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Hunting and Fishing in New Jersey
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Hacklebarney State Park
The freshwater Black River briskly cuts its way through rocky
Hacklebarney State Park, cascading around boulders in the
hemlock-lined ravine. Two tributaries, Rinehart and Trout
Brooks, also course their way through this glacial valley,
feeding the Black River. Even in the heat of mid-summer, the
temperature of Black River gorge is cool and refreshing. Today
Hacklebarney is a favorite place for avid anglers, hikers and
picnickers, yet in the 19th century the park was a mined iron
ore site. The gushing river against the grey boulders and dark
green hemlocks creates a majestic beauty in any season. Three
rare and endangered plant species exist within the park:
American ginseng, leatherwood and Virginia pennywort. Over a
hundred bird species and wildlife such as black bear, woodchuck,
deer and fox live in the park. For information call:
(908)638-6969
Farny State Park
This forested wilderness connects watershed lands and is crossed
by an old logging road. Streams, mixed oak-hardwood forest and
swamps comprise the park. This area is popular among anglers and
hikers. Trail entry is through the Farny Natural Area. Split
Rock Reservoir is adjacent to the park. Farny Natural Area (589
acres). The natural area lies adjacent to Splitrock Reservoir
and supports a mature mixed oak hardwood forest characteristic
of the Highlands physiographic province. Tall red, white and
black oaks dominate the forest canopy, which also serves as
habitat for the endangered red-shouldered hawk and threatened
barred owl. Numerous trails cross the natural area. Hunting is
also available here. For information call: (973)962-7031
Hopatcong State Park
Nine miles in length and covered by 2,500 acres of freshwater,
Lake Hopatcong is the focal point of the park. Hopatcong State
Park is at the southwest end of the lake and is a popular spot
for fishing, boating, and swimming. Lake Hopatcong was
originally created as part of the Morris Canal, a 90-mile
waterway that ran from Newark to Phillipsburg and was the chief
means of transporting coal, iron and zinc across New Jersey in
the 1860s. The lake was the canal's major source of water. In
1866, over 880,000 tons of freight was transported on the canal.
However, as the more efficient Morris and Essex Railroad was
established, the canal was abandoned. The historical museum is
located in the old Morris Canal locktender's house and offers
exhibits on local American Indian history, the Morris Canal and
the history of the lake. For information call: (973)398-7010
Island Beach State Park
Shaped by storm and tides, Island Beach State Park is a narrow
barrier island stretching for 10 miles between the restless
Atlantic Ocean and the quieter Barnegat Bay. Island Beach is one
of New Jersey's last significant remnants of a barrier island
ecosystem that once existed along much of the coast and is also
one of the few remaining undeveloped barrier beaches on the
north Atlantic coast. Over 3,000 acres and 10 miles of coastal
dunes remain almost untouched since Henry Hudson first described
New Jersey's coast from the ship, the Half Moon, in 1609. Miles
of sand dunes and white sandy beaches offer habitat to maritime
plants and diverse wildlife that is almost the same as it was
thousands of years ago. Island Beach contains outstanding
examples of sand dunes, thicket community, freshwater wetlands,
maritime forest and tidal marshes. The state's largest osprey
colony, as well as peregrine falcons, wading birds, shorebirds,
waterfowl and migrating songbirds, are found here. Island Beach
is nationally known as a unique resource with over 300 plants
identified, including the largest expanses of beach heather in
New Jersey. Ten miles of pure white sand beach attracts
swimmers, sunbathers, anglers and surfers. Modern bathhouses,
beach access ramps, a mile of beach with lifeguards, historic
buildings, trails, naturalist programs, bike paths and
facilities for people with disabilities combine to make Island
Beach a popular place. Waterfowl hunting is available in sedge
islands only. For information call: (732)793-0506
Wharton State Forest
Wharton State Forest is the largest single tract of land within
the New Jersey State Park System. It is also the site of Batsto
Village, a former bog iron and glassmaking industrial center
from 1766 to 1867 that currently reflects the agricultural and
commercial enterprises that existed here during the late 19th
century. Throughout Wharton are rivers and streams for canoeing,
hiking trails (including a major section of the Batona Trail),
500 miles of unpaved roads for mountain biking and horseback
riding and numerous lakes, ponds and fields ideal for wildlife
observation. Bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, marsh hawks,
ospreys, great blue herons, swans, screech owls, great-horned
owls, bluebirds, hummingbirds, purple martins, goldfinch,
turkeys, beavers, river otters, fox and deer are only some of
the wildlife the alert visitor can see. Hunting is available.
For information call: (609)561-0024
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