $22
  
• Rehabilitation Permit (rescue, rehabilitate, release nongame and endangered birds) - $7
  
• Bird Breeder Permit (collecting wild birds for breeding diversity) - $150
  
  • Resale of wild-caught need permission and only to other breeders
    
  • ALSO NEED: pet shop or animal dealer for retail or wholesale
    

 
REQUIREMENTS:

• Pet shops, animal dealers, zoo, nature centers, animal theatrical – must display license
  
• Sales require Exotic or Nongame Sales Receipt along with permit application
  
• Annual inventory (pet shops, animal dealers)
  
• Quarterly report of births, deaths, acquisitions and disposals (zoo and nature center)
  
• Periodic inspections
  
• Notify department 2 weeks before scheduled activities (animal exhibitor, animal theatrical agencies)
  
• Annual report (scientific collection through bird breeders)
  
• Birds other than canary, budgerigar and cockatiel need sign that only captive-bred birds or those possessed 12/10/91 legal for sale AND need band or microchip
  
• Generic caging and care
  
• Notify department of transfers in 48 hours
  
• Wild-caught birds require meeting requirements in 4.19
  

 
LISTS:

Species Specifically Requiring a Permit:

• Birds:
  
  • Red-fronted parrot
    
  • Turquoise-fronted parrot
    
  • Yellow-cheeked parrot
    
  • Half-moon conure
    
  • Jenday parrot
    
  • African gray parrot
    
  • Macaws (Ara and Anodorhynchus) except endangered
    

• Mammals:
  
  • Ferrets (domestic)
    
  • Kinkajou
    
  • Coatimundi (Nasua)
    
  • European hedgehog
    
  • Exotic Sheep except domestic
    
  • Exotic Goats except domestic
    

• Reptiles:
  
  • Pythons (Pythonidae)
    
  • Rat Snakes (Elaphe)
    
  • Boas (Boidae) except boa constrictor
    
  • King Snakes (Lampropeltis)
    
  • Racer (Coluber)
    
  • Ringneck Snakes
    
  • Green Snakes (Opheodrys)
    
  • Collared Lizard
    
  • Monitor (Varanus)
    
  • Skinks (Scincidae)
    
  • Ameiva (Ameiva)
    
  • Chuckwalla
    
  • Alligator Lizard (Gerrhonitus)
    
  • Geckos (Gekkonidae) except Tokay Gecko
    
  • Armadillo Lizard
    

Exempted Species
*Must be housed to prevent liberation

• Birds:
  
  • Budgerigar
    
  • Cockatiel
    
  • Peafowl
    
  • Rock dove
    
  • Canary
    
  • House sparrow
    
  • European starling
    
  • Zebra finch
    
  • Society finch
    
  • Ostrich
    
  • Greater Rhea
    
  • Lesser Rhea
    
  • Emu
    

• Mammals:
  
  • Hamster - golden
    
  • Gerbil - Mongolian
    
  • Guinea pig
    
  • Pigmy goats - domestic
    
  • Mice and Rats (Mus and Rattus)
    
  • Chipmunk – Eastern and Siberian
    
  • Red Squirrel - American and Douglas
    
  • Flying Squirrel (Glaucompys)
    
  • Alpaca
    
  • Guanaco
    
  • Llama
    
  • Bison (American buffalo)
    

• Reptiles:
  
  • American anole
    
  • Common iguana
    
  • Boa Constrictor
    
  • Eastern painted turtles
    
  • Snapping turtles
    
  • Fence lizard – Western and Eastern
    
  • Garter snake (Thamnophia) except San Francisco garter
    
  • Tokay gecko
    
  • Ribbon snake
    

• Amphibians:
  
  • Leopard frogs - Northern
    
  • Green frogs
    
  • American toad – Woodhouse’s
    
  • Fowlers toad
    
  • Bullfrogs - American
    
  • Red Newts - Eastern
    
  • Dusky salamanders - Northern
    

INDIGENOUS NONGAME

* See nongame list in NJAC 7:25-4.17

(23 New Jersey Rev. Statutes 2A, 4-52, 4-63.3; New Jersey Admin Code 7:25 4.1 to 4.20, 5.22, 5.35)

 

DIAMONDBACK TERRAPIN

Diamondback terrapins are declared nongame indigenous species.

BANS take of eggs.

SEASON: Nov 1 to Mar 31

ILLEGAL METHODS: trap, pot, fyke, seine, weir or net

SIZE: must be at least 5” long

(New Jersey Rev. Statutes 23:2A-4.1; New Jersey Admin. Code 7:25-21)

 

NONGAME BIRDS

• Game Bird – includes geese, brant, ducks (Anatidae) except swans; rails, gallinules, coots and mud hens (rallidae); shore birds, plovers, surf birds, snipe, woodcock, sandpipers, tattlers and curlews (limicolae); wild turkeys, grouse, prairie chickens, pheasants, partridges and quails (gallinae)
  

BANS pursuit, hunting, take, capture, kill, and possession of native and exotic wild birds other than game birds.

