The state’s network of wildlife management areas has reached a milestone with recent land acquisitions that have increased the size of the system to 350,000 acres, Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Bob Martin announced.
“This achievement is especially notable since it is coming during the 125th anniversary of the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife,” Martin said. “Wildlife management areas, managed by the Division of Fish and Wildlife, provide countless hunting, fishing and wildlife viewing opportunities, and protect a wide range of landscapes, habitats and wildlife that reflect the state’s diversity.”
The 122-unit wildlife management area system had its beginning with the purchase of the 387-acre Walpack Tract in Sussex County in 1932 as a “Public Shooting and Fishing Ground” by the Board of Fish and Game Commissioners, the predecessor of today’s New Jersey Fish and Game Council, according to a press release.
Wildlife management areas can be found across the state. In recent months, the Division of Fish and Wildlife, through the DEP’s Green Acres program, added 502 acres to the system, nudging its size to just over 350,000 acres.
Recent acquisitions include an 18-acre addition to the Prospertown Lake Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Millstone Township, Monmouth County; a 28-acre addition to the New Sweden WMA in Lawrence Township, Cumberland County; a 204-acre addition to the Heislerville WMA in Maurice River Township, Cumberland County; and a 36-acre addition to the Peaslee WMA in Buena Vista, Atlantic County.
In addition, numerous parcels totaling 217 acres were added to the Hammonton Creek WMA and Makepeace Lake WMA, both in Mullica Township, Atlantic County, according to the press release.
The purchase of lands for the wildlife management area system was initially funded entirely from the sale of hunting and fishing licenses. The first 100,000 acres were purchased with license revenues supported by New Jersey’s sportsmen and sportswomen, according to the press release.
In 1961, the first Green Acres bond issue was approved by state voters, enabling the public to participate in the development of the system. Operational funding for the management of wildlife management areas continues to be provided by hunters and anglers.
While wildlife management areas were originally established primarily to provide areas for hunting, trapping and fishing, their purpose has greatly expanded beyond that today, according to the press release.
“Hunting and fishing enthusiasts will always find wildlife management areas ideal for their use, but activities such as bird watching, nature photography, cross-country skiing and hiking are growing in popularity on these lands,” said Division of Fish and Wildlife Director Larry Herrighty.
“New Jersey’s hunters and anglers are to be commended for their support of the wildlife management area system and the recreational opportunities they help provide,” he said.
The New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife is one of the oldest state wildlife management agencies in the nation, tracing its beginning to March 8, 1892, with the enactment of legislation calling for the appointment of three fish and game commissioners and a paid “game protector” for the “better protection of the fishing interests and of the game birds and game animals of this state,” according to the press release.
This structure evolved into the New Jersey Division of Fish and Game, which was integrated into the DEP when the latter was formed on April 22, 1970. In 1979, the Division of Fish and Game became the Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife, and in 2000, the name was changed to the Division of Fish and Wildlife to encompass its mission of managing all wildlife.
