Page 1 News For The Garden State Prsrt Std U.S. POSTAGE Outdoors Enthusiast PAID Newark, NJ Permit No. 973 Vol. 48, No. 7 July 2015 One Dollar Organized May 24, 1935. Serving All the Sportsmen & Women of NJ Counties: Atlantic - Bergen - Burlington - Camden - Cape May - Cumberland - Essex - Gloucester - Hudson - Hunterdon - Mercer - Middlesex - Monmouth - Morris - Ocean - Passaic - Salem - Somerset - Sussex - Union - Warren NJ FEDERATED SPORTSMEN NEWS Assoc. of Field Trial Clubs of NJ - NJ Bass Federation - Jersey Coast Anglers Assoc. - NJ Beach Buggy Assoc. - NJ Chap. of Nat. Wild Turkey Fed. - NJ Ducks Unlimited - NJ State Council Trout Unlimited - NJ Trappers Assoc. - NJ Waterfowlers Assoc. - United Bow Hunters of NJ Domestic Violence Bill A Meeting with the Threatens Gunowners NJDEP Commissioner The New Jersey Assembly Law & by John Toth questions, as follows. Public Safety Committee considered and passed A4218, revising the state's On behalf of the Jersey Coast Anglers Can we get more staff for Fish & domestic violence laws, on Monday, Association (JCAA), I attended the April Wildlife? (Asked by Frank Virgilio.) June 1 at 1:30 pm, according to a release 27 meeting of the New Jersey Outdoor Martin indicated that money in Trenton is from the Association of NJ Rifle and Alliance (NJOA). The following issues "very tight" right now. The DEP is looking Pistol Clubs. were discussed. at a better way of backfilling jobs when “On the surface, A4218 seems people retire. Instead of waiting to look for well-intentioned,” the release read. “But NJ Department of Environmental a replacement when an employee is about instead of focusing on increasing the Protection Commissioner Bob Martin was to retire and the time it takes to fill the job, severity of punishment for those who invited to this council meeting to receive a the DEP wants a replacement on hand and commit actual violent acts, the legisla- Conservation Leadership Award from the ready to go when the person retires. This tion seems obsessed with harassing and NJOA in recognition of his commitment to way, the gap to fill the job is significantly intimidating anyone who owns firearms natural resource conservation and steward- reduced. and is also accused of domestic violence, ship. While waiting for his arrival, the Can we get a front pay loader for Island even where no actual violence has attendees briefly touched upon the follow- Beach State Park? (Asked by Tim occurred - which is often the case under ing items. Burden.) Assistant Commissioner Rich existing New Jersey law. Boornazian took this question and said that “Among other things, A4218: (a) Memorandum of Understanding the DEP is very close to buying one. He Allows for forfeiture and destruction of (MOU). Provides a better structure of get- also indicated that the purchasing system firearms without a due process forfeiture ting artificial reefs built with the state; in use by our state is archaic. hearing and without compensation, even material providers and contractors were Sand Mining Issue and what can be where the firearms are unrelated to the discussed. This MOU was three years in done about it? (Asked by Ken Warchal.) act complained of, in violation of a the making and the details of it were pre- Martin said he is aware of this issue and is recent U.S. Supreme Court decision; (b) NJ DEP Commissioner Bob Martin. Photo sented to various stakeholders at an April looking into it with the Army Corps of Criminalizes the failure to surrender a 15 meeting chaired by DEP. By June, the courtesy www.nj.gov. Engineers. registered firearm even if that firearm final regulations of this MOU were expect- What is the status of NJ's reefs in feder- has previously been sold or stolen; (c) ed to be finalized and presented to the pub- ple to take up hunting. A hunter with a al waters? (Asked by Ron Nachman.) Compels gun owners to waive their Fifth lic. license can have another person accompa- Martin answered that the DEP is waiting to Amendment rights (against self-incrimi- Hudson Farm Charity Clay Shoot. ny him/her to introduce that person to piggyback on Delaware's movement to nation) under threat of criminal penalty, Scheduled for May 17 and members were hunting. This person would not have to have them free of traps. He wants to take within a 48-hour time frame; (d) asked to participate in it. have a license while in this introduction- one step at a time on this: take care of our Mandates the surrender of firearms with- Bass Pro Opening Event in Atlantic City. to-hunting phase. two reefs first, then the ones in federal in an absurd 24-hour time frame, even The NJOA participated in it, by cooking Feral Cat Problem. Ed Markowski waters. He is also working on a new one during weekends