• EXEMPT:
  
  • transport through the state within 48 hours
    
  • cockatiel, budgerigar or common canary
    
  • English or European house sparrow and European starling
    
  • Control of hawks or owls attacking livestock
    
  • Predation by yellow-headed, red-winged, bi-colored red-winged, tri-colored red-winged, Rusty and Brewer's blackbirds, cowbirds, grackles, and crows
    
  • Control for wildlife damage or agricultural crops
    

BANS wild-caught birds except scientific, zoological, or educational purposes or licensed wild bird breeder for genetic variety

(23 New Jersey Rev. Statutes 4-49 to 4-51)

 

GAME ANIMALS (MAMMALS) AND BIRDS

BANS potentially dangerous species (nondomestic canines and felines, bears, and cervids) under the Individual Hobby (pet permit).  Rehabilitators must have permission. 

• PERMIT needed for others
  
• NEED extensive experience, working knowledge and expertise, all needed permits, written statement of purpose and intent, written description of the housing and caging facilities, summary of food source, housing facilities that prevent public access and contact
  

PERMIT (Captive Game Permit) required to hold game animals and birds in captivity. 

• CATEGORIES:
  
  • Game Animal or Game Bird Sales Receipt (temporary 20-day permit – need for sales)
    
  • Individual Hobby
    
  • Scientific Holding
    
  • Zoological
    
  • Propagation and Sales (breeding and sale)
    
  • Animal Exhibitor
    
  • Animal Theatrical Agency
    
  • Fur Farming
    
  • Cooperator (rehabilitation)
    
• Must be captive-born except for scientific holding and zoological along with rehabilitators treating and releasing game
  
• Allows emergency possession of orphaned, injured and displaced game (except potentially dangerous) if Division is notified within 12 hours - Wild ones sent to rehabilitator
  
• Annual inventory (propagation and sales only), quarterly reports (Zoological, Exhibitor, Theatrical, and Cooperator), inspections, notification 2 weeks before events (Exhibitor and Theatrical)
  

PERMIT (Commercial Shooting Preserve Permit) issued to operate commercial preserve for ring-necked pheasants, chukar and Hungarian partridges, bobwhite quail and mallards. 

PERMIT (Semi-Wild Shooting Preserve License) issued to propagate ring-necked pheasants, chukar and Hungarian partridges and bobwhite quail in semiwild state.  BANS sale.

PERMIT (Game Animal or Game Bird Import Permit) required to import game.

LIST:

• Game Animals: all game mammals including:
  
  • Eastern cottontail rabbit
    
  • Whitetail jackrabbit
    
  • Blacktail jackrabbit
    
  • European hare
    
  • Eastern gray squirrel
    
  • Woodchuck
    
  • Beaver
    
  • River otter
    
  • Muskrat
    
  • Nutria
    
  • Mink
    
  • Weasel (Mustela)
    
  • Virginia opossum
    
  • Striped skunk
    
  • Raccoon
    
  • Red fox
    
  • Gray fox
    
  • Coyote
    
  • Black bear
    
  • Bobcat
    
  • Whitetail deer
    

• Game Birds:
  
  • geese, brant, Tundra swan, whistling, dabbling, diving and sea ducks (Anatidae)
    
  • rail, moorhen, coot, mud hen (Rallidae)
    
  • plovers, surf birds, shorebirds (Charadriidae)
    
  • sandpiper, woodcock, snipe, curlew, tattlers (Scolopacidae)
    
  • wild turkeys (Meleagrididae)
    
  • grouse, prairie chickens (Tetraonidae)
    
  • pheasants, partridges, quail (Phasianidae)
    
  • mourning dove (Columbidae)
    
  • common crow (Corvidae)
    

(23 New Jersey Rev. Statutes 3.28 to 3.39; New Jersey Admin Code 7:25-10)

 

SNAPPING TURTLES, BULLFROGS, GREEN FROGS (GAME)

PERMIT (Fishing License) required to snapping turtles, bullfrogs, and green frogs by fishing methods.

• LEGAL METHODS: spears, hook and line, dip nets up to 24”, traps, hand
  
• ILLEGAL METHODS: firearms and bow and arrow
  
• LIMITS:
  
  • Snapping turtles – 1/day with carapace at least 12”
    
  • Bullfrog/green frog – 15/day total
    
• CLOSED SEASONS:
  
  • Snapping turtles – May 15 to Jun 30 and Oct 31 to Apr 1
    
  • Bullfrog/green frog – Apr 1 to Jun 30
    

PERMIT (Commercial Turtle/Frog Harvest Permit) issued to take listed turtles and frogs for sale (allows larger quantities).  Snapping turtles limited to those who had permit 2010-2014 with harvest report by 1/1/15. 

