{"id":64968,"date":"2026-02-23T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-23T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/?p=64968"},"modified":"2026-02-24T12:30:28","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T17:30:28","slug":"news-2026-02-23-public-feedback-special-regulation-set-proposal-for-pond-creek-marsh-area","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/news-2026-02-23-public-feedback-special-regulation-set-proposal-for-pond-creek-marsh-area\/","title":{"rendered":"Public Feedback: Special Regulation Set Proposal for Pond Creek Marsh Area"},"content":{"rendered":"
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As part of the Pond Creek Marsh Restoration Project, NJDEP Fish and Wildlife is proposing a set of special regulations to support the exceptional recreational and habitat values of the Pond Creek Marsh Area. These regulations seek to balance the timing and extent of various wildlife-related recreational activities\u2014such as hunting, trapping, and wildlife watching\u2014to maximize recreational quality and opportunity, while also supporting the habitat needs of species that utilize this tract.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The draft proposal was developed through a robust stakeholder engagement process, incorporating input from conservation organizations representing the full spectrum of wildlife-related recreation activities, as well as guidance from the New Jersey Fish and Game Council.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are now seeking public feedback to help ensure these regulations appropriately align with wildlife-related recreational interests while supporting the conservation goals of the restoration project. Please review the proposed regulations and share feedback by March 9th<\/sup>, 2026 11:59pm to<\/strong> <\/i> NJLandManagement@deptest.nj.gov<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Pond Creek Marsh Area subject to proposed special regulation set<\/em>
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Pond Creek Marsh Area Special Regulation Set<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The Pond Creek Marsh Area of Higbee Beach WMA is managed under a special set of regulations to support its exceptional value for wildlife habitat and wildlife-related recreation. These rules help support safe, balanced, and enjoyable access for all users.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Management Periods<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  • September 1 \u2013Monday after the Six-Day Firearm Season (Period A):<\/strong>
    Closed to hunting. Open to wildlife viewing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Monday after the Six-Day Firearm Season \u2013 February 28 (Period B):<\/strong>
    Open to hunting except Sundays. <\/strong>Wildlife viewing is permitted only on Sundays.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • March 1 \u2013 August 31 (Period C):<\/strong>
    Closed to hunting. Open to wildlife viewing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Special Regulations<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    • No person shall engage in hunting or trapping activities in, on, or under any blind, boardwalk, or the Heron Canopy located within the Pond Creek Marsh Area; or within a radius of 150 feet from the outermost edge of any blind, boardwalk, or the Heron Canopy.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Sunday bow hunting is prohibited.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Falconry trapping is prohibited.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Fishing and crabbing activities are prohibited within the Pond Creek Marsh Area. These activities are permitted west of Pond Creek bridge.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Furbearer trapping is open in the Pond Creek Marsh Area during Period B. All furbearer harvests must be removed and traps disengaged prior to each Sunday of Period B.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Wildlife viewing activities are limited to wildlife observation or photography. Activities inconsistent with wildlife-related recreation\u2014such as dog walking, bicycling, jogging, or general exercise\u2014are prohibited.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Walk-in access only. Wildlife viewing access is limited to designated trails.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Use of watercraft is prohibited, except for non-motorized vessels (e.g., kayaks or canoes) used while actively hunting or trapping.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      As part of the Pond Creek Marsh Restoration Project, NJDEP Fish and Wildlife is proposing a set of special regulations to support the exceptional recreational and habitat values of the Pond Creek Marsh Area. These regulations seek to balance the timing and extent of various wildlife-related recreational activities\u2014such as hunting, trapping, and wildlife watching\u2014to maximize […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":254,"featured_media":53691,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[52,51],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-64968","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-conservation","category-destinations"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64968","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/254"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=64968"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64968\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":65014,"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64968\/revisions\/65014"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/53691"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=64968"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=64968"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=64968"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}