Shooting in New Jersey

[Ssamac]

I started a thread on this earlier, but this has a different twist. I live in Illinois and can shoot right out of my door if I want. However I might have to move to NJ>

Meanwhile, my brother who never shot a bow lives in Mahwah. Thinking that I'd like to get him a bow for his upcoming birthday and start him shooting. Where can he do that? I saw some parks but it says you need a permit. Do you need an archery permit in NJ? Wow.

Suggestions on how to accomplish this without getting arrested would be really welcome.
Thanks
sam

[**DONOTDELETE**]

To legally shoot in the State run ranges you need a NJ hunting lic or be with someone that has one. Jersey does have 6 months of Bow hunting, which is good. But... IMAO Jersey sucks .... If You or him knows anyone with land You can shoot there with out a NJ lic, or go to any of the TRAD/Bow shoots or even join a club. I hope this helps.

[Ssamac]

So if you go to a shoot or a club range you don't need the permit.
If you go to a state park range, you need a permit even if you are not hunting. Who wrote this law? Barnie Frank?

sam

[ArrowAtomik]

Probably the state is concerned with liability.  If you have a hunting license, you probably passed a test in NJ that involved something like shooting a pie plate at 20 yards as well as written exam.  Probably the idea behind the law was to try to screen out arrow flingers with IQ's less than their bow weight causing problems on the public range for others.  

That doesn't do much for someone who wants to learn though.  I think he really has to find a private club as his best bet:
 http://www.funnewjersey.com/upload_user/Different_Outdoor_adventures_NJ/ARCHERY_RANGES_NJ.HTM

There may be no other option but to drive a considerable distance.  That part of NJ is too crowded to ever be anything like shooting out your backdoor.

[Recurve50 LBS]

A person can shoot a bow without a licence or permit at a archery shop that has a range or on private property. To shoot on the State Ranges at WMA's you do need a licence or be with someone in your party that has a licence.

Now I am a bit familiar with the Mahwah area. Depending on where he lives and the size of his property he may be able to practice safely in his own yard. Some of the yards are pretty darn big in Mahwah. But I suggest he check the local laws first. Where I live the law says a person can't shoot a bow or firearm within the town limits. But I shoot in my back yard with out having any problems. I know other guys in town who shoot their compounds in clear site of the street and they don't get hassled by the cops.

There is also some kind of archery club up there in Mahwah that holds a traditional shoot if memory is correct.

[Deadsmple]

there is a great outdoor range in the Mahwah area. You do need a permit, to shoot there, and I can't seem to remember how much it was. It was cheap though. The permit can be acquired through his county parks department. Not much else in that area that I know of.