(New Jersey Admin Code 7:25-6.22)

 

FISH AND MOLLUSKS

Permits for fish and mollusks include:

• Scientific Collecting Permit (freshwater and marine types)
  
• Fish Stocking Permit
  
• Oyster License (take oysters by tong or hand device) 
  
• Commercial Fishing Preserve License (pay-to-fish)
  
• Commercial Harvest Permit
  

(New Jersey Admin. Code 7:25 Sec. 2.14, 5.16, 6.24, 6.26, 7.10)

 

STRIPED BASS

BANS sale of striped bass.

• EXEMPT:
  
  • Transport through state
    
  • Commercially raised HYBRID striped bass
    

(New Jersey Rev. Statutes 23:5-45.3)

 

FIELD TRIALS AND FALCONRY

• Field Trial Permit (competitive events where dogs chase game)
  
• Falconry Permit (hunt with raptors)
  

(New Jersey Admin. Code 7:25 Sec. 2.14, 5.16, 6.24, 6.26, 7.10)

 

PARTS AND PRODUCTS OF CERTAIN SPECIES

BANS possession, transport, import, export, process, sale and shipment of parts and products of specified African species (African elephant, African leopard, African lion, black rhinoceros, white rhinoceros) AND elephant, rhinoceros, tiger, lion, leopard, cheetah, pangolin, marine turtle, or ray in CITES Appendix I or II.

(New Jersey Rev. Statutes 23:2A, 23:2A-6.1)

TRAVELING ACT BAN

BANS wild or exotic animals in traveling animal acts.

• EXEMPT:
  
  • non-mobile, permanent USDA institutions and educational or conservation outreach programs by such institutions
    
  • institutes of higher education exhibiting for research or education
    
  • government entity outreach programs
    

LIST:

• Artiodactyla (except domestic cattle, bison, water buffalo, yak, zebu, gayal, bali cattle, suidae, sheep, goats, llamas or alpacas)
  
• Camelidae
  
• Canines and hybrids except domestic dogs
  
• Crocodilians
  
• Elephants
  
• Felines and hybrids except domestic cats
  
• Marsupials
  
• Nonhuman Primates
  
• Perissodactyla (except domestic horses, ponies, donkeys, or mules)
  
• Pinnipedia
  
• Bears
  
• Elasmobranchii except rays
  

(New Jersey Rev. Statutes 23:2A-16 – Added 2018)
 

CERVIDS

AGRICULTURE

BANS import of captive cervids from non-accredited state or zone. 

Import of rest need certificate of veterinary inspection and negative Brucellosis, and if applicable, negative bluetongue within 30 days prior.  They must also come from USDA CWD Herd Certification Program.

Captive cervids are considered game and must also meet those laws.

(New Jersey Admin. Code 2:3 Subch. 9)

FISH AND GAME

BANS import of live cervids from another state or country.  (Rule amended 4/7/21 – Effective 5/3/21)
(New Jersey Admin Code § 7:25-5.22)

FERRETS

BANS hunting rabbits or hares with ferrets or having one in the woods or field.

(New Jersey Rev. Statutes 23:4-14)
 

FOXES AND COYOTES

BANS liberating foxes and coyotes.

BANS possession of live foxes and coyotes except with the department’s permission.

(23 New Jersey Rev. Statutes 4-57 to 4-58, 4-63.1 to 63.2)

 

RABIES VECTOR SPECIES

BANS import of rabies vector species (raccoons, skunks, woodchucks, foxes, bats) from state with other than raccoon variant rabies.

Must be caged when not in residence.  Will be euthanized if it bites or scratches anyone.

(Captive Rabies Vector Species Information)

FUR-BEARING ANIMALS (AGRICULTURE)

Breeding, raising, producing and marketing of fox, rabbit, mink, chinchilla, marten, fisher, muskrat, karakul and all other fur-bearing animals in captivity is regulated by Department of Agriculture.  Fish and Game laws on certain species must be followed.

(New Jersey Rev. Statutes 4:2-15)

LLAMA, OSTRICH, EMU, RHEA (AGRICULTURE)

Llamas, ostriches, emus and rheas raised, bred or kept are considering agricultural livestock and are not considered wildlife or exotic animals.

(New Jersey Rev. Statutes 4:2-16 and 4:2-17)

 

NUTRIA (AGRICULTURE AND EXOTIC GAME)

BANS release and escape of nutria from captivity.

REGISTRATION (Certificate of Registration) required to raise or breed nutria.

(New Jersey Rev. Statutes 4:2A)

 

TURTLE SALES (HEALTH)

BANS sales of turtles with less than 4” carapace.

Rest must be free of Salmonellosis.

(New Jersey Admin Code 8:23-2.1)

 

IMPORT (Agriculture)

Import of agricultural animals requires a certificate of veterinary inspection. 

Camelids (llama, alpaca, guanaco, vicuna) need to 1) either come from accredited-free state or zone OR have negative TB test within 60 days prior, and 2) have negative Brucellosis test (6 months or older) within 30 days prior OR be neutered male.

Camelids and nutria are considered game as well and must comply with those laws as well. 

(New Jersey Admin. Code 2:3)