Howell, NJ Animal Ordinances: Coyote Management (2026)

Chapter 179 of the Howell Township Code, adopted March 17, 2003 by Ord. No. O-03-9, is the Township's wildlife population control measure. Section 179-1 states the purpose: controlled hunting for whitetail deer within a portion of the Bear Swamp Recreation Area to allow the reduction of overpopulation and subsequent habitat destruction. The Township finds this reduction is in the public interest and achieves it by issuing a controlled number of permits. The wildlife provisions read for this page name whitetail deer only; they contain no coyote cull or hazing rule.

Section 179-2 ties the Township permit to the seasons set by the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife for archery, muzzle loaders and shotgun. The Division determines the gender to be taken. The Township determines the number of deer to be removed so the remaining herd stays in balance with the ecosystem, working with recommendations of the Howell Township Lake Restoration and Wildlife Committee and subject to the Division's requirements. The Township can stop all hunting when it decides that is in the best interest of the ecosystem balance, even if the Division would still allow hunting.

Section 179-3 has the Township set a seasonal number of permits with the Committee's recommendations. Anyone who takes a whitetail deer in Bear Swamp under a permit must report it to both the Division of Fish and Wildlife and the Township Clerk's office, and the Clerk forwards it to the Committee in writing. The Township notifies permit holders when no further hunting will be permitted. Section 179-4 sends the permit fee to Chapter 139.

Section 179-5 prohibits within Bear Swamp, during the limited seasons, every act the Division prohibits, and bars hunting on Sunday. Under § 179-6 applicants need all New Jersey permits pertaining to deer and a valid New Jersey hunting license, shown to the Township before a permit issues. Signage must tell the public that a Township permit is required inside the hunt area, which is described on Schedule A on file at the Clerk's office.