The first New Jersey deer hunting season was established in 1722. By 1900 New Jersey’s deer population had reached its lowest numbers, due to overhunting and extensive farming, with the few remaining native deer located in the Pine Barrens. The following year New Jersey hunters harvested a total of twenty deer. In 1902 the state established a $10.50 non-resident hunting license, the first license ever required for hunting in New Jersey. At the same time, New Jersey closed deer hunting, and between 1902 and 1913 restocked the deer herd statewide with deer purchased from private sources and the states of Pennsylvania and Michigan. When deer hunting reopened in 1909, state residents were required to buy a hunting license, which cost $1.15.
This original press photo was taken near Chatsworth during the 1926 season, and shows hunters John Carr of Chatsworth and Tony Monzo of Asbury Park on a deer stand in the woods, no doubt awaiting a drive by other hunters.