and holidays when food and offering other refreshments for reported that feral cats not only kill a huge built for recreational angler use only. dealers are closed and cannot accept the thousands of people who showed up number of animals and birds, but many of Seismic testing status? (Asked by Glenn them; (e) Allows law enforcement to for it. This was a fun event and we shared them carry a parasite called toxoplasmosis Arthur.) The Commissioner said that the charge unspecified ‘fees’ for the storage our experiences with it. that can harm not only animals but humans National Marine Fisheries won't even sit of seized firearms, even where a person Marine Funding. Senator Kean at an ear- also. Ed is going to research this issue fur- down with him or his staff and he can't is cleared of charges, creating de facto lier meeting indicated that he was looking ther and make a formal report since this is deal with them. He is taking them to court forfeiture without due process when the into seeing how the Division of Fish and a growing problem that all of us should be over it since this testing violates our state's fees cannot be paid; (f) Fails to punish Wildlife could be relieved of paying ben- aware of. coastal laws. those who make false domestic violence efits for its employees that would free up Beach access and a lifesaving truck for allegations to gain tactical advantage in more money for its operating expenses. Ed DEP Commissioner Bob Martin then Island Beach State Park? (Asked by Tim divorce cases, or out of spite, and fails to Markowski reported that he talked to arrived, along with Assistant Burden.) The Commissioner indicated that provide relief or a rights restoration Senator Kean and that he is still pursuing Commissioner Rich Boornazian and Tim needs to talk to Ray Cantor (Legal process for those victimized by false this effort. Deputy Commissioner David Glass to wit- Department) to work on better access. He allegations. Island Beach State Walkway issue. The ness Bob Martin receive his award. NJOA will also check on Tim's request for this “It comes as a surprise to many that NJ Beach Buggy Association’s President Executive Director Anthony Mauro and I truck. under current New Jersey law, the Tim Burden reported that the NJBBA sup- presented this award to Bob Martin who grounds for a ‘domestic violence act’ ports a $3 fee for boaters to use this walk- was very pleased to receive it. Commissioner Martin thanked us for may be as minor as a verbal argument way to access the beach to help pay for The Commissioner arrived around giving him the award and told us that he that purposely causes annoyance lifeguards. 7:45 pm, and he told us that he had a gru- really enjoyed meeting with us. This meet- (harassment). A verbal argument with no Families Afield Legislation. Ed eling day with all types of issues that he ing was adjourned shortly after his depar- violent act whatsoever can and frequent- Markowski reported that NJOA is trying to had to address. In spite of this late hour for ture. ly does result in seizure and forfeiture of get this legislation passed to get more peo- him, he wanted to stay and take a few firearms, and permanent loss of gun rights. There is even one infamous case where throwing pretzels resulted in a Mr. Bergman generously donated his domestic violence claim. Other similar Governor’s Surf Tourney Held May 17 rod and reel combination to Island Beach types of non-violent acts that constitute State Park's surf fishing cart, which is used ‘domestic violence’ and can result in The 24th Annual Governor's Surf awards ceremony. She was joined by DEP through the summer and fall for surf fish- firearms forfeiture include staying in the Fishing Tournament was held Sunday May Commissioner Bob Martin where they pre- ing clinics. His donation will allow others home despite being asked to leave by a 17, 2015 at Island Beach State Park. A sented prizes to tournament winners in a to experience the sport of surf fishing. spouse who holds title to the home cloudy morning gave way to sun and an variety of categories. In addition to the grand prize, five (criminal trespass), and scaring a spouse easterly breeze for more than 600 regis- Rich Bergman of Atco, NJ took the anglers received rod-and-reel combina- with a Halloween mask (putting another tered participants, and their families and grand prize and NJ Governor's Cup by tions and a pair of Costa Del Mar sunglass- in fear by physical menace). There are friends. Although fishing was slow with catching a 32-inch striped bass. Mr. es for their prize-winning fish in the several others, and they arise on a regu- only 13 fish caught for the day, everyone Bergman received one rod-and-reel com- striped bass and bluefish categories.